Top 10 Reasons Why Big Ben Is Better Than Eli Manning
This week, Steelers Today was asked to be the guest blogger on the AOL NFL Fanhouse. When that article is posted on their site, you will be able to see it here.
In the meantime, one of their questions got me thinking. They asked me who I’d rather have quarterbacking my team, Ben Roethlisberger or Eli Manning. I answered unequivocally and without hesitation, “Big Ben”. Heck, if Eli’s last name weren’t Manning, I don’t think he would have been drafted as high as he was. But that’s just my opinion.
Based on their question, I decided to expound upon my answer and list my top 10 reasons why Ben Roethlisberger is better than Eli Manning. Enjoy:
#10) “Big Ben” has a cooler nickname. In fact, I don’t think Eli even has a nickname. “Little Peyton” maybe? Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#9) Big Ben is bigger. Eli Manning is 6’4″, and weighs 225 lbs. Big Ben is 6’5″ and 241 lbs. This is his slimmed down size. He used to play at about 255 lbs., but he made the conscious decision to play at a lighter weight. Advantage Roethlisberger.
#8) Big Ben is Stronger. Ben Roethlisberger has one of the strongest arms of any quarterback in the NFL. Apparently some scouts have a test they have quarterbacks do wherein the QB has to throw the ball while on his knees. One NFL scout wrote that he saw Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball farther than he had seen just about any other QB throw the ball while on his knees. Sure, NFL quarterbacks don’t often throw the ball from their knees, but it was an interesting observation nonetheless.
Big Ben’s strength also lets him maintain his balance and complete passes while defenders are draped all over him. Just look at the pass that he completed to Hines Ward this year against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There were two defenders trying to drag Roethlisberger to the ground, but he still completed the pass. Eli Manning just isn’t strong enough to do that. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#7) Big Ben is faster. Not only is Roethlisberger bigger and stronger than Eli Manning, he’s also faster. Roethlisberger uses his speed to scramble and escape defenders. He can either buy time to find his receivers, or he can take off and gain yardage running.
Ben’s superior speed gives him a big advantage versus Eli Manning in gaining rushing yards. In 2007, Ben Roethlisberger rushed for 204 yards. Eli Manning has rushed for 213 total yards during his entire career. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#6) Roethlisberger has more wins. The ultimate measure of a QB is not how many 300 yard passing performances he has. The true measure of a quarterback is how often he wins. Dan Marino threw for more yards, but Joe Montana has more rings. Dan Fouts threw for more yards, but Terry Bradshaw has more wins. Peyton Manning has thrown for more yards, but Tom Brady has more rings. Which QB in each pair is remembered as being the best? See my point? No matter what era you look at, wins are what matter. When it all comes down to it, winning is the ultimate measure of a QB. It’s like Al Davis once said; “Just win, baby!”
Both Quarterbacks have one super bowl ring in their young careers, so there is no difference in that area. However, when we look at total wins, Ben Roethlisberger has a significant advantage. Ben Roethlisberger has accumulated 45 NFL wins, and a winning percentage of 72.6%. Eli Manning has accumulated 36 NFL wins, and a winning percentage of 57.1%. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#5) Big Ben dates hotter chicks. Eli Manning recently married his college sweetheart, Abby McGrew.
Roethlisberger is still a bachelor, but he has had very public relationships with golfer Natalie Gulbis and actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler (aka Meadow Soprano).
Natalie Gulbis
Tony Soprano's daughter grew up!
I commend Manning for his commitment to his long-time girlfriend, but I don’t think there’s much doubt that this round goes to Big Ben. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#4) Roethlisberger has been to more Pro Bowls. Eli Manning has never been named to a Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Big Ben made the Pro Bowl last year, and is on his way to making it again this year. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#3) Roethlisberger has thrown fewer interceptions. Eli Manning has thrown 68 career interceptions. Big Ben has thrown only 57. If not for that terrible 2006 season in which Roethlisberger practically led the league in interceptions with 23, the difference would be far more glaring. Coach Bill Cowher allowed Big Ben to come back much too quickly in 2006 following a motorcycle accident and an emergency appendectomy, and Ben’s performance suffered because of it. Outside of that one terrible season, Roethlisberger has never thrown more than 11 interceptions in a season. Contrarily, Manning has exceeded 15 interceptions on 3 separate occasions. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#2) Roethlisberger has thrown for more yardage. This statistic is most surprising, since Roethlisberger has always played in a run-oriented offense in which he was often thought of as a mere caretaker. Big Ben has thrown for 12,836 yards versus 12,774 yards for Eli Manning. This disparity is most surprising since Manning has over 400 more pass attempts than Roethlisberger. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
#1) Big Ben has a higher career QB rating. Ben Roethlisberger has a career quarterback rating of 93.0. Eli Manning’s career QB rating is 74.9. The two quarterbacks entered the NFL during the same season, and Big Ben has had a better QB rating in each season except for the aforementioned 2006 season in which Roethlisberger threw more than twice as many interceptions as he has averaged for his career. In that season, their QB ratings were practically identical, though Manning edged Roethlisberger slightly (Manning=77.0 vs. Roethlisberger=75.4). In fact, Roethlisberger’s WORST single season QB rating (75.4) is higher than Manning’s career average (74.9). Last year, Roethlisberger’s QB rating was a full 30 points higher than Eli Manning’s (104.1 versus 73.9). Despite Eli winning the Superbowl, Roethlisberger had a far better season. Advantage: Roethlisberger.
