Eli not looking over his shoulder
EAST RUTHERFORD >> Eli Manning hasn’t been looking over his shoulder since the Giants took heir apparent Daniel Jones with the sixth pick overall in the NFL draft.
The 38-year-old Manning is always focused on what he can control and right now that’s being the Giants’ quarterback in 2019.
There seems to be no doubt the kid from Duke is going to replace him some day. The question is when it will happen.
On the opening day of organized team activities Monday, coach Pat Shurmur said Manning is his starting quarterback. The goal for Jones and fellow backups Alex Tanney and Kyle Lauletta is to be ready to play on opening day if something happens to the twotime Super Bowl MVP.
Manning, who has led the Giants to the playoffs just once since the 2011 season, refused to say Monday he wants to be the starter as long as possible.
“I understand that I am the quarterback on the Giants and it is my responsibility to go out there and do my job to the best of my ability,” he said. “I want to be in this position and be the quarterback. I want to go win games and have a great year.”
Manning, who has led the Giants to eight wins over the past two seasons, said he has not worked any harder in the offseason or he is more concerned because Jones is waiting behind him.
“I don’t think this has changed that,” he said. “I understand the circumstances that I am in and sure, I need to play well and play well early. Just do my job. You want to do that. You have to be careful not to press and do too much when things aren’t there and force things. Just have to play to the best of my ability and make good decisions. Lead this team to wins.”
Manning intends to take Jones under his wing. That’s not a change though. He has done that for years with every quarterback who has joined the team, whether it was Ryan Nassib, Davis Webb, Geno Smith, Tanney, Lauletta or now Jones.
“Whoever is in the quarterback room, (we) talk football,” Manning said. “If someone is confused about something or not sure about something, we have a great communication system and a relationship.”
While Manning lost his biggest offensive threat in the trade that sent Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, other upgrades have been made.
Right guard Kevin Zeitler was acquired in a second trade with the Browns and the Giants recently signed veteran Mike Remmers, who should take over at right tackle. Center Jon Halapio is back after breaking a leg early last season and left guard Will Hernandez should improve after a decent rookie season.
Left tackle Nate Solder had minor surgery to clean up his ankle, but he is expected to be ready for training camp.
That should improve the line, which gave up 47 sacks last season. And the offense as a whole should also benefit in its second season in Shurmur’s system and having Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley.