Smith ‘excited’ to debut in unexpected post-Manning era
EAST RUTHERFORD » Geno Smith says it isn’t awkward. Ben McAdoo insists that players and coaches need to put aside their emotions. But through all of the unexpected twists to this Giants season, this is the one that truly has fans demoralized and outraged.
For the first time since Nov. 14, 2004, someone other than Eli Manning will start at quarterback for the franchise when New York (2-9) takes on the Oakland Raiders (5-6) Sunday afternoon at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
After 210 consecutive starts and two Super Bowl titles, the likely Hall of Famer’s future with Big Blue is in doubt since the Giants abruptly announced Tuesday that they will evaluate the other two quarterbacks on the roster over the final five games of a lost season.
Smith, who had a tumultuous first four years in the league with the Jets and has been Manning’s backup this year, is up first. Rookie Davis Webb waits in the wings.
“He’s a consummate professional, done a great job, and I appreciate having a guy like Eli,” Smith said. “He’s done a tremendous job in this league for so many years and done a great job with this organization. I can’t say that enough. I think you guys all are aware of that. Nothing he’s done can ever be replaced or forgotten. I have an opportunity to go out there and play, and I look forward to it.”
But how much can the Giants really learn about the future of their quarterback position given the hazardous state of affairs?
The woeful offensive line has been in flux with eight different starting lineups. The best member of the unit, Justin Pugh, is injured. Center Brett Jones and right tackle Chad Wheeler began the season as backups. Right guard Jon Halapio came off the practice squad in Week 5.
The Giants’ two most talented receivers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall, are on injured reserve. Sterling Shepard is back after missing two games with migraines, but the other targets are mostly former undrafted free agents and practice squad members.
“I don’t know if this is going to give us all the information we need, but it’s going to be better than nothing,” co-owner John Mara said. “It’s better than just watching them run scout team out there every day. With quarterbacks in particular, you don’t know what you have until they’re out there facing a pass rush, making decisions at critical points in the game and making plays.”
Mara and McAdoo both said this week that Webb will play at some point, which is arguably the more beneficial move for the franchise. Smith is a looming free agent and already has a 30-start sample sign pointing to his lack of long-term viability. Webb, meanwhile, is a promising third-round pick out of California.
McAdoo wouldn’t commit to Webb being active Sunday, which is understandable given that he’s been limited to scout-team work in practice all year. But that role has yet to change, McAdoo said.
“He immerses himself in the preparation studying the opponent,” McAdoo said. “Does a lot of film study, does a lot of looking outside of the breakdown for unique clips, especially of players we’re playing. So he’s into the preparation each and every week, and we’ll tailor that more and more as he gets an opportunity down the road to game plan.”
There is speculation Webb could start in a game as early as the Giants’ next home game, Dec. 10 against the Dallas Cowboys. But again, the Giants should caution against putting too much stock into a limited sample of quarterbacking a reeling roster before April’s draft.
“Obviously we’re going to have a high draft pick this year and there are going to be some quarterbacks available,” Mara said. “So that’s going to be a decision that we’re going to have to make, but I’d like to make that decision at least having watched some of these guys play.”
In 33 games with the Jets, Smith completed 57.9 percent of his passes for 5,962 yards and 28 touchdowns. He committed 43 turnovers.
“When you get the opportunity, you’ve got to go out there and make the best of it. So I’m excited. I’m excited,” Smith said. “But I know there’s a lot of work to be done, so I don’t look at it as anything more than that — a chance to go out there and prove my worth.”