Eli Manning Needs To Start AND Davis Webb Needs To Play

Just when you think that things could not get any worse, Ben McAdoo decided to weigh in on the face of the franchise and his playing time.

NFL.com – When asked whether Eli was “his quarterback” going forward, embattled Giants coach Ben McAdoo told reporters Monday that the veteran will be his starter … that is, until he isn’t.

“Eli, he’s our quarterback. But that doesn’t mean at some point in time, we won’t throw another guy in there to get a look at him,” McAdoo said. “Every position needs to be held accountable and every position needs to play to a high standard. Same thing with the coaches. And obviously, when you lose in the fashion that we lost yesterday, it’s not good enough. Anywhere. Coaching or playing.”

Why Ben, why? The defense just got slaughtered by the Rams, giving up the most points, 51, at the Meadowlands in franchise history. Yet, it’s Tuesday morning, and all people can talk about is the “quarterback controversy.” Eli is my dude and he deserves his fair share of blame. The last couple games have been hopeless because of injuries, but those first 5 games could’ve changed our season had we won a few instead of lost. Eli did not play well in a few of those games and you know who would be the first to tell you that? Eli Manning, because that’s the type of guy he is, one who takes responsibility.

That being said, you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken shit. Look at what Eli has had to work with. Beckham and Marshall are done for the year and Shepherd has been injury prone. Running game? Nope. Offensive line? Bigger nope. Defense wearing down and playing crappy? Absolutely. Locker room problems? Hell yes. COACHING PROBLEMS? YOU BET! We won 11 games last year. We’re a talented team. It just hasn’t worked out this year. That’s baseball, Suzyn. This has been a season from hell, but to say this is all on Eli is ludicrous.

Eli Manning is the starting quarterback and it should remain that way until his contract runs out. Despite having no weapons, Eli has compiled the highest completion percentage and the lowest interception percentage of his career. He’s still a top 20 QB and that’s with me as the number 1 receiver. Imagine if he was on a team in contention? You don’t think the Jaguars, Bills, Ravens, Dolphins, and Texans would love to have Eli right about now? Eli has earned this job through his talent, toughness, and ability to come through when the pressure is at an all-time high. It’s a slap in the face to bench him.

Eli Manning is the starting quarterback of this team, but Davis Webb needs to play. The Rams were beating us by 30 last week. Why didn’t Davis come in during the 4th quarter? There’s no reason for Eli to be out there. Zero. We can’t win and we need Eli healthy. Eli playing during blowouts helps no one. I’ll tell you who it would help: David Webb. We spent a 3rd round pick on the kid so obviously management sees some potential.  Let’s see what the kid has to offer in a regular season game. I’m not saying he is the heir apparent to Eli, but it doesn’t hurt to see if Davis can play in the big leagues. We’ve got absolutely nothing to lose.

What I would do: Treat the second half of every game like it’s the preseason. If we’re down by less than 20, Eli plays, no questions asked. If we’re losing by more than 20, Davis Webb plays. Eli is still the starter, but Webb gets his playing time. I think that’s the compromise that needs to happen in a season that belongs in the toilet.