To Be or Not to Be a Hall of Famer? For Eli, that is the Question.

To be or not to be a Hall of Famer, that is the question? For Eli, the Jury is still out. Of course, New York fans will scream high and mighty that he should be. However, lets take a look at the actual facts and history of other potential and actual Hall of Fame players and coaches to see whether or not simply winning two Lombardi Trophies secures one a guaranteed spot in Canton.

There are actually several arguments against him becoming a Hall of Famer. These include a long list of more deserving candidates ahead of him who have yet to get in. As Tom Jackson said, "I don't know what the process is? I don't pretend to know, but when a guy like Bill Parcells or Chris Carter doesn't make it, there is something wrong with the process!" Oh how right you are Tom, how right you are!

Let's look no further than a former New York Giants head coach with two Super Bowls; Bill Parcells. Parcells coached the Giants from 1983 until just after the Super Bowl XXV. During his tenure as head coach he took home 4 division titles, only had two losing seasons, and won two Super Bowls. Additionally, he took home a third AFC championship in New England and made mutliple playoff appearances with both the Patriots and the New York Jets, where he won several playoff games and had multiple winning seasons. 2 Super Bowls and 3 AFC championships...automatic Hall of Famer right? Wrong!

This past week Parcells was snubbed along with Chris Carter who although he never got a ring, is second in the NFL in all time touchdowns with 130 scores. Tim Brown was also snubbed. Brown had 99 career scores and is 4th on the all time list. You would think stats like that would insure you a bust in Canton...nope! Alright, Parcells was a coach and the other two never got a ring. I get it, but wait are there others with two rings that haven't gotten in? There sure are....

Jim Plunkett was a quarterback who won two Super Bowls for the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s. The only Hall he is in is the College Hall of Fame. What two Super Bowl victories and no bust in Canton you are saying...YUP! So, don't automatically assume that just because Eli has two rings that he will automatcally be in in Canton after his playing days are over. Peyton, surely will, but Eli..well we will have to wait and see?

Another argument against Eli being inducted to the Hall of Fame is his career passing completion percentages. Fifty-eight percent is alright, but in a league designed to help the offenses and especially the quarterback, it is not that impressive.

But, Eli owns a bunch of NFL records doesn't he? The answer is NO. Eli doesn't even own one record. Not a single one.

But, he always seems to throw for over 4,000 yards. Actually, he has only done this 3 times in his career. Additionally, he has only averaged more than 300 yards per game over the course of a season just once! Even further he has only thrown over 30 touchdowns one time in his career. What only once? Yup!

These aren't exactly stand out number. When one thinks of the Hall of Fame one thinks of amazing statistics combined with titles. Even though this is not actually true, this is the perception.

What is true is that although he has two titles, he has only thrown 185 touchdowns to 129 interceptions. Plunkett, who also has two titles, had an unimpressive stat line in these areas as well. Just some things to ponder, when considering the basic facts.

He is a Manning. Therefore, he automatically deserves to be. Even though, his father is not, both brothers surely will be. They are loved by both the Hall of Fame voters and the NFL itself. They are promoted by the NFL as some of the faces of the league. Therefore, regardless of stats, they will both be in the Hall someday.

He has two Super Bowl titles. There are multiple players in the Hall both with and without titles, and Eli was a part of Super Bowl and thus NFL history when he upset the 18-0 Patriots in one of the most replayed plays in NFL history, when he escaped Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour in Super Bowl XLII. There is no way the NFL lets the play of the decade go without having at least one Hall of Famer.

He has been a durable quarterback. He has started every game he has had the opportunity to. Since 2005, after his rookie year, he has started every game for the Giants. Not an easy feat considering he playes in the NFC east, a tough division.

At first glance, my gut feeling would have said yes to the question of whether he is a Hall of Fame quarterback. However, after doing some historical research on both players and coaches with multiple rings, it doesn't automatically guarantee you a spot in Canton. Further, after looking at his career stats, they are not too impressive either. Additionally, he holds not one NFL all time record in any category. Therefore, my answer to this question in a resounding NO! Eli Manning has yet to prove he is Hall worthy. I know, this will make Giants fans all rabid and put their panties in a bunch, but the the facts and history show, he truly could not be.

Now Giants fans...let's ignore the facts...and bring on the hate mail!!! Eli, still has a lot to prove.