Sunday may or not have been Eli Manning’s last start as the New York Giants’ quarterback. Either way, the fans at MetLife Stadium got an opportunity to say their goodbyes. Manning completed 20 of 28 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions but the adoring crowd didn’t hold it against him as the Giants won for the first time in ten games, beating the Miami Dolphins, 36-20.
Manning got a rousing standing ovation when head coach Pat Shumur sent in backup Alex Tanney out to replace him in the final seconds of the game. It was a fitting tribute for the two-time Super Bowl MVP who owns all of the Giants’ major career passing records. He is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame but on Sunday, he was busy drinking in the accolades, something he never took the time to do in his 16 years in Giant Blue.
“Obviously, I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know what lies next week, let alone down the road,” Manning told reporters after the game when he asked what was going through his mind as he jogged off the field. “Obviously, the support and the fans, their ovation, chanting my name from the first snap to the end, I appreciate that. I appreciate them always and all my teammates coming up to me. It’s a special day, a special win and one I’ll remember.”
Manning knew this moment was coming all week long, ever since rookie starter Daniel Jones was ruled out for this week. He said he had it blocked out until the very last moment.
“I think I did a good job of blocking that out,” he said. “Just because I don’t know what’s going to happen going forward. Whether I’m playing next week or not, or in two weeks when we play again at home. I think my focus is just getting this win. That’s all I cared about. I was just trying to go out there and play well, get into a rhythm and put the team in a situation to have this feeling. It’s still the feeling of winning, in the locker room with your teammates, after a hard-earned game. To get the W is still the best feeling of all.”
Manning is probably not going to play next week in Washington and most likely won’t play the Giants’ final home game against the Eagles. They’ll want Jones to use those two divisional games as springboard to 2020. Manning, always the competitor, would take the start if offered.
“Yeah, of course” he said. “Of course I’d like to. I know Daniel’s getting close to getting ready and getting better. We’ll see what his status is. I get it either way. I know they want to get him back and get him more experience and more reps and everything. Whatever I’m asked to do, I’ll do it.”
Manning doesn’t need to take another snap for the Giants. He’s going out a winner. He got an unofficial sendoff that few players ever get. Was he emotional as he left the field?
“I tried not to get too emotional just because we still have a couple football games left,” he said. “I know I’ll still be back in the stadium. I don’t know if I’ll play that day, but I know I’ll get to run out one more time at least. But still excited. Excited for the win and an honor if it is the last one playing here where I’m starting and getting a win. Try to enjoy it and take it in for a moment.”
It was a memorable day for many reasons. The Giants avoided setting a new franchise mark for consecutive losses and said goodbye to toe of their greats in the process. Manning spoke about what he’ll remember most about the day.
“Probably just the fans, the chants, the awkward feeling of standing there on the sideline, kind of a circle around me. Everyone looking at me and staring at me, a camera on me and not feeling real comfortable in that circumstance. But getting taken out there in the fourth (quarter) and just having all my teammates come up to me and say something, little hugs. You appreciate all of those guys and everything they’ve done to get this win today.”
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