When the words came from Tom Coughlin’s mouth, they slipped out almost unnoticed.
The Giants coach had just finished rattling off his team’s litany of injuries, particularly to the offensive line, and he was asked on Wednesday if he was “wary’’ of playing Eli Manning behind a band of second- and third-string linemen in a game with no playoff implications.
“[As a] matter of fact, we’ve talked about this,’’ Coughlin said, indicating the thought actually did cross his mind about not playing his starting quarterback who owns the second-longest starting streak among active NFL players with 149 consecutive games. “He wants to play and he’s looking forward to playing and competing and having a better game. I wouldn’t expect anything different.’’
Nor should he. Coughlin, in fact, should never have considered not starting Manning against the 7-7 Lions Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.
Had he opted to sit Manning, it would have thrown warm beer all over everything Coughlin stands for, which is to compete until the end — circumstances be damned.
It was Coughlin, remember, who stood before reporters after last Sunday’s blowout loss to the Seahawks passionately and publicly calling out the “effort’’ of some of his players.
What kind of “effort’’ to beat the Lions would Coughlin be showing the rest of his players if he opted to sit his starting quarterback for fear he might be chased around by hungry young Lions defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Ezekiel Ansah?
To be clear, Coughlin was not considering benching Manning, who has thrown an NFL-high 25 interceptions this season. But the fact he even revealed the thought of Manning not playing entered his mind was eye-opening.
“I talked to coach [Monday],’’ Manning said. “It never came up as a question whether I wanted to play or not and I never thought about it any other way but going out there and playing. I want to compete. I want to make improvements and try to run this offense more efficiently and go out there and try to do the best I can and try to get a win.’’
Of Sunday’s starting offensive line against Seattle — a line already compromised by a rash of injuries this season — left guard James Brewer (already a backup) and right guard David Diehl missed practice Wednesday with ankle and knee injuries, respectively. The team’s best receiver, Victor Cruz, is unlikely to play because of a concussion and knee injury he suffered last week.
So the help around Manning is sure to be further compromised in Detroit.
Asked if he has any “concerns’’ about playing behind so many backup linemen, Manning presented a typically brave face, saying, “No. I think our guys will be … they’ll be ready. They’ll compete. Hopefully, we get some guys back, but whoever is in there we’ll handle … we’ll have a good plan and have all the faith in the world they’ll do a good job.’’
There have been some suggestions from outside the locker room the Giants give rookie quarterback Ryan Nassib some playing time to get him experience before the end of the season, to see whether he can be worthy of a No. 2 role in 2014. The reality, though, is the Giants will be able to find out enough about whether Nassib is backup worthy in training camp and preseason next summer.
It is still 2013, and if Coughlin is to stay true to his DNA, Manning must play as long as he’s healthy — even if his rash of turnovers has been the common denominator to the failures of the Giants this season.
“No one person loses football games,’’ Coughlin said, defending Manning’s 25 interceptions and their contribution to the mess this season has become. “Is it all his fault? No, of course not.’’
Coughlin was asked if Manning’s work ethic gives him faith he’ll fix what went wrong this year.
“Absolutely,’’ he said. “Not just the work ethic, the will — the will to want to fix it and be better. I know he’ll do that.’’
Whatever Manning does in Detroit and the following week against the Redskins will not save the season nor will it ease the sting of opportunities lost. But at least by him continuing to play, it’ll show neither he nor Coughlin has quit on the season.
For whatever that’s worth.