Showed in 2008 that he is not going to be the superstar many expected him to become following a remarkable playoff run the previous season. Truly struggled when wide receiver Plaxico Burress, his security blanket, missed time. Beyond the Burress situation, issues with the Giants’ receiving corps abound, and the team’s commitment to the run inherently lowers Manning’s ceiling.
(’09 Proj: 3,300 yds, 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) ~Stan Feldman
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The Derrick Mason of quarterbacks. That might sound like a burn, but Mason owners know it's not meant as one. You know what you are getting as a fantasy owner, he is going to start 16 games. Heʼs going to get 3,200 to 3,400 yards. Heʼs going to get between 20-25 touchdowns. Heʼs a very safe fantasy pick that will put up good, not great numbers.
('09 Proj: 3,270, 22 touchdowns, 15 interceptions) ~Dave Fosdick
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Manning was hindered by Plaxico Burress being absent for a good portion of the season and he suffered accordingly, posting his worst numbers as a starter. Whether or not he'll recover this season depends upon either the team keeping Burress (a longshot at this point) or someone in current receiving corps stepping up and producing like a WR1 (perhaps an even less likely scenario.) In any case, Manning should not be drafted as anything more than a QB2 to be rotated in based on favorable matchups.
('09 Proj: 275 comp, 470 att, 3,190 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) ~Frank Mazzola
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Ranked a respectable tenth in the league in touchdowns with 21, but only threw for 3,238 yards in ’08. With Plaxico’s situation unsettled, Toomer aging and not wanting to return, and the potential of Hixon as the top wideout; there simply aren’t enough weapons to consider this Manning as a #1 fantasy QB. Draft him as on of the safest backup QB's in a 12-team league.
('09 Proj: 3,300yds, 20 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) ~Steve Cavanagh
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Manning’s final stats took a slight dip last year, but it wasn’t as drastic as it should have been when you consider he was without his top wideout Plaxico Burress and the Giants continued to stress the run with Earth, Wind and Fire. I think Manning is an ideal No. 2 quarterback heading into this season, someone who you can plug in on a bye week as well as choice matchups throughout the season. Just don’t rest your season on him as your unquestioned No. 1.
(’09 Proj: 3,500 yds, 24 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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The younger Manning could be in serious trouble in '09. Ward and Jacobs are free agents, and we all know the Plaxico Burress situation. Manning was lost without Burress at the end of the season. Ultimately, Jacobs and Ward return, Plaxico does not. Wecolme back, inconsistent Eli!
('09 Proj: 3,200 yds, 20 touchdowns, 18 interceptions) ~Jeremy Fischer
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I've been zigging while the rest of the fantasy world zagged on Eli his entire career. I thought he was a bit inflated from the playoff run heading into last year and when I look at Eli's "other" numbers from '08, they have me more bullish on the guy heading in '09 than my cohorts above. Eli's interceptions to games played climbed every year of his career until 2008. 1:1 in 2004, 1.06:1 in 2005, 1.13:1 in 2006 and 1.25:1 in 2007. But last year he trimmed the fat to the tune of .63:1! How about fumbles? Three, nine, nine and THIRTEEN until last year's five. I had the opportunity to watch several Giants games last year and Eli strikes me as a QB that is steadily growing (even if his stats aren't). I'm buying Eli in dynasty league formats right now because the reality is, he's maturing as an NFL QB and stats will ultimately reflect that.
('09 Proj: 3,400 yds, 23 TD's, 12 interceptions) ~Rick Perkins
