Giants’ Coach Shurmur: “Eli Manning is Our Starting Quarterback”

The New York Giants’ fans have been devastated with the results of their team in the last few years. Since winning the Super Bowl XLVI in 2011 against the New England Patriots, they have reached the playoffs only once, and even then, the Giants lost immediately.

Green Bay Packers blew them away in the wild-card round of 2016 playoffs with 38-13. After that, they had 3 wins in 2017 season; last year, just 5. The nightmare continued.

At the start of the free agency, the management decided to trade Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland Browns. With this action, the Giants showed that their plans are focusing on the future, not immediate results, which suggests more losses in the upcoming campaign.

Fans were once again disappointed and frustrated following this year’s draft. Although many expected to see the more sounding name as the No.6 overall pick, Giant’s choice was Daniel Jones, a quarterback from Duke University.

This move wasn’t accepted very good in the Big Apple. Still, the coaching staff believes in Jones, and they are counting on him to be ready for Week 1. Now comes the focal point of our story. Many of those frustrated fans are interested to know, who is going to start against the Dallas Cowboys. Manning or the rookie?

According to coach Pat Shurmur, the veteran QB will be the starter, but Jones will be ready to play.

“We feel good about where Eli is. He’s our starting quarterback,” Shurmur said.”We have a young player. We think he’s going to be an outstanding player. Getting himself ready to play.”

The Giants are aware that Manning’s time is running out and that the two-time Super Bowl champion isn’t going to last long. His age is a huge burden, as well as the fact that one part of the public isn’t willing to watch him anymore despite the fact that he brought two Super Bowls to town.

Believe it or not, Manning had 66% of completed passes last year, his personal best. He also threw 21 touchdowns had 11 interceptions (2nd best season) but suffered 47 sacks, which is by far his worst number since he became a pro athlete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZygs0P5paI

Whether is that because of him, or the poor offensive line, we won’t debate, but the fact stands that Manning’s game is in decline.

Meanwhile, the youngster is preparing to take over his job. Yet, he isn’t willing to speak about that, and carefully answers each time some reporter asks about the starting QB position. It was the same yesterday,

“I don’t think that is my focus right now,” Jones said. “In this offseason, I think all of our focus is on improving and being better than we were the day before. That is certainly mine.”

According to some sources the offensive coordinator of the Giants, Mike Shula is very satisfied with Jones’ progress, saying that he is learning things much faster than anyone expected.

The head coach stated that too.

“I think he’s had a really, really productive offseason,” Shurmur said. “He’s on track with the goal to get ready to play Week 1. That’s really what all the players need to be thinking.”

From Up to the Minute Live: What to make of #Giants coach Pat Shurmur's comments? Well… it's now a full-fledged QB competition. pic.twitter.com/7BmOzDObcT

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 11, 2019

There are several things we are anxious to see. The first one is Eli Mannings’ reaction to the competition for his spot. Also, all the fans are eager to see what are Jones’ capabilities. Many of them don’t have a positive opinion, which is why his debut gets so much attention.

And also, the most important thing, are the Giants worthy of improving their record and at least entering the playoff battle. Though everything indicates that this year will be spent in creating the team for the future, some of Giants’ diehard admirers still hope for a miracle.

Their first preseason game is at home against the Jets on 9th of August. As we earlier said, Dallas Cowboys will be their first opponent in the regular part of the season. The game will be played in Texas, on the 8th of September.