Glauber: Eli marvels about Favre's streak

If you want to get a sense of just how ridiculously implausible Brett Favre's streak of 297 regular-season starts really is, then consider this:

The Giants' Eli Manning is about to make his 100th consecutive start Sunday against Favre's Vikings. That means Manning, only the sixth quarterback in NFL history to start at least 100 straight games, would have to play 12 more years to get within one game of Favre's accomplishment.

No wonder Manning shook his head Wednesday when asked about the magnitude of Favre's streak.

"It's amazing the amount of games he's played," he said. "I've only played one-third that many, so I've got another [13] years to go. That would be a long time. That's the amazing part, how long he's played and played healthy in consecutive starts at a high level. It's very impressive."

It's incredibly impressive. Favre has played through just about every conceivable ailment - ankle, shoulder, elbow, even pneumonia. His streak may be in jeopardy because of a right shoulder injury suffered early in last week's 38-14 win over the Bills.

Favre didn't practice Wednesday but is expected to do limited work in practice Thursday. A decision about his availability might not be made until game day. But let's put it this way: If Favre doesn't make his 298th straight start, it will be a massive upset.

"We'll see how he responds with another day's rest," Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier said Wednesday. "We'll have a better gauge after [today's] practice and we'll go from there."

Frazier said he'll consult with the 41-year-old Favre, as well as the team's medical staff, before making a decision. But unless his right arm is about to fall off, expect No. 4 to start. And expect No. 10 to continue marveling at one of the most remarkable ironman streaks in sports history.

Manning didn't even realize until someone told him that he was about to make his 100th straight start after taking over the No. 1 job midway through the 2004 season. At 30, he has had only two instances in which he nearly missed a game: in 2007 (shoulder injury) and last year, when he had a foot problem. Otherwise, he has been remarkably healthy . . . and fortunate.

But unlike Favre, who rarely does much work in the offseason and does only limited training outside of practice during the regular season, Manning is a bit of a workout freak. Even if his relatively slender physique might not show it.

"I'm not looking to get all jacked up, but I feel has helped me maintain and stay healthy," Manning said. "If I'm traveling somewhere, getting my workouts in are my No. 1 priority, whether it's 5 o'clock in the morning or 10 o'clock at night. I'll do what I have to do."

Manning took a tip from his father, former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, about maintaining good physical condition.

"My dad always talked about being flexible, so I've always worked on stretching," he said. "It's about being smart, doing extra shoulder exercises to stay healthy, the line protecting for you and the receivers getting open. A lot has to happen."

One more thing helps, too: dumb luck. Considering all the ways a football player can get hurt, Manning knows he's remarkably fortunate. He has never missed a game in high school, college or the pros.

"You're going to take some hits. They're going to happen," he said. "So yeah, there's a little luck."

But the Giants are the lucky ones to have the kind of quarterback stability Manning offers. Just as the Colts are with big brother Peyton, who has made 204 straight starts. But even the brothers' streaks combined are barely more than Favre's run.

How much longer will Eli keep playing? He doesn't know for sure, but suggested he might be playing into his 40s.

"I guess I hope so," he said. "If you feel healthy and feel like you can still play at a high level, keep playing as long as you can."

But even if Eli does threaten Favre's streak, one thing he isn't likely to equal is Favre's retirement streak. Manning plans on doing that just once.