Eli Manning here, AMA.

What are your thoughts on this?

I think it's pretty awesome?

Is Joe Flacco a Elite quaterback?

I think if you're playing in the NFL, you're an elite quarterback.

Why have you tormented my Patriots so much over the years?

It's nothing personal.

Your team is the Giants but there are no logos of Giants on anything, what gives?

That's a great question. I will have to look into that.

First thanks for doing this AMA! We at /r/nygiants compiled a list of questions and I've put together the top 5 questions as voted by your biggest fans:

1. We know you occasionally prank and joke around with your teammates. Who has pulled the best prank on you and what did they do? ( by /u/ProsperousPlatypus )

2. How far can you throw an uncontested ball in perfect weather? ( by /u/mrmagoo512 )

3. During the offseason one night I took a well known photo of you on the beach holding a tiny bucket and made it a digital painting. It got really popular for a bit and was even shown on ESPN. I just want to know if it ever made its way to you and what did you think? ( by /u/DJ_Febreeze )

4. Please rank all the Centers you've worked with based on odor. ( by /u/3rdAnnual )

5. Eli, of all the receivers you've played with, who do you think you shared the best chemistry with on the field? You and Plaxico really seemed in tune, as well as Amani. Who were some of the best? Also, come join us at /r/nygiants. Say hi! ( by /u/mrmagoo512 )

1) Jeff Feagles removed all the air out of my tires one year at training camp and left me a bike pump so I could pump up my tires just enough to get to a gas station.

2) I'd say between 65-70 yards.

3) I saw the picture. And, uh, I've caught quite a bit of grief for holding my child's bucket. But it's a well-done painting.

4) Start at best smelling going to worst?

I'll say... best smelling center... hehe....let's start with Shaun O'hara is the most hygienic, I think. Kevin Booth coming in second place. Wayne Lucier. And I'd say that Richie Seubert comes in last place.

5) Plaxico was very easy to throw to just because of his size. Steve Smith was another one that was great in the slot position. And you know, Victor Cruz has become a great playmaker for us as well.

After you score your first TD, can you throw up the Wu-Tang sign for us?

What is the Wu-Tang sign?

EA Sports did a decent job capturing your likeness, see Manningface .

Are you disappointed that they have yet to include your sandwich eating TD celebration dance?

I'm very disappointed they have not included my sandwich-eating touchdown dance. I am very proud of that dance and it took me a long time to master, and I feel that it needs the respect that it deserves.

After you throw an interception do you want to punch the guy who caught it or do you mostly just feel sad?

I don't think I've ever thrown an interception?

Eli, what's your favourite video game?

Zelda, on original Nintendo.

How competitive do you and your brother get at family gatherings? Any funny stories that resulted from that competitiveness?

We're probably not as competitive now as when we were both teen-agers, we had some pretty physical basketball matches back in the day, I guess so much that my dad ended up removing the basketball goal.

Eli....I am a HUGE fan. Tonight is my first varsity football game ever. Im really excited and nervous. Do you have any tips or advice? Also, do you remember your first varsity football game?

I do remember my first varsity football game! I was a freshman in high school, about the 6th game of the year, and I got my first start as a quarterback, and I was very nervous. I would suggest just enjoy the experience, go out there and compete and have fun, and it'll all work out.

Have you ever been starstruck?

Hmm.

I asked K-Fed for a picture one time. That's the only person I've ever asked for a picture, Kevin Federline.

Is Tom Brady really that dreamy? Like seriously?

EDIT: Have now learned I should never edit a post! Lesson learned.

He's pretty good lookin'.

Out of all of the Manningfaces, which is your favorite?

The "excited I just did a touchdown" one.

'N Sync or Backstreet?

Oh, 'N Sync. For sure.

Eli, we know you are all business and humble. But what's your opinion on touchdown celebrations being diminished?

I enjoy touchdown celebrations. Cuz whenever Victor Cruz does a salsa dance, I know we just scored a touchdown.

Hey Eli, glad you're here. One question?

Which is superior? Pizza rolls in the microwave, or Pizza rolls in the oven? We're having a fierce debate over this and need to know your opinion.

Thanks for your time!

My wife does the cooking in my family. I would have to ask her.

