Giants owner says it’s ‘premature’ to think Davis Webb will be Eli Manning’s successor
Immediately after the New York Giants drafted Davis Webb in the third round, there was talk of him being Eli Manning’s heir apparent. He has good potential, is a year or two away from being a starter, and Manning’s declining play has created some cause for concern in New York.
It seems like the perfect situation for the Giants and Webb, but co-owner John Mara wants everyone to take a step back before handing the rookie anything.
"I think it's a little premature to be anointing this guy as the heir apparent to Eli," Mara said on The Rich Eisen Show. "He hasn't set foot on the field yet. But he's got a lot of talent and we're looking forward to seeing what we got when he gets here. As Bill Parcells used to say, let's not get his bust ready for Canton just yet."
He’ll have to beat out Josh Johnson and Geno Smith for the backup job, which is easier said than done. Smith is a proven No. 2 quarterback in the NFL and understands a pro-style offense better than Davis does. In the event that Manning gets hurt, the Giants would probably rather go to a player with multiple years of experience than a raw rookie.
That being said, Webb does have the brighter future. He just won’t be handed anything – especially the starting gig after Manning moves on.
"He's a talented guy, but let's let him get on the field and let's let him play in the preseason and develop," Mara said. "If he's the successor, that's great. If not, then we'll find somebody else."
