Eli eager for action with Giants
For the past two seasons, Eli Manning has felt a little awkward heading into the New York Giants’ preseason opener.
It has nothing to do with the football. It’s the lack of it that has bothered the two-time Super Bowl MVP.
Coach Ben McAdoo has sat Manning in the preseason opener the past two seasons and he has been forced
to watch Ryan Nassib get the start last year and Josh Johnson get the call this year.
So while he threw a couple of balls and put on his uniform before a 20-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago Friday, that was about it.
“You’re kind of not included in some of the stuff,” Manning said yesterday looking forward to his preseason debut tomorrow night in Cleveland. “The guys got a game plan sheet and they didn’t give me one, so it’s still a little awkward.
“I like to be out there with my teammates. I like to be out knowing I get to play a little and compete. But I understand what he is trying to do as well and appreciate it.”
Manning said his goals for tomorrow night will be getting some live action and trying to get on the same page with receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Evan Engram. The 33-year-old Marshall signed with the Giants as a free agent, while Engram was New York’s first-round pick in the draft.
The negative, of course, is that Manning won’t be wearing a red shirt like in practice. The Browns can hit the 36-year-old while he is getting used to feeling the pressure in the pocket, moving around and finding his receivers.
Manning has spent the past three weeks in training camp, making sure his receivers are where he wants them to be, particularly Marshall who is in his first year in the offense after spending the past two years with the Jets.
“We have always talked about as a quarterback, you got to be a great receiver coach,” Manning said. “That is part of the job. You have to be able to coach up receivers and talk to them about giving their sticks and giving them depth. You have to tell them exactly how you want them to do it and be on the same page with them.”
Fins get LB help
Linebacker Rey Maualuga signed with the Miami Dolphins, who put receiver Isaiah Ford on injured reserve with knee injury. Maualuga gives the Dolphins some needed linebacker depth, especially after rookie Raekwon McMillan was lost for the season with a knee injury in the preseason opener.
Jags unsure on QB
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone isn’t quite ready to name Chad Henne his starting quarterback. Or Blake Bortles, for that matter.
Marrone says he wants to “see how this thing goes” over the next few days before deciding who will start against the Panthers in a preseason game Thursday.
Marrone opened up the team’s quarterback competition after another inconsistent performance from Bortles, the third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
Bortles was 8-of-13 for 65 yards in a loss to Tampa Bay. All four of Bortles’ drives ended with punts.
Seattle O-line issue
Just when the Seahawks were getting settled on their shaky offensive line, it’s once again their biggest question as left tackle George Fant suffered a significant injury in their 20-13 victory over the Vikings on Friday.
Fant suffered a torn ACL in his right knee when he was injured midway through the second quarter. Fant was rolled into by teammate Justin Britt and immediately fell to the turf in pain. Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Fant will need surgery and expected to be done for the season.
Fant’s injury likely means significant changes for Seattle’s offensive line. Luke Joeckel was set to be the starting left guard, but may be an option at left tackle with the entire right side of the line still unsettled.