How do a professional quarterback and tight end look so completely out of synch on a play that is supposedly practiced repeatedly during the week? When the quarterback messes up before the ball is ever thrown, that’s how.
Eli Manning threw four interceptions in yesterday’s 41-17 loss to the Vikings and the first one was particularly embarrassing. Manning threw over the middle to Jeremy Shockey, but Shockey never turned around, continuing his route as safety Darren Sharper diagnosed the Giants’ problem and raced 20 yard with the interception for a touchdown.
Credit the Vikings for confusing Manning. They brought linebacker Ben Leber on a blitz and faked bringing middle linebacker E.J. Henderson on a blitz. Manning, never realizing that Henderson dropped back, thought he had a “hot read” because of two blitzing linebackers, which would have prompted Shockey to cut off his route and turn for the quick throw.
“It was a good disguise,” Manning said.
Shockey read the play correctly, to no avail.
“He thought it was hot, it was not hot,” Shockey said. “If two guys come it’s hot and he’s supposed to throw it. He thought the [middle linebacker] came, he didn’t come, he threw it to the magic man, Sharper again, who catches all these interceptions and scores. I’m not putting the blame on Eli, he’s not putting it on me. They disguised it very well, they did a good job, they got points on the board and that was the changing point.”