PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Hostetler Wins Giants’ Job

Jeff Hostetler, who guided the New York Giants to the Super Bowl championship last season, was named the team’s starting quarterback over Phil Simms by first-year Coach Ray Handley on Wednesday.

“I think as much as anything else, it’s a gut decision,” Handley said. “I don’t think one is very ahead of the other.”

Hostetler, 30, is less experienced but much more mobile than Simms, 35. Hostetler has rushed for 325 yards and five touchdowns in a few relief appearances and seven starts during his career. Simms, who ranks 18th in NFL history with 28,519 passing yards, has run for only five touchdowns in 12 seasons.

Simms, whose rating of 92.5 led the National Football Conference last season, wasn’t available for comment.

But Hostetler, who took over after Simms suffered an injured foot when the Giants were 11-2, said: “It’s something I’ve been shooting for for a long time, and I came into camp prepared--did the best I could. I think that I’ve played well, and Phil has played well.

“I was always told it was an open competition, and for the most part, I felt that was the case. But at times, certain things were said that I thought I was the underdog, that I was in a hole. And I had to fight my way out.

“Now I’ve got to go out and perform right out of the starting blocks. I’ve got my job cut out for me.”

Things were relatively equal in the first three exhibitions--Simms was 20 for 38 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and one interception; Hostetler was 24 for 32 for 273 yards and one touchdown.

“During the camp, Hostetler elevated his performance to the level that he gives us a chance to win games,” Handley said.

Most players took the announcement in stride. “It doesn’t matter,” running back Ottis Anderson said. “I think it’s easier on Jeff and Phil now that this burden is lifted off their shoulders.”