Following their first practice after the New York Giants cut their roster down to 53, head coach Pat Shurmur gave no indication on who the backup QB will be.
EAST RUTHERFORD—The most surprising cut the New York Giants made over the weekend was waiving second year quarterback Davis Webb.
Webb was selected in the third round (87th overall) by the previous regime of general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo.
Despite sitting and learning from future Hall of Fame quarterback Eli Manning for a year, the new regime of Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur did not like what they saw from Webb.
Following Monday’s practice, Shurmur was asked when did he know that he was going to cut Webb.
Pat Shurmur's opening comments regarding the release of Davis Webb. #NYG pic.twitter.com/L1NMe3oL6f
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) September 3, 2018
“There’s no reason for me to talk about when. He was taking second teams reps. I think I mentioned long ago there was no depth chart behind Eli (Manning). We were trying to figure out who the guys playing quarterback were going to be behind Eli. He got a lot of reps, and I think it was probably that where people start to assume because he’s taking second string reps that he’s a second string quarterback, and it didn’t play out that way.”
Shurmur was also asked who is the second string quarterback rookie Kyle Lauletta or veteran Alex Tanney.
“We’ll see and I’ll let you guys know as we go here. I do like having a veteran presence in that group.”
Alex Tanney answering questions after today's practice pic.twitter.com/QUj7eZMADy
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) September 3, 2018
Based on Shurmur saying he likes to have a veteran presence in the group, you would think the edge would go to the 30-year-old Tanney on being the backup.
Tanney has only appeared in one NFL game and that was back in 2015 when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans and completed 10-of-14 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Titans 30-24 season finale loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Tanney was asked after practice if he had thoughts on being second or third on the depth chart.
“I’m just going to keep preparing the way I’ve always prepared throughout my entire career, that’s like I’m going to play, and that decision is ultimately up to the coaches.”
Being that Webb took the majority of the second string snaps, the Giants would have to be concerned if something were to happen to Manning and Tanney or Lauletta would have to come. But despite his rookie status, Lauletta expressed confidence that he’ll be ready to come in and play if his name is called upon.
“I’m ready. I think I’m very ready and if my number were to ever get called, I think I would be ready to go and I’d be very, very excited to step in there and help the team win. I have all the confidence in the world in myself and despite how I perform out on the field, I’m always going to carry that. Like I said, if indeed I do have to play this season at some point, then I’ll be ready to go, no doubt about that.”
Kyle Lauletta talking about his role on the team. #NYG #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/cKmjTNvHQq
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) September 3, 2018
Good news for the Giants is that if history continues to repeat itself, Tanney and Lauletta will not be needed since Manning has never missed a game due to injury in his 15-year career. But if there was ever a week that Tanney and Lauletta would need to be ready to go it would be this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense that was second in the league a season ago with 55 sacks.
