EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With 79 career starts, David
Carr knows how much Eli Manning wants to be on the field calling the plays when
the New York Giants meet the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Manning's teammates say he's a competitor who will play
if he's able. Carr wants to be out there just as much, and his chances of
playing this weekend seemingly improved when Manning missed his second straight
practice on Thursday with an injured right heel.
After practice, coach Tom Coughlin declined to predict
whether Manning would be able to start his 83rd straight game, saying only that
that inflammation in Manning's heel was feeling better.
A decision on whether Manning plays may not be made until
Sunday.
The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2002, Carr isn't worried.
He told himself that he was going to be the starter after Manning was hurt last
Sunday in a win over Kansas City, and the worst that can happen is he doesn't.
"You have to prepare yourself one way or you are going to
be riding a rollercoaster all week," said Carr, who last started a game in 2007
for the Carolina Panthers. He was 10-for-22 for 95 yards passing and two
interceptions in a loss to New Orleans.
He came to the Giants as Manning's backup last season and
has been mostly an understudy. He appeared in three games last season and two
this year, all off the bench.
"I am sure he wants to play really bad, probably as bad
as I want to play," Carr said of Manning. "It's the same for every competitor,
every guy who wants to be on the field. Everybody gets hurt. We're down a lot of
guys now and I think everyone on the side wants to be out there to help the
team."
Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has no doubts
about Carr. He said the eight-year veteran knows the Giants offense, but he
might not be as familiar with some of its subtleties as Manning, who has been
the starting quarterback since midway through the 2004 season.
"I expect him to do well," Gilbride said. "I would be
disappointed if he doesn't play well."
Gilbride said the biggest difference is that he and
Manning are on the same page after working together the past six years. He said
he can look at Manning and the quarterback can almost immediately sense what is
wrong and go back on the field and act like a coach in the huddle, conveying
Gilbride's concerns to the offense.
Carr's most extensive play with the Giants came in the
final regular-season game last year. He took over in the second half against
Minnesota and was 8-for-11 for 110 yards and a touchdown.
"It's got to be frustrating for a guy that started to
just be on the sidelines, and now he has a chance," Gilbride said. "So I think
if I was him, and what I have observed looking at him, he seems genuinely
excited about this opportunity."
For the first two days of practice, Carr has gotten the
chance to throw to Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, to hand off to Brandon
Jacobs and to play behind a first-team offensive line that has started 36
straight games.
"It's nice to play with the toys," Carr said. "Sometimes
you feel like the brother who doesn't get to play with all he cool stuff."
Carr admits he has come a long way since his rookie
season with the Houston Texans, when he was sacked 76 times, an NFL record.
"It's not even close for me mentally," Carr said. "I
feel like a totally different quarterback as far as what to expect, my
preparations, how I go about the game is a whole lot different than then. I
guess it's what you learn going through the things I have gone through, except
I'm a better player."
He also has a solid offensive line, so there is no need
to duck and cover after every pass.
"If my number is called I will go out there and have lot
of fun," Carr said. "We have a lot of great players on this team. We are on a
win streak. Guys are feeling good and I want to be a part of it. It was good to
get out there and throw some ball with those guys and sweat. It kind of felt
like the old days."
The difference from his days in Houston, of course, is
that if Carr starts for the 4-0 Giants, he'll be expected to win.