During the 2013 preseason, the New York Giants made it a point to state that the Super Bowl was the biggest priority this season since it was being played at their stadium. Naturally, the team wanted home field advantage for the big game. However, the Giants were merely one of the more disappointing teams in the league this season and now all Eli Manning can do is give advice to his big brother who is playing in the Super Bowl instead.
Manning told the New York Post that he has been giving Peyton tips on playing at MetLife Stadium, especially how to handle the weather conditions amongst the stadium's little quirks.
"I might have a few things for him, but I don't want to reveal that, because I don't want to give it to [Seahawks quarterback] Russell Wilson," Manning said. "So any tips I may have wind-wise, I would tell him in private. The old stadium definitely had a specific end zone and corner that you wouldn't want to throw into if it was going to be a windy night. If it is one of those windy days, then there is a little bit of local knowledge that you can give. But it's definitely not as bad as the old stadium."
Eli has been supporting Peyton via text message for most of the week since the Broncos defeated the Patriots in the AFC championship game. Many believe that Peyton needs to win one more Super Bowl to really define his legacy as one of the best quarterbacks ever in the NFL. With much speculation surrounding whether or not the Broncos quarterback will retire when the season is over, Eli says he does not believe a win or loss will impact Peyton's place in NFL history.
"I think he's already created his own legacy, and he's played at a very high level for a long period of time, has overcome injuries and obviously set numerous records and been on a lot of playoff teams and is playing in a third Super Bowl," Eli said. "I don't think that's something that he's worried about. There will always been arguments about who's the greatest, who's the best. If you're in that argument, and your name is being thrown around in there, I think you've already created a pretty good legacy. He's a competitor and he wants to win championships. I think that's what he's thinking about."
Meanwhile, watching Peyton earn a trip to the Super Bowl has motivated Eli for the upcoming season. The Giants, specifically their offense, was a bit of a disaster this season and Eli hopes to be in his brother's place next year. After watching the AFC championship game in Denver last week, the Giants quarterback is eager to play in that atmosphere once again.
"Going through a championship game like last week and seeing that excitement and seeing the crowd ... it definitely lights a little fire under you to get back to that scenario," Eli said. "You miss that. Having been there before and knowing that feeling, you do get jealous of that feeling and that excitement that goes along with it. But that was probably more jealous of that atmosphere."