IN THE MIX: Curtis Painter, who looked as if he would become a roster casualty when the Giants drafted Ryan Nassib, has performed well in training camp and remains a possibility to make the team as Eli Manning’s backup. (Anthony J Causi)
Kevin Gilbride admitted he thought what many others thought after the Giants moved up in the fourth round of the NFL Draft to take Ryan Nassib. That made it four quarterbacks on the roster and the offensive coordinator figured one of them — Curtis Painter — was not going to be around much longer.
“When we drafted a player, the quarterback, I didn’t know what we were going to do because four guys is a lot to work into a rotation for practice,’’ Gilbride told The Post, “but it was never stated, ‘Hey, we’re getting rid of him.’ ’’
So Painter survived into training camp, but there was a sense of inevitability around him, as if he’d be sent packing as soon as Gilbride and head coach Tom Coughlin wanted to reduce four to three and start streamlining the quarterback position in preparation of the regular season.
A funny thing happened on the way to the roster reduction. Painter, clearly an underdog as a newcomer to the system, picked things up fairly quickly. Then he started making a few plays in the spring. Then he made a few more plays as summer hit and training camp arrived. Then he looked pretty darn good in the preseason opener in Pittsburgh.
And now, we have an honest-to-goodness battle for the right to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Eli Manning, with Painter a definite part of the discussion.
“The kid’s a legitimate quarterback, he really is,’’ Gilbride said “If some people thought he originally wasn’t really part of the competition, he’s kind of said, ‘Guess what? Take notice of me. I’m doing all right here.’ ’’
Actually, Painter said no such thing. Not verbally, anyway. He’s a fairly low-key 28-year old who spent three years with the Colts. From backing up Peyton to backing up Eli? That’s the plan for Painter.
“We’re all working together,” Painter said. “It sure doesn’t feel like a competition. We’re all helping each other trying to get better, trying to get this team better.’’
As cordial as it may be, it’s in every way a competition. Manning is set up top and Nassib is set as the No. 3 quarterback, virtually assured a roster spot, as the Giants didn’t draft him to cut him.
“You would think you’re going to keep the young guy, right?’’ Gilbride said. “That’s why you drafted him. To me it comes down to the two [Painter and incumbent backup David Carr].’’
Coughlin prefers, if possible, to keep only two quarterbacks, but the only way that could happen is if Nassib convinces him he’s ready to serve as Manning’s only backup. That’s not happening, so three it is.
But which three?
Carr, 34, has been on the scene four of the past five seasons. He’s extremely popular, has the physical skills to mimic running quarterbacks in practice on the scout team — which greatly aids the defense — and knows the offense. The coaching staff, though, isn’t completely sold on his pocket presence when things break down around him.
Painter was a 2009 sixth-round pick of the Colts out of Purdue. He got his big chance in his third season when a neck injury shelved the usually indestructible Peyton Manning. Painter started eight games, threw six touchdown passes and nine interceptions and was not re-signed.
Coughlin said Painter has got “great poise, he’s smart, he’s done a good job of understanding what we want.’’
Painter took a step forward in the 18-13 preseason victory over the Steelers. He completed 5 of 11 passes for 55 yards but the Giants believe he was better than his numbers. Carr was 7 of 11 for 64 yards.
“Saturday night, the shame of it is, there were two or three opportunities where [Painter] was going right to the right person and it would have been some big plays if we just gave him enough time,’’ Gilbride said. “He definitely helped himself, there’s no question about that.’’
The Giants face the Colts Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, and as Painter goes against his former team, he gets another chance to make an impression.
“Obviously David’s been with us longer, he should have a better grasp of the thing but Curtis has never disappointed,’’ Gilbride said. “Every day he’s always been out there knowing where to go with the ball. His assimilation of what we’re trying to do into his knowledge bank has come at a fairly quick pace. I don’t think he’s ever done anything but impress all of us.’’