Warner will get exhibition start
Kurt Warner will start ahead of Eli Manning in the New York Giants exhibition opener.
Coach Tom Coughlin made that announcement Wednesday, but added that the competition for the starting job between the two-time MVP and the No. 1 pick in last April’s draft remains tight.
“Are they even? I would say ‘yes,’ ” Coughlin said is designating Warner to start Friday night against Kansas City at Giants Stadium.
“Whoever has the opportunity to play with the starters, that’s who usually has his better practices. From that standpoint, they are. Now we will see how they separate out.”
Warner will play into the second quarter, with Manning running the offense until at least the middle of the third quarter. Jesse Palmer, television’s “The Bachelor,” will finish, meaning the Giants will put three celebrity QBs on the field against the Chiefs.
“I’ve been a backup before so it won’t be hard,” said Manning, who signed a six-year, $45 million contract last month. “Kurt’s already played a bunch of games, and he knows what it’s like. It’s my job to watch and learn from him and just try to get a feel of the game.”
The last time Manning didn’t start was at Mississippi as a redshirt freshman in 2001. He played six games as a reserve.
Warner was signed after being released by St. Louis to give the team a veteran to help Manning break in. Kerry Collins, the team’s quarterback since 1999, was released after Manning was drafted and signed with Oakland.
Boldin expected back for opener
Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin, last season’s offensive rookie of the year, underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday after tests found torn cartilage in his right knee.
Coach Dennis Green called the injury “a slight tear” and said Boldin should be able to return within weeks, suggesting he would be ready for the regular-season opener at St. Louis on Sept. 12. The Cardinals start their exhibition schedule Saturday at Minnesota.
“Very relieved,” Green said. “I think Anquan is one of the top receivers in the game. He was a Pro Bowl player last year and a great competitor. Just not having him out here yesterday and today has made a difference in our football team, but we’ll be happy when he gets back and we don’t anticipate that being very far away.”
Around the league
San Diego Chargers quarterbacks’ coach Brian Schottenheimer, the son of head coach Marty Schottenheimer, underwent surgery this week for thyroid cancer and will rejoin the club for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Indianapolis Colts. … Miami Dolphins safety Chris Akins is expected to miss the season after undergoing knee surgery for torn ligaments. … New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey practiced for the first time since surgery on his right foot June 22. … Detroit Lions linebacker Boss Bailey will miss much of the season while recovering from knee surgery. … Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe had misdemeanor battery charges against him dismissed in Atlanta. The charges were dropped after three hours of mediation. Erika Evans, of Austell, Ga., filed the charges after an altercation on June 29 in which Sharpe asked Evans to leave his home, then picked her up and removed her from the house, said Sharpe’s attorney, Craig Gillen.