EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese has very little to say about the team’s decision to release placekicker Josh Brown in the wake of revelations Brown abused his wife over an extended period of time.
Speaking to the media for the first time since Brown was cut last week, Reese on Monday refused to answer questions dealing with Brown.
Reese started his first news conference since training camp by talking about the Giants (4-3) coming out of their bye week. He noted that while he was pleased with the defense and special teams, the offense still has a long way to go.
When the topic changed to Brown with a question about whether the team was aware of his domestic violence issues when it re-signed him this spring to a two-year, $4 million contract, Reese said he was not taking questions about the 37-year-old kicker who had a career season with the Giants in 2015.
“I wish healing for him and his family, and everybody involved,” Reese said. “That’s all I’m going to say about that.”
Reese also refused to address a question about his expressed desire for the team to sign character individuals, and his decision to re-sign Brown.
“I’m not taking any questions in respect to Josh Brown, guys. Stop asking me,” said Reese, who also would not discuss an incident earlier this month in which left tackle Ereck Flowers pushed a reporter after a loss in Green Bay.
Reese would not even talk about his decision not to discuss the Brown situation.
“I don’t think it makes sense for people to keep talking about that situation right now,” he said.
The Giants signed Robbie Gould last weekend and he kicked against the Los Angeles Rams in the 17-10 win in London on Oct. 23.
While Reese said nothing about Brown, quarterback Eli Manning was honest in addressing the Brown situation.
“You understand the organization had to make a decision and so I understand it from their part,” Manning said.
Two years ago, Manning and several other NFL players appeared in an anti-domestic violence public service announcement, with their message being “no more.”
“I am not in a position to judge a person,” Manning said. “There is a situation, there is understanding what is right and wrong and how to conduct yourself, and how to treat women and children and people. I think you can speak out on that and how to do it.”
Manning admits the situation gets confusing when the alleged abuser is either a teammate or a friend. He said the first instinct is to support them, At the same time, he said you can still talk about doing things the right way.
“It sounds like you are having conflicting thoughts, but it’s still, I’m not in that position to judge a certain person or speak badly about a person because he may have done something,” Manning said, adding he did not know exactly what Brown did.
Manning said he probably would not speak badly about anyone even if he knew all the details.
“That’s not my job,” Manning said. “As a society, domestic violence is not something we should accept. People should be treating others better, and I believe in that, but I don’t think it’s my job to speak to a certain person or speak badly about a certain person.”
Manning feels for Brown.
“I just wish that Josh and his whole family, that they can move on and go on and can kind of get through this time,” he said.
The Giants return to action Sunday when they host the Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) at MetLife Stadium.
After being one of the NFL’s top offenses a year ago, New York is tied for 26th in scoring, averaging 19 points. It is last in rushing, averaging 70.3 yards.
“Offensively, we definitely need to pick up the pace in a lot of categories,” Reese said. “I believe we did some things over the break and self-scouted a little bit to look into what is going on with our offense. Obviously, we need to run the ball better. We need to do better down in the red zone and score some points.”
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