DBWI: WI the San Diego Chargers draft Eli Manning?

As most football fans know, the San Diego Chargers had the #1 draft pick in 2004 and wanted to select Eli Manning. Manning refused to play for San Diego (the reasons are unclear, but one of the thoughts was that he didn't like how they treated QBs, like Drew Brees and Ryan Leaf) and, of course, the Chargers decided to draft Larry Fitzgerald instead. The Brees-Fitzgerald combo would ultimately lead to the Chargers winning Super Bowl XLI against the Saints and getting to the AFC title game in 2008, losing to the then-undefeated New England Patriots and to the Chargers becoming a solid playoff team for years (winning three AFC titles and two Super Bowls); it's not for nothing that Pacific Marine Stadium has been called "the house Drew and Larry built."

Eli Manning didn't turn out too badly, becoming a solid quarterback for the Cardinals and winning a Super Bowl against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, which has been considered to be one of the best Super Bowls of all time. Ben Roethlisberger was another beneficiary; drafted by the Giants, he helped them beat the Patriots twice and won four Super Bowls (though many would argue that they came with the famous Giants defenses that included Richard Sherman, Cam Chancellor, et. al.; it's not for nothing that people compared them to the 1980s Giants defenses with Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks)...

So, WI the Chargers did draft Eli Manning (A.J. Smith said that he strongly considered doing so, but was convinced to draft Larry Fitzgerald to ensure a solid wide receiver for Drew Brees)? Manning has stated that, if drafted by the Chargers, he would have sat out the 2004 season, so who would the Chargers trade him to and for how much? Maybe he gets traded to New Orleans (it would make sense; his father, Archie, played for the Saints) and, if so, this certainly butterflies away their selection of Aaron Rodgers...

(OOC: Pacific Marine Stadium is located in National City, on the site of an OTL stadium proposal; assume butterflies ensure it gets built ITTL...)
 
Last edited:
If the Cardinals would have drafted Eli Manning (with no intention of trade), the Giants would have drafted Big Ben, and the Browns take Rivers (more than likely).
 
Another beneficiary, though, was Phillip Rivers; drafted by the New York Giants with the fourth pick, he has led the Giants to nine playoff appearances, six NFC titles, and five Super Bowls;
OOC: I'm tired of this myth, Rivers have far better defense of Eli never have(only 2007, 2011 was incredible how bad giants D was) and he never achieve anything when butterflies might help him still his personality will not allow make friends in NY, rivers is infamous how have thrown teamates under the bus in SD/LA, NY would eat him alive. I know people feels sorry but should research, looks the data and numbers, beat that myth.

Eli Manning didn't turn out too badly, becoming a solid quarterback for the Cardinals and winning a Super Bowl against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, which has been considered to be one of the best Super Bowls of all time
That game was so insane, the desesperation pass to Boldin was incredible and that game was pure insanity.

If the Cardinals would have drafted Eli Manning (with no intention of trade), the Giants would have drafted Big Ben, and the Browns take Rivers (more than likely).
Wonder what could have got from giants.. a 1st and second? there were some fans wanted Taylor, others big ben.
 
Wonder what could have got from giants.. a 1st and second? there were some fans wanted Taylor, others big ben.

If the Cards drafted Eli, and the Giants got Ben, I think they would have been happy with that. Roethlisberger was a player that Accorsi was strongly targeting.
 
Top