David Cutcliffe Comments on Eli Manning

Busy Media Day: Today will be a very busy media day. The following events are occurring:

• Morning: The media will be allowed to interview players participating in the Giants’ offseason workout program.

• Noon: General Manager Jerry Reese’s annual pre-draft press conference.

• Evening: The regular-season schedule will be officially released at 8:00PM. However, in past years, details have often leaked out to the press earlier.

David Cutcliffe Comments on Eli Manning: David Cutliffe coached QB Eli Manning at the University of Mississippi and QB Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee. Last week, Cutliffe worked with Eli as well as his brother Peyton at Duke University for informal workouts along with wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Louis Murphy, and some Denver targets.

Cutliffe was impressed with Eli’s performance on the practice field.

“His arm was tremendous during this round,” Cutcliffe said on ESPN Radio. “We do a lot of pure, solid, good old-fashioned fundamental things that we have been doing with him since he has been coming to camp with me at Tennessee and at Ole Miss…I just have a good feeling about where (Eli) is right now. I thought he left here really on fire and I’m excited about seeing what is going to happen (this season).”

Cutliffe was asked about Manning not playing as well in 2012 as he did in 2011. Cutliffe seemed to hint that Eli was hurt at least part of the season.

“Well, there are always a lot of things that we don’t read about or know,” Cutcliffe responded. “You got little nagging injuries, whether it is him or certainly Nicks being hurt all year never helps. It just changes your team, and the production of a quarterback will be altered in that regard.”

Cutliffe did say he wished WR Rueben Randle had been able to practice. “I would have loved to have had some time with Rueben Randle,” Cutcliffe said. “(But) we were able to get (Manning) in a rhythm that I like seeing him in.”

“Let me tell you, number one, don’t ever doubt (Eli’s) courage, his knowledge,” Cutcliffe said. “Eli understands how to play quarterback. He has great courage and he is a tough, tough, tough guy.”

The audio of the full interview is available at ESPN.com.

Justin Tuck Says Mathias Kiwanuka Wants to Play Defensive End: DE Justin Tuck says his fellow teammate Mathias Kiwanuka hopes to play full time at defensive end in 2013. Ever since Kiwanuka was drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Giants have switched Kiwanuka between defensive end and linebacker. Since 2010, he has primarily played at linebacker.

“I hope he’s a D-End,” Tuck said of Kiwanuka. “I think that’s the best position for him. I think that’s what he wants to play. Obviously if you ask Mathias to play fullback he’ll run to do it. He’s that type of guy. He’s that type of player. He just wants to do what’s best for the team. But I know his heart is set on playing D-End and I think that’s what he’d be successful the most in. But that’s not my decision. That’s obviously Kiwi’s and our defensive coordinator’s (decision).”

Articles on the Giants and the NFL Draft:

• Jerry Reese Draft Picks: Breakdown by Position by Giants.com
• Top 5 Drafts in Giants History by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com
• My Draft Experience: Justin Tuck by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com