Shurmur: We have a backup plan
Ju s t because Davis Webb won’t take the torch from Eli Manning doesn’t mean the Giants don’t have a succession plan for their 37-year-old starting quarterback. The team’s future under center became increasingly unclear Sunday, when the team surprisingly cut Webb — a third-round pick last year — but Giants first-year head coach Pat Shurmur claims a plan is in place for when Manning retires. “At this point, we do [have one] right now,” Shurmur said Monday, when asked of the importance of a post-Manning plan. “It’s just not what everyone outside our building predicted what the plan was.” Plan B for this season also remains uncertain. While it appeared rookie Kyle Lauletta and journeyman Alex Tanney would compete to become Manning’s backup, the Giants will also host veteran Matt McGloin for a workout Tuesday, according to an NFL Network report. In explaining why Webb was cut, Shurmur cited the experience of Tanney, 30, who has been with seven teams, yet only appeared in one NFL game. McGloin, 28, has played in 13 career games and made seven starts.
“Here’s the thing with a veteran backup quarterback: They can go in and function with very few reps,” Shurmur said. “I think that’s an attribute that I look for in a guy that could potentially be a backup to a guy like Eli, because they don’t get that many reps during the training sessions.”
Prior to McGloin’s invitation, Shurmur said he hadn’t yet decided who would play behind Manning. However, the coach was clear he believed Lauletta and Tanney both outplayed Webb in training camp, and were better fits for the Giants’ new system.
“We felt like they all got an opportunity to show us what they could do,” Shurmur said. “At some point, regardless of where you’re drafted, once you settle in as a player on the team, that sort of goes away.”
Who the Giants took in this year’s fourth round made last year’s thirdround pick expendable. That thirdround pick passed through waivers and became a free agent on Monday.
Though Lauletta is just 22, and didn’t play at college football’s highest level (FBC’s Richmond), Shurmur said he would be “very comfortable” using the rookie in the regular season.
“I like the fact that he’ll decide what he’s looking at, see it and pull the trigger,” Shurmur said. “He’s very decisive in what he does. He’s a gamer of sorts, and we’re looking forward to working with that.”
Just a day earlier, Lauletta wasn’t sure whether he would remain on the roster. Now, he could be one play away from leading the team.
“There’s definitely uncertainty,” Lauletta said of his role. “I think I’m very ready and if my number were to ever get called, I think I would be ready to go and I’d be very, very excited to step in there and help the team win.”
Then again, Manning hasn’t needed a replacement in 14 years.