WHO’S NO. 1?
Eli will always be Giant legend, but he shouldn’t just be handed starting job
STEFAN BONDY, PAGE 36-37
Pat Shurmur has repeated the line several times over the last two days regarding his QB situation: “Nothing has changed.” What that means for the Giants these days, and over the last 14 years, is that Eli Manning will be under center in Week 1, without any real competition — even if Daniel Jones continues to play well in preseason.
“We’re not going to play what-ifs,” Shurmur said. “Nothing has changed.”
‘Nothing has changed’ in Giants world also should include zero playoff victo- ries since
2011, when they were still releasing Harry Potter movies.
The obligation to Manning should’ve expired a long time ago. He’ll never lose his hallowed place in Giants history, but he shouldn’t be guaranteed the starting job for as long as he wants it.
Manning’s heyday was a long time ago, and he hasn’t aged gracefully. The first half of his career was defined by two Super Bowl championships, two conquests of Brady and a knack for coming through in pressurized circumstances.
The entire second half of his career has been defined by losing, molasses footwork, checkdowns and touch sacks. With his lone throw Thursday, Manning ignored a wide open receiver down the field so he could complete a three-yard checkdown. Shurmur wanted to see more from his “starter” — the coach made sure to use that definition — but couldn’t get more than three downs.
“He’s our starter and I think it was important he played to some degree,” Shurmur said. “The idea was
not to go 3-and-out. The idea was to go on a scoring drive.”
More of the same. It’s now seven seasons with one playoff appearance. Brady has seven in that span. Ben Roethlisberger has four. Drew Brees has three. Phillip Rivers has two. The best receiver Manning ever played alongside, Odell Beckham, couldn’t wait for a new QB.
One theory pushed by Eli supporters is that the veteran will serve as a valuable mentor to Jones before gracefully passing the torch. There’s nothing to suggest this will happen. If anything, history suggests Manning is more consumed with starting every game than pushing along his backup.
The one time Manning was asked to step aside by the Giants, he caused a fuss. He teared up in front of his locker because it marked the end of a consecutive games streak. Presumably, he played a role in the team releasing a statement explaining — and apologizing — for the move. It was embarrassing and no doubt a factor in Ben McAdoo getting canned.
McAdoo was a lost fool in front of a microphone but he was on to something with Manning. He just had the wrong backup in Geno Smith.
Shurmur has Jones. It’s not even that the Giants should hand the job to Jones after one preseason series. But Shurmur should make this a real competition, without the Manning pretense. So what if a legend’s feelings are hurt? Jones demonstrated on Thursday, at the very least, he’s worthy of consideration.
Give Manning a competition. The debt for two Super Bowls is paid.