Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants announced Tuesday that they will bench their longtime quarterback Eli Manning and start Geno Smith this week against the Oakland Raiders. The move came as a shock to some, as Manning has started 210 consecutive regular-season games for the Giants, and has won two Super Bowls and two Super Bowl MVP titles. Manning told the media that he Coach Ben McAdoo gave him the choice to continue his streak but allow backups Smith and Davis Webb to have some playing time. “My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them,” Manning said. “Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won't finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can.” The star QB fought back tears as he addressed reporters from the locker room. The Giants, currently 2-9, are injury plagued and experiencing one of their roughest seasons in recent memory.