Eli Manning showed some signs of fatigue Friday after the Giants held their first practice of training camp. It had nothing to do with being 36 years old. It had everything to do with discussing the fact he is 36 years old.
Don’t get the impression Manning is either irritated or angry. The Giants quarterback just sounds like he wants to change the subject, which has again bubbled up since head coach Ben McAdoo described a so-called “pitch count” that’s being employed. With a nod to Manning’s age, McAdoo wants his quarterback to have fewer reps in camp and between games to keep him playing his best.
“I know how old I am,” Manning said following a workout that lasted fewer than 90 minutes. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with being 36. I’m proud of it.”
Manning’s 2016 season — his 13th in the NFL — was not as strong as usual. While he threw for more than 4,000 yards and helped the team finish the regular season 11-5 and reach the playoffs, he was responsible for 16 interceptions and seven fumbles. Statistics show he played worse in the final five regular-season games (six touchdowns and six interceptions) than in the first 11 (20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions), though no one has said he wore down.
“Hey, I feel good,” Manning said. “I can still make all the throws, I can still run around when I need to. It is what it is. But I don’t see myself slowing down at all, and I feel like I still have great football ahead of me.”
Co-owner John Mara agreed.
“I think he’s got a lot of good football left him,” Mara said. “He shows no signs to me of slowing down. I know he’s highly motivated to try to win another championship and to me he looks as good as he ever has. We’re excited about him.”
Manning isn’t even the oldest quarterback in the NFL. Tom Brady of the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots is 39. Drew Brees of the Saints is 38 and Carson Palmer of the Cardinals is 37.
Training Day
Fully loaded
Rhett Ellison missed most of the spring work with a hamstring injury, but there he was for the first practice, on the field. Ellison is a tight end, but he lined up at fullback on offense, a good sign for a team that didn’t use that position in 2016.
Easy does it
You call this training camp? Ben McAdoo took it easy on his players, who were not in pads and did very little during a light 80-minute first practice. There is something to be said for easing into camp, but this was not strenuous at all.
Caught my eye
D.J. Fluker looks to be in fantastic shape. He is listed at 345 pounds, but appears lighter. Fluker battled weight issues with the Chargers, but reported to his first camp with the Giants much leaner. He lined up at right guard with the second-unit offensive line.
Medical report
LB J.T. Thomas, coming off knee surgery, will start camp on the PUP list. QB Geno Smith, coming off ACL surgery, not only is full-go in camp, he practiced Friday without any protection on his knee. McAdoo said Smith has no restrictions on him.
— Paul Schwartz