Manning Comments on Quarterback Coach Search: QB Eli Manning said yesterday that he was very surprised that Giants’ quarterback coach Chris Palmer retired last week. “That kind of came out of left field and surprised me,” said Manning said. “Whether I just didn’t know or it came as a surprise, I wasn’t prepared for it…I had a great relationship with Chris. I really enjoyed our time together these last three years. I think he made me into a better quarterback.”
Manning did say was providing some input in the selection of the next quarterbacks coach. He also said he hopes the Giants hire a coach who sees the game like he does.
“It’s a support system,” Manning said. “It’s a guy that’s going to have your back and support you. When some coaches might not see things some ways, the quarterback coach sees it your way. I thought Coach Palmer did a great job. He thought more like a quarterback than a coach. That’s what you want, a guy that’s seeing what you’re seeing. Anybody can say ‘Hey you had a guy wide open over there.’ But (a quarterback coach knows) my read is over here, and I can’t help that (the defense) busted a coverage because I’m not even supposed to be looking at that guy. That’s kind of the way Chris Palmer was. We saw things eye to eye on a lot of things.”
“You just need somebody who will have good drills,” said Manning, “will work well during the off-season when we come back in March, will get your mechanics and footwork back, will watch all the film and just continue to grow in decisions in our offense and what we need to do for certain looks, whether it’s protections or certain plays and just giving ideas and tips. And also to have a guy that has your back when things are going (badly). Whether it’s during the game – someone who can tell you something you need to hear, just talk to you and tell you to keep everything going.”
Manning did confirm that Alex Van Pelt (see “News and Notes” from February 3rd) was one of the candidates he discussed with Head Coach Tom Coughlin. Van Pelt decided to join the coaching staff of the Buccaneers.
Umenyiora Still Mouthing Off: Osi Umenyiora yesterday continued his public-relations campaign insisting that he regain his starting position on the defensive line or else.
“I don’t want to be traded, I don’t want to go anywhere, but I’m not going to sit on the bench,” Umenyiora told The New York Post. “I’m 100 percent not going to do that. I want to be in New York, I love that team. The owner came to see me in my hospital when I was hurt, and I’ll never forget that for as long as I live, a class, class guy. I mean no disrespect by any of this, but I have to do what’s best for me right now at this point in my career.”
“I feel like I’m in the prime of my career right now, so I definitely don’t plan on retiring,” said Umenyiora. “The statement I said (on Wednesday) was (that) last year was very, very draining, mentally, physically and I don’t think that’s the situation I feel I can go through again for an entire season. If I have to do that, obviously I’d much rather retire than do that. I stand by that.”
“I haven’t talked to anybody so I don’t know what the situation is, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Umenyiora to The Star-Ledger. “I thought last year was just BS. If they don’t feel I can be part of the starting 11, that I’m not good enough to be a starter, then I’m 100 percent sure other people are going to feel that I can be a starter for them.”
“I know for a fact they’re going to do what’s in the best interests of team, whatever that is,” Umenyiora told The Daily News. “Whether that’s me being there or them trading me to another team, they’re going to do what’s best for them. For me, this is going on my eighth year in the NFL now. I’m getting old. I don’t have that many years left. So I must, right now, start to do what’s in my best interest.”
“I’d like to know right before the off-season (workouts in March),” said Umenyiora. “I’d like to know what’s going to happen – if I’m going to be there or not. I want to know exactly what the plans are and what my future’s going to be.”
“(My agent is) supposed to be having a conversation with them; I’m not sure if it’s going to happen or not,” Umenyiora said. “We’ll talk to (General Manager) Jerry (Reese), we’ll talk to (Head Coach) Tom (Coughlin) and then go from there.”
“I’d love to be in New York,” said Umenyiora. “I spent a quarter of my life there,” he said. “But there’s no way we can do that if things stay the same.”
Article on QB Phil Simms and Super Bowl XXI: Super Memories by Michael Eisen of Giants.com
Notes and Quotes: QB Eli Manning said his injured foot is feeling much better, but he is also expected to undergo more testing to ensure the foot is healing properly. “The foot feels good,” said Manning. “The rest has felt good this past month or so. It shouldn’t be a problem…I’ve been working out and training a little bit. I took time off. I’m just trying to let it heal up and not put too much strain on it.”
Manning on what he wants to work on this offseason: “I’ll start working on that in these next weeks, when I start watching the film and looking at things. But I think just grow – getting us into better plays, getting more completions. We have young, talented receivers. We have to eliminate little mistakes, whether it’s simplify within the offense and hopefully the receivers grow and improve. Mistakes will kill you. You want to go through a game where everybody is doing the right thing and everybody is on schedule. Obviously, there are going to be some mistakes that happen. If somebody physically beats you and they make plays, that’s one thing. But if you hurt yourself, you don’t want to have those anymore.”
Manning on his brother, Peyton: “I’m very happy for Peyton. Having been in those shoes now I’m very excited for him. But still it doesn’t quiet the desire to win another or get back to another Super Bowl. I think it drives me. I can feel both at same time. Last time it was more of ‘This is what I want.’ I was happy for him. It was his first one. But I felt ‘That’s what I want. I want to taste it for the first time.’ Now I’m truly happy for him, but it does still remind you ‘Hey, this is what it’s all about. This is where we have to get back to.’”
Please Take Our Customer Survey!: BBI depends on revenue generated by advertising income. The purpose of the survey is to collect general demographic information that is used to attract advertisers. The survey is completely anonymous.
.gif)