So, as you can see, when we do a head-to-head comparison of Eli Manning versus Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben wins in a knockout. If Giants fans are honest, I’m sure that they’d admit that the Steelers got the better deal in Roethlisberger. Particularly when you consider that the Giants also traded away a draft pick that ended up being Shawn Merriman in order to get Eli. There is little doubt in my mind that if the Giants could take a mulligan on their 2004 draft, they’d choose Ben Roethlisberger over Eli Manning.
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I must admit Roethlisberger is better than Eli Manning
1Ben Roethlisberger is better than Eli but Eli will one day be as good as Ben… I hope
2Couldn’t agree more, but you forgot one. Ben was cheaper on his first contract. During that draft, I told all my co-workers and friends that the Steelers need to draft Ben, not the other two QB’s. I rated him higher than the other two, because of his size, arm strength, winning percentage and durability. The other two looked good, but played in conferences that were too one sided when it came to strength of schedule. Although, the MAC isn’t one of the top dogs, their conference was a more balanced one over all.
3GiantsFan,
4It’s good to see that a Giants fan can be unbiased and acknowledge Big Ben’s superiority. Eli is coming along, but he’s not in Big Ben’s league yet.
DJ,
I agree 100%. I was praying that the Steelers would get Roethlisberger.
I lived in SEC country at the time, and I got to see just about all of Eli’s games as a collegian. He was above average, but certainly not dazzling. If his name weren’t Manning, I just don’t think he would have been considered the top prize in that draft. But had he not been, the Steelers wouldn’t have gotten Big Ben, so I am happy that Eli was over-rated.
Go Steelers!!!
5I agree on most points but #6. For me it’s Marino throwing all those yards and TDs not Montana who was surrounded by a gifted team his entire SF career. As for the second one, I agree but it’s mostly because as great of a career as Fouts had he never even lost the Super Bowl. As for Manning and Brady, I hold Pyeton in fairly high regard on my QB list and only 2nd in active players.
Good article tho.
6JT,
Good points. Particularly the one about Marino versus Montana. I think that most people list Montana as possibly the greatest QB ever because of his Super Bowl success. However, if I were starting a team, I’d probably take Marino over Montana.
Many polls and surveys over the years seem to show that most people would take Montana. When it comes down to it, most fans feel that a player can’t be ranked among the greatest ever if they never won a championship.
As far as Brady and Manning, that’s a tough one. You couldn’t go wrong by choosing either of them. But once again, Brady’s rings probably give him the edge in most people’s eyes.
Thanks for your comment.
7ive always have known that big ben would do very well in the NFL,just look at who he has the good fortune to have as teamates,and tehcoaches ,and last but never the least the organisation itself is a blessing, definately not like some of the other so called top notch,not,big ben is truely a tough customer hands down is above any Qb in the NFL, and will be for some time
8FYI… that’s not Natalie Gulbis in the golf picture you posted.
On topic though.. I think you made a lot of great points comparing Eli and Big Ben. However, I’m sure both Steeler fans and Giants fans are happy with their QB situations.
9Football Fanatics,
Thanks for letting me know that’s not her. I did a Google search for a picture of her, and that came up. I just assumed it was her. Obviously, I’m not an LPGA fan. To be honest with you, I wouldn’t know Lorena Ochoa if I sat next to her on an airplane.
As far as Steelers and Giants fans go, I think you’re right. Both should be happy with their QB. Eli got Giants fans a championship, so I don’t think they’re going to complain.
