• Loading stock data...
Monday, December 2, 2024

Eli Manning: I Was Not Criticizing Russell Wilson On ‘ManningCast’

  • Manning said he was joking about paying the punter “$235 million instead of Russell.”
  • Two-time Super Bowl MVP thriving in media career, embracing fantasy football in retirement.
Syndication: Courier News

Eli Manning is thriving in his post-NFL media career, appearing on ESPN’s popular “ManningCast” with older brother Peyton and going undercover as “Chad Powers” for his own “Eli’s Places” show.

With Omaha Productions’ “Monday Night Football” alternative telecast now in its second season, the Manning brothers are getting more comfortable zinging players and teams.

Two weeks ago, a clip of a frustrated Petyon Manning furiously calling 62 times for a timeout while Denver Broncos coaches dithered went viral.

On Monday, Eli Manning made headlines when he seemed to dunk on underperforming Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson during the Dallas Cowboys’ 23-16 win over the New York Giants.  

While Wilson’s offense struggled to score points in an ugly 11-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, Broncos punter Corliss Waitman emerged as the star of the game, booming 10 punts for 476 yards. 

With ex-punter Pat McAfee looking on, Manning quipped, “They should have paid that punter $235 million instead of Russell.”

(Manning was referring to Wilson’s five-year, $245 million Broncos extension).

On Tuesday, Manning told Front Office Sports he was not trying to rip Wilson, who’s thrown only two touchdown passes this season while leading the Broncos to a 2-1 record. But things happen on live TV. ESPN’s cameras caught him flipping a double-bird last season.

“No, I don’t think we’re trying to be critical. I think we always try to support the guys that are in the game. I think sometimes, ‘Hey, it’s live TV.’ I never try to take a real shot at somebody. I think that was obviously a very outrageous joke — because a punter had 10 punts. Nothing against Russell. He’s going to do great,” said the two-time Super Bowl MVP with the Giants.

Despite taking the Seattle Seahawks to two Super Bowls, it will take time for Wilson to adjust to Denver after 10 seasons in the Pacific Northwest, Manning added.

“It’s hard going into a new offense, a new system. It takes some time. It’s not going to be perfect after three weeks. I’ve been in that situation. It can take five or six weeks before you get comfortable with the coaches. It’s not just the quarterback. It’s all the players coming together, learning a new offense and getting together and getting on the same page. 

“So I know he’s going to turn it around. He’s a tremendous player-athlete. So never want to try to take a shot. Or put anybody down. Obviously, it was just a ridiculous idea of paying a punter that much. I think we try to support the quarterbacks that are in the game. We know how hard it is to be in that situation. Obviously, sometimes we get emotionally involved. You root for guys. So you react. Or you’re rooting for a team. If they’re not doing something you think they should be doing, the thoughts and the opinions come out a little bit.”

The 41-year-old was making the media rounds Tuesday touting the partnership between the ESPN Fantasy Football app and IBM.

Like many ex-players, Manning has embraced fantasy football in his retirement. He now has two ESPN Fantasy Football teams — including one he co-manages with his 11-year-old daughter, who is quick to suggest trades and player pickups. 

This season marks the sixth season of the IBM-ESPN fantasy partnership. Under the deal, IBM and ESPN use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze fantasy football data produced during the season. 

IBM says it delivered more than 34 billion AI-powered insights to fantasy players last season. The data generated by tools like “Trade Analyzer with Watson” helps team owners weigh potential deals. 

Manning admits he was terrible at fantasy football his first season. He drafted former teammates for fun. He didn’t have a plan.

Now he’s relying on data.

“It’s fun. I’m more into it than I thought I would be,” said Manning.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
May 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; From left: TNT analysts Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, play-by-play announcer Kevin Harland and reporter Allie LaForce during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

WBD Target of Investor Lawsuit Over Loss of NBA Rights

WBD sued the NBA in July after failing to retain broadcast rights.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Happy Thanksgiving From FOS Today

0:00

Featured Today

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.
Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:
November 22, 2024

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.

Cowboys-Giants on Thanksgiving Draws 38.5M, Tops 2024 NFL Ratings

The Giants-Cowboys Thanksgiving afternoon game drew 38.5 million viewers on Fox.
November 26, 2024

NBA Passes on Thanksgiving Games, Eyes Black Friday Spotlight

The NBA hasn’t played on Thanksgiving since 2010.
Bluesky and Twitter
November 28, 2024

Why Bluesky Is Not a Serious Threat to Sports Twitter

Bluesky recently hit 23 million total users. That doesn’t touch X/Twitter.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 25, 2024

Lions Could Turn Tables by Eclipsing Cowboys Ratings on Thanksgiving

The Cowboys and Lions play again on Thanksgiving—in very different positions.
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Thursday Night Football broadcasters Clarissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman at SoFi Stadium.
November 25, 2024

Amazon Finds NFL Silver Linings Despite Missing Out on Thanksgiving

The streamer is drawing its best NFL ratings yet.
November 23, 2024

Reader Mailbag: Why Are NBA Ratings Down to Start the Season?

NBA viewership is down 28% on ESPN through the first four weeks.
November 22, 2024

DirecTV-Dish Deal Is Dead, Spelling More Trouble for Pay TV

Bondholder objections undo an agreement to create the largest U.S. pay-TV distributor.