The legacy of New York Giants legend Eli Manning is complicated, to say the least, but not to his former wide receiver, Amani Toomer.
During an appearance on Good Morning Football, Toomer recalled his initial hesitancy with Manning. He wasn't sure if he'd be an underachieving hotshot quarterback like Ryan Leaf upon his arrival in 2004. However, Manning instantly gained his respect.
"He played his best when his best was needed"
– Amani Toomer on @EliManning | @Giants pic.twitter.com/Spw291nwNT
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) May 13, 2026
“I remember when he first got there, his rookie year, I didn't know what a first overall rookie would act like, and so he goes to practice and [did a drill where] you start [and you] take the snaps, the whole team runs 15 yards to try to get warmed up.
“Well, I thought, Aw, man, this rookie, he's gonna be like Ryan Leaf or something and be ‘Mr. Big Time,' but he caught the snap from the center on the third team and sprinted and beat everybody to the line, and I'm like, Okay. I think we're alright. This guy's serious, he's locked in,” he continued.
Toomer continued raving about the “always prepared” Manning. He also pointed out that Manning “played his best when his best was needed,” as evidenced by his two Super Bowl rings.
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Amani Toomer won a Super Bowl with Giants QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning with Lombardi Trophy after the New York Giants won the Super Bowl.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Manning and Toomer played together from 2004 to 2008. At the time of Manning's arrival, Toomer had already been in the NFL for eight seasons. He had a streak of five consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards from 1999 to 2003, which was snapped during Manning's rookie year.
During their Super Bowl-winning year in 2007, Toomer caught 59 passes for 760 yards and three touchdowns. He stepped up big time in the playoffs, catching 21 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. This run included a two-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. In the Super Bowl, he had six catches for 84 yards.
Manning would win another Super Bowl without Toomer during the 2011 season. That year, he passed for a career-best 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns. He had several fourth-quarter comebacks and nine touchdowns to one interception in the playoffs.
The legacy of New York Giants legend Eli Manning is complicated, to say the least, but not to his former wide receiver, Amani Toomer. During an appearance on Good Morning Football, Toomer recalled his initial hesitancy with Manning. He wasn't sure if he'd be an underachieving hotshot quarterback like Ryan Leaf upon his arrival in 2004.