Eli’s back, but Giants still suck
Manning returns, but Giants still just look awful
Eli Manning runs off the field after Sunday’s ugly 30-10 loss to the Cowboys. Manning, back under center after his ridiculous one-game hiatus, completed 31-of-46 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted twice and afterward apologized to the fans.
All this losing is getting to Evan Engram, the rookie tight end. He could not hide his frustration after Sunday’s 30-10 loss to the Cowboys, a game that was tied 10-10 until midway through the fourth quarter.
“We could have blown this game out of the water,’’ Engram said quietly. “Our defense was playing unreal, unreal. We could have played a lot better offense, put a lot more points on the board, give our defense some energy, some more swagger than they already have.
“It’s ridiculous how well they played and how good they are. We got to help them out.’’
Engram caught four passes for 54 yards and had one drop.
“Our defense was playing lights out,’’ Engram said. “It’s really frustrating that as an offensive player, as an offense we can’t help them out, we can’t play complementary football. We got to be better. It’s just that simple.’’ Interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo said his “gut feeling’’ is that Eli Manning will start against the Eagles.
“Look, without looking at it and evaluating, but Eli Manning is the quarterback right now,’’ Spagnuolo said. The Browns hired John
Dorsey as their new general manager last week before the Giants had a chance to interview him. The Giants had an interview set up for Tuesday with Dorsey, according to ESPN, but that interview obviously fell by the wayside when the Browns fired Sashi
Brown last Thursday and secured Dorsey with a four-year deal.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. was on the Giants’ sideline for the first time since surgery to repair his fractured left ankle. ... The fumble by RB Orleans Darkwa on the first offensive snap for the Giants was the first of his career. The Giants did not lose the ball, as LT Ereck Flowers recovered it. ... Rookie WR Darius Powe was signed this week off the practice squad and made his NFL debut. He had two catches for 13 yards and left the locker room on crutches. He said he fractured his foot on the first reception but stayed in the game, “because I couldn’t go out that way.’’ Powe actually started the game, as WRs Tavarres King and Travis Rudolph were inactive. ... QB Davis Webb was inactive, as he has been every game this season. Geno Smith served as the backup to Manning. Cowboys TE Jason Witten had only one catch, a 20-yard TD in the fourth quarter. The 15-year veteran said he and Manning exchanged pleasantries during the coin toss.
“Good for him to get that welcome [from the crowd],’’ Witten said. “We knew he was going to come out here and compete. That’s what he’s done his whole career.’’