10Thats just not fair compairing women like that, first off the pictures of Ben’s girls are air brushed and have hours of high priced make up artists working on them, Eli’s wife is a natural beauty and to tell you the truth will stand behind her man unlike Ben’s chicks just trying to get publicity… Advantage ELI atleast he got 1 out of the 10 in my book… oh yeah and Eli has more pressure in NY just a FACT
11Don’t forget Eli has been to the playoffs every year he has been the full time starter and was superbowl MVP Advantage Giants! And his Nick name is Easy E.. To me being named after a rapper is much better then being FRENCH!! lol Both are great QBs though Eli seems to lead the last minute drive to win the game much more often then Ben… so 2 out of 10 in my book, nickname and women goes to Eli.. course those reason cannot be a fact either way if your on Ben’s side it just means you like France and Fake women better then Rap and a Good woman… Holla!
Great article. While Ben is a bit ahead in the comparison it really highlights that these guys are unquestionably two of the best. So why is it that when I turn on ESPN all I here about is how Romo’s pinky finger is doing or the latest on St. Brett? I know…just don’t turn the bozos on (I refer to Chris and the boys).
12Kjg56,
Okay, I’ll give you one of those. Eli’s girl is committed to him, and she probably is prettier than her picture (though not prettier than Ben’s girls).
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Big Ben is in London, England, not in France. You may want to brush up on that 5th grade geography.
Lastly, stealing a nickname from a dead rapper isn’t cool. I can’t give Eli credit for being called Easy E. Sorry.
13CJ March,
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate the support.
As far as ESPN goes, it is obvious that those guys have a “man crush” on Tony Romo and Brett Favre. It is ridiculous how much time they spend talking about the tiniest story involving those two. Personally, I couldn’t care less Romo and Jessica. However, those two seem to be front page news at ESPN.
Tony Romo may get the love from ESPN, but I’d rather have Big Ben anyday.
14Eli got his nickname Easy E way back in high school because he is so laid back and has no ego: not for a dead rapper.
15Lindseyloveseli,
the late rapper “Easy E” died in 1995. Eli would have been a freshman in high school at the time. So, even if Eli got the name “way back in high school”, he would still have been named after a dead rapper. Or are you insinuating that kids in New Orleans had never heard of Easy E (or NWA), and made of the name all by themselves? Yeah, right.
They may have called him Easy E because of his laid back ways, but they still got the name from the rapper.
16All the talk means if Ben can not beat Eli. Our offense was ranked 25 overall coming into this game. Arians sucks! Where was the no huddle offense? I hope to God that we have a new offensive coordinator next year.
17The Natalie Gulbis thing was the clincher for me.
18LOL go check that website.. Reason 11 Ben cant do 3rd downs…
19Why are we fighting over the Easy E title? Who cares if he got it from a dead rapper.. 50 cent got his name from a dead gangster and so did Capone and Noreaga.. So what its a matter of opinion if one likes the britts better then rap or just the nick name straight up.. Big Ben is named after a clock outside of the US is that much better then being named after one of the best rappers ever?? Either way its still an opinion and its all for not 21-14 go Giants.. Nice game Ben Gay!! I like that nick name better lol
20While I would agree with your well thought out points, the bottom line is that while Big Ben may be a better quarterback individually, Football is a Team Sport. The Giants proved yet again, they play as a Team to beat the Steelers. Sure you can make the same excuses the Patriots made last year – so and so got hurt or if we did this ….. “The true measure of a quarterback is how often he wins” …. and Eli is winning. Winning ugly but winning…. I’ll take an average quarterback and a Superbowl victory over a Pro Bowl star any day. See other example of Titans and that lame ass Kerry Collins –
21Not saying Ben fits the latter because the Steelers have a great chance this year but at this point, I’ll take Eli and the Giants over guys like Romo, Favre, Peton and the like
Big Ben is officially The Worst Nickname In The NFL, sorry to disappoint you guys.
22That is not Natalie Gulbis’ photo, that is Anna Rawson.
23Eli is better. Eli has always been better.
Who has the Super Bowl MVP?
Thought so.
24JKJ,
25You do realize how weak your argument is, don’t you? Statistically, Ben has been better on almost all counts. The fact that Eli has a Super Bowl MVP is irrelevant to any comparison. Ben has won 2 Super Bowls, while Eli has won one. In Ben’s two wins, his wide receivers got the MVP in both games. If the receivers are the most valuable, then who was getting those receivers the ball? Is he any less valuable? Couldn’t David Tyree or Plaxico Burress have been the MVP of the Giants’ Super Bowl win? Yeah, I thought so.
hehe not this year…
Eli > Ben Roethlisberger this year.
26Big Ben is better than Eli…NOT! Steeler’s franchise QB is a douchebag and an alleged rapist? Real classy.
27