Rivers: Giants' treatment of Manning is 'pathetic'

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will always be tied to New York Giants signal-caller Eli Manning as a result of the draft-day trade that swapped them.

And Rivers wasn't happy to hear the announcement that Manning's consecutive starts streak will end Sunday, when he'll begin the game on the bench in favor of backup Geno Smith.

"I honestly thought it was pathetic," Rivers said Wednesday, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.

"He's been out there 210 straight games - with no telling how many bumps and bruises and injuries - for his team. He won two Super Bowl MVPs. And with the respect he's had in the locker room over the years, and really the respect he's gained throughout the league, you feel like the guy has earned the opportunity - if they are in fact deciding to go another direction - he's earned the opportunity to finish it off these last five weeks," Rivers said.

The Giants offered Manning the chance to start, though he would have been subsequently replaced. Manning refused, saying it would "tarnish" the streak.

Rivers, who's played 191 career games, has made 187 consecutive starts since replacing Drew Brees as the San Diego Chargers' starter ahead of the 2006 season.