New York Opens Up The Preseason By Hosting Pittsburgh
The wait is over as the preseason gets underway for the 2017 season as Eli Manning who is entering his fourteenth season in the league with the New York Giants will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Metlife Stadium Friday.
Except for the guy who wears number ten and is the leader of the offense won't be playing in the preseason opener as New York hosts Pittsburgh at Metlife Stadium instead he will be a spectator.
Ben McAdoo was light on the details regarding the Giants’ personnel deployment for their opening preseason game, other than saying, “We are going to treat it very similarly to the way we treated it last year.”
In the first preseason game of 2016, Eli Manning didn’t play. So it seems likely he will be a spectator again when the Giants host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night. That would presumably leave veteran backups Josh Johnson and Geno Smith to split the bulk of the quarterbacking duties (though McAdoo did say rookie Davis Webb will also play).
Smith and Johnson combined to throw only 14 passes in the 2016 regular season, all by Smith, who then played for the Jets. Johnson was with the Giants, but he did not throw a regular-season pass for the fifth consecutive year. He did lead the Baltimore Ravens with 57 pass attempts in the preseason a year ago. But that didn’t prevent him from being released on Sept. 3. The Giants signed him two days later. Now Johnson has a chance to throw a pass in a game for the first time in almost a year.
“I’m extremely excited,” he said. “I can’t wait. I’ve been thinking about it every night. Just trying to live in the moment, though. Right now we’re still in training camp, just trying to keep being able to prepare and go out there and be ready for everything thrown at me.”
Smith has similar emotions. A second-round draft choice in 2013, he started for the Jets in his first two seasons. But in 2015-16, Smith played in only three games, starting one – and he suffered a torn ACL in that game last Oct. 23. Smith signed with the Giants in the offseason and, like Johnson hopes to earn the job as Manning’s top backup. He has taken the majority of the second-team snaps of late. But the performances of Smith and Johnson vs. the Steelers might well determine who jumps into the lead in that competition.
“It’s going to be fun,” Smith said. “I’m excited. Looking forward to it, you know, being my first game since last October. So, it’ll be fun. We’re going to go out there and cut it loose, play like I know how and just give it everything I got.”
Manning is entering his 14th season as the Giants’ starter. Because Davis was a third-round draft choice this year – and because the team is excited about his potential – it’s safe to assume he will be on the regular-season roster. It’s also plausible McAdoo will not entrust an untested rookie with the No. 2 position. So does that leave Smith and Johnson vying for one spot?
“I’m not sure, but I know that we’re competing,” Smith said. “We’re all competing to get each other better and if it’s that one spot, then obviously I’m going for it. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Josh. I think he’s a tremendous player. He’s been in this league a long time, proven guy. And, I mean, if it is a competition for one spot, as a competitor, you want to win every single competition. That’s day-in and day-out.”
Johnson took a broader view, perhaps not a surprise considering he has been with nine organizations since entering the NFL as a fifth-round draft choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.
“It’s the NFL, it’s a competition between everybody,” Johnson said. “You’ve got competition with the guys who want jobs on the street, you’ve got competition with the guys in the building. It’s all about your performance. It’s a performance-driven business, so you’ve got to get out there and perform with the opportunities that you’ve got. Obviously, for me, I keep it simple. Then, the fact that there’s only one quarterback that goes out on the field at one time, that’s really all that matters, and make sure you’re on the same page with those 10 guys that you’re out there with. To me, that’s what’s more important.”
While both quarterbacks were relatively inactive last season, Smith has the added challenge of playing his first game after recovering from a serious injury. He will not wear a brace on his surgically-repaired knee but is confident he’ll have no issues.
“I’m in better shape,” he said. “Having a knee injury, you don’t have a time to take a break. So, I’m in better shape, my body feels better. My weight is up, but my body fat is down, so that’s something that’s a positive. And continuously working on my diet and all the little things that’ll help me stay healthy are things that I’m working on.”
Given what might be on the line for them individually, what do Smith and Johnson hope to accomplish against the Steelers?
“Ton of completions, great execution on the reads, getting to the run-checks, doing all the things that we need to do to score points,” Smith said. “As long as we’re scoring points, then no matter how it gets done, we’re doing a good job.”
