Blast From The Past: Manning Wows On First 2 Days Of Giants OTA Workouts
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- You think Eli Manning is motivated to bounce back from last season?
Despite not being far removed from ankle surgery that was expected to severely limit what he could do during the offseason, Manning was at the Giants' first voluntary OTA workout on Wednesday in East Rutherford and practiced like it really meant something.
Manning had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle on April 10, and the belief was he'd take it easy until at least the team's mid-June mandatory mini camp. But that was hardly the case Wednesday as the veteran quarterback reportedly pushed himself, taking many reps with the first team and participating in several individual drills.
Needless to say, the Giants, specifically head coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese, were thrilled.
Tom Coughlin said "I didn't think we'd have (Eli Manning) for anything" this spring. But now, Coughlin said. "he's so far ahead ..."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) May 29, 2014
Eli Manning says he feels he can do everything, fully, but adds the plan is to be "smart" about his ankle. He still has some limitations.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) May 29, 2014
Manning, who is entering his 11th season, clearly feels the need to put as much distance between himself and his horrid 2013 season, which featured him throwing a career-low 18 touchdown passes and a career-high 27 interceptions. The Giants made several changes during the offseason that directly impact Manning, most notably the hiring of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and the drafting of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. And though he didn't take any physical contact Wednesday, he looked like his old self during some 11-on-11 drills.
Manning's ankle responded well to the workout as he was back on the field Thursday taking the bulk of the snaps.
"I don't plan on taking days off," Manning said Thursday. "Today, no swelling after practice, no discomfort, no issues. So I'll keep going about my business."
Eli Manning goes deep to WR Rueben Randle at OTA practice http://t.co/zWMKtoPjo8
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 29, 2014
Ryan Nassib, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Syracuse last year, has been working out as the backup, with Curtis Painter and Josh Freeman also taking some snaps.
Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl MVP, was at the helm of a 7-9 team in 2013, his first losing season with Big Blue since going 1-6 as part of a 6-10 squad during his rookie season in 2004.
With bonuses, the 31-year-old signal-caller is scheduled to make around $21 million in 2014. Manning can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season.
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