Ben McAdoo said his 2-9 Giants team had a better chance at winning with Geno Smith instead of two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, benching Manning and effectively ending the longest active start streak in the NFL. To put it softly, it’s unfortunate, heartbreaking, and disrespectful to the veteran Manning. To put it harshly, this is going to get McAdoo fired. It was already expected, but as McAdoo’s head tumbles from the guillotine blade, a reflection of Eli will be in his vacant eyes.
Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the doomed season of the Giants knows that this isn’t Eli’s fault — he’s been dealing with a terrible offensive line, weak defense and a plethora of injuries to his wide receivers. Not to mention terrible coaching. So now, Eli is benched as if it’s his fault. Absolutely terrible.
And everyone knows it too. Listen to Mike Francesa rant for eight minutes about this shameful benching. Look at the thousands of tweets from fans, hundreds of tweets from NFL players, active and retired teammates of Manning’s as well as opponents, and someone say this is a good idea. Let the streak continue and don’t put this terrible season on Manning’s shoulders.
Most of all, Eli Manning may have played his last game as a Giant, which is utterly shocking.
#Giants WRs lead the league in drop percentage (6.9%)…. Blame it on Eli.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 28, 2017
Let me get this straight #Giants.
Ben McAdoo has:
•Suspended a ‘17 pro bowler indefinitely
•Had a ‘16 pro bowler leave the facility out of frustration
•Benched a 2 time Superbowl MVP. #EliManning
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/OsiUmenyiora/status/935618435278671873
I’m honestly at a lost for words. As a person that has seen Eli the QB but also Eli the Man, I’m truly pissed about what has taking place today. This decision is one of the STUPIDEST I’ve seen in my time being asap with pro sports #noloyalty #14years #bullshit
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck) November 28, 2017
Coach:
12-13 career record?Eli:
210 consecutive starts, 2 SB Rings? You do the math…Clearly it’s not Eli’s fault. 🤷🏾♂️— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) November 28, 2017
They’ve lost their collective minds. https://t.co/4ZhSRhe4KG
— David Carr (@DCarr8) November 28, 2017
Tom Coughlin on @1010XL asked about Eli Manning: "Surprised is not the word. My sentiments are totally with Eli Manning. … He's a class act, a two-time Super Bowl champ, one of the finest, most humble men in that locker room. … I was very upset about when I heard that."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 28, 2017
Our guy (and Eli Manning’s predecessor) Kurt Warner not holding back on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/xycVcq5vqp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 28, 2017
Should’ve done Eli a solid and traded him to an up & coming contender that could use dependable QB play. 🙄 #Jax @RandyMoss @CharlesWoodson
— Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) November 28, 2017
Eli Manning fight back tears. Almost crying, tough to see #Giants pic.twitter.com/cHRTZYEXK4
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) November 28, 2017
#Giants’ HC McAdoo wants to bench Eli Manning to see what Geno Smith can do.
What part of a 12-18 lifetime record, a 28-36 TD/INT differential and a 72.3 career QB rating do you not understand? #NYG pic.twitter.com/6YcRD7KG4m
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) November 28, 2017
John Mara letting Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese finish the season but not Eli Manning is ridiculous and complete and utter disrespect to the greatest quarterback to ever play for the New York Giants.
— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) November 28, 2017
Way to disrespect the best QB in franchise history. The guy never complained once in his entire career, when he had many reasons to complain. The 2x Super Bowl MVP who never missed a game deserves better #Giants #EliManning pic.twitter.com/U0cqMkjxaP
— Pinstripe Pride (@PinstripePride) November 28, 2017