Glauber: Giants' minor trade hits major problems
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sage Rosenfels takes a snap during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams. (Aug. 14, 2010) Credit: AP
The acquisition of a backup quarterback and a punt returner a few days before the start of the regular season isn't exactly the biggest news flash. But if you're in the business of running an NFL team, the ramifications can prove immense.
Late Friday, the Giants traded with the Vikings, obtaining quarterback Sage Rosenfels and running back/kick returner Darius Reynaud. Not one of general manager Jerry Reese's biggest transactions, but perhaps one of his most important.
With Jim Sorgi no longer an option as Eli Manning's backup because of continuing shoulder problems, Rosenfels fills a critical role as an experienced understudy on the off chance that Manning gets hurt. Forget the fact that Manning has never missed a start since taking over as the No. 1 quarterback midway through the 2004 season. There's simply no way the Giants could afford to go into the season without a viable insurance policy.
That's not to say second-year quarterback Rhett Bomar can't be considered a worthy No. 2 someday, but there's no way the Giants could count on Bomar in the event Manning missed a significant chunk of games this season.
Not that Rosenfels is the second coming of Earl Morrall, but the 32-year-old quarterback at least has some valuable experience behind him. Originally a fourth-round pick of the Redskins in 2001, he started 10 games for the Texans in 2007-08 when Matt Schaub was injured.
Bomar? He has yet to throw his first regular-season pass, and the Giants released him Saturday. I happen to think Bomar, who might join the Giants' practice squad, can be a solid NFL quarterback in time, but this wasn't the right time to find out. Once Sorgi went down, Reese knew he had to react.
Despite speculation the Giants were interested in Matt Leinart - wrong move, in my opinion, especially with Leinart wanting to be a full-time starter - Reese instead got a quarterback in Rosenfels who understands what it is to be a backup: namely, to be ready in case of an injury, and to be a supportive locker-room presence.
As for the little-known Reynaud, he, too, fills a valuable role. With regular kick returner Domenik Hixon out for the year with a knee injury and with his replacement, Aaron Ross, still bothered by foot problems, Reynaud is an excellent fit. Not only that, but the former West Virginia running back can be a serviceable backup.
With a week to go before the opener against Carolina, that's two fewer things the Giants have to worry about. Nice work.
