Manning-Rivers trade

The Manning-Rivers trade was a NFL trade that occurred on the first day of the 2004 NFL Draft. The trade sent the right to sign Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning to the New York Giants, and the right to sign North Carolina State University quarterback Philip Rivers to the San Diego Chargers, in addition to several additional draft picks.

Background

The San Diego Chargers finished the 2003 season with a 4-12 record which was the worst record of any team in the NFL that season. This entitled them to receive the first overall selection in that year's draft. The Giants also finished 4–12 and decided that their primary need was a franchise quarterback. Giants General Manager (GM) Ernie Accorsi—who had coveted John Elway when he was Colts general manager in 1983—saw Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning as a similar talent. Manning's brother Peyton, and his father Archie, had already established successful careers as NFL quarterbacks. Though Accorsi wanted Manning badly, and Manning wanted to play in New York, Accorsi was unable to reach a deal to trade up to acquire him with the San Diego Chargers, who subsequently used the first pick on Manning.

Refusal

Days before the draft, Chargers general manager A. J. Smith announced that Eli Manning and his representative Tom Condon informed the Chargers organization that if Manning was drafted by the Chargers, he would not sign. Manning described his refusal to play for San Diego was a result of feeling that San Diego would not be conducive to his future [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050921-9999-1s21manning1.html SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers - Looking out for No. 1 ] ] .However, what was reported was that his father, Archie Manning, said he would not sign if drafted by the Chargers.

Lead up

The Washington Post reported that the Giants had discussed releasing quarterback Kerry Collins in order to provide a greater incentive for Tom Condon and Manning to sign with New York quickly [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A43165-2004Apr26?language=printer washingtonpost.com: High-Profile Rookie QBs Could Emerge as Starters ] ] .

Draft day

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced that the Chargers, with first overall pick, would indeed select Eli Manning. Manning was clearly unhappy when selected by them.Magee, Jerry. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050921-9999-1s21manning1.html Nothing personal, San Diego; Eli Manning just didn't want to be a Charger] , "San Diego Union-Tribune", September 21, 2005, accessed March 21, 2007. ] When the pick was announced, the crowd in attendance booed and jeered loudly. Manning accepted a Chargers jersey but refused to wear a Chargers draft day cap. Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer, after a half hour, called Manning and informed him that a plane was waiting to take him to San Diego. The Giants took Philip Rivers, hoping to bargain with the Chargers.

Behind the scenes

ESPN reported that immediately before the draft, Chargers' General Manager A.J. Smith refused the Giants' offer that consisted of three 2004 first day picks, and 2nd and 3rd round picks in 2005.Fact|date=April 2007 Smith had demanded Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora be part of the deal, and Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi would not permit it. Finally, after the Giants had made the move to draft Rivers, Smith agreed to an all-pick trade without Umenyiora. Smith called Accorsi to make a deal. Part of the deal was that the Giants would select quarterback Philip Rivers out of North Carolina State University with the #4 pick overall and trade that pick, plus other selections (including the Giants #1 pick the following year), to the Chargers for Manning's rights and additional considerations. Smith submitted his desire for Philip Rivers, the Giants' 2005 1st round pick, and both the Giants' 2004 3rd round pick and 2005 5th round pick. Accorsi initially refused, but after Smith closed talks, Accorsi accepted the offer and the NFL finalized it.

Giants received

*Rights to 2004 1st Overall Pick, Eli Manning.

Chargers received

*Rights to 2004 4th Overall Pick, Philip Rivers.
*2005 1st Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Linebacker Shawne Merriman.
*2004 3rd Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Kicker Nate Kaeding.
*2005 5th Round Draft Pick - Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Left Tackle Roman Oben.

References