Shurmur: Manning remains Giants QB
Despite mounting losses and a first season quickly turning into a mess, Pat Shurmur is sticking with Eli Manning as the Giants quarterback.
Shurmur never hesitated Friday when asked if he was considering a change in the wake of a 34-13 loss to the Eagles that dropped the Giants to 1-5. “We believe in Eli,” Shurmur said. It was as simple as that. There will be no change to either veteran Alex Tanney or rookie Kyle Lauletta.
Shurmur acknowledged Manning made some mistakes in the loss Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, but so did a lot of other players.
When he was pressed about whether he would give Lauletta a chance to play if the season slipped away, Shurmur stopped the question.
“Listen, we’re not talking about a quarterback change,” Shurmur said.
Statistically, Manning, 37, has played well. He has hit 158 of 230 passes for 1,662 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. His nearly 69 percent completion percentage would be a career best.
The problem is Manning isn’t mobile. He rarely turns a potential sack into a scramble that results in a first down or a big pass play. He has been sacked 20 times.
“My confidence is always the same,” Manning said. “I know I can play better than last night. I have to make better decisions and get back to doing my job, not trying to do anything more, forcing things. Just find completions, move the ball and try to score points.”
The 49ers apologized for initially leaving Colin Kaepernick out of a photo gallery celebrating the team’s history against the Packers.
The team posted dozens of photos on its website of past games against the Packers before the teams meet again Monday night without at first including any of Kaepernick.
The team later added photos of Kaepernick. This is the first photo gallery the team has run this year but pictures of Kaepernick were included in all seven photo galleries posted on the team’s website last year.
Kaepernick set an NFL record for quarterbacks by rushing for 181 yards in a playoff win against the Packers on Jan. 12, 2013, threw for 413 yards in a season-opening win against the Packers in 2013, and led a winning drive to win a playoff game in Green Bay on Jan. 5, 2014.
Rams WRs Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp are expected to clear concussion protocol and play Sunday against the Broncos. ... Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was limited in practice with a hamstring injury. He was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. ... Falcons RB Devonta Freeman (foot) and DT Grady Jarrett (groin) will miss Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. ... Chiefs WR De’Anthony Thomas suffered a broken leg during practice Thursday and may miss the rest of the season. ... Browns WR Derrick Willies broke his collarbone during practice and likely will miss several games. ... Jets CB Buster Skrine (concussion) will miss Sunday’s game against the Colts.