Eli Manning talks Dolphins, Giants and ManningCast at BBQGuys Backyard Design Center
WEST PALM BEACH — Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning praised Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Miami's offense and discussed the New York Giants' draft on Friday.
Manning was in West Palm Beach to show off BBQGuys' new Backyard Design Center. Manning, a partner in the investment firm that owns BBQGuys, and BBQGuys' CEO Russ Wheeler were present to share the company's third physical location and what is now available to South Florida homeowners.
In a 1-on-1 with The Palm Beach Post, Manning also discussed the recent 9-year extension between ESPN and Omaha Productions, the company owned and run by Peyton and Eli Manning.
Eli Manning said it'd be fair to expect another year of growth for Tagovailoa and Miami's offense.
"Tua does a great job," he said. "Just knowing where to go with the ball, the ball gets out on time, it's accurate. So I can see him just continue to get better and better."
Manning said he enjoys watching the Dolphins on offense.
"Their offense is high-powered, [Tua] does a great job, innovative in their offense and the motions and moving around," he said. "And moving Tyreek Hill and (Jaylen) Waddle, and adding Odell (Beckham) now. It's been fun to watch their offense perform at a high level."
Manning, who retired from the NFL in 2020, also shared his thoughts on how the Giants did in this year's draft after finishing 6-11 and missing the playoffs. Manning was named MVP of New York's two Super Bowl victories against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Manning was not part of the recent Brady Roast, but he made sure to toss a jab on X at the player who has seven Super Bowl rings. "I thought about attending the Roast of Tom Brady last night, but I did not want to Roast him for a 3rd time!!"
The current Giants probably won't be considered a Super Bowl contender this season.
"I'm excited about a new weapon at receiver," Manning said. "As a quarterback, each year in the draft it's like either draft a great offensive lineman or draft a fast receiver. And they hit the speedy receiver this year in [Malik] Nabers, LSU guy. So I'm excited for that, and expect them to have a better season this year."
Expect to see ManningCast remain on air through 2034
The extension signed by the Mannings' production company will keep the ManningCast and other original content on the air through 2034.
"It's been awesome, and I think for me to just stay involved with the game of football - it's been a part of my life for as long as I remember," he said. "So to continue to watch games, watch films, have a connection with the players and coaches and interview them during the week [has been exciting]."
Manning also shared how Omaha Productions keeps the family ties strong with Peyton.
"He lives in Denver, I live in New Jersey, so I don't get to see him much," Eli said. "But during football season, we're talking almost every day about ideas, exchanging notes on different teams, and what we see. It's been a great experience and I'm excited about continuing to do it."
Before Friday's interview, Manning and Wheeler led a private group through the Backyard Design Center. The new location, in partnership with Teak + Table, is the company's first in Florida.
BBQGuys is a majority online retailer for outdoor grills, barbeques, furniture, accessories and more. The new Backyard Design Center will help customers visualize and customize products seen online and bring them to their own homes.
More: Ranking Top 13 Miami Dolphins by recorded 40-yard dash times. Here are the fastest Fins.
"I think especially when you're dealing with outdoor living and what BBQGuys specializes in, this is a perfect market," Manning said. "Just being outside in that great Florida weather, and also the amount of people here that have second homes in other places ... (they will be) able to feel, see, touch what they're doing with their outdoor grills with the service professionals and all the different options. That's what's neat about this place."
"Obviously, West Palm was a super easy choice," Wheeler said. "It's a great market, we knew that we had a lot of customers here already ..."
More: Miami Dolphins' 2024 NFL schedule: Look at all these top QB's Miami won't have to play
A prevalent theme in the Backyard Design Center is the range in prices. Wheeler says the idea is anyone with a home that costs anywhere from $300,000 to $30 million can come in and find the right fit that will withstand the Florida weather year-round.
"There's no better way to learn about the products," Wheeler said. "We're super excited, the location was just perfect. West Palm is an awesome market for us. People are coming from Naples, from Orlando, because there's nothing like what we're doing here anywhere in the country."
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Eli Manning talks about Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants
