Report: Giants wanted Eli Manning to practice like he’s Kyler Murray
Oct 18, 2019, 3:03 PM
Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants talk to his teammates during a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Thinking back on everything that was said about Kyler Murray going into the 2019 NFL Draft, we can’t remember anyone mentioning Eli Manning as a comparable.
Nonetheless, the Giants asked Manning to do his best Murray impression this week in practice, according to NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones.
Jones’ report was prefaced with the idea that Giants players said it’s near impossible to prepare for Murray’s quickness and that the first-year quarterback can be a handful.
“Helping the Giants prepare for that speed is backup quarterback Eli Manning, who is the scout team quarterback, who is Kyler Murray this week,” Jones said. “Some of the defensive players, including Antoine Bethea, telling me, ‘Well you know Eli can make all the throws,’ but yes, they’re giving him a little bit of a hard time when it comes to some of the plays with his feet.”
Prudent or not for the Giants to do this, the thought of it is a bit silly.
First of all, part of the reason why Murray was drafted No. 1 overall is because he’s an extremely rare talent and possesses a unique skill set, one that is far different from Manning’s.
Secondly, Murray is starting in the NFL and has 238 rushing yards this year. Manning has 313 rushing yards for his career, which is in its 16th season and then, at that, has declined enough that he’s backing up a rookie.
Still, there’s no harm in trying.
