NFL: How The Giants Shaped Today's NFL

A Look Back On the QB Roulette of 2004 In April of 2004, the New York Giants decided to make Eli Manning their quarterback of the future. With the fourth overall pick in the draft, they chose North Carolina States' Philip Rivers and then traded him along with a package of draft picks to San Diego for Manning. New York GM Ernie Accorsi took some heavy criticism for this move, from the day it happened to February 4th of this year when Eli was named Super Bowl MVP in the Giants' 17-14 upset win over New England. Looking back to 2004, I shake my head at the events that led up to this move and how the fates of all involved were changed by it. Draft day was turning out to be the night of the long knives. The Chargers had the top pick in the draft and Manning knowing Accorsi wanted him. Manning has stated he would not play for San Diego. The Giants picked Rivers with the fourth pick knowing that the Chargers would take him in package for Manning. Falling through the cracks, meanwhile, was Ben ... (link)