Davis Webb isn’t sure of his plans Friday night, but he’ll probably go out to dinner.
Thursday night? Webb knows exactly where he’ll be.
Even if he won’t admit it, the backup quarterback will be watching to find out if his future remains with the Giants — or if a new successor to Eli Manning is taken with the second-overall pick in the draft.
“I want to see who we draft and who is going to help us this year, who is going to be the newest New York Giant,” Webb said Wednesday. “If they draft somebody, they feel like it’s going to be the best player for our team, that’s up to them. I don’t get paid to make those decisions.
“I just know that I’m going to get a chance. I want it to be here, let’s say that. I want it to be the New York Football Giants. … I know I’m going to get an opportunity in this league and when that comes, I’m going to be ready.”
Manning had no plans to be in front of a TV on Thursday.
Because, though all the focus is on the future, Manning’s status as the starter will remain unchanged next season.
After just one practice, the first-year coach Pat Shurmur gained a new appreciation for the two-time Super Bowl MVP under center.
“This guy’s a pro, so, what you noticed about him is you only have to run a play or two and he gets the drill calibrated and he gets his feet right and he makes the throw,” Shurmur said before the second minicamp session. “I quickly, after being with him one day on the field, see why he’s been so successful for so long. He’s a pro, and I admired what he did in the first time out.
“I see a guy that genuinely cares. I see a guy in the latter stages of his career that wants to learn a new offense just like he’s a rookie. He’s got that enthusiasm and I’m looking forward to seeing him lead our team.”
The new coach also called Manning the “fittest 37-year-old that I’ve ever seen.”
“I guess he hasn’t been around too many 37-year-olds, maybe,” Manning said jokingly. “I feel good. I’m moving around well. I’m always working on my flexibility and my conditioning and offseason lifting and everything, so I haven’t relaxed on that in any sense. I know I need that to kind of keep up with those other guys, but I feel good in that sense and I have to keep it that way.
“I think 37 is young, so it’s all perspective.”
Though Manning’s status as starter is safe, little else seems certain after his role in a 3-13 season.
Manning’s 80.4 QB rating was his second-lowest since 2007. His 61.6 completion percentage was his lowest since 2013. His 19 touchdowns marked just his second full-time season as a starter failing to top 20.
Manning and Shurmur look on as Davis Webb throws.Anthony J. CausiIn the offseason, Manning said he spent a lot of time working on getting his “feet moving fast” and maintaining his “fast-twitch movements.”
Manning said the new offensive system isn’t a “huge change,” likening it to a combination of what the team ran under former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and coach Ben McAdoo.
For Manning, the adjustment to just the third head coach of his 15-year career has been just as easy, thus far.
“I think every coach is going to be a little different,” Manning said. “I think [Shurmur] does like to coach on the field. Some coaches like to just run the plays and then coach you in the film room after. He likes to, each play, have a quick discussion. … He’ll grab a receiver, he’ll grab me and just talk a little bit about what you do well, what you could have done better. I think he had a good demeanor the whole time.
“It helps, obviously, when you feel that the coaches and the GM and everybody is excited about working with you, has your back and looking forward to good things. Obviously I have to prove that and do that every day and get on the field and make sure I’m making the right decisions, protecting the ball, making good throws and learning this offense quickly.”



