First it was Tiki Barber.  Then it was Amani Toomer, and now it is Phil Simms.  The CBS analyst has become the latest former Giant to take a shot at Eli Manning.  Many have called it a cheap shot.  Flag on the play.  Unnecessary roughness.  Kicking a man when he’s down.

Here is what Phil Simms said about Eli on CBS Sports Network’s “NFL Monday QB” show:

“No, he’s not one of the elites.  Because when I hear the word “elite,” I’m thinking about guys that can make unbelievable plays on the field by themselves. There are very few quarterbacks in that category.”

Eli may not be playing his best football right now, but most Giants fans won’t agree with Phil Simms.  Many may even be down right angry, and some may feel a little betrayed by their hero.  Yet, the fallout will be at its worst, when fans have Phil’s comments thrown back in their faces by friends, significant others, coworkers and, worst of all, Dallas Cowboys fans.

If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you could try the old standby—you can’t spell “elite” without “Eli”—but if that doesn’t satisfy those “friends” trying to get a rise out of you, here are five other responses that should do the trick.

1. Eli Manning has 24 career fourth quarter comebacks.  Three in this season, so far, and seven last season, including the Super Bowl win over the Patriots.
2. Eli has been named Super Bowl MVP twice.  Can Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or even Peyton say that?  No.
3. In 2011, the Giants had two pro-bowlers—Eli and JPP—the Patriots had eight.  Four of which were on offense, including two receivers, Gronkowski and Welker.  Imagine what Eli could do with more firepower.
4. Eli Manning is a proven road warrior.  In route to both Super Bowls, the Giants only played one home game.  Eli led his team to victory in Tampa, Dallas and San Francisco and twice in Green Bay.  They also never had a bye.
5. Google images for “Eli Manning Sacked,” and show these pics while simply reminding the person confronting you that Manning has the longest streak of consecutive starts amongst active players.  One hundred and thirty-eight games and counting.

Personally, I would just look at the person, smile, perhaps give a little laugh and then walk away.

There will always be Eli Manning haters.  Deion Sanders can sing, “I Believe in Eli,” until the cows come home, and still there will be those who question his greatness.  Bottom line is Eli believes in Eli.  Giants fans believe in Eli, and that is all that matters.

Powered By DT Author Box

Written by Hollie

Hollie is a diehard New York Football Giants and Boston Red Sox fan. She grew up in Rhode Island, and, subsequently, she has spent her entire life answering the question, “Why are you a Giants fan?” The simple answer is that she was born this way. Her father was a Giants fan long before the Patriots existed, and he passed down his love for football and his loyalty to the Giants to his daughter. One cold January morning, when Hollie was five-years-old, she remembers waking up on the pullout sofa in her den and asking her father, “Did we win?” “We” being the Giants, who, yes, had won Super Bowl XXI the night before. This is her first memory as a Giants fan. Today, Hollie lives in Los Angeles, where she roots for her teams from afar and writes and hosts the video blog A Fan Divided.

Author’s Website

Follow this author on Twitter