Giants must get Eli

By virtue of posting the fourth worst record in the NFL last season, a chance to draft the top rated collegiate quarterback, Eli Manning, has fallen into the lap of the New York Giants.

As owners of the fourth pick in April's draft, the Giants have an unprecedented opportunity to obtain the first overall pick via trade from the San Diego Chargers and select Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning.

However, there's one stumbling block: Many within the Giants organization covet Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery, and want to pluck the mammoth lineman at number four to sure up one of the worst offensive lines in football.

Are they crazy?

Teams get only a few chances to be within striking distance of the first overall pick in the draft, let alone when a top quarterback like Manning is available.

After finishing 4-11, their worst finish since 1996 (5-11), the Giants are in prime position to trade with San Diego.

Having the ammunition to make such a move, in a year when the worst team in the league seems willing to pass up a blue chip quarterback, doesn't happen often to franchises that are perennial playoff contenders.

Case in point: The Giants have not had a higher pick since 1984, and haven't had a top five draft choice since 1996, even considering the Ray Handley years.

Unless you're employed by the Chargers, Cardinals or Bengals, don't count on having another top five pick for a while.

Opponents of trading up believe the Giants' most pressing need is at offensive line.

Gallery is thought to be a safer choice, considering the risk of drafting a quarterback in the first round.

The Giants have an effective, yet unspectacular, passer with Super Bowl experience in Kerry Collins.

Additionally, the team would not have to surrender valuable picks that would otherwise be packaged in a deal with San Diego.

While the Giants may be more competitive with Collins and Gallery next season, drafting Manning is about capitalizing on the opportunity to land a franchise quarterback who can lead the team for the next 15 years.

Has anyone been watching how older brother Payton has transformed the Colts from perennial losers to contenders since he joined the team in 1997?

Picture him in Giants uniform, and you'll quickly forget about Robert Gallery and the offensive line.

After their worst finish in a decade, the Giants must do whatever it takes to obtain a dynamic player who can determine the direction of the franchise for years to come.

Manning is that player.

Find me someone who will argue that tackles Tony Boselli, Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace or Chris Samuels have had more of an impact on their respective teams than Payton Manning, Steve McNair, or Donovan McNabb.

The NFL is a quarterback driven league, and you cannot hesitate when you are given an opportunity to grab the next blue chipper.

When the chance to draft a can't miss quarterback comes along (and most scouts agree that Manning is just that), you have to forget your immediate needs and look at the future.

Find a band-aid, and pick the tackle next season, when it won't cost you a shot at Manning.

Few will dispute that it's easier to find a great offensive tackle than it is to get franchise quarterback.

Drafting a quarterback first overall, however, doesn't come without risk.

Just ask the Chargers.

Manning could turn out to be a bust like Ryan Leaf or Tim Couch, but it's more likely that Manning would follow in the footsteps of his brother Payton, and develop into one of the best passers in the league.

Scouts say that although Eli doesn't have the same rocket arm as his older brother, he possesses greater mobility and athleticism.

Even if Eli falls short of his brother's benchmark, the Giants, at worst, would have a quarterback with tremendous accuracy and great intangibles a la Tom Brady or Chad Pennington.

If Ernie Accorsi, General Manager of the Giants, doesn't pull the trigger quickly, the Redskins could beat him to the punch.

Several news organizations reported that Washington is looking to cut a deal with San Diego, despite obtaining veteran Mark Brunell in the off-season to tutor highly regarded third year quarterback Patrick Ramsey.

The 'Skins (and Raiders) interest should be a clear indication of how excited scouts are about Manning.

Facing Manning twice a year would be a disaster for Big Blue.

Accorsi would be known as the GM who let Manning get away, and would be second-guessed on a weekly basis.

Just ask any Jets fan how that nightmare plays out.

Remember how Payton Manning spurned Gang Green when he decided not to return to Tennessee on the eve of the 1997 draft, in large part because Bill Parcells would not commit to making Payton the first pick in the draft?

And let's be honest... The Giants shouldn't even get the opportunity to draft Manning.

If the Chargers were smart, they'd keep the pick and take Eli.

Three years after trading Michael Vick to the Falcons in a similar scenario, the Chargers have yet another opportunity to select a franchise quarterback.

Eli and LaDainian Tomlinson could develop into a more lethal duo than Payton and Edgerrin James.

However, we're talking about the Chargers, and they always have a knack of doing things that defy conventional wisdom.

If San Diego decides to trade the first overall pick, it's up to Accorsi to cut a deal at any cost, and draft the player who can make the biggest impact on the New York Football Giants.

That's Eli Manning, without question.

It's your call, Ernie.