Eli's able to answer call

ANYONE who saw Eli Manning pound his fist to the FedEx Field grass in frustration after throwing his second interception on an ill-conceived deep ball should realize even smart quarterbacks do dumb things. Manning, though, is so sharp that at times his teammates are taken aback, and that acumen more than anything else is the reason for great optimism with this still-young Giants franchise cornerstone.

Early in the fourth quarter Sunday, trailing 17-10, the Giants faced third-and-5 on the Redskins' 11-yard line. Manning had two plays to choose from: a pass to Derrick Ward, or a draw to Ward. At the line of scrimmage, Eli pulled a Peyton, waiting, waiting, gesturing, twice going with the hitch leg kick, scanning the Washington defense for a clue. The play clock was draining and his offensive linemen were glancing backward, wondering if Manning was ever going to call for the snap. Continue