Giants Bench Danny Kanell

Kent Graham will replace Danny Kanell as the New York Giants' starting quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday.

Coach Jim Fassel announced the move Wednesday with the Giants' chances of making the playoff very slim with six games left in the regular season. The defending NFC East champions have lost three straight and five of six in seeing their record slip to 3-7.

Kanell, who replaced Dave Brown as the Giants starter in the middle of last season and posted a 7-2-1 record in leading the team to the division title, has not played well this season. The Giants have not scored a touchdown in nine quarters.

"I'm giving Danny a time out," Fassel said, while adding that Graham won't have to worry after every mistake in the next few weeks.

Kanell has completed 160 of 299 passes for 1,603 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The statistics are similar to last year, but the difference is that he made more big plays when the opportunities presented themselves.

"I'm not happy about it and I probably disagree with it because I'm a competitor," Kanell said. "But I respect it."

Graham has appeared in mopup roles this season, hitting 14 of 28 passes for 120 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

© 1998 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved