Geno Smith said Thursday that he did have offers in free agency from NFL teams who would have given him a chance to compete for a starting job, but Smith believed the Giants were the best fit.
“Yeah, but I am going to keep that to myself,” Smith said of the mystery suitors. “I feel like this gave me the best opportunity to grow as a player and I am happy about the decision that I made.”
Smith specifically said the similarity of Ben McAdoo’s offense to Marty Mornhinweg’s system in Smith’s early days with the Jets convinced him he could get back on track with Big Blue.
“Some different terminology but it is very similar,” Smith said. “(That’s a system) I thought was really good for me and my skillset.”
Smith, 26, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered last October, is still playing in a “limited role,” as McAdoo said. At Thursday’s OTA practice, Smith put in some reps in 7-on-7 and some jog-through reps at the end of practice, but as the coach said, “we have to do right by the player.”
As for what he must prove to the Giants and NFL, Smith said: “Honestly I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anyone other than myself. I am just trying to be my best every single day, focusing on trying to be perfect.”
BLOWING SMOKE
Brandon Marshall said he always thought Phil Simms “was just blowing smoke up my butt” when the former Giant quarterback constantly raved about the organization’s quality, but now that Marshall is a Giant he can “feel” that “this truly is a special place.”
“He is always talking about it,” Marshall said of Simms.
SHAQ SACKED
The Giants surprisingly released defensive end Ishaq Williams, the Daily News has learned, under the NFL’s waived/injury designation, along with safety Raheem Moore. That made room for free agent signings DE Devin Taylor and S Duke Ihenacho.
McAdoo appeared to hint at Williams’ work ethic this offseason as reason for letting him go.
“Ishaq’s a guy that we liked the way he worked when he was here, and we’ll leave that at that,” McAdoo said.
BUMPS AND BRUISES
Second-year corner Eli Apple, who looks like he’s put on some muscle, started practice well but appeared to tweak something in his lower body and came out. McAdoo said the Giants will “take a look at him.” Tight end Rhett Ellison, an offseason free agent signing, is “a little sore,” per the coach, who wouldn’t elaborate.
DON’T GET USED TO IT
Davis Webb hit LB/TE Mark Herzlich on a beautiful seam throw over the middle of the field. Of course it was against no defense, and Herzlich may not see a single snap on offense next season. So take it in.
