Jets playbook has bloodied picture of Eli Manning on it

Eli Manning graces the cover of the Jets playbook from a 2010 preseason game with the Jets (Sabo/News)

The New York Jets defensive players were given their playbooks by coordinator Mike Pettine on Tuesday.  On the cover, a picture of Eli Manning, arms outstretched, and getting hit by the Jets during a 2010 preseason game.

Good thing Pettine didn’t get too personal.  Seconds later, Manning would go to the sidelines, bloodied and bruised from that hit.

Manning was hurt on a busted play. Going back to pass, Brandon Jacobs bumped into him thinking he was getting the ball on a run. The ball came flying out, with both Calvin Pace and Jim Leonhard hitting Manning. 12 stitches were needed to close a three-inch cut to Eli’s forehead.

And while there’s always a picture on the cover of the Jets defensive playbook, it is usually a less violent image simply featuring that week’s opponent.

“I think he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league,” Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis said Thursday. “He can make all the throws.”

As to Eli, the picture is the worst you will see or hear about him this week. No Jets player has said anything negative about the super bowl winner.  Not with the year he’s had so far.