Is Eli Manning the worst highest paid player in NFL history?
I’m only going back to 2000 on this one, if you can find a worse player before 2000 that was the highest paid player in the NFL, then I will grant you a no-prize.
| Highest Paid Player NFL, Since 2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Year | Player |
| 2009 | Eli Manning |
| 2008 | Ben Roethlisberger |
| 2007 | Dwight Freeney |
| 2006 | Richard Seymour |
| 2005 | Michael Vick |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning |
| 2003 | Brian Urlacher |
| 2002 | Michael Strahan |
| 2001 | Brian Griese |
| 2000 | Drew Bledsoe |
| *According to USA Today | |
Ok, we have our list since 2000. I will eliminate Freeney, Peyton Manning, Urlacher, Strahan and Bledsoe immediately. That leaves Roethlisberger, Seymour, Vick and Griese
Big Ben-Since entering the league in 2004, he has completed 62.4 percent of his passes. Also, a passer rating of one season over 100 and two over 90 for a run heavy offense. Finally, two rings in five seasons.
So Roethlisberger is out
Richard Seymour-Entering 2006 he was 27 years old and had come off three straight seasons of being a first team all-pro and Pro Bowler. He primarily plays defensive end, but can play defensive tackle.
Seymour is out.
Michael Vick- During the 2005 season Vick was 25 years old and had just come off two Pro Bowl seasons and lead all QB’s in rushing in 2004 and was 23rd overall in individual rushing with 902 yards, ahead of Priest Holmes and Brian Westbrook that year. Vick was one of the most explosive players at that time and needed plenty of game planning around him.
Vick is out.
Brian Griese- Upon initial look, he gave Manning the best race for worst all time highest paid player. Denver had just come off John Elway and wanted Griese to be that player. How did his number shape up? In 2000, Brian Griese was 25 years old and threw 19 TD to 4 Int in the 10 games he started and played all year. He also had a 102.9 passer rating, a NFL best that season, after that his interceptions shot up, throwing 19, then 15 the following season, despite throwing over 20 TD one more time in his career. He could always complete a good percentage of his passes, 62.7 for his career. This one is really close, but it made more sense with Denver to lock up Griese because of Wide Receiver Rod Smith entering his prime as a receiver. Granted, Denver shouldn’t have given Griese 15 million dollars, but then again Cleveland gave Tim Couch 12.9 that season.
I will confidently say, outside of maybe Brian Griese, Eli Manning is the worst highest paid player in the NFL since 2000 and possibly all-time.
#1 by Chris Cwik on August 6, 2009 - 1:45 pm
There is no way that Manning is a worse signing than Griese. You neglected to mention that Manning won a ring already, something Griese never led his team to. Not to mention, I am confident that Manning will be a much better QB than Griese.
Not many people realize the huge strides Manning made last season. His completion percentage improved quite a bit, he cut his INT’s in half, and the offense still performed without Burress. Manning didn’t throw as many TDs without Plax, but he didn’t completely melt down either. I expect more of the same from Eli this season.