[EmpireWF]

The Bergen Record has a great article detailing a play in the Giants/Redskins game and the interaction between Eli Manning and his offense. The o-line didn't understand Eli's reasoning at first but it ended up working out as Eli saw a clue in the Redskins safety movements.

Manning came out of the huddle on third-and-5 from the Redskins' 11, with the Giants still trailing, 17-10. What followed is what coach Tom Coughlin called a guessing game between his quarterback and the Redskins defense.

Manning, however, got some quizzical looks from his own teammates before the ball was snapped. He had the option of two calls, one the draw play to Ward, the other a swing pass to Ward. Since the Redskins had two linebackers set in blitz position to clog the running game, Manning's offensive linemen expected him to check off to the pass play.

Instead he called the run.

"They showed the blitz," Manning said. "I alerted to the run play, knowing [the linebackers] were going to drop back out. The offensive line was kind of looking at me like I'm crazy because [the linebackers] didn't drop out until late.

"They were saying, 'Why are you checking this?' I saw them looking back at me. But I knew they were going to drop out and go to 'cover two.' And we had a draw play run and were able to get the first down, a big play in the game for us."

How did Manning know the blitz look was a disguise if the linebackers did not give it away?

"I tried to do a double kick," he said of the snap signal. "I kicked and saw [safety] Sean Taylor run back out. The free safety [LaRon Landry] held a little bit longer, but I just saw one guy. That showed that it wasn't going to be an all-out blitz. And I guessed right."

The linemen could not see the safety action. That's why they wondered about the quarterback's check. Next time they probably will accept his decision without question.

A good article talking about the inner-workings of quarterback play.

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!

[RAMSFAN96]

He'll never be a Warner.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by RAMSFAN96

He'll never be a Warner.

In what way?

I hope Eli has a longer career than Kurt Warner (Warner only had two seasons where he was healthy and great). I hope he doesn't have serious injuries like Kurt Warner.

[RAMSFAN96]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

In what way?

I hope Eli has a longer career than Kurt Warner (Warner only had two seasons where he was healthy and great). I hope he doesn't have serious injuries like Kurt Warner.

Yes, Warner sadly only played two full seasons, both of which he was awared the MVP, Eli on the other hand will be lucky, in fact it would be a miracle if he won one MVP.

[Lefty Noob]

It's been slow going with him, and he's still making some stupid decisions. During the game Sunday, there was one play where he just heaved one up, off balance, with defenders hanging all over him. Of course it was easily picked off. I'll tell you what, he's sure cut from a different mold from his brother. I don't think he'll ever be half the leader or the quarterback that Peyton is. But at least, as you say Empire, there are some signs of improvement.

[ThePundit]

Eli still needs to be more accurate on shorter passing routes.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

It's been slow going with him, and he's still making some stupid decisions. During the game Sunday, there was one play where he just heaved one up, off balance, with defenders hanging all over him. Of course it was easily picked off. I'll tell you what, he's sure cut from a different mold from his brother. I don't think he'll ever be half the leader or the quarterback that Peyton is. But at least, as you say Empire, there are some signs of improvement.

Don't you think it's a bit unfair to him to compare him to Peyton Manning only because they're brothers? We don't compare Drew Brees or Rex Grossman ( ) or Vince Young to Peyton. Eli still does some things that make you scratch your head (that ugly throw 'em up play you mentioned, the GW TD pass to Plaxico was a bad pass that Plax saved) but he still does a lot of great things.

[Bette]

It sounds like maybe he is growing out of the shadow of his brother, finally.
This was good thinking on his part. No, he wont be his brother. As I said before, he just has to be the best Eli he can.
Dang. He's one of my favorites to bash. Maybe I wont be able to do that much longer.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Bette

It sounds like maybe he is growing out of the shadow of his brother, finally.
This was good thinking on his part. No, he wont be his brother. As I said before, he just has to be the best Eli he can.
Dang. He's one of my favorites to bash. Maybe I wont be able to do that much longer.

Well, can we compare him to Archie then?...I mean the kid's dad was a heck of QB...held back by one of the worst franchises in league history.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Don't you think it's a bit unfair to him to compare him to Peyton Manning only because they're brothers?

Perhaps, but that's not going to stop it from happening.

They have the same genes essentially. They have the same upbringing. They went to different colleges so maybe it's a coaching issue at that level. Is it unrealistic to think that Eli should be almost as good a quarterback as Peyton? Well, let me ask you, would the Giants have acquired him if they knew he wasn't at or near Peyton's level? I doubt it. I'm sure they were hopeful that they were getting Peyton Mark II.

If it's unfair to compare him to big brother, how about the other QBs he was drafted alongside - Rivers and Roethlesberger. Wouldn't you say both of those guys are further along at this point in their respective careers? I sure would.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

If it's unfair to compare him to big brother, how about the other QBs he was drafted alongside - Rivers and Roethlesberger. Wouldn't you say both of those guys are further along at this point in their respective careers? I sure would.

The way Rivers has played lately, I dont think he's any better right now. Big Ben is an exception. No doubt Coughlin is no way near the coach the others have had.
I dont think we should compare him to his dad either. He doesnt need to be compared to anyone else in his family. Maybe if Coughlin gets out of there it will be the best thing to happen to Eli. If he hasnt picked up too many bad habits already and cant change.

[EmpireWF]

Eli has played very well and has produced. It's not like he's a bum or anything. But to think the kid will be as good as a Peyton, Brady...let the kid come into his own.