It all goes back to Archie Manning. As quarterback of the 70’s Saints (‘Aints…fans nickname for Saints as they wore paper bags over their heads during games) during one of the worst runs in NFL history. There was no way the eldest Manning was going to let Eli go through the same thing. Thinking the Bolts were not the best landing spot for Eli, he counseled his son to do everything possible to stay out of San Diego. The Chargers knew this and could have gone a different direction in the draft by taking the second best player on their board which was probably tackle Robert Gallery (bust).
Eli, Archie Manning figure into Chargers-Saints history
