Giants confident Eli Manning will be prepared to start at QB despite sitting out 10 games
Eli Manning #10 of the Giants runs off the field after a game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Daniel Jones no longer was wearing a boot to stabilize his right ankle Friday at Giants practice. Still, coach Pat Shurmur said “it’s very unlikely” that his rookie quarterback will be able to play in the team’s Monday night game in Philadelphia.
So it appears that it is a done deal that the offense on Monday will be under the leadership of Eli Manning, who was replaced by Jones after the team started 0-2. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula said Friday that he likes what Manning, 38, has done at practice.
“He looks good. He’s had a good week,” Shula said. “He always has a good look in his eye. He’s been great for me as a coach to be around. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Manning, the winner of two Super Bowls with the Giants, was the team’s starter for 14 full seasons and parts of two others. During his 10-game benching, he mostly has disappeared. As a reserve, he did not grant interviews nor did he join other co-captains for the coin toss.
Manning doesn’t step into an easy situation. The Giants (2-10) have lost eight straight. Still, Shula said he isn’t worried about Manning being ready. Nor is he worried that the change will impact play-calling much.
“Very few things,” Shula said. “We might not have him running the ball like we did with Daniel on the 1-[yard line], but other than that, really nothing. Eli obviously knows our offense so well, and Daniel . . . We’ve given him probably more than we’ve given any other rookie as far as volume, putting things on his shoulders more so than other rookie quarterbacks.”
There has been some thought that it could help Jones’ development to sit out a game or two, especially after so much losing. Shula isn’t buying this. “I believe playing really is the best way to continue to learn,” he said.
Notes & quotes: Defensive coordinator James Bettcher wasted no time Friday addressing comments made earlier in the week by Janoris Jenkins. After the 31-13 loss to Green Bay on Sunday, Jenkins complained that he is the only cornerback in the league who isn’t allowed to follow the opposition’s best receiver. Bettcher, speaking to the media for the first time since those comments, said he and Jenkins have a good relationship. “I have been places where we traveled all the time,” Bettcher said, “and I’ve been here where we’ve traveled at different times and in the course of different games and different situations. The philosophy on that is if it works for everyone, it’s a great thing to do.” . . . Receiver Golden Tate has been cleared from the concussion protocol . . . Offensive tackle Nate Solder practiced fully . . . Tight end Evan Engram, out three games because of a foot injury, is optimistic that he can play Monday night.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