If it were left to me, I would go microwave, since it sounds much easier.

I want to start by saying you are my favorite athlete of all time. I’ve been a huge Giants fan since birth and remember being excited the day you were drafted.

Because of that, I make a lot of funny Giants gifs that are pretty popular around here: This one being my first and that sparked me to make more such as this one, this one and this one (full album here). I was curious if you had seen any, and if not just wanted you to see them.

For my real question: Besides me making weird gifs of you, what is your weirdest or most memorable fan encounter?

Thanks for taking the time to be here, and thank you for everything you’ve done for the Giants organization (especially the Super Bowls!). Good luck this season.

Feel free to stop by /r/nygiants and say hello (we’re obviously huge fans)!

P.S. My dad and brother say hello

A guy wanted me to sign my autograph on his arm, which he was immediately going to the tattoo parlor to get it tattooed on his arm. Yes I signed it.

Go Giants!

How far can you punt a football?

32 yards.

What's something hilarious you have done or seen a teammate do to a visiting team locker room while on the road?

After we beat the Cowboys in the opening game of their new stadium, I was requested to sign part of the locker room (which some of the Cowboys fans did not appreciate).

What is love?

Don't hurt me no more?

Hey, Eli. Thanks for doing this AMA. If you could tattoo any image on Peyton's body (presumably when he's passed out drunk), what and where would it be?

I think I would tattoo Mighty Mouse on his right forearm.

Hi Eli, thanks for doing this AMA! I have to say that I'm a Pats fan, so I"m curious about one thing: do you get along with Tom Brady?

Yes, I get along with Tom Brady just fine. I talked to him for a little bit after the game last night.

What is your favorite thing to do in your down time that isn't sports related?

Just spend time with my 2 kids and my wife and get to enjoy hanging out and laughing with them.

What's a secret you could share with Reddit that no one knows?

I like olives.

Eli. Huge fan.

Over the years you have broken the hearts of many fan bases. Do you have any memorable run-ins with some angry fans?

Philly fans seem to be the most angry.

Hi Eli! Im Irish and the NFL is getting huge here, actually a US college football game is scheduled to be played here tomorrow to a sell out crowd of 80,000+!

my question is what do you think of the NFL's growing popularity around the world? Specifically in Europe and with the possibility of London having their own NFL franchise. Do you think thats a good idea? or is it just to far away for teams to travel?

Thanks!

No, I think the NFL's growing internationally is great. And I think it would be pretty neat to see a team in London sometime.

Hey Eli!

What should I have for lunch and dinner tonight? I want a meal of a champion and your the go to man!

I had a chicken gyro today, so I think that would be a good start. And tonight, maybe do a little italian, some chicken parm.

Can you do a back-flip from a standing position on solid ground?

Negative.

Who's the funniest player on the team?

Funniest player on the team - I think JPP. Just the stories that he has from growing up and his comments that he throws out during the course of the day.

Had football not worked out, what do you think you would have done?

Badminton?

What was your first thought when you saw Tyree catch the ball?

"Did he really catch it?"

would you rather fight 100 duck sized DeMarcus Wares or 1 Demarcus Ware sized duck?

Uh....I think 100 duck-sized DeMarcus Wares.

Did your brother (Peyton) and yourself really make a bet to jump over a creek at the Ole Farm golf course and one of y'all landed on the other side and it was complete marsh/mud? It's a story that went around my town and I always wanted to know if it was true. Btw thanks for the AMA.

This sounds like something that could have happened.

Did you have a lunchbox growing up? If so, who was on it and who would be on your lunchbox now?

Yes. I had one growing up. I'm pretty sure it was He-Man. And now... it would be Phil Dunphy from Modern Family.

Wow it's Eli Manning! How are you? I am here to THANK YOU for bringing me happiness to my life. See, as human beings, we all go through shit. Life is hard, life is challenging, but something I can always count on is watching my Giants every Sunday. It is literally my favorite thing to do. Nothing quite makes me feel happy like a Giants win. And you helped solidify that. Thanks for bringing happiness to my life. Thanks for the Tyree throw. Thanks for the Plaxico go route pass. Thanks for the Cruz 99 harder. Thanks for the Nicks 45 yard hail marry. Thanks for the Manninghmam pass. Thanks for everything and god-dang do I love my quarterback!

