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View Full Version : Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger defined by one thing: winning



polamalubeast
11-02-2012, 01:54 PM
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- They have 250 games, 7,796 passes attempted, 376 touchdowns and 240 interceptions between them. Yet numbers do not define them.

Thank you, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

If either ever becomes a regular-season NFL MVP, it will be because he is exactly that: valuable. Not because he puts up the gaudiest, fantasy-friendly statistics.

Here we are, nine years into their careers, and they are Eli and Big Ben, now more alike than different as quarterbacks.


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"I think it's a fair assessment to call both of them winners," Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Both guys have been to the big dance and delivered. That's what this profession is about. That's what that position, particularly, is about."

Roethlisberger or Manning has been at quarterback in five of the past seven Super Bowls. They've combined to win four.

"(They're) winners. That's the point," said Ernie Accorsi, the former New York Giants general manager who orchestrated the draft-day trade for Manning. "I pay no attention to stats or passer ratings. You draft a quarterback for one reason: to win championships."

Roethlisberger and Manning face off Sunday, as the Steelers travel to MetLife Stadium to play the Giants. Theirs is not a regular rivalry; they meet as often as we elect a president.

In 2004, when they were rookies, the Steelers won, 33-30, at Giants Stadium. In 2008, the Giants won, 21-14, at Heinz Field.

Now they play again, in the prime of their careers; Roethlisberger is 30, Manning 31. They are seen similarly by their peers: In NFL Network's "Top 100: Players of 2012," Roethlisberger ranked 30th, Manning 31st.


And both have met high expectations from draft day, April 24, 2004, when Manning was selected first overall by the San Diego Chargers (then sent to the Giants in a deal that included No. 4 overall pick Philip Rivers), and Roethlisberger went 11th to the Steelers.

"There never was a doubt for me on either of these two," Accorsi said. "We were picking Ben had we been unable to make the trade, so our fallback position was good."


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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000088971/article/eli-manning-ben-roethlisberger-defined-by-one-thing-winning

ALLD
11-02-2012, 05:33 PM
"Clutch" winning.

Bluecoat96
11-02-2012, 06:37 PM
....or clutch drinking

http://guestofaguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/eli.jpg