Should Eli Manning be in the NFL Hall of Fame?

[Moogy]

Not even up for discussion. Eli Manning will be in the Hall of Fame next year. He took down arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game in Tom Brady not once but twice. His postseason play in both of these Super Bowl run’s was borderline heroic.

As the article indicates, only 5 can get in each year, and next year Brees, Philip Rivers, Jason Witten, Larry Fitzgerald and Frank Gore are eligible for the first time. Which of those 5 is Eli bumping? Rivers, for example, dominates Eli statistically ... with Eli only having the 2 Super Bowl successes to counter that.

I think Eli should and will get in eventually ... but next year may not happen.

 

[94LionsFan]

How in the world does Sterling Sharpe get into the Hall?

I’d argue that he’s more deserving than Eli. He only played 7 years vs Eli’s 16 and still made more Pro Bowls (5 vs 4). He led the league in catches 3x, TDs 2x, and rec yds 1x. Eli never led the league in any passing category except INTs 3x.

I think Eli was a very good QB in an era of a lot of very good QBs and pass-heavy offenses. I’d lean toward saying he should not be in.

Sharpe’s career stats
Manning’s career stats

 

[Ludd]

I’d argue that he’s more deserving than Eli. He only played 7 years vs Eli’s 16 and still made more Pro Bowls (5 vs 4). He led the league in catches 3x, TDs 2x, and rec yds 1x. Eli never led the league in any passing category except INTs 3x.

I think Eli was a very good QB in an era of a lot of very good QBs and pass-heavy offenses. I’d lean toward saying he should not be in.

Sharpe’s career stats
Manning’s career stats

But shouldn’t length of career matter too? It’s for the best of the best and that should be geared toward people who were great for a long time.

 

[94LionsFan]

But shouldn’t length of career matter too? It’s for the best of the best and that should be geared toward people who were great for a long time.

If you want to say Sharpe didn’t play long enough, I suppose that’s fair.

But Eli wasn’t considered in the top 3 QBs (out of 16 NFC teams) in 3/4 of his seasons. That’s not something you want to say about a HOFer, IMO.

 

[Ludd]

If you want to say Sharpe didn’t play long enough, I suppose that’s fair.

But Eli wasn’t considered in the top 3 QBs (out of 16 NFC teams) in 3/4 of his seasons. That’s not something you want to say about a HOFer, IMO.

I’m not arguing Manning should be in, I don’t have a strong opinion either way….im just not sure that length of career (as long as it’s productive) shouldn’t be equally or more important than numbers.

 

[Woodpecker]

I’m not arguing Manning should be in, I don’t have a strong opinion either way….im just not sure that length of career (as long as it’s productive) shouldn’t be equally or more important than numbers.

Some number of games played for comparison:
Ernie Nevers played 54
Gale Sayers played 68
Terrell Davis played 78
Sterling Sharpe played 112
Jim Brown played 118

 

[Ludd]

Some number of games played for comparison:
Ernie Nevers played 54
Gale Sayers played 68
Terrell Davis played 78
Sterling Sharpe played 112
Jim Brown played 118

So maybe some of them shouldn’t be in there. Much like Richie Valens shouldn’t be in the Rock and Roll HOF.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

If you want to say Sharpe didn’t play long enough, I suppose that’s fair.

But Eli wasn’t considered in the top 3 QBs (out of 16 NFC teams) in 3/4 of his seasons. That’s not something you want to say about a HOFer, IMO.

Seven years should not get you into the HOF, that's my beef, and three of those years weren't anything special.

 

[Nitt1300]

are there any two time Super Bowl MVPs who aren't in?

 

[psu31trap]

are there any two time Super Bowl MVPs who aren't in?

I don’t think so.

 

[94LionsFan]

Seven years should not get you into the HOF, that's my beef, and three of those years weren't anything special.

Fair enough, though 1 of those not anything special years was All-Pro. He only missed the Pro Bowl twice.