Eli to start for Giants.

For any of you Manning/Giants fans..
www.giants.com

August 17, 2004

“It’s Eli’s turn. Eli will go. He will start,”
- Coach Tom Coughlin
ALBANY, N.Y. - Eli Manning will take his turn in the Giants starting rotation.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said after this morning’s practice that Manning will make his first professional start in Thursday’s preseason game at Carolina against the defending NFC champion Panthers. The game will be televised nationally by FOX.

Manning is competing with veteran Kurt Warner for the starting job. Warner took the first snaps in last week’s 34-24 victory over Kansas City.

“It’s Eli’s turn. Eli will go. He will start,” Coughlin said. “The decision coming in is that they will compete for the job, and so therefore we’re going to give them the opportunity for both of them to have a start. And this is Eli’s opportunity. Last week was Kurt. This week it’s Eli.

“This is the rotation I pretty much planned to do all along.”

Manning is expected to play until the middle of the second period, when Warner will take over. Jesse Palmer will probably play in the fourth period.

Coughlin would not reveal his plans beyond this game. The Giants play the Jets on Aug. 27 and Baltimore on Sept. 2 to conclude the preseason. They open the regular season at Philadelphia on Sept. 12.

“We’re going to play our game on Thursday night first, then I’ll let you know,” Coughlin said. “You shouldn’t read into anything. I just told you that if Kurt started the first one, and Eli is starting the second one, and if I said that it was going to be competitive, then that’s the way it should be.”

Against the Chiefs, Warner completed three of seven passes for 49 yards, while Manning hit seven of 13 passes for 91 yards. Neither quarterback threw a touchdown pass or an interception.

Manning and Warner learned their respective assignments when Coughlin told them as they stretched prior to practice this morning.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Manning said. “It will be a good test. I have to go out there and try to get completions. We’re going against a great defense. I have to be prepared and go out there and try to make smart decisions.”

Manning said he was not surprised by Coughlin’s decision. Nor would he have been shocked if Warner started again.

“I didn’t know what their feeling was,” Manning said. “I guess they want to give me a shot to see how I do against a starting defense and see if I can manage a game well.”

It’s not just any starting defense. The Panthers played in the Super Bowl last season and ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense, allowing 295.3 yards a game. Two Panthers defensive linemen, Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker, played in the Pro Bowl. Carolina is coached by former Giants defensive coordinator John Fox.

“It’s a great defense with a lot of good players,” Manning said. “It’s going to be a challenge. That’s when you have to go out there and make smart decisions. When nothing is there, you have to see what you’re going to do.”

Warner took the news that he will be coming off the bench in stride. He is, of course, accustomed to starting. He has started 50 of 53 regular season games in his career, and he started all four preseason games last year for St. Louis.

“It’s not really a surprise,” Warner said. “I kind of expected it. It’s part of the way this thing’s working out, so really no big deal. (Coughlin) basically just said it’s part of the process through this thing and how it’s playing out. We're both going to get those opportunities and it’s his turn to be the starter and I’ll come in after that.”

Warner said he was not disappointed to learn Manning was starting.

“I just kind of felt it’s part of the process that we’re going to play this out and the only fair way in a competitive situation like this is to give guys the same opportunity,” Warner said. “I really wasn’t surprised, I wasn't disappointed, just leave it at that.”

Asked if this was a setback for him, Warner said, “No, not at all, we have a long way to go. Right now it’s about getting better and getting ready to play and preparing to play our first game of the season.”

Warner, of course, has been placed in the often conflicting position of competing with a player he is also tutoring. Warner has done everything he can to aid Manning’s development. Ultimately, that will help Manning claim the job for good.

"I think he’s doing a good job. I think he’s getting more and more comfortable,” Warner said. “Obviously, outside the physical talents I think he’s done a great job picking up the offense. Smart, accurate, he’s just got the whole gamut. I think he’s made a great transition. I think he’s been very impressive and continues to get better.''

Manning has played well in practice throughout training camp. He has been particularly successful in the two-minute drill in which he regularly leads the offense into the end zone or field goal range. On Monday, he concluded practice with a spectacular 40-yard throw to Ike Hilliard in the end zone.

“I think I’m getting better with the offense every practice,” Manning said. “Every day I’m making better decisions. I’ve still got a lot of room to improve mentally, just being on the right page and being quicker in decisions.”

Notes


Hilliard seemed awed by the throw Manning made at the end of practice yesterday. In the two-minute drill, Manning threw a perfect strike to back left corner of the end zone to Hilliard, who caught the ball despite being closely guarded by Brent Alexander.

“I didn’t think he would see me, first and foremost,” Hilliard said. “I didn’t know if he would have the time to see it all unfold. He made the read as soon as he saw the corner cut it, and he put it on the back pylon. It was an unbelievable throw.”


Coughlin delivered an upbeat assessment of Jeremy Shockey, who continues to practice once a day.

“He’s progressing, he really is,” Coughlin said. “He’ll get more extended snaps as we go along according to how well he does and what it’s like afterwards. I’m hoping that will continue to improve every day as well. We’ll extend his snaps after this game.”

Shockey will not play against the Panthers.


Kicker Bill Gramatica and rookie safety Gibril Wilson joined the list of injured players, as did linebackers Quincy Monk and Barrett Green. But Monk (fever) and Green (knee to the thigh) returned for the afternoon practice. Gramatica suffered back spasms, while Wilson has a neck sprained. Neither has been ruled out of the Carolina game.


Guard Barry Stokes (gluteal strain) is not expected to play. Wayne Lucier will start in his place.


The following players also did not practice: Wide receivers Tim Carter (hamstring) and James McKnight (toe), linebacker Carlos Emmons (leg), defensive back Ray Green (knees), guard Scott Peters (ankle), offensive lineman Mike Saffer (ribs), safety Jason Doering (knee), defensive tackle William Joseph (torn pectoral muscle) and tight end Mark Inkrott (thigh). Defensive end Sean Guthrie, who has been out for a week since spending time in the hospital with dehydration, returned to work.


Because the Giants play a game in two days, Coughlin cut the afternoon practice short by about 20 minutes.

Yeah, I heard about this. It will be interesting to see how Warner fairs when he has longer playing time. Maybe he will steal the next preseason start right on back from Eli.

If what I hear is true, and Eli is actually better than his older bro, things will be great for Coughlin and the Giants. I can only wish them well because they're NFC and wouldn't affect the Jags.

Well he needs to prove that he is better than his brother. Which will take a couple of years, and a good wide out for him to throw to.

I have a feeling Shockey will get a lot more activity this year. I highly doubt he is as good as his brother. I mean, it's Peyton for Christ's sake! He is pimp.

Eli should be started over Warner.

Warner, well...sucks.