clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Shaun O’Hara “disappointed” and “frustrated” by benching of Eli Manning

Former Giants center vents on ESPN Radio

NFL: Super Bowl LIII-NFL Network Press Conference Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Predictably, Shaun O’Hara, New York Giants center from 2004-2010, is not happy about the organization’s decision to bench Eli Manning in favor of Daniel Jones.

“Disappointed? Yes. Frustrated? Yes. I think when you look at what has transpired this feels like a re-run. Normally we like re-runs. Love Seinfeld re-runs. Love movies that I’ve seen before. But, we have seen this before. It feels a lot like what happened two years,” O’Hara said Wednesday on ESPN Radio’s ‘Golic & Wingo’ show.

O’Hara, of course, is referring to Ben McAdoo’s one-game benching of Manning in favor of Geno Smith.

O’Hara wondered how the move would play with Giants veterans.

“It’s two games in,” O’Hara said. “If I’m in that locker room and now we’re making this move I’m scratching my head.

“I don’t think it’s a great message and for Giants fans I don’t think this is what they want to see two games into the season.

“I think there was still opportunity to fight their way out of this. To have this short of a hook, to me it feels wrong.”

The move to Jones, the sixth overall pick, has to be more about the long term than the present. O’Hara said veteran players won’t want to hear that.

“If you’re a veteran next year’s not a given. Don’t tell me about next year if I’m in that locker room because I don’t know if I’m going to be there,” he said.

O’Hara pointed out many of the non-quarterback issues the Giants have.

“The defense can’t stop anybody. Their No. 1 receiver is suspended. Their second receiver is out with a concussion. Corey Coleman tore his ACL, so you’ve got a depleted receiver corps,” he said. “To me, the fix is not ‘were gonna change the quarterback and that’s gonna fix all of that.’

“It’s frustrating to me.”