Jan 21, 2008 3:02 pm US/Eastern
It's All Smiles Now, As Eli Makes 'Super' Strides
A Manning To Play In Championship For 2nd Straight Year
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) ―
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For the second straight year, there will be a Manning quarterback in the Super Bowl. This time, it's younger brother Eli.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Since he entered the league, Eli Manning was the little brother, the second Manning people thought of.
All that has changed now that Eli Manning has led his New York Giants on a most improbable run to the Super Bowl, which his big brother Peyton won last year with the Indianapolis Colts.
The proof came in the post-game conversation the two star quarterbacks had after Sunday night's 23-20 victory over the Green Back Packers in the NFC Championship game.
"He said I'm past the point where he can give me advice anymore," Eli Manning said with a big grin.
"He wants it the other way now," he said. "I don't know if I agree with him, but it's great to hear it from him."
After returning from Wisconsin to Giants Stadium Monday morning, Eli Manning was asked if Peyton had any advice for him now that the little brother is going to the Super Bowl.
He'll need it, leading Big Blue against the 18-0 New England Patriots, seeking a Super Bowl victory to cap a perfect season.
"I don't know how to stop Tom Brady," Manning said. "That's a question for our defense. He's a heck of a player, and he's had an unbelievable season. It's not going to be easy."
The oddsmakers have installed New England as a 131/2-point favorite. That, despite the fact the Giants nearly derailed the Pats' perfect season in the regular season finale, losing 38-35 in a game few gave the Giants any shot of coming close to winning.
Eli Manning said Peyton has been a tremendous source of strength for him as he struggled before finding his groove in this year's postseason.
The fact that his brother is a fellow NFL quarterback with a Super Bowl ring doesn't hurt, either.
"My family has been unbelievable, to have someone who after a bad game or anything that happens, they're right by your side.
Peyton has been wonderful to me," Manning said. "He has been a great person to talk to."
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Eli hasn't changed; he's just getting more credit now for doing what he has been doing all along.
"His temperament is so great: He stays out of the valley, and doesn't get up on the peak," the coach said. "He's mentally taking charge of everything. He's in a position where he leads his team to victory. He likes that spot."
In particular, Coughlin praised manning for making passes when he has to, and staying away from interceptions and forced throws.
Against Green Bay, Manning completed 21 of 40 passes for 254 yards, with no interceptions.
"We know what he's capable of," Coughlin said, "and he's just scratching the surface of it."
Eli Manning did admit Monday that Peyton gave him a tiny bit of advice as he prepares for the Super Bowl: "He said, 'This is fun, just take it all in."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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