Eli Manning has had a number of viral moments from ESPN’s various “Monday Evening Soccer” broadcast with brother Peyton. He doesn’t appear to love the notion of his most up-to-date one.
It appeared Manning took a shot at new Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson on Monday after the staff’s ugly 11-10 win over the 49ers the night time earlier than, by which Denver punter Corliss Waitman punted 10 occasions for 476 yards.
“They need to have paid that punter $235 million as an alternative of Russell,” Eli mentioned whereas Pat McAfee was on the present, referring to Wilson’s $245 million contract extension.
Manning told Front Office Sports, nevertheless, that he was not ripping Wilson.
“No, I don’t suppose we’re making an attempt to be important. I believe we at all times attempt to help the fellows which are within the recreation,” Manning instructed the web site. “I believe typically, ‘Hey, it’s stay TV.’ I by no means attempt to take an actual shot at anyone. I believe that was clearly a really outrageous joke — as a result of a punter had 10 punts. Nothing in opposition to Russell. He’s going to do nice.”
The Broncos entered the season with excessive expectations after buying Wilson from the Seahawks and hiring former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. And whereas Denver is 2-1, they’ve scored 43 factors over their three video games and Hackett has made questionable game-management selections.
“It’s onerous going into a brand new offense, a brand new system. It takes a while. It’s not going to be good after three weeks,” Manning instructed FOS. “I’ve been in that scenario. It may take 5 – 6 weeks earlier than you get comfy with the coaches. It’s not simply the quarterback. It’s all of the gamers coming collectively, studying a brand new offense and getting collectively and getting on the identical web page.
“So I do know he’s going to show it round. He’s an incredible player-athlete. So by no means need to attempt to take a shot. Or put anyone down. Clearly, it was only a ridiculous concept of paying a punter that a lot. I believe we attempt to help the quarterbacks which are within the recreation. We all know how onerous it’s to be in that scenario. Clearly, typically we get emotionally concerned. You root for guys. So that you react. Otherwise you’re rooting for a staff. In the event that they’re not doing one thing you suppose they need to be doing, the ideas and the opinions come out a bit bit.”
Throughout the Broncos’ Week 1 Monday night time loss to the Seahawks, Peyton Manning was furiously signaling for a timeout on the “Manningcast” because the clock ticked down, with Hackett opting to attempt a 64-yard discipline aim as an alternative of letting Wilson and the offense attempt to convert a fourth-and-5 within the last minute.
