The New York Giants (0-6), off to their worst start since the 1976 season and desperately looking for their first win of the season Monday night, hosting the equally desperate Minnesota Vikings (1-4), who will debut a new quarterback, recently signed Josh Freeman.
"We're all sick of losing, but we put ourselves in this position. There is only one way to get out of it," said Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.
Giants QB Eli Manning leads the league in interceptions, with 15 picks for the year, including three last week, one for a touchdown, that he threw in the Giants' 27-21 loss to the Chicago Bears. Manning's 64.0 passer rating is third-worst in the NFL, one spot ahead of Freeman, who started the year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It's not fun playing this game and losing and not feeling like you're helping your team," said Manning. "But it's not going to change the way I treat each day or treat each practice and treat the games. I'm going to compete. I'm going to work hard and do whatever I can do to try to put our team in a situation to win a game."
Freeman, drafted 17th overall by Tampa Bay and compiling a 24-35 record in four seasons as the Buccaneers starter, has thrown for 13,534 yards, 80 touchdowns, and 66 interceptions in his career, and becomes the third quarterback to start for the Vikings. Opening week starter Christian Ponder got hurt and eventually lost the starting quarterback job after failing to produce victories. Back-up QB Matt Cassel held the job, earning the Vikings first victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago in London, but could not get the job done last week in their 31-10 loss to Carolina, going 32-of-44 for 241 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Freeman was signed after an ugly break-up with the Buccaneers with head coach Greg Schiano, who suspended and eventually cut Freeman from the team. Freeman struggled as the Buccaneers' starter, completing 45.7 percent of his passes for 571 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions before being benched for rookie Mike Glennon.
"Any time you step into a situation where you're the new guy, there's always kind of an awkward getting-to-know-you phase," said Freeman. "But I think that goes back to the character of this organization just from top to bottom, a lot of quality people that are dedicated to winning first and foremost. So it's been a smooth adjustment."
Coach Leslie Frazier feels the time is right to start Freeman, considering how quickly he has acclimated to his new team and the Vikings' offensive system.
"I like the things he's done in his career, along with what he's done since he arrived here with our football team, the time he put in, how well he's adapted to our system," said Frazier. "He's done enough for us to say we want to give him this opportunity, which is something we had in mind when we acquired him. I think now is the time."
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Monday Night Football's Minnesota Vikings - New York Giants game can be seen on ESPN with coverage beginning 8:30 p.m. EST.
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