Eli Manning states that Odell Beckham Jr. is the most talented athlete with whom he has played

Eli Manning has not said anything publicly about Odell Beckham Jr.'s trade with the Giants Browns – nor anything else about the Giants since the end of last season.

But Wednesday, he has issued an opinion that will surely generate sympathy among fans who are not happy to see Beckham leave.

Manning responded to questions from moderator Max Gomez as part of a panel discussion between NYIT Center for Sports Medicine and the Head Injury Association in Woodbury, on the topic of injury awareness in Canada. head.

"Probably Odell," says Manning. "Yes, yes, he is talented, he is very talented."

The Giants have still decided to move on to Beckham and Manning, who is entering the final year of his contract and should soon have a new teammate in the form of a quarter / rookie presumed.

Manning was not asked about it on Wednesday or about his meeting with General Manager Dave Gettleman after the season to discuss the team's plans at the station.

He left after about half an hour of questions and answers without being put at the disposal of the journalists. Other participants included Curtis Martin, Harry Carson, Wesley Walker, Gerry Cooney and Randy Cross.

Manning made it clear that he was still enthusiastic about playing at 38 years old.

When asked what made him move forward, he said, "I have not thought about it yet: do I want to do it again? And if it was, it's still 100% yes, yes, yes. I love what I do. I like to play football. I love playing the quarterback for the New York Giants.

Manning, who begins his 16th season, congratulated the NFL for the rules it has put in place to protect players in general and their heads in particular.

He said that players are much more aware now than when he started concussion dangers, and that the equipment continues to improve. During his 15 seasons, he has tried 10 models and different helmet manufacturers.

Other rules also helped, such as clarifying what is or is not a catch.

Manning said that he had always advised his recipients: "Guys, when you catch him, you hold him. You do not have to celebrate immediately after a shot, especially if it's a first try in the first quarter of the game. We do not need a full dance after a first shot.

"Let's wait a minute, give it to the referee and they'll give you a hold, I promise you that if you hand it to the referee and he drops it, they will not say it will be incomplete thereafter. "

Manning said the hardest blow of his career is the one he had in his first NFL appearance in 2004, Jerome McDougle of the Eagles.

"It was my welcome game in the NFL," he said. "Fifteen seasons later, I did not have a bigger success. It's a good thing. I do not know if I could stand this shot now. "

Speaking of playing in Philadelphia, Manning said that it was his most difficult shooting location. In most places, young fans of the opposing team are always happy to meet a visiting NFL player.

"You go, and this 9-year-old gives you the double finger," he said. "Not a thumbs up. No, we are No. 1. And he said something about my mother; I had to do a research on what it was. It's just different. It's a different culture.

It was so long ago, he said, that he saw young Philadelphia fans grow up before his eyes. "Now I see him and he has his 9-year-old with him," said Manning, smiling. "Same thing. It's happening in the families there.

Manning has three daughters and earlier this year welcomed his first son. Will he allow him to play football?

"My answer is 100% I will let him play football if he wants to play in any sport," he said.

He said football has been good for his family and he added that his father, Archie, was beginning to suffer the physical repercussions of his NFL playing career, but his spirit was still alive.

When asked what members of his family he would most like to play in a foxhole, Manning named his former teammates Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and Chris Snee, whom he would all like to have with him alongside. a fight.

"You have to kill them to stop them," he says.