Giants bench Manning in favor of Smith
Eli Manning is not going to be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants for the first time in more than 13 years.
And yes, he is not happy about it. Tears welled in his eyes talking to reporters and his chin quivered when asked about how much this hurt.
The Giants announced Tuesday that Geno Smith will start in place of Manning when the Giants (2-9) face the Raiders in Oakland on Sunday.
Coach Ben McAdoo gave the 36year-old Manning the option of starting to keep his streak of 210 consecutive starts alive, but the two-time Super Bowl MVP 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.
Manning’s face and eyes got redder the more he talked, adding it’s been a hard day for him and he needs time to figure it out. His session with the media lasted less than four minutes.
McAdoo said he made the decision to start Smith over the weekend, and co-owner John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese were in agreement.
Manning’s streak is the secondlongest streak by a quarterback in NFL history, behind Brett Favre’s 297.
He started every Giants game since Nov. 21, 2004, when he took over for Kurt Warner in his rookie season.
Suspensions reduced: Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib had their suspensions reduced from two games to one game on appeal.
The two were suspended for a fight during Oakland’s 21-14 victory Sunday. It was a continuation of a dispute that started last season when Talib ripped Crabtree’s chain off during the season finale.
Calling it quits: Running back Darren McFadden, 30, retired two days after his release by the Dallas Cowboys.
McFadden, who was in his 10th season, was an afterthought even after Ezekiel Elliott started his six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.
McFadden was the fourth overall pick by Oakland in 2008 out of Arkansas. He finished with 5,421 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns.