INDIANAPOLIS — One of the cool things about having fans involved in Media Day is the life they breath into the stadium. But I have to admit, the random cheers emanating from the crowd at random points of the day is a little disconcerting.

The Giants drew a lot of cheers when they walked into the building (guess Indy fans are conditioned to root for a Manning, regardless of the first name), and fans listening to the conversations via the radios handed out really were hooting at the beginning of Eli Manning‘s session.

And if Eli was saying something worth cheering about, you know I had to be a part of it.

Eli went through the usual questions. Yes, he would have been ready to play if the Super Bowl had been held last week. Yes, he’s more comfortable after previously playing in a Super Bowl. And no, he’s not staying at his brother’s house. (Yep, that was asked.)

And the biggest theme running through Eli’s session was his relationship with his brother. He admitted he and Peyton still sleep in bunk beds at home. Eli, of course, on the bottom bunk. (Which drew a huge laugh.) Eli said he’s still working toward his older brother’s level, though he said he doesn’t know if he’s there yet. Not that he cares, considering he has a Super Bowl to win.

What about bragging rights? Winning a Super Bowl in the house his brother built would have to be pretty sweet, right?

No, he didn’t agree with me.

“This is not about a competition with my brother,” he said. “The Super Bowl is bigger than bragging rights.”

But for a guy who’s still making self-deprecating jokes about bunk beds, you have to figure it matters a little.

Posted in: Super Bowl  |