All the stories I saw said that the Chargers released it to the media... that it was actually something told to them by Manning and they chose to leak it yesterday or Thursday.

I don't know, Kevin, after the Skins' little dance with Schottenheimer a few years back, I can't say I blame Manning for not wanting to go to San Diego. And he and his father were trying to go about it quietly, unlike Elway, and as Jeff said, the Chargers were the ones who publicized it.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. The Cowboys are gonna wipe up the NFC East, anyway. Although Gibbs does concern me.

I know what you are saying but you have to understand Archie's thinking.

Archie could have been a hall of famer had he not but stuck in New Orleans his whole career. The Chargers are something like 43-85 since their last playoff appearance. Eli would have the same problems.

The difference between the two teams is dozens of millions of dollars, potential Superbowl MVP(s) and Hall of Fame status.

If that was your kid, you would have done the same thing.

um- In the interest of full disclosure, I know the Manning family.... BUT having said that, you would be hard pressed to find a more gracious group of folks.

As already noted, Archie tried to do this quietly, the Chargers went to the media.

if he doesn't want to go to San Diego, he shouldn't have to. If he's good enough to have a choice he should play where he's happy. It's better than to go and hate being there

Eh, he endedup in New Jersey. That's like doing pennance.

I agree Kevin. The Elway/Manning connection is valid. So I will mostly dismiss anything Manning manages to accomplish.

The square jawed (Clutch Cargo?) arrogant Elway set the precident, and its surprising many more haven't pulled the same BS.

I'm with Kevin on this. But what really bothered me was how ESPN's analysts repeatedly referred to Manning as "classy" for going up to the podium and holding up the jersey. It was nothing of the sort. There's a lot middle ground between "prick" and "classy," and what Manning did probably falls somewhere in the neighborhood of "barely passable manners." Far short of classy. I'm also willing to bet that Tagliabue let the Manning family know in no uncertain terms that Eli had better be on that stage no matter who called his name.

I would hardly call not drafting E. Manning "tantamount to throwing away the pick." When you go 4-12 and get the #1 pick in the draft for the 2nd time in 5 years you have a lot more issues than who is playing QB. Like Wide Receiver, offensive line, defense, etc. They had a lot of holes to fill and would have been better served by keeping the Manning issue under the table and getting a better deal out of New York. Once they leaked it to the media they lost all leverage.

As far as Manning being a prick, I don't agree. For most players the draft is the only time in which they have any leverage against management regarding contract negotiations. Why shoud the "go along to get along"? Because we'd think more of them. Yeah sure, but they have to look out for their best intere$t$, namely getting paid and dictating where you will play. And for all the talk about the public hating athletes and being embarassed by thier behavoir I don't see any shortage of "outraged" people buying tickets to the games...

I don't see how we can criticize someone who has a choice for doing what he wants most. If Eli Manning wants to be a Giant or go to law school more than play NFL football for the Chargers, who are we to say he has to sign with the Chargers?