Mara feels heat on QB switch
New York Giants co-owner John Mara on Wednesday admitted there had to be a better way to inform quarterback Eli Manning this week that his playing time was being cut after 210 consecutive starts.
Speaking for the first time since head coach Ben McAdoo announced Tuesday that Geno Smith would start against the Raiders, Mara said that he made a couple of mistakes in handling the situation.
Not being at the team’s headquarters Tuesday when Manning was devastated by the decision topped the list. He met with Manning in his office Wednesday morning and had a very emotional talk.
“He’s a special player, and a special person,” Mara said of Manning. “When you see him get that emotional, it’s tough. The thing about him is, to a lot of players, this is just another team, another franchise. But to him, it means something to be a New York Giant.”
The decision was met with major disapproval by fans and former Giants players, which Mara expected, but not to the degree it happened. “It’s fair to say I have gotten a lot of feedback from fans and they are not happy,” he said. “I accept that.”
Among the feedback:
Philip Rivers, who will have the NFL’s longest active streak of consecutive starts (he’s at 188) by a quarterback after Manning’s benching, says he’s not happy about it. “I honestly thought it was pathetic, really,” Rivers said. “The guy ... won two Super Bowls, MVPs, the respect he’s had in the locker room over the years, really the respect he’s gained throughout the league, you feel like the guy has earned the opportunity, if they are deciding in fact to go another direction (after the season) ... to finish off these last five weeks.”
Archie Manning, Eli’s father, told the New York Daily News, “This breaks his heart . ... Eli is not bitter. Just hurt.” Briefly: Falcons running back Devonta Freeman cleared the concussion protocol after missing two games . ... The Bears are bringing back linebacker Lamarr Houston, claiming him off waivers from the Texans. Houston, 30, was released by Chicago on Sept. 6 . ... Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (Achilles tendon) sat out practice . ... Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward left the team to be with his family after his brother, Jecaives Hayward, was killed in a car accident Monday in Macon, Ga.