Eli Manning has signed the largest contract in NFL history with a six-year, $97.5 million extension with $35 million guaranteed. In NFL contracts, all that really matters is guaranteed money, and Eli did very well for himself. When I saw this, I immediately asked myself two questions.

Is Eli Manning a top 5 QB?

He is 28 years old, entering his sixth season in the NFL and has not missed a start since taking over the reigns as Quarterback in 2005.

Eli’s numbers didn’t change too much from his first two years as a starter to his next two years. Based on the numbers, in 07 and 08, Eli was more efficient and took fewer risks while not having significantly better years than his first two.

Ok, so how does Eli stack up against other NFL QB’s?

Since 2005, Eli Manning has finished in the top-five TD’s thrown twice and Int thrown three times. He has NOT finished in the top 10 in completion percentage, passer rating or most yards per game thrown any season!

To be fair, the Giants have been a primarily run offense since 2005. They have finished in the top seven each year in rush yards as a team, including finishing first in 2008 with 2,518. Also, they have finished in the top 10 three times since 2005 in team rushing attempts.

So, the Giants are a primarily run offense, Eli Manning has never had an excellent season at QB, based on numbers compared to other QB’s, and his only major contribution to the position was during their playoff run in 2007. Even that can be suspect because he was the beneficiary of the greatest catch in Super Bowl history and had Tyree not made that grab, the Giants lose the Super Bowl and no Super Bowl MVP for Eli.

Eli is not a top five QB in the NFL based on his numbers, and the fact that the Giants don’t need Eli to be a top five QB for them to succeed. So why did the Giants not only pay him top five QB money, but highest ever money? I do not know.

Part 2