TIME TO LAY OFF MANNING AND RIVERS

I knew Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers were no Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, but it doesn't mean that they are as bad as the press made them out to be around the midpoint of the regular season. Everyone was piling on, including c-rate journalists. It's funny that these guys are going to be linked together because of the draft day trade that brought them to their teams. The dividends are beginning to payoff for both young quarterbacks and the teams that gambled to get them.

Phillip Rivers threw some picks against the Patriots in the 21-12 loss in the AFC championship, but showed enough guts and moxie on one healthy knee to keep his team in the game. A play here or there could have made a difference and remember the Patriots went back to their clock killing days with Laurence Maroney playing the role of Corey Dillon to burn out most of the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Eli Manning made more than a handful of great throws to upset the Green Bay Packers. The Packers, Patriots, and Cowboys played like the 1998 Minnesota Vikings offense; unbelievable aerial games - complimented with a solid rushing attack. The Giants have now beaten two of those three teams and now are set to rematch the Patriots, the team they nearly beat in the regular season finale.

I doubt the Giants will win, but it's not impossible. The Patriots will benefit playing in a warm weather environment and with two weeks to prepare, Bill Belicheck and that staff will probably ground Eli Manning more than they did in that last game. I've got the Pats winning another Super Bowl in historic fashion, 38-27.

That being said Manning proves he can bring a team to the Super Bowl and maybe bigger things are to come for him both from a team concept and individual statistics. Manning has upgraded his fantasy draft position in my book and if they got the salary cap money - they will add another good receiver like this year's free agent prize, Bernard Berrian. Manning could have a breakout season next year.

I like Phillip Rivers too. If you decide to draft a quarterback in the mid to late rounds, with the strategy to stockpile the other skill positions first, draft Rivers. The kid is like a villainous WWE wrestler that you hate to root for but can come up on top. These guys truly proved their critics wrong and I really like what they can bring to the table in 2008.

Maroney Evolution

When Sammy Morris was carrying the load well early in the season, it looked like he was going to be the short term heir to Corey Dillon's spot in New England's offense. However, his season ending chest injury brought Laurence Maroney out of Bellicheck's dog house and he has been steadily improving since. His second straight 120 plus rushing playoff game solidifies his chance to be the lead dog for next season.

I traded Fred Taylor and Lee Evans for Maroney at my league's trading deadline. When Taylor was emerging in the second half of the season, I was really regretting that trade, since I intended Maroney to be my solid third back in my "three back offense" to compliment LT and Clinton Portis. Maroney was marvelous in the final two fantasy playoff games. After the San Diego game, he is no longer a gamble pick for next year's draft. That being said, Maroney is still a low-end number two back, unless New England doesn't sign Randy Moss.

LT Hurting

LaDainian Tomlinson's knee injury shouldn't be an issue for next season. He should be healed up by then, but one wonders if this is a sign of things to come. He has been durable the last two seasons and a fantastic performer, but isn't getting any younger. He is still a guy you should consider in the top five of the draft, but with so many wonderful young backs emerging, he is no longer the slam dunk number one pick. Heading into next year, I don't know if I wouldn't consider taking Joseph Addai or Adrian Peterson ahead of him. I'm hoping he bounces back, because he is a wonderful athlete and from all accounts a real class act. Good luck LT.

Burress Shows Heart

Plaxico Burress had a monster game against the Green Bay Packers. The game breaker recorded 11 catches for 154 yards. Playing mostly on a hobbled ankle, he was probably the wide receiver equivalent to Carson Palmer, amassing a lot of statistics when he had the big games. However, unlike Palmer, he never completely fell off. Ideally, you would like him to be a talented number two receiver, but you can do worse if he is your number one receiver. The guy is quietly putting together a very good career.

Favre and Dungy to come back

My gut is telling me this. I think Dungy will give it one more year to see if he can win the big one again, if not he'll walk away with a great track record and a lot of respect from those who worked with him and those who played against him. The same could be said with Brett Favre. Favre had a bad day against the Giants, and his gunslinger mentality reared ugly in the loss. But with the receiver depth they have in Green Bay, he can't walk away. He plays one more season too and if he plays just a little bit better in next year's playoffs, his team might just win the Super Bowl. Too early to predict this, but what a possible story line, Dungy versus Favre in what will be dubbed "The Retirement Bowl".

I leave you with a tribute to Terrell Owens. As I stated in one of my earlier blogs, the guy is truly bizarre, and truly, truly outrageous. Here's to you TO, always giving me and football fans around the country a nice chuckle. Look for the Cowboys to drop off next year thanks to the bigger knucklehead, Jerry Jones, who continues to alienate every head coach he hires.