Eli gets to say ‘Aloha’
ELI MANNING enjoyed a career season in 2015. And while the recognition for that has come late, the quarterback is now being rewarded.
On Friday, the Giants announced that Manning has been named to the Pro Bowl after passing for a career-best 35 touchdowns (the second most in franchise history) and 4,432 yards, the second-best total of his career.
Manning was originally left off the roster, but Pittsburgh Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder injury created room for another QB. This will be Manning’s fourth Pro Bowl appearance and his first since 2012.
The Giants will now send two Pro Bowlers to Honolulu for the Jan. 31 game; wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is already on the roster. On Friday, Beckham was named one of the Pro Bowl’s four captains, joining Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Falcons running back Devonta Freeman and Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Beckham and Donald will draft one team of Pro Bowlers while Freeman and Atkins will draft the other.
Things could get interesting for Beckham if Carolina fails to defeat Arizona in Sunday’s NFC title game. If that happens, Panthers corner Josh Norman, who helped send the receiver over the edge when Carolina beat the Giants in December, would be available for the Pro Bowl, and there would be a chance that the two could team up.
NO TO SINGLETARY: The Giants finally have a linebackers coach — and it’s not Mike Singletary. According to a source, the club instead is expected to hire Bill McGovern, who coached the same position for the Eagles under Chip Kelly.
That leaves no room for Singletary, who had interviewed for the post on Thursday. The ex-49ers head coach seemed a potentially ideal fit, a Hall of Fame linebacker who would have given first-time head man Ben McAdoo another assistant with head coaching experience.
McGovern has also spent time as Boston College’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, working with current Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich and the Panthers’ star linebacker, Luke Keuchly.
IT’S PAT: Former Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty will reportedly join the 49ers as offensive line coach.