Eli Manning Announces His Retirement

Accorsi had scouted Manning at Mississippi, where Eli had followed in his father’s footsteps, and hoped that he could induce the Chargers to select Manning but then trade him to the Giants.

Manning was installed as the team’s starting quarterback by November 2004.

By the next season, the Giants won 11 games and made the playoffs, where they were routed in the first round.

A string of poor performances ensued for the team and for Manning, with the Giants finishing 8-8 in 2006.

Entering the 2007 season, Manning’s record as a starter, including the playoffs, was 20-21.