Eli Needs to 'Right Size' His Media Profile

RB Brandon Jacobs in NJ State Police vest. (Photo courtesy of Facebook user.)

With the NFL draft upon us, the Giants must now focus on key issues such as Eli’s new found fondness for the media spotlight.

Let’s be clear.  Eli deserves credit for his role in helping lead the Giants to their second Super Bowl win in 5 years and proving he is an elite quarterback.

Giants fans enjoy reading about Eli Manning throwing TDs, fighting for wins, praising opponents and doing charity work.  No other media work is needed from Eli.

There are plenty of ex-Giants that serve the role of providing news coverage that is more entertainment in nature than football.  Just this week ex-Giant and suspended 49er Brandon Jacobs had some excellent stories written about him right here in the Garden State for his participation in “Death Race 2012.”

The Star Ledger reported that two New Jersey State troopers were suspended and a station commander was reassigned for escorting a fast moving fleet of exotic cars to Atlantic City and also reported that Jacobs had requested the escort. The Ledger posted amateur video taken by a car that caught up to the “Death Race” caravan while driving at speeds they said on the video were up to 120 mph. (Click here to see amateur chase video. Note: The video contains mature language.)

Jacobs’ activity may be good news for Atlantic City and perhaps the charity work of the Driving Force Club, but it is clearly no help for the Giants facing a tough schedule.

Still, with a Saturday Night Live performance scheduled for this May 5, Eli has, according to The Daily News, complained to Fox News this past weekend about being the third most talked about QB in his own city. 

Radio has also put Manning in the headlines. After eight years of doing a quiet ESPN 1050 segment an “Evening with Eli” and shortly after agreeing to continue the segment, The Michael Kay Show was informed that Eli would not be returning.  Instead, The Daily News reported, Manning will be heard only on WFAN.

The Daily News said that the reason behind the move was growing bad blood between the Jets and the Giants.  The Jets thrive in the media spotlight and had a widely talked about HBO reality show illustrating their media savvy.  

Still, it is good to win football games. And, that is what Number 10 should have dialed in as his first priority.