Giants owner explains move to sit Eli; coach, GM decisions to come

New York Giants owner John Mara spoke to the media Wednesday after his team's decision to bench star quarterback Eli Manning set off a firestorm of criticism.

Mara explained he initiated the conversation with general manager Jerry Reese to take a look at other quarterbacks on the roster as the Giants sputtered to a 2-9 record and was eliminated from postseason contention Sunday.

"I expected an emotional reaction from fans. It's been in excess of what I expected," Mara said, according to Tom Rock of Newsday. "Given what he has meant to our franchise, it's understandable."

Mara said he made the suggestion to Reese a week or two ago and he spoke to head coach Ben McAdoo, who has drawn most of the vitriol from fans.

"There's no completely clean way to handle it," Mara added.

Mara hoped Manning would be open to playing in the five remaining games before giving way to backups Geno Smith and Davis Webb. Manning chose instead to cede his starting role.

"I don't know that this will give us all the info, but it's better than nothing," Mara said of taking a look at the Giants' younger quarterbacks. "Obviously we'll have a high draft pick and there will be QBs available. (We) want to make that decision having watched these guys play."

Mara insists no conversation has been had about Manning's no-trade clause, but discussions are coming on the futures of both Reese and McAdoo.

"We obviously have some decisions to make this offseason," Mara said.