| Authored by Andrew Perna - 11th August, 2009 - 7:14 pm
 DeMarcus Ware and Eli Manning are still in the midst of a heated battle, but it's time to move onto another NFC East title.
Just like the opening matchup, today's encounter pits a quarterback against a defender.
Thus far, Ware is defeating Manning in our poll, but New York's signal-caller still has time to make up ground.
Why McNabb Is A Franchise Player
McNabb is as established a quarterback as you'll find in the NFL, but is never mentioned in the same conversation as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Obviously, that is because Manning and Brady have broken passing marks and lifted the Lombardi trophy in their more-heralded careers.
He has 194 touchdowns in his career, which means he'll likely enter the 200-TD club sometime in late September. Only 26 players in NFL history have reached the mark and a majority are Hall of Famers.
The former Syracuse standout has had issues staying healthy, playing in sixteen games just four times in his ten-year career. Even with his injury woes, McNabb ranks third among active quarterbacks in passing yards –- behind Manning and Kerry Collins. His career passer rating is 85.9, thirteenth on the active list.
Pro-Football-Reference.com lists Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Jim Kelly, Joe Namath and Ken Stabler as comparable players at this point in McNabb's career.
Why Haynesworth Is A Franchise Player
At 28, Haynesworth is four years younger than McNabb and has had similar injury issues in his seven-year career. He has appeared in sixteen games just once, during his rookie season with the Titans in 2002.
The defensive tackle has emerged as a top-flight defender in recent seasons, making Pro Bowl appearances in both 2007 and 2008. He has 14.5 sacks over the last two years, with six pass deflects and three forced fumbles.
Haynesworth was this past offseason's most-coveted free agent, which allowed him to land a $100 million deal with the Redskins. He can anchor a defensive line, exactly what Washington is hoping he'll do, while making things easier for his linemates with the attention he receives from opposing offenses.
He would help any team's pass-rush, but it's strange from someone as heralded and well-paid as Haynesworth to play fewer than 70% of his team's defensive snaps.
Click here to cast your vote and here to read the opening article
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 |
