Taking One for the Team

A shout out goes to the Chargers for not letting the “first family of football” change the meaning of the word draft. Sure, the Manning’s were successful in reaching the Gotham City, but at what price?

There would seem to be two primary reasons for the ultimatum: to play for a winning team and exposure to a larger market.

The Giants are clearly more than a single player away from being an elite NFL team. They have no offensive line, aging skill players, and a defense that was 22nd in the league in total defense in 2003. The Giants draft did little to address those problems. Kerry Collins was not the problem on the Giants last season.

Further, it’s now becoming clear that the Giants are planning on throwing Eli directly into the fire. Although it’s debatable what the long-term effects are of starting rookie quarterbacks, the short-term impact is very clear -- a long season full of losses. As many teams have shown, losing is not the worst thing in the world short-term if a roadmap has been determined. But, because the Giants traded their 2005 first round pick to the Chargers as part of the deal, a pick that is likely to be in the top 10 with Eli starting, they have little means to improve through the draft. Doh!

Now, there’s still the larger market issue, which would assumedly provide young Eli with “the necessary means, the necessary means” for the almighty endorsement money. But, wait, hold on a second. In the wonderful world of marketing, all exposure is not necessarily good exposure.

Brands typically want their companies and organizations represented by winners and those athletes who are well liked throughout the country. The Manning’s single-handedly infuriated all those not wearing the NFL Football Giants blue and white. Did you hear the boos at the Garden theatre on Sunday? Those won’t be the last. I’m guessing that Eli’s agent isn’t exactly being overwhelmed with calls this week.

I’ll leave the “why the hell would anyone choose Northern Jersey over San Diego!?!” question for another time. Seriously. Maybe AJ Smith should’ve sent Eli a few pictures of the turnpike and the Meadowlands during the pre-draft negotiation period.

Sold to the man in the funny hat.