New York Giants: Eli Manning should skip preseason

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning should be shut down once preseason games roll around, as only bad things can happen during those contests.

Unless you’ve decided to completely ignore NFL previews for whatever reasons, you’re probably aware a plethora of respected observers are predicting big things for the 2017 New York Giants. Some are even going so far as to suggest Big Blue could win the Super Bowl, and at least one person believes New York quarterback Eli Manning could be an MVP candidate by the time the holiday season concludes.

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Manning, of course, is no stranger to this portion of the year. The 36-year old who has been the starting quarterback for the Giants since the fall of 2004 hasn’t ever been known to be the fastest or most agile offensive player in the league, and the wear and tear that comes with being a veteran of 13 years of pro football is bound to slow him down every now and again.

Thus, it wasn’t all that surprising to learn the Giants have elected to put Manning on a “pitch count” during summer training camp sessions: From ESPN’s Jordan Raanan:

"“You can call it a pitch count. You can frame it like that, you can frame it however you like,” general manager Jerry Reese said Thursday, some 24 hours before the Giants’ first practice of training camp. “That’s a good way to frame it if you like.”"

Reese added:

"“We want to make sure that he is fresh in the games late in the year and hopefully going into the playoffs. We want him to be fresh and ready to go.”"

This is a logical step to take for reasons that go beyond Manning’s age and whatever he has left in the figurative tank. The New York offense is built to win or lose via its passing attack each and every week regardless of opponent. It is not crazy to believe Manning will finish the upcoming campaign with well over 600 pass attempts on his personal stat sheet.

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Reese, head coach Ben McAdoo and everyone else affiliated with the Giants doing whatever possible to ensure Manning’s arm is at its best as January begins only makes sense, but the theory that placing him on a pitch count in late July and August is beneficial brings with it an obvious question: Why not just keep Manning a spectator during preseason games?

You don’t have to be a former player or coach to realize NFL personnel view preseason games as nuisances more and more with each year. There will soon come a day when younger fans will laugh upon hearing their favorite teams used to play four exhibition contests every August. Sure, a rookie or somebody thought to be a backup, at best, can bolster his status and impress coaches during such contests, but Manning doesn’t have to worry about that at this stage of his career.

One of the worst-kept secrets in all of North American professional sports is that the majority of veteran quarterbacks who aren’t Tom Brady (and Brady doesn’t count because he’s the type of crazy person who purposely eats avocado ice cream) hate training camp and the preseason. A quarterback with Manning’s resume has pretty such seen it all on the field. Little is going to be new to him months ahead of his 37th birthday.

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No, Manning isn’t magically going to locate chemistry with teammates during preseason games played at half speed. He’s already quite familiar with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, and he and 33-year old Brandon Marshall have essentially been playing football since the day before forever. Tight end Evan Engram is a rookie, but he and Manning aren’t going to be strangers by the time the first preseason game rolls around.

We know, years after the fact, Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre probably would’ve skipped the bulk of training camps after he turned 30 years old had he been given the opportunity. The previously mentioned Brady missed the first four games of the 2016 campaign due to suspension, and he managed to be the same guy once he returned to the field in October. Face facts: There’s nothing for Manning to gain playing in August.

If anything, things can only go poorly for Manning and the Giants whenever he is on the field during the preseason. Far too many take his durability and the fact he’s never missed a single start since replacing Kurt Warner 13 years ago for granted. He’s human, and he is (probably) past his physical prime. Putting him in the line of fire for even one extra play is an unnecessary risk.

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It’s worth noting, the Giants likely won’t go so far as to sit Manning for the preseason. He’ll probably take no more, but no fewer, snaps than normal between now and the end of August. Every season the Giants have Manning from now up through the expiration of his contract is a gift, which is why giving him earbuds instead of a helmet during preseason games may be what’s best for all.