Manning on the writing of Giants Jones – "it's all right & # 39;

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning followed the NFL project like everyone else. He just did not have a lot of reaction when the team picked Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in this year's repechage.

"It's okay," Manning said Monday in his first public comments since the project.

Manning received a call from General Manager Dave Gettleman and Coach Pat Shurmur as the selection proceeded. He knew the Giants could pick a quarterback in the first round.

Manning has already stated that it was not his job to be a mentor even though he was ready to help. Shurmur told him the same thing many times. Nevertheless, Manning has taken on the role in recent years with Ryan Nassib, Davis Webb and, more recently, Kyle Lauletta.

"I've been doing it for 11 years, 12 years," said Manning. "I do not know when you become a mentor, when it's official, when you've been in the league for longer than any other guy in the quarterback room, you should be a mentor in that sense where you know a bit more . "

Shurmur explained Monday after the first team-organized event of the season that Manning was the starter and the other quarterbacks (Jones, Alex Tanney and Lauletta) are behind him.

Jones took third-team photos behind veterans Manning and Tanney in the first live game. Lauletta, the Giants' fourth round pick last year, was sidelined after having the knee cleaned earlier this season.

Shurmur and Manning insisted that the quarter-back room was divisive and Manning said it was not embarrassing to choose a high draft in the room. The winner of the Super Bowl twice thinks it's "my job to win this job, keep it" and win games. That will keep him going with Jones on the bench this season and potentially beyond.

Manning, 38, is in the last season of his current contract and insists that he has not decided how long he wants to play yet. He started slowly Monday at the OTAs with a series of unfinished and interception early in practice. But he seemed to be moving and throwing quickly.

"Play this year and go away," said Manning about his future.

Jones had some ups and downs in his first practice against an opposing professional defense. He sometimes held the ball too long, but overall, he threw the ball well on a windy afternoon in East Rutherford.

Manning loves what he sees up to now.

"I think Daniel is doing well, good kid," said Manning, who knows Jones through their college coach, David Cutcliffe. "I'm just trying to take the offensive, it's only been two weeks since I've been here, so there's a lot going on right now to try to learn the offense, the protections, footwork, etc. We've all been there, we've all been novices and learned But he seems to have the right attitude and do good things. "

The plan seems to be for Jones to sit down and learn behind Manning, who may be his mentor hopefully. Manning is willing to help if and when it is justified.

"It's not necessarily your job to do it," Manning said. "As I said, you're in the quarter-end, and if all the shifts are there, you talk and help, and everyone is a bit of a mentor to everybody. there, then they can not be framed.

"It's a bit because Daniel is listening, asking questions and that everyone is ready to help in these situations."