Eli Manning is expected to be fully recovered from his ankle surgery in time for the start of training camp. But since the two-time Super Bowl champion signal caller won’t be around for offseason workouts, the Giants are looking for a veteran QB to run the offense in Manning’s absence.
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Josh Freeman and Matt Flynn could be brought in for workouts next week, although nothing has been scheduled at this point. They start their off-season workout program April 21 and their first organized team activity practice is May 28, so a veteran should be signed in the near future. Additional QBs will also be needed for the mandatory three-day mini-camp June 17-19.
Curtis Painter and Ryan Nassib are currently the only two healthy QBs on the Giants’ roster, and they don’t exactly exude confidence. Painter is 0-8 in his career when starting, and Nassib has never taken a regular-season snap. In a perfect world, Nassib would take a step forward and emerge as the long-term backup to Manning.
Freeman, who was exiled from Tampa Bay last season, threw for 4,065 yards with 27 touchdown passes as recently as 2012. He fell out of favor with the Bucs after a slow start in 2013 and finished the season with the Minnesota Vikings. He’s still only 26 years old and is most likely hoping to land someplace where he can compete to start. Although learning from Manning for a season could be a great way to rejuvenate his career.
Flynn seems like he’s been around forever, but is still only 28 years old. The LSU product has a huge game back in 2011 when he replaced an injured Aaron Rodgers, which caused the Seahawks to sign him to a mega deal the following offseason. Flynn was beaten out by then-rookie Russell Wilson and never started a game in Seattle. He spent 2013 on three teams, with the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders each giving him a look.
Flynn struggled in limited action but, like Freeman, could learn a thing or two from Manning and the veteran Giants. It will be interesting to see how the backup QB job shakes out for the G-Men this offseason.
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