Mara regrets how Manning was handled
The New York Giants have been making mistakes all season. They might have made their biggest one in how they handled the benching of two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning after 13 seasons.
Giants co-owner John Mara on Wednesday admitted there had to be a better way to inform Manning this week that his playing time was being cut after 210 consecutive starts. But he was at a loss to know what it was.
Speaking for the first time since coach Ben McAdoo announced Tuesday that Geno Smith would start against Oakland, Mara said he made a couple of mistakes in handling the situation.
Not being at the team’s headquarters Tuesday when Manning was devastated by the decision topped the list. He met with Manning in his office on Wednesday morning and had a very emotional talk, adding Manning was not happy with the decision but understood it.
“He’s a special player, and a special person,” Mara said of Manning. “When you see him get that emotional, it’s tough. The thing about him is, to a lot of players, this is just another team, another franchise. But to him, it means something to be a New York Giant.”
Mara said he also miscalculated Manning’s reaction to reducing his playing time so the team could evaluate Smith and rookie Davis Webb. He thought the 36-year-old face of the franchise would accept starting his 211th consecutive game on Sunday, then handing off to Smith in second half.
Manning felt that was a sham and Mara didn’t realize so until Wednesday.
“I didn’t want him to go out like this. But I understand his feeling, and I respect his decision,” Mara said. “He doesn’t want the streak to be tarnished by just getting in for a few series.”
Hayward heads home: Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward has left the team to be with his family after his brother’s death in a car accident.
Coach Anthony Lynn says he doesn’t know whether Hayward will return for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
Jecaives Hayward was killed Monday in Macon, Ga.
Hayward joined the Chargers in 2016 after four seasons with Green Bay.
Cutler to start: Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase says quarterback Jay Cutler is out of the concussion protocol and will start when the team tries to break a five-game losing streak Sunday against Denver.
Cutler practiced Wednesday. He missed Sunday’s loss at New England, which dropped Miami to 4-7.
Cutler also missed a game earlier this season with cracked ribs. Matt Moore is 0-2 as the substitute starter.
Brady sits out: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sat out practice with what the team says is an Achilles tendon injury.