Rivers-Manning Trade
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The Rivers-Manning Trade was a NFL trade that occurred on the first day of the 2004 NFL Draft. The trade sent the right to sign Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning to New York Giants, and the right to sign North Carolina State University quarterback Philip Rivers to the San Diego Chargers, in addition to several additional draft picks.
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[edit] Background
After coming off an abysmal 2003 campaign that left the team with a 4-12 record, the San Diego Chargers were the worst team in the NFL at the time. Along with a poor reputation, the team with the worst record also receives the first overall selection in that year's draft. The Chargers had seen inconsistent performances from quarterback Drew Brees as partial cause for their poor performances and popular opinion was that they would seek a quarterback. Eli Manning, younger brother to Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl QB Peyton Manning and son of Archie Manning, seemed like the obvious choice.
[edit] Refusal
Days before the draft, Chargers general manager A. J. Smith announced that Eli Manning and his representative Tom Condon informed the Chargers organization that if Manning was drafted by the Chargers, he would not sign. Though many have speculated that Manning's family influenced or made the decision, Eli maintains that the decision was his alone, and that his family merely supported him. He described his refusal to play for San Diego as the result of feeling that San Diego would not be conducive to his future. [1] Reaction among the popular media was mixed. Some supported Manning's decision as a firm and decisive attempt to join a solid team, while others saw it as an imperious act of selfishness designed to join a large market team. In any case, Manning, it seemed, was fully aware that if the Chargers did not draft him, the New York Giants would, and that seemed to be the fuel behind his refusal.[citation needed]
[edit] Lead up
Hours before the draft, speculation flew as to the potential series of events. Some expected the Chargers to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation and draft Philip Rivers, the man with whom the Chargers' coaching staff had become enamored at the 2004 College Senior Bowl. Some still expected the Chargers and Giants to exchange picks moments before the draft, with some small compensation awarded to the Chargers. The Washington Post reported that the Giants had discussed releasing quarterback Kerry Collins in order to provide a greater incentive for Tom Condon and Manning to sign with New York quickly. [2] Few, as it were, expected the Chargers to actually take Manning.
[edit] Draft day
As tension rose and rumors flew, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue approached the podium and proceeded to announce that the Chargers, with first overall pick, would indeed select Eli Manning, despite Manning's refusal to play. Immediately after the announcement, the whole of Madison Square Garden broke out into an "Eli Sucks" chant. With the boos and hostilities flying, Manning begrudgingly accepted a Chargers jersey, and awkwardly refused to wear a Chargers draft day cap. Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer, after a half hour, called Manning and informed him that a plane was waiting to take him to San Diego. Meanwhile, fans eagerly awaited who the Giants would take with their first round pick. The Giants, as expected, took Philip Rivers, hoping to bargain with the Chargers.
[edit] Behind the scenes
ESPN reported that immediately before the draft, Chargers' General Manager A. J. Smith refused the Giants' offer that consisted of three 2004 first day picks, and 2nd and 3rd round picks in 2005. Smith had demanded Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora be part of the deal, and Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi would not permit it. Finally, after the Giants had made the move to draft Rivers, Smith conceded to an all-pick trade without Umenyiora. Smith submitted his desire for Philip Rivers, the Giants' 2005 1st round pick, and both the Giants' 2004 and 2005 3rd round picks. Accorsi initially refused, but after Smith closed talks, Accorsi accepted the offer and the NFL finalized it.
[edit] The Trade
Paul Tagliabue approached the podium again to announce the trade. Initially, when Tagliabue announced the teams had exchanged picks, the move was greeted with cheers. When it was announced that the Chargers would receive three additional picks, including another first-rounder, the New York crowd greeted the seemingly lopsided nature with appalled shock. Three years later, as a mere afterthought, Washington Post columnist Les Carpenter said about the trade, "It might be one of the most lopsided trades of all time: Three players headed to this year's Pro Bowl -- Rivers, [Shawne] Merriman and [Nate] Kaeding -- for a quarterback who has been routinely booed by his home fans." [3]
[edit] The Results
The Giants were known for overlooking Manning's accuracy weaknesses in college and instead, drafted for the pedigree. Indeed, Manning's leadership qualities and overall "intangibles" were considered lacking; this continues to be true, as many fellow New York Giants do not exhibit much confidence in the young quarterback. Eli's accuracy has become a problem for the Giants and for the second straight year through 2006, has wilted in the latter part of the season. For his career after 40 regular season starts, Manning has completed less than 55% of his passes. Rivers meanwhile, has completed over 65% of his passes and the Chargers 14-2 record earned them the first overall seed in the 2006 AFC Playoffs. Rivers 14 wins in the 2006 season were the most wins (all-time) for any first-time starter in a single season.
Overall, most experts would agree that the Chargers struck the better deal in the 2004 Draft Day Trade. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson has helped to boost Rivers and the Chargers appear to be in a position to make many postseason runs. Rivers has also proven to be a capable leader on the field and his future looks extremely bright. And Shawne Merriman, the player taken by San Diego with the Giants' first round pick in the 2005 draft, has become one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL today. Manning on the other hand, will be losing Pro Bowl running back Tiki Barber to retirement and Eli has proven he cannot handle the offense as of yet by himself. Many analysts are even considering Manning a potential draft bust at this point given his lack of progress in his first two full seasons.
[edit] The specifics
[edit] Giants received
- Rights to 2004 1st Overall Pick - Used to sign quarterback Eli Manning.
[edit] Chargers received
- Rights to 2004 4th Overall Pick - Used to sign Quarterback Philip Rivers.
- 2005 1st Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Linebacker Shawne Merriman.
- 2004 3rd Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Kicker Nate Kaeding.
- 2005 5th Round Draft Pick - Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Left Tackle Roman Oben.
[edit] Additional notes
- The Chargers will also consider the third round compensation pick from the NFL in the 2007 draft for releasing Drew Brees as being inextricably linked with the Manning trade.
- Without having to pay for a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Giants signed free agents Plaxico Burress (WR), Antonio Pierce (LB) and Jay Feely (K) after the 2004 season. [4][5][6]
- Nate Kaeding, over three years from 2004 to 2006, has a higher field goal percentage than Jay Feely. However, Feely does kick in Giants Stadium, which is known for its swirling winds.[7]
- Rivers has a higher career QB Rating than Manning [8][9]
- Shawne Merriman was the 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year and led the league in sacks in 2006, despite missing four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.[10]
