EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jerry Reese, New York Giants general manager, summons Eli Manning, New York Giants quarterback, into his office every summer to share ideas on the 16 regular-season games to come. Actually, it is not an equal-time exercise. The GM does most of the talking and the quarterback does most of the listening.
Some years Reese challenges Manning to carry the team, or to take more chances downfield, or to be more careful with the ball, whatever. This year? Reese told ESPN.com Sunday that he sat down his franchise player and told him it was their shared responsibility, above all, to make sure their rookie head coach doesn't fall flat on his face.