Filed under: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins, NFC East

Previously, I analyzed the NFC East's coaches, the men who ultimately have the most effect on how Dallas, New York, Philadelphia and Washington will fare in 2010. Now, let's look at the players who'll have the biggest impact on the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins: the quarterbacks.

It's common to judge quarterbacks on victories and defeats, especially Super Bowl victories. But having helped vote Warren Moon, who never reached a Super Bowl, into the Hall of Fame, and being perfectly fine with two-time champion Jim Plunkett not getting near Canton, I understand that there's much more to the position than winning a title. Consider Dan Marino, who was drafted by the defending AFC champion Miami Dolphins and all-time winningest coach Don Shula, and Archie Manning, who was drafted by the woebegone, coach-churning New Orleans Saints, and it's easy to see that a quarterback's team can make a huge difference in his results.

Given that proviso, let's consider the NFC East's quartet. Philadelphia's stunning decision to trade Donovan McNabb, its quarterback for a decade, to Washington in April changed the division's dynamics at the position. The Redskins suddenly went from having the the least seasoned quarterback, Jason Campbell (now with Oakland), to the most experienced. The Eagles, who promoted three-year backup Kevin Kolb into McNabb's old spot, did the reverse. Meanwhile, New York's Eli Manning is coming off the first non-playoff season of his starting career while Dallas' Tony Romo is coming off his first postseason victory.

 

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