While watching Tony Romo Monday night I noticed something interesting. Romo recognized a blitz and checked out of the play, the defense then backed off but Romo didn't adjust the play based on the defense changing their coverage. This took my mind back to Bruce Johnson's interception last week. The Cowboys get to the line of scrimmage, 3 wide, one TE and 1RB. AP calls a check to what looked like a blitz with a safety about to rush off the edge. Romo checked to a hot route and AP checks to Cover 2 zone, the safety retreats along with AP and Boley into coverage. Romo notices but he doesn't check out of the play and throws the pick. I thought that was weird but then I saw Romo do it again on Monday, this time completing a pass to Witten who was double covered. I thought, maybe he runs out of time or perhaps Romo only gets one or two check plays based on what he reads at the line.

For much of his career Eli Manning has been ridiculed for his arm strength, his confidence, his leadership ability and his looks(as if that matters in football). It has taken him sometime to get to the point where he can control the game but I'm beginning to believe that Eli has become a master at reading defenses. QB's like Romo have better arms and better athletic ability than Eli but Eli earned the trust of his offensive coordinator to call whatever play or any adjustment he wants to call at the line. Romo doesn't seem to have that freedom or the trust of Jason Garrett. For all his athletic ability if you make Romo read and react you'd have a better chance to win the game. If you over pursue Romo with exotic blitzes he relies on athleticism, his strength, and he wins. For years it had been "make Eli throw" and you win but now Eli has studied his tail off and knows what he's seeing at all times. Stack the box, play coverage, doesn't matter Eli is going to assassinate you.

We really shouldn't be surprised, Eli scored 39 out of 50 on the wonderlic exam. Tom Brady scored 33 and his brother Peyton scored 28. It doesn't make you a better QB but it gives you an idea of the aptitude of the player. On Sunday during the game, Eli took his usual "I'm running out of time" timeout, he went over to Gilbride and motioned for him to get the play in faster. At that point I thought, maybe Eli doesn't even care what play is called, he just wants to get to the line as soon as possible to see what the defense gives him so he could adjust accordingly and beat them. An area of his game that was once maddening and heavily scrutinized is now a joy to watch and heralded. We all have watched the maturation of Eli Manning. His arm isn't stronger, his feet aren't faster and his muscles aren't any larger but he is smarter. Perhaps smarter than any QB in the league.