The big news Wednesday is that Eli Manning has swung a new deal with the New York Giants that makes him the highest paid quarterback in pro football.

After doing the math, most reports say he'll also be the NFL's highest paid player.

Here's what the New York Post has to say about the deal. And here's coverage from the New York Daily News.

First thought: Manning is exceptionally fortunate to get this deal done before his first full season without WR Plaxico Burress, whose next uniform will likely be an orange jumpsuit because of the gun charges he faces in New York.

Manning looked very ordinary at the end of last season without that big target downfield. In three of his four NFL playoff seasons, the Giants have exited quietly. Yes, he has a Super Bowl ring, and that's significant. But that doesn't entirely settle the question of his future value.

At least Eli is a good kid. At one point, Michael Vick was the NFL's highest-paid player, and at no point did anyone ever argue that he was the league's best quarterback.