Knowshon Moreno, Donovan McNabb, Mike Shanahan and David Garrard enter pivotal seasons where they will be scrutinized if they do not perform at a high level.
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The first matchup of the opening round is a battle of NFC East rivals. Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware lines up against New York quarterback Eli Manning.
Those that favor offense are likely to take Manning in this battle, especially since he's proven that he can win the big game since our first 'Be The GM' series back in 2006.
However, defensive masterminds would much rather have Ware, who put his name in the record books last season and is still in his mid-twenties.
Why Ware Is A Franchise Player
Ware only has four seasons under his belt, but has already recorded 53.5 sacks and been named to three Pro Bowls. He is the best pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL today, and has also improved his ability to limit opposing running backs as well.
In addition to a steady increase in sack production (8 in 2005, 11.5 in 2006, 14 in 2007 and then 20 last season), Ware has been incredibly reliable. He has yet to miss a game despite the fact that he flies all over the field. If it weren't for his presence, the Dallas defense would be rather porous. They don't have much depth behind him at linebacker.
Ware etched his name into the record books with his twenty sacks in 2008. Hes tied for sixth all-time with Derrick Thomas in terms of single-season totals. The names above him are rather impressive -- Michael Strahan, Mark Gastineau, Reggie White, Chris Doleman and Lawrence Taylor, all former franchise players in their own right.
If you are looking to build a team through defense, Ware is easily your pick.
Why Manning Is A Franchise Player
If you had any doubts about Manning's importance to the Giants, they should have vanished when reports of his six-year, $97.5 million extension broke last week. The pact isn't 100% complete, but the figures should be close and the numbers showcase how much Giants general manager Jerry Reese values his quarterback.
I'd characterize Eli as a very solid quarterback, but I'd never use the word 'great.'
He is incredibly adept at handling the New York media and has become a very good leader, but isn't going to win many games single-handedly. He was the hero of Super Bowl XLII, but we'll see more multiple interception performances than the greatness we saw against the formerly undefeated Patriots.
His supporters will point out that he has shown improvements in each of his five seasons. He posted his best individual effort in 2008, tallying 3,238 yards, 21 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. Never before had he posted a touchdown-to-interception ratio of higher than two.
The Giants are a running team, but Manning does a very good job of managing the offense and doesn't appear to bristle with coach Tom Coughlin about many play calls. He doesn't confuse and read defenses like his brother Peyton, but then again, no one really does. The quarterback position is considered by many to be the most important on the field, which legitimizes any argument for taking Manning in this battle.
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM's Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com
