McAdoo, Manning push back from testing QB Webb
The Giants are 1-6 at their bye, headed to a dismal season and, most likely, a top-five pick in the 2018 NFL Draft — an enticing spot to land their next franchise quarterback. Eli Manning turns 37 in January and the Giants hope to make a smooth transition once the end comes for him.
Do they have that player on their roster? They took Davis Webb in the third round of last spring’s draft because they view him as an NFL starter down the road.
If Webb is considered to be next in line — the Giants had an extremely high grade on him — there is no need to take a quarterback high in the draft. A plan could be put in place where Manning continues to start but Webb gets sprinkled in during the second half of the season, enough to make a serious evaluation. This would not be about shoving Manning aside, but trying to determine if Webb is a worthy successor.
This scenario is not popular with Ben McAdoo.
“It’s a coaching decision,’’ McAdoo said Monday. “But it would be something that, if it ever would get to that point I’d want to have a conversation with [general manager] Jerry [Reese] and ownership on it. But it’s not to that point and I don’t see that point coming. Eli’s our quarterback, I have 100 percent confidence in Eli. We’re gonna get a week away from it and we’re gonna come back, fresh mind, fresh bodies and play better football.’’
No doubt, this scenario is also not popular with Manning, who has a streak of 206 consecutive regular-season starts, third on the all-time list behind Brett Favre (297) and older brother Peyton Manning (208).
“Well, hey, I want to be out there each and every week for my teammates,’’ Manning said Monday on his weekly WFAN spot. “It’s important for me, if I can play and I feel I can help the team and play well enough to win the game I’m gonna be out there. Hey, my mindset is to do whatever’s best to help the team and what will give us wins. I’ve got a job to do and I’m gonna do that to the best of my ability.’’
Webb’s rookie year has thus far consisted of serving as the No. 3 quarterback, learning from Manning. Webb has been inactive for all seven games, with Geno Smith as the backup and not taking a single snap, following the plan put in place at the start of the season.
Webb, 22, is a 6-foot-5, 230pound pocket passer in the Manning mold, but more athletic. He put up big numbers at Texas Tech before getting hurt and giving way to Patrick Mahomes II. After transferring to California, Webb last season passed for 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
“He’s a young player who works hard at it, the fundamentals,’’ McAdoo said. “Helps Eli prepare for the games each and every week and he’s a gym rat.’’ If McAdoo has his way, there will be no experimenting with the gym rat
this season.