Eli Manning says ankle feels good to go
Eli Manning gets up after he was sacked in the first quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. (Dec. 15, 2013) Credit: Getty
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The Giants have said that Eli Manning will not participate in spring practice. Manning, however, wants to call an audible.
The quarterback, who is recovering from surgery on his left ankle, said he expects to get "a number of reps" in voluntary workouts when the Giants begin organized training activities (OTAs) May 28, and he still wants to take all of them.
"I don't see why that should be a problem," he said Monday at the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic dinner.
Manning, who had surgery five weeks ago, said he was on the field last week working on his passing. He said he can do "all the routes, all the drops" without any pain or issues.
"I already feel like I can go out there and do everything," he said. "We'll still be smart about it these next few weeks and not overdo anything, but we definitely made the right decision [to have surgery]."
Giants general manager Jerry Reese has said that Manning will miss spring ball, but he later left the door open for his participation.Coach Tom Coughlin recently said he will practice "in moderation." Manning said it has been his goal from the start of his rehab to return in time for OTAs.
"I like to take every single rep," Manning said. "They know that. They'll have to make a decision on what they want to do."
Manning, 33, is excited about the addition of first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. The LSU wide receiver attended Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, the alma mater of the Manning brothers. Manning has known the wide receiver since Beckham was a junior in high school and has followed his career closely.
"He was a different athlete than the other guys that were there," Manning said of Beckham at Newman.
Manning said he and the new players will be learning new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's system together. The Giants drafted Colorado State center Weston Richburg and Boston College running back Andre Williams in the second and third rounds, respectively. "Having a new offense, having a little change, definitely energized me and energized this offense," Manning said.
