Eli explains his quarterback rating

Eli Manning sometimes has to defend himself for making bad plays, wrong decisions, or unnecessary gambles in games. Wednesday he found himself in the odd position of having to explain why he thinks he's so good.

A day after telling one drive-time radio host that he thinks he is among the top five NFL quarterbacks and in the same class as Tom Brady, Manning shrugged to another drive-time radio host.

"What am I supposed to say? No?"

That Manning said anything newsworthy makes this story all the more intriguing. Manning may not be known for his athleticism and quickness on the field, but he's usually very adept at sidestepping the media mines that are spread out in front of him every time he talks to a reporter or broadcaster.

The issue began on Tuesday when Manning was on ESPN Radio with Michael Kay. Manning was asked if he thinks of himself as a "top 10, top five quarterback" and he said, "Yeah, I think I am."

Later in the interview, when asked if he belonged on the same tier with three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP Brady, Manning said: "I consider myself in that class."

Then Wednesday, Manning was on with WFAN's Mike Francesa and asked about those comments. After giving his no-other-choice response, Manning further defended his aspirations.

"I'm trying to compete," he said. "I'm trying to be the best quarterback and get to a championship. That's what I'm trying to do every year."

Manning was not available to speak with print media, the Giants said.

It's not just that an aw shucks quarterback suddenly has shown some swagger, but Manning's timing could not be worse to make his case. He is coming off a season in which he threw a career-high 25 interceptions. Not all of them were his fault, but it's still a glaring number. Brady, meanwhile, threw four interceptions in 2010.

Manning's other numbers were impressive: 31 touchdowns, 4,002 yards and a completion percentage of 62.9. Brady had 36 touchdowns, 3,900 yards and 65.9. Brady also led his team to the playoffs, something Manning has not been able to accomplish the last two seasons.

What was Manning supposed to say? He could have said it's not his job to rank quarterbacks. He could have said he didn't perform like one in 2010 but he feels he can be a top five quarterback this season. When asked about Brady, he could have easily said that he recalled one day in particular when he was in the same class as the Patriots quarterback and he has the ring to remember it by.

Instead, his coach and teammates had to answer questions about him Wednesday.

"I feel like he's definitely in the top five as well," receiver Hakeem Nicks said. "The way he can just dissect the defense by picking up on blitzes, catching things, letting you know you're hot off this guy. I think he can break down a defense just as good as any quarterback in the league."

Tom Coughlin reiterated his disappointment in Manning's interceptions from last season. "You can definitely improve and I'm sure he will," the coach said. But he made sure he also pointed out that he too thinks Manning is a top five quarterback.

"He is for me," Coughlin said.

Then again, what is he supposed to say?