“First and foremost, win the game,” Johnson said. “Score a lot of points, no turnovers. Have complete command of the offense, be a leader. And keep our defense off the field as much as possible because we’ve got the ball in our hands, we’re getting first downs, putting points up on the board and putting pressure on their offense.”
Not much to differentiate between them there. And if both Smith and Johnson play well vs. Pittsburgh, the same might be said of their duel to be the No. 2 quarterback.
As for the rookie quarterback, Davis Webb will get playing time against Pittsburgh.
The New York Giants selected Davis Webb with their third-round pick in the NFL Draft out of the University of California. Webb got his first 11-on-11 reps of training camp on Wednesday, and coach Ben McAdoo said the rookie will play in Friday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Here are some takeaways from Webb’s time with the media:
On his grasp of the offense:
“Where I want it to be is perfect,” Webb said. “So, it’s not there yet, but at the same time, I’ve gotten better every day. I think this past week I’ve really taken another step in the offense. They might check at the line of scrimmage, today we had two-minute, and I think they blitzed every play, and I think I did a pretty decent job of trying to pick it up. When they brought one more guy that we couldn’t block, just tried to drift away from it, and get the ball off on time. So, I think I got better today, we’ll watch the film, and just looking forward to Friday. I’m just excited for that.”
On McAdoo telling him he’s playing on Friday:
“I’ve gotten every rep this entire training camp,” Webb said. “Mentally I’ve been tuned in, I’ve been asking questions in meetings, I’m watching the play progress and going through my reads back there. I might not be throwing it, but mentally I’m throwing it. So, mentally I feel sharp. Physically, it was my first time today in a team setting, but I feel good. I feel ready to go, and once my chance comes, I’ll be ready to go and that’s Friday night. So, I’m excited.”
On nerves going into Friday’s game:
“I think I’m nervous for every game,” Webb said. “It’s just the butterflies, you’re excited. But it’s not nervous, it’s just butterflies. Nervous is, to me, when you’re not prepared. You’re kind of freaking out. For me, it’s just that I’m amped up and excited and want to get this going. I want to play with my teammates, I want to get a completion, I want to throw a few touchdowns, I want to win the game. So, I’m just excited to play again and go through my pregame routine. I’ve got my music playlist ready to go, and post-game routine. Hopefully I’ll play good with my teammates, and get a W for the Giants.”
As for Pittsburgh starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, he will be a spectator like Eli Manning.
Ben Roethlisberger offered some simple advice to Joshua Dobbs and Bart Houston, who will be the Steelers two quarterbacks on Friday night against the New York Giants in the preseason opener. "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
“Make sure you throw the ball to our color,” Dobbs said of what Roethlisberger told him. “If we do that, we are up for a good day.” "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
For Houston, the words were the same.
“Don’t throw it to the other team,” recounted Houston. “Take the shot when you can. That is basically it.” "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
Dobbs will start at quarterback against the Giants, with Roethlisberger a healthy scratch for the game and Landry Jone sidelined with an injury. "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
The rookie fifth-round pick is looking forward to the opportunity. "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
“Everything is elevated,” said Dobbs. “There is a lot more hype. You are playing a different opponent so you are able to go out and show your stuff, execute at a high level. I am excited for the opportunity. My plan is to take advantage of it. Any time you get reps on the field you have to take advantage. You take advantage of each and every one to show your coaches and teammates what you can do." according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
“I am anxious to compete. I enjoy competing at a high level. Whether it’s a preseason game or in season game, you are playing in the NFL and it’s something I dreamt about for a long time. To be on that stage with the opportunity to compete, I am very thankful for that and ready to go out and compete at a high level. I am ready to go, ready to compete.” "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
While Dobbs will get the start, Houston will definitely get a good look as well. "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
“I am very excited,” said Houston. “It’s another chance to get out there and showcase what we can do as a team and offense. We have to keep getting first downs and put the ball across the plane.” "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
Houston, who signed with the Steelers as a rookie free agent after the draft, said he is feeling more comfortable with the offense and that comes just at the right time. "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
“I am fitting in well,” said Houston. “Things are starting to click. You get some more reps with the guys, getting to know the wide receivers, their speeds, and strength. It’s coming along.” "according to http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Young-QBs-ready-to-follow-Bens-advice/cbe110f2-8e75-4638-b42a-c9d0f100ee5c
Kick-off is set for 7:00 pm. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.