1. I would bring Eli into my office and...
a) Tell him we want to revise his contract to guarantee the $16M he is due in 2018.
b) Tell him that he is a player and not a coach and so short of being injured, he doesn't get to decide when he plays and when he sits. The plan will be for him to start each game and for McAdoo to determine if and when he is replaced based on how well the offense is performing. It could even be a situation where he starts, exits for several series, and returns later in the game.
2. After the season is over and McAdoo is replaced, I would be aggressive in free agency. Focus on OL, WR, LB.
3. On draft day, I would take a QB (if one is worthy), maybe even trading up for one, if the price is right (if Cleveland thinks the Giants are trying to leapfrog San Fran in order to get Barkley, they might be more willing to move down two spots, thinking they will still get themselves the QB they want).
These steps accomplish a few different things...
1. Damage control with the fans in terms of how Eli was treated.
2. The streak continues and nobody can blame Eli for any tarnish associated with it since he offered to sit.
3. If the Giants do in fact fall in love with a QB, they will be in a better position to conceal their love if all prior moves point to them being in a win-now mode and satisfied with Eli as their starter and Webb as the QB of the future.
p.s.--I don't see guaranteeing Eli's 2018 compensation as a big deal since he arguably gives the Giants the best chance to win next year and the year on the bench learning from him will do the rookie QB good. And I sincerely believe the Giants are only a few choice free agency moves away from being a Super Bowl contender (assuming better luck in the health department).
I was at the SF game, and a buddy and I were talking about this on the bus ride back from the game, fire McAdoo and promote Sullivan. It isn't the Giant "way", but ownership allegedly really likes Sully, and this season has been such a shitshow, it may be time to take a detour off of Giants Way.
The only damage control that could have been done is to change course before the plan went public. Now it's just a matter of swallowing this shit sandwich and hoping everybody gets something better in the future.
I was at the SF game, and a buddy and I were talking about this on the bus ride back from the game, fire McAdoo and promote Sullivan. It isn't the Giant "way", but ownership allegedly really likes Sully, and this season has been such a shitshow, it may be time to take a detour off of Giants Way.