New York Giants: John Mara wanting Eli Manning in 2018 makes no sense
By Randy Gurzi
New York Giants co-owner John Mara said he wants Eli Manning back in 2018, which hopefully was him being polite because it makes no sense
The New York Giants have put together one of their worst seasons in recent memory. With a record of 2-11, this year has gone the exact opposite way they expected after winning 11 games in 2016 under first-year head coach Ben McAdoo.
Not only have they lost nearly all their games, McAdoo has been fired after losing the locker room and they also got rid of general manager Jerry Reese. Just before both those guys got their pink slip, beloved quarterback Eli Manning saw his streak of 210 consecutive starts snapped as McAdoo chose to go with Geno Smith in their Week 13 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Manning returned in Week 14, only to lose to the Dallas Cowboys, which was a stark reminder that he’s not what he used to be. Manning has regressed and won’t get better with age. As much as he was criticized for it, the only thing McAdoo did right this season was bench Manning. The problem was he still screwed it up by going with Smith rather than rookie Davis Webb, but that’s besides the point now.
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What’s crazy is, despite owning a top pick in the draft with several options at quarterback, co-owner John Mara says he wants Manning to be in the plans in 2018. To be fair to Mara, he did follow that up by saying that a “discussion” will be had later according to Bob Glauber of NewsDay, but should there be one?
Manning will turn 37 years old next month, and for all he’s done for the franchise, his best days are behind him. What New York needs to do is take a shot at a young signal-caller. Currently they’re in line for the No. 2 overall pick and may have their choice between USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Wyoming’s Josh Allen — depending, of course, on who goes first.
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Keeping Manning makes no sense at all, when someone roughly 15 years younger with plenty of upside is available. Hopefully Mara knows that and was giving the political answer that won’t ruffle feathers until the offseason.