Eli Manning benched: New York Giants to start Geno Smith on Sunday
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants are changing quarterbacks for first time in more than 13 years.
Yes, Eli Manning is not going to start.
The Giants announced on Tuesday that Geno Smith will start in place of Manning when the Giants (2-9) face the Raiders in Oakland on Sunday.
Rookie Davis Webb will also play, if not this week, then sometime before the end of the season.
"Geno will start this week," coach Ben McAdoo said. "Over the last five games, we will take a look at Geno, and we will also give Davis an opportunity."
Manning has started 210 consecutive regular-season games, the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history, behind Brett Favre's 297. He has started every Giants game since Nov. 21, 2004, when he took over for veteran Kurt Warner in the 10th game of his rookie season.
Manning has also started 12 postseason games, and twice led the Giants to Super Bowl victories.
Manning was given the option of starting against the Raiders to keep the streak alive, but declined.
"Coach McAdoo told me I could continue to start while Geno and Davis are given an opportunity to play," Manning told CBS Sports. "My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them. Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won't finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can."
