Team buys back Eli's 2008-09 seasons

[EaglesFan]

The Blue Screen: Eli's Not Going Anywhere

-- The deal called for him to get a $9 million bonus in 2005 that, if paid, would automatically trigger an option year in 2010. One year into the contract, there was no way the Giants were going to refuse to pay it. So that turned his original contract into a seven-year, $54 million deal.

-- The deal included playing-time incentives in 2005 and 2006 and “not likely to be earned” team incentives. If those were hit – and apparently they were – Manning had the right to void the 2008-2010 years of the deal and opt for free agency after 2007. Now, obviously the Giants weren’t going to let him walk after just four seasons, which is why …

-- The deal also included a “buy-back” provision. In the event that Manning hit those incentives and opted to void 2008-2010, the Giants had the right to buy back 2008 and 2009 for $5 million. If they did – and it appears they did – Manning’s salaries jumped to $8 million in 2008 and $8.5 million in 2009.

-- The deal included a provision stating that if he played 35% of the team’s snaps as a rookie (he did), he’d earn a $3 million bonus (which he got) and escalate his salary in 2007 to $6 million. He’s also due bonuses of $3.4 million next season and $3.9 million in 2009.

Obviously a smart decision to keep him on for as long as possible.

[Hellwig]

I do wish Eli the best but the way that team chemistry is they are going to need changes to it if they want to have a shot at winning. The whole Giants team reminds me of the New York Knicks or the Washington Redskins (When they tried to buy everyone in sight) not that they have bad players it is just that the mixture is not the right type for winning.