NEW YORK -- For years, Eli Manning has shrugged off
outrageous expectations and constant comparisons to his talented
father and brother.
Unfazed by all the attention and pressure, the Mississippi
quarterback proved himself a worthy member of his star-studded
family tree.
Given Manning's poise, pedigree and penchant for living up to
the hype, it's no wonder NFL teams are clamoring to draft him on
Saturday -- maybe, like his brother, first overall.
While there have been other families with two first-round picks
in the NFL, the Mannings will be the first with three.
"It's never been important to me," Manning said. "I've never
said I have to go one or wanted to be the first pick in the draft.
I just wanted to go to a team that wanted me. I want to go
somewhere that's a good program and a good place to play
football."
Apparently, the San Diego Chargers do not qualify. Manning,
through his father, Archie, and his agent, told the Chargers he'd
prefer they pass on him with their No. 1 overall pick. He's even
hinted he's ready to sit out the season if he's taken by the
Chargers, who haven't made the playoffs in eight years.
"It's my decision," he said, "my career and my life."
Even before Eli slighted San Diego, several teams, including the
New York Giants, talked to the Chargers about trading into the top
spot to grab Manning.
He still appears to be the favorite to go No. 1, just as brother
Peyton did in 1998 when he was picked by the Indianapolis Colts,
who went on to become one of the AFC's best teams with their new
quarterback.
Archie lasted just a little longer -- he was drafted second
overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1971. He knows well that being
a high pick, especially as a quarterback, comes with a heavy burden
and huge workload.
For years, Archie was the lone star on pitiful Saints teams
after achieving stardom at Mississippi, like his youngest son did.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old Eli will represent a better future
for some franchise, exactly as his father and brother once did. The
honeymoon, however, won't last long.
"Soak this up and enjoy it," is the elder Manning's fatherly
advice. "It's a one-time deal. There's tough days ahead in making
the transition."
Of course, it won't be the first time Eli has been anointed
savior.
Ole Miss was pretty good, but far from great, for decades after
the first Manning era in Oxford, Miss. (Peyton starred at
Tennessee.)
When Eli signed with the Rebels out of high school, the faithful
were overjoyed, but they had to wait for their hero. He sat out his
first year and backed up a senior in his first active season.
Well-seasoned under the tutelage of Rebels coach David
Cutcliffe, Peyton's position coach at Tennessee, Eli put together a
brilliant sophomore season, throwing 31 touchdown passes with nine
interceptions.
His junior year wasn't as good, but he was still rated as a
likely first-round selection if he wanted to skip his senior year
and enter the 2003 draft. He chose to stay at Ole Miss -- Peyton did
the same with the Volunteers -- and both he and the Rebels reaped
huge rewards.
Mississippi went 10-2, its best season in 32 years, and Eli
finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. He got the glory of
leading his father and mother's alma mater back to national
prominence, and he will make millions as a result.
But he's also making headlines with the family decision to spurn
the Chargers.
"All the other things going on, its not going to diminish how
far Eli has come to get to this point," Peyton said. "It's going
to be a great day no matter what happens."
Eli and Peyton are remarkably similar players. Eli's about a
quarter of an inch shorter than his 6-foot-5 brother. Peyton's got
a few more pounds, but at about 220, Eli probably will fill out in
the pros just like Peyton did.
Neither was blessed with their dad's elusiveness.
"We're not going to run away from anybody. We can slide away or
shuffle up a little bit. We're not going to beat anybody with our
speed," Peyton said. "We both try to use the cerebral part of the
game to make quick decisions and (we're ) both very accurate with
the football.
"Those things you've got to have to be a good pro
quarterback."
Good genes apparently don't hurt, either.