dudeman0501
04-24-2004, 10:31 PM
http://files.aximsite.com/sec/eli.jpgEli Manning No. 1 Pick Overall in NFL Draft
SOURCE: SECsports.com
NEW YORK -- Add the name of Eli Manning to a long list of former Ole Miss football players to wear the uniform of the New York Giants.
Following Manning's selection by the San Diego Chargers as the No. 1 overall pick during Saturday's National Football League Draft in New York City, the Ole Miss quarterback from New Orleans was then traded to the Giants for quarterback Phillip Rivers.
"I'm excited for Eli being the No. 1 overall pick of the draft," Ole Miss Head Football Coach David Cutcliffe said. "He has worked hard to become a better football player and the Giants are getting not only a great player, but a great person. I've truly been blessed to have had the opportunity to coach two No. 1 overall picks in Peyton at Tennessee and now Eli at Ole Miss. I'm also happy for the Manning family. They are truly wonderful people."
One person with a special interest in Saturday's draft was Perian Conerly of Clarksdale, Miss., the wife of the late Charlie Conerly, who was an All-America player at Ole Miss before going on to star as quarterback of New York Giants (1948-61).
Conerly, considered by some to possible be the greatest quarterback not in the NFL Hall of Fame, led the Giants to the 1956 NFL Championship. He represented the Giants in three Pro Bowls (1951, 1952, 1957) and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1959.
"This is a great day for the New York Giants and the Ole Miss Rebels," Mrs. Conerly said. "Charlie would be so proud that Eli is going to be a Giant. I'm sorry we didn't have the opportunity to enjoy this year's draft together, but I just bet he's looking down from Heaven with a big smile on his face.
"Charlie and I enjoyed some wonderful times in New York. Even after Charlie's passing, I continue to enjoy my trips back to New York and I'm grateful to Well (Giants owner Wellington Mara). Eli being a Giant is a great excuse to return more often."
In Mississippi, the annual collegiate Player of the Year award is named in honor of Conerly. Eli Manning won the award in 2001 and 2003. It was at the recent banquet that Perian Conerly expressed her hopes that Eli would continue his football career with the Giants.
With that in mind, she wrote a personal letter to longtime friend and New York Giants owner Wellington Mara. In part, she wrote ... "Now–Let's talk about Eli. I was thrilled to read there's a chance he might go with the Giants. That would be super! Of course you know all about his prowess on the field. But, in addition, Eli is intelligent (good grades), hard-working, but – unlike brother Peyton – rather laid back. His teammates will love him.
"I'll be on a cruise through the Panama Canal (Miami to L.A.) when the draft comes about – but I'll be glued to whatever news source is available on the ship. I hope it is good news. Eli a Giant! Wow!"
The selection of Eli Manning -- who set or tied 47 school records during his career at Ole Miss -- as the No. 1 overall pick was the highest ever for an Ole Miss player to be chosen in the NFL draft. Eli's father, Archie, was the previous highest pick at No. 2 overall, having been the first round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1971.
"I am very happy," Eli Manning said after being swapped to the Giants. "We wanted something of this nature to happen and I'm excited about the situation. As far as San Diego goes, I didn't want to disrespect anyone or cause any hard feelings."
When asked about the pressure he faces to succeed, Manning noted that "pressure is something I've been around a long time, following my father and my brother. I'm just going to work as hard as I can to be the best quarterback I can be. As far as the Giants, I don't know what the situation is. I don't know if they want me to sit down and play behind Kerry Collins, who obviously is a great player.
"I know all about Charlie Conerly and know that a whole bunch of Ole Miss players have played for the Giants. I've talked with Perian Conerly. I know she wanted this to happen."
Ole Miss has had almost 200 former players to play in the professional ranks. Twenty-three of those players wore the New York Giants uniform, which ranks No. 1 in school history. The second highest team total for Ole Miss is 16 New Orleans Saints.
SOURCE: SECsports.com
NEW YORK -- Add the name of Eli Manning to a long list of former Ole Miss football players to wear the uniform of the New York Giants.
Following Manning's selection by the San Diego Chargers as the No. 1 overall pick during Saturday's National Football League Draft in New York City, the Ole Miss quarterback from New Orleans was then traded to the Giants for quarterback Phillip Rivers.
"I'm excited for Eli being the No. 1 overall pick of the draft," Ole Miss Head Football Coach David Cutcliffe said. "He has worked hard to become a better football player and the Giants are getting not only a great player, but a great person. I've truly been blessed to have had the opportunity to coach two No. 1 overall picks in Peyton at Tennessee and now Eli at Ole Miss. I'm also happy for the Manning family. They are truly wonderful people."
One person with a special interest in Saturday's draft was Perian Conerly of Clarksdale, Miss., the wife of the late Charlie Conerly, who was an All-America player at Ole Miss before going on to star as quarterback of New York Giants (1948-61).
Conerly, considered by some to possible be the greatest quarterback not in the NFL Hall of Fame, led the Giants to the 1956 NFL Championship. He represented the Giants in three Pro Bowls (1951, 1952, 1957) and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1959.
"This is a great day for the New York Giants and the Ole Miss Rebels," Mrs. Conerly said. "Charlie would be so proud that Eli is going to be a Giant. I'm sorry we didn't have the opportunity to enjoy this year's draft together, but I just bet he's looking down from Heaven with a big smile on his face.
"Charlie and I enjoyed some wonderful times in New York. Even after Charlie's passing, I continue to enjoy my trips back to New York and I'm grateful to Well (Giants owner Wellington Mara). Eli being a Giant is a great excuse to return more often."
In Mississippi, the annual collegiate Player of the Year award is named in honor of Conerly. Eli Manning won the award in 2001 and 2003. It was at the recent banquet that Perian Conerly expressed her hopes that Eli would continue his football career with the Giants.
With that in mind, she wrote a personal letter to longtime friend and New York Giants owner Wellington Mara. In part, she wrote ... "Now–Let's talk about Eli. I was thrilled to read there's a chance he might go with the Giants. That would be super! Of course you know all about his prowess on the field. But, in addition, Eli is intelligent (good grades), hard-working, but – unlike brother Peyton – rather laid back. His teammates will love him.
"I'll be on a cruise through the Panama Canal (Miami to L.A.) when the draft comes about – but I'll be glued to whatever news source is available on the ship. I hope it is good news. Eli a Giant! Wow!"
The selection of Eli Manning -- who set or tied 47 school records during his career at Ole Miss -- as the No. 1 overall pick was the highest ever for an Ole Miss player to be chosen in the NFL draft. Eli's father, Archie, was the previous highest pick at No. 2 overall, having been the first round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1971.
"I am very happy," Eli Manning said after being swapped to the Giants. "We wanted something of this nature to happen and I'm excited about the situation. As far as San Diego goes, I didn't want to disrespect anyone or cause any hard feelings."
When asked about the pressure he faces to succeed, Manning noted that "pressure is something I've been around a long time, following my father and my brother. I'm just going to work as hard as I can to be the best quarterback I can be. As far as the Giants, I don't know what the situation is. I don't know if they want me to sit down and play behind Kerry Collins, who obviously is a great player.
"I know all about Charlie Conerly and know that a whole bunch of Ole Miss players have played for the Giants. I've talked with Perian Conerly. I know she wanted this to happen."
Ole Miss has had almost 200 former players to play in the professional ranks. Twenty-three of those players wore the New York Giants uniform, which ranks No. 1 in school history. The second highest team total for Ole Miss is 16 New Orleans Saints.