Irate fans ready to send message
OAKLAND, Calif. — If ownership is already convinced McAdoo is going to be dismissed after the season, there might be no reason to wait until Jan. 1, especially considering three of the last four games are at MetLife Stadium, and these final home games could spark some of the ugliest moments in franchise history.
An ESPN report stated McAdoo “could be’’ fired as soon as Monday.
Fans are irate at the way McAdoo ended Eli Manning’s 210-game starting streak, even though co-owner John Mara was completely on board with getting a look at Geno Smith — the starter Sunday against the Raiders — and rookie Davis Webb at quarterback. How irate? Protests are scheduled for next Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
A group of ex-Giants are also talking about standing on the sideline for next week’s game wearing Manning jerseys, FOX Sports reported.
McAdoo, asked if he is concerned with the reaction of Giants fans for the next home game, said “No, I am not concerned. Listen, I understand where the fans are coming from. It i was on the outside looking in, I’d feel the same way they feel. You know Eli and I have a tremendous relationship. I think the world of him and it was hard for me emotionally. The beginning of the week, once you make a decision, you have to stick with it and I appreciate the way Eli handled things this week.’’
Seeing Manning’s former teammates sticking up for him would at least be a heartening sight for Giants fans — or the ones who show up at least.
On the field former players may be sending a message to Giants ownership; loads of empty seats would be the fans’ contribution to the effort.
“Basically what we’re trying to do is a peaceful protest, a little solidarity for Eli,’’ Matt Meyer, a longtime Giants fan, told The Post. “We’re trying to encourage our friends on Giants Facebook groups and message boards to not go in, not resell our tickets. Let everyone see this.’’
The plan is to tailgate, as usual, at MetLife Stadium, and remain in the parking lots during the game to show the fans’ displeasure in the form of empty seats. Money is also being raised to fly a plane with a message over the stadium, similar to what transpired in 1978, when a banner reading “15 Years Of Lousy Football — We’ve Had Enough!’’ flew over the stadium and helped usher in a regime change.
“We’ve sat through bad years before,’’ said Meyer, 33, who lives in Belleville, N.J., with his wife, Amanda — they met through their Giants fandom, and Amanda is now pregnant with their second child. “We all take a lot of pride in being Giants fans in a sense they always preach the class and the family thing. It’s something we should have pride in. Just the way this was handled with Eli, I think it’s a gut-shot to all of us.’’
Mara and Steve Tisch issued a joint statement Nov. 13 after the Giants dropped to 1-8 following a 31-21 loss to the previously winless 49ers indicating no moves would take place until after the season: “It is our responsibility to determine the reasons for our poor performance and at the end of the year, we will evaluate the 2017 season in its entirety and make a determination on how we move forward.”