NATCHEZ — Natchez resident Charles “Chuck” Hinton said he’s been very impressed with the year Eli Manning has had with the New York Giants.

Hinton, an offensive lineman for the Giants from 1967-69, said Manning has changed in the last year, if his interviews are any indication.

“It’s the most I’ve ever seen Eli interviewed,” Hinton said. “He’s changed over the last year or so, and he’s really become a good leader.”

And Hinton said Manning’s play this season is a big reason the Giants are getting a shot at the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI Sunday.

“He’s been playing good football all year,” Hinton said. “They’ve had so many injuries, and they all came around (and got healthy) just at the right time.”

Hinton said although the Patriots have a very good team, he thinks the Giants have the edge overall.

“The Giants are good on offense and defense,” Hinton said. “The Patriots give up tons of yards, but they don’t let you score much. I’m a Giants fan, but if there’s a better quarterback out there than Tom Brady, I’d like to see him. Still, I think the Giants have the overall better team.”

Hinton, who played college ball at Ole Miss, said he’s enjoyed watching Manning’s career develop in both Oxford and New York.

“This is the best I’ve ever seen him play,” Hinton said. “He’s reading defenses really well, and he’s playing like he did his senior year at Ole Miss.”

Hinton isn’t the only local who’s seen the growth in Manning. Natchez resident Casey Smith, who went to Ole Miss with Manning, said Manning has proven adept at handling the pressure of playing in New York.

“I think his confidence is up (this season),” Smith said. “At Ole Miss, people didn’t realize how good he was with the talent he had. He’s always been in his big brother Peyton’s shadows, and now that Peyton’s hurt, I think they’re starting to see just how good Eli is.”

Smith said the younger Manning is always cool under pressure, and that stems back from his personality.

“I took a few classes with him, and what people don’t know is that he’s always been super quiet and reserved,” Smith said. “He’s the perfect quarterback for that city, because he knows how to handle the atmosphere.”

Former Cathedral High School cornerback Von Hutchins, who played with Manning at Ole Miss, said coming from the Manning household with Peyton and father Archie made a big impression on the younger Manning.

“He grew up in a household that was full of competitors,” Hutchins said. “He continues to work hard and get better each week. I think he’ll continue to do that and become one of the better quarterbacks in the league.”

Hutchins said it’s uneasy to root against the team local Stevan Ridley is playing for, but Hutchins said his Manning fandom wins out.

“It’s hard to root against Ridley, but I’m an Eli fan,” Hutchins said. “I like the way (the Giants) match up against the Patriots’ offense. It really comes down to the front four. They have eight or nine guys they rotate, and those guys are just monsters. If they can get you into a situation to rush the passer, it’s tough to block them one-on-one.”

Because of that, Hutchins said he thinks the Giants have the edge Sunday.

“I just like their defense better,” Hutchins said. “I think they match up better. Hopefully they can win it and (Manning can) bring back another championship to Ole Miss.”

Smith said his Giants fandom has its roots with Manning, but it’s not the only reason he’s pulling for New York.

“He’s a legacy, and I became a Giants fan since he’s been there, but I’ve grown to like other aspects of the team, like (Osi) Umenyiora and (Michael) Strahan before he retired,” Smith said.

As for Hinton, he said his fandom is split between his former team and a team more close to home.

“I’m a Giants fan, but living here, you kind of have to be a Saints fan,” Hinton said.