Smith Named Giants Starting QB

The consecutive starts streak is officially over. On Tuesday afternoon, New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo announced that Geno Smith is the new starting quarterback entering Week 13. The former Jets QB will start this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, with rookie Davis Webb expected to play as well. With a new beginning, comes an end to Eli Manning’s streak of 210 games started.

““Geno will start this week,” said McAdoo. “Over the last five games, we will take a look at Geno, and we will also give Davis an opportunity.”

The news comes mere days after New York was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

McAdoo offered Manning an opportunity to start this Sunday against the Raiders, but ultimately turned it down. Instead, he put his streak aside in favor of letting Smith and Webb get reps this weekend.

““Coach McAdoo told me I could continue to start while Geno and Davis are given an opportunity to play,” said Manning. “My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them. Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won’t finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can.”

The move does not seem strictly like a coaches decision, either. It appears to be a collective agreement between McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese.

“This is not a statement about anything other than we are 2-9, and we have to do what is best for the organization moving forward, and that means evaluating every position,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “I told Eli this morning that an organization could not ask for any more in a franchise quarterback. He has been that and more. Nobody knows what the future holds, but right now, this is what we think is best for the franchise.”

During Manning’s streak, he has an overall record of 110-100, recording 50,624 passing yards, 334 touchdowns and 211 interceptions with a 59.8 completion percentage. During this “Iron Man streak,” Manning brought the New York area two Lombardi trophies (2007 & 2011).

Smith will now be the Giants No. 1 signal caller, as the organization is looking towards next season, as well as the upcoming NFL Draft. While the five-year veteran is the starter, Webb could supplant him at some point. The front office can then determine if the rookie can be the team’s quarterback for the foreseeable future.

At this moment, it appears the Manning era in New York might be coming to an end.