‘WHO’ YOU KIDDIN’
ELI FIRES BACK AT JAGUARS CORNERBACK
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — By Eli Manning standards, this was quite a put-down.
Manning came off the field after Wednesday’s joint practice with the Lions and was still perspiring when he was informed Jalen Ramsey, the Jaguars’ top cornerback, had ripped him. Ramsey, in a fullscale assault in an interview with GQ , offered his critique of several of the NFL’s veteran quarterbacks — including Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck and Joe Flacco, plus calling Bills rookie Josh Allen “trash.’’
Ramsey and the Jaguars open the season Sept. 9 against the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
This was Ramsey’s take on Manning: “It’s not really Eli. I think it’s Odell Beckham Jr. I won’t say Eli’s good. I’ll say Odell’s good. And their connection is good.’’
Manning looked surprised by this analysis. Asked for a comment, he said, “No.’’ And then, after a pause, he sort of winked and said softly, “Who?’’ Then Manning smiled.
Clearly, Manning knows who Ramsey is. Clearly, he is not sweating anything Ramsey says.
Just as clearly, Manning never, ever, pours kerosene on a fire, as that is not his way. Just as clearly, the ultra-talented Ramsey likes to shake things up. He currently is serving a oneweek suspension imposed by the Jaguars after the cornerback served up an obscene rant against the local Jacksonville media.
“I feel everybody has their own personality traits,’’ new Giants starting right guard Patrick Omameh told The Post. “For whatever reason, the news likes to focus on Jalen and what he has to say.’’
Omameh was Ramsey’s teammate in Jacksonville the past two seasons and, though Omameh had no interest in dissecting Ramsey’s harsh assessment of Manning — “I mean, people talk, I don’t pay no mind,’’ he said — there was a quick defense of the 37-year-old quarterback about whom Omameh is learning.
There is no doubt Manning is enhanced by having Beckham as a target. Though the two have been prolific together, Beckham missing so much time last season with a fractured left ankle has impeded the on-field relationship from growing even more effective. Watching them carve up the Lions for a second consecutive day gives the appearance that Manning and Beckham are completely in sync, but the fact that they often spend time after practice working together is an indication they are not.
“We’re getting there,’’ Manning said. “We still got some work to do. I think he’s done a good job the last few weeks kind of getting his feel back and his rhythm, how to work guys in man, give ’ em an extra moves, trusting his body. He’s getting back into a zone and we’re getting comfortable on the field again.’’
What a cornerback from another team says about Manning — even a talented one such as Ramsey — does not hold much interest to him.
“Eli got here because he’s a hard worker, he’s a great quarterback,’’ said Giants cornerback Eli Apple. “He’s somebody that’s very accurate, he watches a lot of film, puts a lot of time in. He definitely has the talent, even now, he’s still very cerebral in the game. He’s still a great quarterback.’’
Reminded of Ramsey’s rip-job and that cornerbacks often like to talk, Apple said, “Exactly. Most of them.’’
Perhaps before the season opener Manning will go over and introduce himself to Ramsey.
“I hadn’t heard anything about it,’’ Manning said. “So hey, I got work to do. I’m going to be excited about Week 1 no matter what.’’