Oh Manning, Giants bench two-time SB champ
The Eli Manning era with the New York Giants might be coming to an end. And if it is, it’s ending ugly. The Giants announced yesterday the two-time Super Bowl MVP was being benched for the first time in more than 13 years so they could evaluate the other quarterbacks on the roster during the final month of a lost and injury-filled season.
The decision to sit the 36-year-old Manning was totally unexpected, especially with five games left in the regular season.
It was clear the decision hurt and annoyed Manning, who has been the face of the Giants (2-9) since they made a bold draft day trade with the then-San Diego Chargers in 2004 to swap first-round picks and get the No. 1 overall selection to the Meadowlands.
Manning expressed his unhappiness, but once again he played the good soldier, voicing his support for veteran Geno Smith, who will start against Oakland on Sunday.
His emotional pain was visible in his face. His eyes welled with tears talking to reporters. His chin quivered when asked about how much this hurt. His face got red the more he talked.
Coach Ben McAdoo gave Manning the option of starting to keep his streak of 210 consecutive starts alive, but he didn’t want any part of that.
“You start knowing you are going to come out of the game to keep a streak alive, maybe, that’s not what it is about,” Manning said.
“It’s not a preseason game where you are going to start to the half, the next week a quarter, a series, that’s not fair. That’s not fair to me, not fair to Geno, not how you play. You play to win. When you are named the starting quarterback, you think it’s your job to go win the football game.
“It’s been a hard day to handle this, but (I’ll) hang in there and figure it out,” added Manning, who spoke with the media for less than four minutes. He then took his backpack and left the locker room.
McAdoo said he made the decision to start Smith during the weekend, and co-owner John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese were in agreement.
Jimmy G gets start
The San Francisco 49ers are ready for the start of the Jimmy Garoppolo era after announcing the franchise’s quarterback of the future will make his first start for the team this week.
Coach Kyle Shanahan met with Garoppolo and former starter C.J. Beathard to inform them the former Patriots backup will make his first start for San Francisco on Sunday at Chicago.
The Niners acquired Garoppolo on Oct. 31 from the Pats for a 2018 secondround pick to be the franchise’s long-term quarterback even though he had made only two starts in three-plus seasons.
After taking time to learn the offense, Garoppolo made his San Francisco debut in Sunday’s 24-13 loss to Seattle after Beathard left with injuries to his hip and knee with about a minute left.
Garoppolo completed both his passes, including a 10-yard touchdown toss to Louis Murphy. Now he will get an even bigger opportunity to show what he can do for his new team.
Suspensions cut
Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree both had their suspensions reduced from two games to one game following separate appeals, the league confirmed.
Talib can return to the field for the Broncos’ Week 14 game against the Jets. Crabtree will be eligible for the Raiders’ game vs. the Chiefs. Both can return to their teams on Dec. 4.
On Monday, Talib and Crabtree were suspended two games for their roles in a scuffle that led to them being ejected from Sunday’s game . . . .
Running back Darren McFadden announced his retirement two days after his release by the Cowboys . . . .
The Bears waived receiver Tre McBride ....
Dolphins defensive end William Hayes has been placed on injured reserve because of a back injury.