The Associated Press named New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady the Offensive Player of the Year Tuesday, but a couple Eagles received consideration for the honor as well.

Michael Vick, an MVP-candidate for most of the season, received 11 votes while DeSean Jackson received two of his own.

Vick finished in second behind Brady's 21 of 50 votes, and Jackson tied with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the fewest votes.

I understand the votes for Vick after a season in which he rushed for nearly 700 yards, passed for over 3,000, and had 30 combined touchdowns. But I don't understand why two people thought Jackson was worthy of being named the best offensive player in the league.


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Brady and Roethlisberger lead the league's two best teams.


Every week throughout the season, myself and Derek Peiffer will be doing a run-down of the best and worst teams in the NFL in our power rankings. These are the official 2M2MG.com power rankings heading into Week 1 of the NFL season.


No. 1)

Derek: Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: New England Patriots (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: The defending Superbowl champions. There's really no one else who deserves the number one spot in the following seasons opening power rankings. They bring back almost the exact same team as 2008. Look for the Steelers to fight hard to defend their title.

Bob's take: The Steelers may be the defending champs, but rankings shouldn't be given by default. If that were the case, everyone would be ranked in exactly the same order in which they finished last year, wouldn't they? The Patriots, with Tom Brady, are the most complete team in the entire league.


No. 2)

Derek: New England Patriots (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: The Matt Cassell-led Patriots missed the playoffs, but that is a misleading statement. The Pats finished the season at 11-5, but still lost out on the playoffs. Tom Brady returns and the team brought in Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway to an already fantastic offense. Look for the Patriots to be back in the playoffs in 2009.

Bob's take: This is a difficult spot to peg because really after the Patriots there's not much separation between the second-best team all the way down to around the eighth-ranked team. The Steelers are a solid team, no doubt, and if they get that offensive line in order they'll be scary again in 2009.


No. 3)

Derek: Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: If you have Peyton Manning on your roster, you're in good shape. Even after a slow start to last season after missing majority of the off-season with a knee injury, Manning led the Colts on and 8 game win streak to end the season, and a trip to the playoffs. They would fall short to San Diego, but look for a full-season of Peyton to make it back.

Bob's take: If it all comes together for the Eagles, they can be one of the most explosive teams in the entire league. They're stacked on both sides of the ball and should certainly contend with the NFL's elite. Bringing in Vick gives them an extra weapon to add to an already impressive arsenal. Grab your coffee, defensive coordinators, it's going to be a long night.


No. 4)

Derek: San Diego Chargers (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: San Diego Chargers (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: After a disappointing 8-8 season had the Chargers on the verge of missing the playoffs, the team was one game away from the AFC championship. Injuries being the story of the Charger's 2008, they will look to stay healthy in 2009. Phillip Rivers got a new deal, and if they can stay healthy, the Chargers should be a top contender in the NFL.

Bob's take: Top to bottom, the Chargers might have the best stockpile of talent in the entire league. That being said, I'm not a believer in Norv Turner. He hasn't shown the capability to get a team where they need to be. His teams will never overachieve, but instead will win one or two games less than what they should.


No. 5)

Derek: Baltimore Ravens (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: New York Giants (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: The team that seemingly never ages. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have been the staples of this team forever it seems. Bart Scott and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan are now in New York, but I think they can hold up just fine.

Young DT Haloti Ngata will anchor the defensive line while second-year quarterback Joe Flacco looks to repeat his rookie season and lead the Ravens back to the playoffs.

Bob's take: While I'm not a fan of this offense, the depth and talent of the defense is just too much to overlook. They're not only good at every position on defense, but they're deep as well, which is what a contending team needs. If Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs can allow Manning to only throw 20-25 times a game, they're still scary for the rest of the league.


No. 6)

Derek: Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Atlanta Falcons (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: The loss of Stewart Bradley will certainly hurt this defense a lot. Add in the loss of defensive leader Brian Dawkins and you would think the Eagles were doomed. Not so fast. Second year linebacker Joe Mays should step in and help sure up the middle while young safety Quentin Demps will provide some better coverage skills than our beloved Dawk.

Donovan McNabb will continue to be one of the better quarterbacks in this league and finally has some weapons in Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Look for Westbrook to stay healthy with the opportunity to rest up and give way to rookie LeSean McCoy.

Bob's take: The Atlanta Falcons, though getting some respect, are extremely overlooked when it comes to talking about elite teams in not only the NFC, but the NFL.

Second-year quarterback Matt Ryan will be even better than last year, which is a scary prospect in itself. Give him an emerging Roddy White and the best tight end to ever play in Tony Gonzalez and you've got the makings of a championship team.


No. 7)

Derek: New York Giants (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Tennessee Titans (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: The Giants may have the best defense in the NFC East, and the defending NFC East champs will need that defense to carry them. The loss of Plaxico Burress is a huge one. There aren't many 6'6" wide receivers with that kind of talent running around.

Brandon Jacobs is still a force at running back, and is always tough to bring down. Hakeem Nicks, Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith will all need to pick up the slack left behind by Plax. Combing all three, they might come close. Still look for the Giants to compete with the elite of the NFL.
Bob's take: Personally, I don't think that the Titans will miss Albert Haynesworth as much as others may think. Let's not forget the thing that really carried this team was their running game. Chris Johnson was phenomenal, and should only be better in his second year. LenDale White has trimmed down and will help Johnson create the best 1-2 punch in the NFL.


No. 8)

Derek: Arizona Cardinals (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Houston Texans (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: They fell just a few plays short of a Superbowl trophy. The first 9-7 team to ever make the big game returns it's starting quarterback, three 1,000 yard receivers and drafted stud running back out of Ohio State, Beanie Wells.

