Mara has faith in Manning
Two games, no matter how disappointing or demoralizing, haven’t caused Giants co-owner John Mara to question the decision to stick with Eli Manning — at least not in public. He also isn’t surprised the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback is facing heat.
“So what else is new?” Mara told reporters Friday night at the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Champions for Children Gala in Manhattan. “Listen: we’re 0-2 for a reason. There’s nothing I can say to defend that. Obviously we’re hoping to be a little better. We’ll see. It’s a long season.”
Mara has been impressed by what he has seen from new coach Pat Shurmur, despite the 0-2 record. and said he believes better days are ahead.
“I like the way we’ve practiced, I like their enthusiasm, I like their attentiveness to the coach,” Mara said. “We’ll see if it pays off.”
Sunday afternoon in Houston will be a reunion of sorts for a few Giants. When the Texans have the ball, B.J. Goodson and Wayne Gallman will see former Clemson teammate Deshaun Watson under center, and Dalvin Tomlinson will be looking at the man who prevented him from winning back-to-back national championships at Alabama. “It’s exciting to go against a quarterback I personally know away from the game,” Goodson, a middle linebacker, said Friday. “That’s the dope part of playing this game, period. That’s a unique thing.”
As expected, outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (high ankle sprain) and cornerback Eli Apple (groin) were ruled out after not practicing all week. Vernon, out since Aug. 26, declined to reveal much about the injury, deferring those inquiries to the Giants’ coaching staff.
“You never really want to go through an injury, but all you can do is just take your time and try to get yourself ready, try to get yourself back physically and mentally and go from there,” Vernon, the team’s best pass-rusher, said. “It’s always difficult when you can’t be out there to help contribute, but all you do is just cheer for your teammates out there and hope them boys get those wins.”
Outside linebacker Connor Barwin (knee) and tight end Evan Engram ( ankle) practiced fully and are expected to play Sunday. They were limited Thursday.