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Giants' Manning comes off all write in new book

Neil Best
October 7, 2008

Eli Manning and Kerry Collins forever were linked after April 2004, when the Giants traded for the former, then released the latter.

Now look: They are the quarterbacks of the only two undefeated teams in the NFL.

The fact that both were and apparently still are capable players made that franchise-altering decision a tricky one at the time. But just how tricky?

The recently released, "Eli Manning, The Making of a Quarterback," by Ralph Vacchiano, reveals that the late co-owner Wellington Mara favored keeping Collins and not making the trade.

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It is one of several revelations in the book, including that in that '04 draft, the Giants chose Philip Rivers on the Chargers' behalf, which technically is against NFL rules. (Is it too late for the league to make them give Eli back?)

Still, much of the material will be familiar to avid fans. And even though Manning did not participate in the writing, it is strongly sympathetic to him, referring often to poor, put-upon Eli's treatment by fans and the media.

Somehow, Manning resisted the temptation to write his own book when in the past year, Ernie Accorsi (via Tom Callahan), Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, Tom Coughlin, Plaxico Burress and David Tyree have done so.

That left the door ajar for Vacchiano, a newspaper reporter who has covered the team for 13 seasons.

Out of necessity, he tries to get at the enigma that is Eli by talking mostly to those around him - which I know firsthand is the only way to do it.

Mostly, it works. And after eight victories in eight tries this calendar year, fascination with the book's subject will only continue to grow, making this account that much more valuable.

(Speaking of Eli, Fox's Troy Aikman said on WFAN yesterday that he would pick Tony Romo over Manning. Yikes! Can we forget the next three games and fast-forward to Cowboys-Giants on Nov. 2?)

Did Keith tweak Palin?

If it were Bob Costas or Dan Patrick who had made the crack Sunday night, no one would have thought twice -- other than about the fact that concussions are no laughing matter. But it was Keith Olbermann, and that raised eyebrows.

Here is what NBC's studio wiseguy said, jokingly putting words in the mouth of the Bills' Trent Edwards, who had been knocked woozy: "He was OK otherwise, but he said, 'I can see Russia from here."'

Some supporters of Gov. Sarah Palin took it as a barb aimed at the Republican VP candidate, knowing how Olbermann feels about her from his role as an MSNBC political commentator. (Disclosure: I might have made a joke or two at the governor's expense on my blog.)

Said an NBC spokesman: "He was making a pop culture reference, not any kind of political statement."

Maybe, but the incident illustrated Olbermann's awkward status as a polarizing political figure trying to cover sports apolitically during an emotional election season. The mere sight of him makes many conservatives seethe, and anything he says can and will be used against him. Olbermann told me last fall he might take off the couple of weeks before the election. He should.

'Hockey Night' in America

Happy news for hockey fans as the North American portion of the regular season nears:

The NHL Network will carry "Hockey Night in Canada" this season, giving Americans who do not live near the border a chance to experience the traditional gold standard of hockey telecasts. More so than its NFL, NBA and MLB (coming Jan. 1) counterparts, the NHL Network is a godsend for fans of its showcase sport, who lack for TV content beyond the coverage of local teams.

Speaking of the MLB Network and hockey, Mike Santini, who was to take over as producer of Islanders games, instead left MSG for the baseball start-up. So did Dave Patterson, a coordinating producer.

Related topic galleries: Plaxico Burress, NBC, National Basketball Association, Michael Strahan, Government, Bob Costas, Tiki Barber

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