Giants President & CEO John Mara "made a surprise appearance in the media room" of the team's practice facility yesterday and was "clearly pained" by the circumstances of benching Eli Manning for Geno Smith, according to Pat Leonard of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Mara and Manning had an "emotional meeting" yesterday morning. Mara was "most certainly a part of the decision to take a look at other quarterbacks, but it sounded like coach Ben McAdoo handled the situation much differently than Mara would have." McAdoo pitched to Manning that he "play the first halves" of the team's remaining games and come out regardless for Smith, and Manning "turned that offer down." Mara said that he was "surprised at Manning’s decision to turn it down but in hindsight, after meeting with Manning, understood exactly why that wasn’t an acceptable solution" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/30). Mara said that a few weeks ago he "initiated a conversation" with GM Jerry Reese, asking if the team should "start taking a look at the other quarterbacks on the roster." On Long Island, Tom Rock notes then something "unexpected happened." Manning "didn’t go along with the scheme." Mara said, "It was not the way we had hoped it would turn out. I was hoping he would continue to play and then we’d work out at what point the other quarterbacks got into the game." When he learned that Manning passed on the now botched blueprint, Mara said that he "did pause and consider whether the Giants should go ahead with the change." Ultimately, he "decided they should." Mara: "What I did not expect -- and this is my fault, and I was probably naïve -- I did not expect Eli to react by saying, ‘Go ahead and start the other guys.' But that took me by surprise a little bit" (NEWSDAY, 11/30).
NOT A GOOD LOOK: SNY's Ralph Vacchiano wrote the anger directed at the Giants in wake of the benching "has been fierce and swift" (SNY.tv, 11/29). In N.Y., Paul Schwartz writes the Giants have "lost some credibility with their fans by greasing the skids for Manning’s departure." Mara knew there "would be pushback with the demotion of an iconic Giants player, but admitted he misjudged the ferocity and loyalty of the fans." Mara: "I would say it’s been a little in excess of what I expected. Given what he has meant to our franchise and to so many people for so long, it’s understandable" (N.Y. POST, 11/30). Also in N.Y., Nicholas Parco notes yesterday three billboards reading "Big Blue Shame On You," written in a font to "mock the Giants’ team logo, were seen on the side of highways in North Jersey" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/30). In San Diego, Mike DiGiovanna notes the benching of Manning "did not sit well" with Chargers QB Philip Rivers. He said, "It was pathetic, really. He’s been out there 210 straight games, with no telling how many bumps and bruises and injuries for his team. He won two Super Bowl MVPs. And with the respect he’s had in the locker room over the years ... he’s earned the opportunity to finish off these last five weeks" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/30).
NO TANK YOU: NEWSDAY's Rock notes in the Giants’ thinking there is a "line between tanking and not playing the best players possible." When the notion that the 2-9 Giants would start tanking was brought up, Mara said, "That's complete (expletive). I would never allow that here. We’re going to try to win the games. We’re just going to have to try to do it with a different guy at quarterback" (NEWSDAY, 11/30).
SWAN SONG? ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan noted the Giants were still "extremely careful not to close the door on a resurrection" of Manning's career. A lot can happen "between now and the start of next season, including potential changes at the top of the organization." Mara: "I don't think you should be writing his obituary just yet. A lot of things can change between now and next spring and next season. We obviously have some tough decisions to make at the end of the year." Mara "wasn't willing to address the future of his general manager and coach." He "wouldn't even guarantee their safety through the end of the season" (ESPN.com, 11/29). In Newark, James Kratch writes under the header, "Giants Are Delusional If They Think Eli Manning Has Any Future Here." Kratch: "This is a bell that cannot be unrung." Even if McAdoo and Reese are "blown out of here come Jan. 1 (if not sooner) and a new regime takes over, the die has been cast." The Giants "kicked their icon to the curb, and now they must live with it" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/30).
ONE BIG MESS: In N.Y., Bill Pennington writes Manning's benching seemed to "reveal a directionless and dysfunctional organization." Troubles "reach deeply" into the Giants' front office. What should disturb fans the most is that the men who made this call, McAdoo and Reese, are "still in a position to determine the future of the team." If there is any "resounding message that came out of the Giants’ training complex on Tuesday, it was that the Giants are struggling for a coherent vision for the coming seasons" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/30). On Long Island, Bob Glauber writes, "Mara realizes now he should have known better, that he should have known that the quarterback who had given the franchise two Super Bowl championships could not and would not submit to a plan that involved anything less than a total commitment on the team’s behalf." The Giants "botched this one right from the start, and right from the top" (NEWSDAY, 11/30). In N.Y., Gary Myers writes under the header, "Giants' Rocky Road Must End With McAdoo's, Reese's Firing." If Manning is "going down, Mara is not going to let him take the hit for the entire organization" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/30).
