Give the new Giants head coach Pat Shurmur credit.
On Friday morning, he addressed the big issue in the room in his introductory Giants press conference, which was answering whether or not he is willing to work with Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the 2018 season. He said it with conviction that Manning would be his starting quarterback heading to this season, and he mentioned he is willing to work with him and make him a better quarterback.
It showed Shurmur’s mother did not raise a fool. He knew he had to answer the question for him to get off to a good start with the Giants fans, who are loyal to Manning. He also knows he has to develop trust with Manning for him to do well as the Giants head coach.
By answering the question, Shurmur showed right there he is everything his predecessor Ben McAdoo never was, which is being direct and transparent. It’s what the players want instead of worrying about their situation. No one has to worry anymore about working for a coach who was aloof. He also understands the media is a conduit to fans, so by answering questions, he realizes fans that are investing time and money on the Giants are important.
It’s a good bet that attribute was a requirement by Giants CEO and President John Mara for a head coaching candidate to be qualified for the job. After watching McAdoo and then-Giants general manager Jerry Reese not being comfortable with dealing with the media, the Giants couldn’t afford to promote their brand by hiring a coach that may not be interested in dealing with the media such as Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
Shurmur likely got the job because he was willing to work with Manning. It’s a good bet Belichick’s assistant coaches were ready to move on from the Giants quarterback and start anew with either Sam Bradford or Josh Rosen if either was hired.
This does not mean the Giants won’t draft a quarterback. Quite the contrary. What Shurmur wants to do is win now with Manning and hope Bradford or Rosen can learn from him from the bench. He knows he can get to the playoffs with this roster next season with an easy schedule, not to mention this same roster made the playoffs last season in McAdoo’s first season as Giants coach. By starting Manning, that gives him the best chance to win and earn respect from his players.
It’s easy to say the Giants should move on from Manning, but they are in the business of winning games. Certainly Shurmur is after going 9-23 in his two forgettable years as the Cleveland Browns head coach. He knows two more losing seasons in a row, and he won’t be a NFL head coach ever again. He is getting a mulligan since everyone seems to fail when they work for the Browns, and he is not going to blow this one by playing a rookie quarterback right away.
There is no guarantee Manning will be great next year. For all the blame McAdoo received, the two-time Super Bowl MVP winner should take responsibility, too for his poor play. He threw 29 interceptions in the last two seasons, and he often struggled to throw the football. Blame the offensive line, but at some point, the quarterback has to make plays.
New Giants general manager Dave Gettleman and Shurmur will do all they can to put Manning in a position to succeed by focusing on improving the offensive line through the draft and free agency. They will try to get a running back to make the Giants quarterback’s job easy.
Who knows how things are going to work out? It will be interesting how it works out this coming season. The Giants clearly believe he still has so much to offer to be committed to him. Shurmur said many things that made Manning convinced he can trust him.
It’s easy for the Giants head coach to say the right things now. How will he react when the Giants are losing and Manning is playing awful is another story? That day may happen next season.
Shurmur played this right. It was the right move to tell everyone that he is all in with Manning. This should give the Giants quarterback an incentive to come to training camp in great shape and in great spirits. This is a good way to create a honeymoon heading to the new season.
It’s hard to make much out of press conferences. No head coach or manager ever won a championship by winning the press conference. After all, McAdoo did well in his introductory press conference two years ago outside of him wearing an oversized suit.
Still, Shurmur giving Manning vote of confidence was something the Giants quarterback needed after what he has gone through this season. It got rid of a distraction the team does not need heading to training camp.
Not only was it a public relations move, but it was a football move.
It was the only move to make.
