During his NFL career, Eli Manning saw a lot of great defensive players while being the face of the New York Giants franchise for 16 seasons, which resulted in two Super Bowl titles, both won against Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.
With so much experience playing in huge games for the storied NFL franchise, Manning knows what it’s like to go up against the elite of the elite patrolling the opposing secondary.
Although Manning went up against some great defensive players during practice, with constant battles with Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Antonio Pierce and Jason Pierre-Paul, the longtime Giants quarterback had one opposing player who stuck in his mind as being the most difficult to play against.
On the “Roommates Show” with New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Manning revealed that Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed was the most challenging defensive player he faced during his NFL career.
“Ed Reed at free safety was just a ballhawk,” Manning said. “He was all over the place. You were just scared to throw the ball anywhere near him.”
Eli Manning tells us who the most challenging defensive players he’s ever faced 👀
Presented by @FanaticsBook pic.twitter.com/eZM3b5qTo2
— Roommates Show (@Roommates__Show) September 5, 2024
Manning also mentioned safety Sean Taylor, whom he faced many times in NFC East games against the Washington franchise.
“Sean Taylor was a beast,” Manning said. “He would just take your head off.”
Reed is an icon in Baltimore because he showed that he was not only the best player at his position in the league during his prime but also as consistent as it gets, making plays and driving opposing quarterbacks crazy on a weekly basis.
Along with making the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Reed has a Super Bowl title to his credit, as well as five All-Pro selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
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