A year later, Eli Manning has no interest in looking back at an anniversary he’d rather forget.
“No, not now,” Manning said Wednesday.
It was a day for Manning to answer questions about the Bears’ rugged defense, how to avoid interceptions against the league’s most larcenous secondary and escape the clutches of menacing Khalil Mack. He did this, dutifully, but with no gusto. The Giants are 3-8 and must play out the final five games. Manning is at the helm of a staggering offense and a losing team.
Exactly one year ago, Manning, after a night to sleep on it, informed then-coach Ben McAdoo that he preferred not to play — rather than start that week in Oakland then, in accordance with McAdoo’s plan, sit the second half while Geno Smith took over at quarterback.