MIGHTY GOOD MANN!
Sully: Eli’s the ultimate pro
The benching of Eli Manning has not only taken an emotional toll on Giants fans, but the coaching staff as well.
Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, who was a coach with the Giants from 2004-11 and rejoined the staff in 2015, took a deep breath before finding the words to describe how Manning’s benching is affecting him.
“Tuesday was a very difficult day,” Sullivan said on Thursday. “Eleven years — I worked closely with Eli as part of this coaching staff, as a receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, coordinator and then these past few weeks being able to call the plays for him and so many experiences we shared together. The highest of highs — a couple Super Bowl trophies — the lowest of lows … through it all, he has been the ultimate professional.”
There was a noticeable pain in Sullivan’s voice when he spoke. While he spent the first Super Bowl run as a receivers coach, he worked directly with Manning in 2011 during their second championship run, which certainly added a special element to their relationship.
“He personifies class and humility, toughness, competitiveness. I just have great respect for Eli Manning as a player and a man,” he added. “Over that long period of time, we developed quite a bond — a strong bond — and there’s nothing that can take that away or break that bond.”
Giants co-owner John Mara, GM Jerry Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo devised a plan to start Manning and switch to Geno Smith at some point later in the game, but Manning did not support the plan and decided it made more sense for Smith to just start.
Sullivan would not reveal if he had any role or input in those discussions.
The former U.S. Army Ranger even appeared uncomfortable at times, dancing around questions regarding what thoughts he may have shared with McAdoo about the benching — a possible indicator on his true feelings about the situation.
“As I mentioned, that whole process has been discussed,” Sullivan said. “At this point, it’s more a matter of what are my responsibilities…it’s been very, very difficult, so I think it’s really trying to zero in on trying to find a way that we can get this thing headed in the right direction.”
Sullivan was not the only coach who had an emotional reaction to Manning’s benching.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who held the same position for the Super Bowl XLII team, has his defense preparing for this week’s game with the quarterback that helped win him that Super Bowl ring now leading the scout team.
While Spagnuolo said he has not gotten the chance to speak with Manning since the decision, he made it clear how he feels about him.
“Look it, just right here for Eli in my regards,” he said, tapping the NY logo on his jacket right above his heart. “We’ve been together through a lot of good things and I respect him a great deal.”
While the shock and awe of the Manning benching wears off, some teammates are looking forward to seeing what Smith can do.
Damon “Snacks” Harrison, who played with Smith while on the Jets, is excited but acknowledged that he wishes it could have happened under better circumstances.
“It’s bittersweet because… I know Geno. Geno is one of my good friends and I’m excited for him to get an opportunity,” Harrison said.
“It’s just unfortunate that it came at the expense of Eli, but, you know, I’m excited to see Geno as well.”