Legendary sports radio host Mike Francesa melts down over Giants' decision to bench Eli Manning
- The New York Giants announced Eli Manning has been benched in favor of Geno Smith for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
- Mike Francesa was incensed with the decision, and was quick to let his listeners know his thoughts on the matter.
- The result was a rant for the ages that included barbs aimed at almost every member of the Giants' organization besides Manning.
The New York Giants' decision to bench Eli Manning in favor of Geno Smith for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders is being met with harsh criticism, and no critic is louder or in possession of a larger megaphone than long-time New York sports talk radio host Mike Francesa.
Francesa was thoroughly disgusted with the call to bench Eli, and was quick to let his listeners know about it, first criticizing head coach Ben McAdoo for the switch.
"This coach has decided, he has told you Giants fans, that in his football wisdom, Geno Smith gives him the best chance to win this week - not Eli Manning. Geno Smith." Francesa began. "Geno Smith, who we know well."
You can listen to an excerpt of Francesa's rant below.
Before joining the Giants this season, Geno Smith played four seasons for the New York Jets, where he inspired many other local sports talk radio rants with his sup-par play. Still, Francesa did concede that Smith was more mobile that Manning, albeit with a backhanded compliment for the ages.
"Now, Geno Smith is not a running quarterback," Francesa said. "Is he more mobile than Eli? Well, a tree is, okay? We understand that - that is not Eli's strength."
Francesa went on to offer an extremely harsh criticism of Giants general manager Jerry Reese, arguing that he owes all of his successes to Manning.
"Jerry Reese's career is BUILT on Eli Manning!" Francesa said. "His success in those two games is the only reason that Jerry Reese has got a career here! He doesn't have a career because of how he's drafted here, he has a career because he won two Super Bowls, won by Eli Manning! Without that, Jerry Reese is unemployed! It's built on his back!"
While Francesa admitted that Manning wasn't having all that impressive of a season statistically, he defended him by citing all of the poor play around the quarterback, including a less-than stellar receiving corps, as well as a lack of leadership from head coach Ben McAdoo.
"You're playing guys who drop every ball in sight. You haven't disciplined a damn player all year. And you're gonna blame this now on your quarterback? At 2-9? What a gutless move."
Francesa's most cutting comments were again at McAdoo's expense, with the host arguing that he was not only incompetent, but that he needed to be fired, and fast.
"We haven't seen a game plan all year from this guy! Since he's been the head coach the Giants have never scored 30 points EVER! ... And now you're gonna tell me that your plan is to go to Geno Smith? That's the game plan that's gonna beat the Raiders this week?! You gotta be kidding me! You can't run this clown out of town fast enough."
"Maybe on your way out you can take a look at Eli's rings, that's the closest you're ever gonna get to one."