The firings of GM Jerry Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo made for a Monday, bloody Monday around the Giants but did not answer all the questions about what transpired and what comes next. Here’s a few to tackle:
Q: How does all of this affect Odell Beckham Jr.?
A: No doubt, Beckham’s head is spinning as the only NFL franchise he’s played for undergoes a massive overhaul. As he recovers from ankle surgery, Beckham knows he is on the books in 2018 for $8.459 million and he is seeking a long-term extension. Perhaps he decides he would rather go elsewhere once he sees who the Giants bring in to run the show. Co-owner John Mara said, “I certainly expect him to be a part of this team in the future, but that will be a discussion also with the incoming general manager and the incoming head coach and we’ll make whatever decision we think is appropriate going forward.’’ So, stay tuned.
Q: Does Steve Spagnuolo have a shot at removing the interim tag and actually becoming the head coach in 2018?
A: That’s a tricky one. Ownership has great regard for Spagnuolo as a coach and a man, but they tried keeping things in-house with McAdoo replacing Tom Coughlin and it did not work out. Hard to believe they would go that route again. Spagnuolo went 10-38 in his threeyear stint as the Rams head coach and would love another chance.
Q: Does Chris Mara have a chance to become the general manager?
A: Mara, the Giants’ senior vice president of player personnel, is a respected talent evaluator throughout the NFL and has always desired to run an NFL team. In the past, the Tisch family balked at this, not wanting to get into a situation where at some point they would have to fire a member of the Mara family, as Chris is a younger brother of co-owner John Mara. It is unlikely this will work out with Chris Mara’s promotion to GM.
Q: What does this all mean for the Giants’ quarterback situation?
A: Well, in the short-term it means Eli Manning will regain his starting job. McAdoo and Reese were advocates for Geno Smith and wanted to see him play. Now that they are gone, Smith will likely go back to the bench. The organization does want to get a look at Davis Webb and will put a plan in place to get Webb up to speed in practice and get him in games, replacing Manning, when it makes sense.
Q: How does Eli Manning come out of all this?
A: As even more of a beloved franchise icon than before. Manning, on his weekly WFAN radio spot, said he understood the decision not to start him, saying “I wasn’t mad about it.’’ Then he revealed his innermost feeling: “I was crushed over it.’’ That is a serious peek into his emotional state, a view Manning rarely shares. Expect him to get a rousing ovation Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Q: How does this affect the players?
A: This was a shell-shocked locker room before the firings. Most players genuinely liked Ben McAdoo and respected him, but not with the devotion and emotion the old guard had for Tom Coughlin. For some of the younger players, this could be a new lease on life.