The New York Giants (2-9) have put Eli Manning on the bench. The team announced on Tuesday that the previous backup Geno Smith will start the game on Sunday in Week 13 at the Oakland Raiders. That concludes a long series.
For the first time in 13 years, the Giants’ starting quarterback will not be called Manning. After exactly 210 starts in a row, with which Manning is only behind Brett Favre (297) in the record list, Manning is sitting outside for the first time since his rookie season in 2004.
“Geno will start the game,”said head coach Ben McAdoo, who explained the decision and said:”In the next five games, we’ll watch Geno and Davis Webb will get a chance,” Webb was a third round pick of the Giants in the final draft.
Manning, whose contract is still valid until the end of 2019, had the chance to continue his start series, but refused:”Coach McAdoo told me that I could continue to start while Geno and Davis would get the chance to play,”said Manning:”My opinion is that if you let the other two play, then let them play. Starting it just to keep the series alive and knowing you’re not going to finish the game is pointless for me. It also stains the series.”
Manning led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, bringing them to 50,625 yards and 334 touchdowns over 222 interceptions in his career. This season Manning came up with 2411 yards with 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Smith, on the other hand, already has extensive experience as a starter, having worked for the New York Jets as a Starting QB in 2013 and 2014.