NY Giants: It's been three weeks, but Eli Manning finally discovers who Jalen Ramsey is

EAST RUTHERFORD - Eli Manning has finally done his research.

The Giants' two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback not only knows of Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is, but he was able to offer a scouting report when asked by reporters at his locker Wednesday.

That's far different than his reaction three weeks ago when, after Ramsey criticized Manning while praising Odell Beckham Jr. in an article in GQ Magazine, he feigned ignorance with a quip of "Who?"

"Still looking," Manning said, a nod that his video scouting was ongoing. "Good size and good range, good ball skills. He likes to be pressed up and does a good job playing tight coverage. You've got to throw it on time and be accurate when you're throwing his way."

The last time Manning played a regular season game at MetLife, there was speculation that it could be his last one with the Giants. Circumstances changed, of course, and team brass put its faith in Manning heading into this season. 

Now he's got a chance at redemption from one of the toughest seasons of his career with a full arsenal of weapons around him with Beckham, Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram as the headliners and a rebuild offensive line that will get tested from jump by a talented Jaguars defensive front.

"At the start of the year you’re always excited," Manning said. "You’re always excited about the year, you feel good about things so we got to go out there, we got to have a great week of preparation, make sure everyone knows all of their assignments, exactly what’s going on and then you got to bring that to Sunday. That’s what it’s all about is bringing it to game day, making those plays, going out there and finding a way to keep the games close and winning in the end."

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From 'C' to shining 'C'

Three mainstays and three newcomers earned the distinction of being named captain for the Giants this season, a pair each on offense - Eli Manning and Nate Solder - defense - Landon Collins and Alec Ogletree - and special teams - Zak DeOssie and Michael Thomas.

"It means the world to me," Collins said. "At the same time, it means that I’ve gained the respect from my players to be a leader of them and to lead them the right way, and be a vocal presence, and be able to go to coach and talk to them and make sure we got everything on track."

Giants coach Pat Shurmur closed his Wednesday morning news conference with praise for his captains.

"The players and the coaches all voted. I think they chose well," Shurmur said. "That’s the group of players that I will meet with, and those will be our game captains throughout the season. They chose well. We’re talking about guys that can be an extension of this team. I told them this morning, it’s going to be fun for me to watch your team work. They’ve got to take ownership of it and be an extension of me and our organization, and represent our players. I think they’ll do that well."

NY Giants news and notes

OLB Olivier Vernon did not practice Wednesday, and Shurmur confirmed that his injury was indeed a high ankle sprain. His status for Sunday's game is still uncertain, but Shurmur called Vernon "a fast healer" and he will continue to get treatment and be evaluated later this week. The only other player on the injury report is rookie linebacker Tae Davis, who did not practice due to a hamstring injury. ... Shurmur made it seem as though he will lean toward Alex Tanney as his backup quarterback with rookie Kyle Lauletta at No. 3. He said he prefers experience in that spot, and even though Tanney has played in just one career game, the duties for the No. 2 QB go beyond in-game action. ... The Giants waived former Rutgers running back Robert Martin on Wednesday to make room for veteran inside linebacker Nate Stupar. Stupar is a special teams ace and former Giants Super Bowl quarterback Jeff Hostetler. Meanwhile, OLB Romeo Okwara - who was waived Tuesday - was claimed by the Detroit Lions.

Email: stapleton@northjersey.com