I get it. The fans and media love Eli and hate McAdoo. There’s no question who has meant more to the franchise.
But twisting words and inventing evil or clueless motivations for this guy is just wrong!
First, this was an organizational decision. Ownership, GM and coach were on the same page. And McAdoo never said that this gave them a better chance to win. Think what you may about his incompetence, Manning is better than Smith and Webb and gives the coach a better chance to win, a coach who needs wins desperately if he has any slim chance to retain his job. His occasional criticisms of Manning were milder than some in the media have offered, and even Eli acknowledged that they were deserved. It doesn’t mean Mac has always hated his QB.
He clearly said that it’s about being 2-9 and evaluating players, not that Eli is to blame for the Giants plight. This careless use of the word “scapegoat” is pure invention and not at the heart of the decision.
To those who suggest there were other ways to go — Would it be less embarrassing to pull Eli during a game after two bad series? Or release him on January 2?
McAdoo will probably get fired at season’s end, perhaps along with Reese. If the new management team can draft well and sign the right players, the QB who gives them the best chance to win in 2018 will be Manning. These media obits are premature.
By the way, Peter King agrees.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/11/29/new-york-giants-bench-eli-manning-quarterback-mmqb-peter-kinghttps://www.si.com/
King: Giants benching Eli was right thing to do
New York Giants think franchise first, player second in decision to bench Eli Manning. Plus reader mailbag
SI.COM