Question: Just curious, what single pass are you most proud of? Tyree, Manningham?

I think the Manningham pass, just because that took more skill and from practice than the Tyree pass, which was more backyard / draw it up route.

Regarding the Manning Passing Academy: What is the most common yet easy to correct mistake you see with young Quarterbacks still learning the position?

Hm. Well, I think the most important thing for young quarterbacks is to just throw routs with their friends and receivers. The more you can drop back and throw every rout to your receivers, the better off you'll be.

Hi Eli!

Do you ever play Madden against Peyton?

I think the last video game I played against Peyton would be Techmobowl, on the original Nintendo.

Who has been the hardest defender or entire defense that you've faced in your career?

Well, I think the Demarcus Ware has sacked me more than any other player, so I think he has a pretty good chance of winning that contest.

Hey Eli, you're a lot of fun to watch on Sundays! My question is who would win in an arm wrestling contest; you or Peyton?

Definitely me.

What is the average day for you during the off-season?

It's average?

You know, working out and staying in shape, and trying to spend as much time with my wife and my kids, because once the season starts, I get limited time with them.

When studying film, what is the first thing you always look for in a defense ?

The first thing is just looking for their scheme - whether they are a zone team or a man team - and the techniques that they play within their coverages.

Eli, how do you think the position of quarterback has evolved from your first year in the league to your current season?

Well, I think now you see more running quarterbacks. I still think you have to be able to throw the ball very well, but if you can run and extend plays, it gives you another dynamic.

Hey Eli! Long term Giants fan here. Do you follow any of the other NYC area sports teams outside of football? Have you ever struck up a friendship with any other NYC sports icons?

I keep up with all the NYC sports teams. I've been to Yankees games, Mets games, Knicks games, Nets games, so I root for all the NYC teams... except maybe the Jets.

Eli, have you ever played fantasy football? If so, how'd you do, and what are your secrets?

I did play fantasy football when I was in high school. I used to ask my dad for advice, and to give me some hidden gems to pick up on. One of the great gems that he told me about was Isaac Bruce back in the day, who only caught 70 yard touchdown passes.

Eli, thank you so much for doing this AMA. What was going through your head when you and Peyton filmed the DIRECTV commercial? Did you feel ridiculous?

I thought "I hope they can make me sound much better than what it sounds like right now."

What was hosting SNL like, can you tell us any behind the scenes stories? What was it like meeting Rihanna?

Hosting SNL was so much fun. It's a lot of work with strange hours. Working from 1 PM until 2 AM, most nights, but the cast and crew had me cracking up the whole time. I had very limited interaction with Rihanna, but she was very nice and it was fun to watch her perform.

Is it really as hard as they say it is to learn a playbook?

It just takes a lot of time. To not only learn what the plays are, but the progression on which receiver is my first read, based on the coverage that the defense is playing.

Eli, thank you for doing this! With Ben McAdoo taking over as OC, what changes can we as fans expect to see in the offense this year?

I would expect to see a higher completion percentage, as well with being able to push the ball down the field and hit some big plays in the passing attack.

Eli, your brother and you have been on various tv commercials. The most recent one in a rap video for "Fantasy Football Fantasy" you had a choice to be in a real rap video of any rapper (current or from the past) who would it be and you think Peyton would tag along?

Um... I was a big MC Hammer fan back in the day. And I think I could definitely do some of those same dance moves that MC did, but Peyton would not be able to keep up.

I heard Michael Smith from ESPN on the radio this morning telling a story how in high school he threw a 4th quarter TD pass and then a 2pt conversion to beat you 8-7. Can you verify?

He did throw a touchdown pass, that's about the only truth to the story.

What is your favorite sport beside football? Are you good?

Growing up, basketball was my second favorite sport. But now golf has taken over as number 2.

Who do you feel are your toughest opponents?

Hmm. Well I think the thing bout the NFL is each week you have a tough opponent. If you don't take them seriously and prepare as though it's the toughest game, you won't have a chance to win.

But the NFC East games against the Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins are always tough (and important) ones.

Eli, what helps get you the most psyched up before a game?

Just thinking through all the good plays we have in that week that are going to produce touchdowns for us.