Larry Fitzgerald will be huge once again for the Cardinals and even after the debacle that was Anquan Boldin this off-season, he's still in Arizona. If the defense can play as well as they did last season, the offense will surely be better.

Bob's take: No seriously, I'm not crazy. Hear me out. The Texans offense has been one of the best in the league for the past two seasons, and the only thing that's kept them from being the best has been inopportune injuries to quarterback Matt Schaub. If he can finally stay healthy, they are the best offense in the league.

Defensively they're nothing to scoff at, either. With star players such as Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, and Dunta Robinson, as well as an emerging star in Amobi Okoye, this Texans defense will surprise a lot of people. Even though I believe the Titans win the South, I think the Texans are a Wild Card team that could surprise in the playoffs. Think 2008 Cardinals.


No. 9)

Derek: Atlanta Falcons (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Arizona Cardinals (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: A team that came from out of nowhere last season. Rookie Matt Ryan threw a touchdown on his first NFL pass, and you knew it was meant to be from then on. First year starter Michael Turner proved that he is indeed worthy to return to that starting status, and Roddy White seemed to finally mature at WR and posted a break-out season.

John Abraham still anchors the defense and the Falcons are a very well rounded team that could very well find themselves atop the entire NFC come January.

Bob's take: While expectations in Arizona, and around the country, for the Cardinals may be a bit high, that offense is far too good to ignore. Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston make up the very best wide receiver corps in the entire league. Let's also not count out former third-round pick Early Doucet who's looking to get in on the fun.

If Beanie Wells can supply the running game that they were missing last year, and if that defense can take another step forward, the Cardinals will be a very scary team. They're going to score a lot of points and if that defense can hold teams under 30 points, that should be all it takes for them to win a lot of games.


No. 10)

Derek: Tennessee Titans (Last Week: N/A)

Bob: Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: N/A)

Derek's take: A gaping hole is present in the Titans defensive line, but throughout the preseason, they seemed fine. Keith Bulluck returns to a very stout defense along with the likes of Cortland Finnegan.

Speedster Chris Johnson will look to follow up a stellar rookie season while LenDale White looks to follow up on a stellar weight loss and turn that into something positive. Kerry Collins is still the starter at quarterback and can still get it done. The Titans may be under the radar after the loss of Haynesworth, and the heavy media exposure of the Texans inside the division.

Bob's take: While having Peyton Manning still makes them a good team, I don't have any faith in the Colts defense. Bob Sanders can't stay healthy, and the rest of the defense is very undersized and outside of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, aren't really anything special.

If the defense can prove me wrong and play well, the Colts may just reclaim their spot on top of the AFC South. At this point, however, I see the Colts as the AFC version of the New Orleans Saints. A lot of offense, but little defensive help makes them a 9-7 team, and third in the South.


No. 11)

Derek: Chicago Bears (Last Week: N/A) - Jay Cutler gives the Bears a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. Pair that with a strong defense and you've gotta take a second look at Chicago this season.

Bob: Minnesota Vikings (Last Week: N/A) - Brett Favre will open it up for AP, and vice versa. That defense is still scary, but they may lack the firepower to contend with the elite teams.


No. 12)

Derek: New Orleans Saints (Last Week: N/A) - Over 5,000 yards last season for Drew Brees, and that high-powered offense should be back in 2009. A little shaky on the defensive side, but the offense should be able to handle.

Bob: Baltimore Ravens (Last Week: N/A) - Losing Ryan and Scott will hurt more than they think, but they're still a playoff team as long as Ray Lewis anchors that defense.


No. 13)

Derek: Carolina Panthers (Last Week: N/A) - They have one of, if not the best running back tandem in the NFL. Delhomme is shaky, and they lost Ma'Ake Kemoeatu for the year.

Bob: Carolina Panthers (Last Week: N/A) - The Panthers would be ranked higher than this, but I'm not a fan of Jake Delhomme as a quarterback. I think defenses adjust to him, but he won't adjust to them.


No. 14)

Derek: Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: N/A) - The cut of T.O. is what will hurt this team the most. Romo already couldn't win in December, now it becomes that much tougher.

Bob: Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: N/A) - Trio of running backs should make for an explosive running game, but until Romo can win when it matters, it's tough to rank them any higher than this.


No. 15)

Derek: Green Bay Packers (Last Week: N/A) - I'm very high on Aaron Rodgers and his ability to lead this team. The transition to the 3-4 is going quite smoothly. Look out for B.J. Raji.

Bob: Green Bay Packers (Last Week: N/A) - Aaron Rodgers isn't taking strides, he's taking leaps. He's quickly entering the "top 10 quarterbacks" discussion and with those receivers, they'll be tough.


No. 16)

Derek: Minnesota Vikings (Last Week: N/A) - They still got the Williams Wall. They still got the best running back in the NFL, Adrian Peterson. Add in sure Hall of Famer, Brett Favre and you got a heck of a football team.

Bob: New Orleans Saints (Last Week: N/A) - 16 makes sense for the a team with one of the best offenses, one of the worst defenses, and an 8-8 record that reflects just that.


No. 17)

Derek: Houston Texans (Last Week: N/A) - Until Matt Schaub can stay healthy, they can't really get any better.

Bob: Seattle Seahawks (Last Week: N/A) - A lot of people have forgotten the Seahawks after one bad season, but they were ravaged by injuries last year. Hasselbeck to Houshmanzadeh could be impressive.


No. 18)

Derek: Seattle Seahawks (Last Week: N/A) - An injury plagued season doomed the Seahawks last year. They have the firepower to challenge for the NFC West this year.

Bob: Chicago Bears (Last Week: N/A) - Jay Cutler makes every receiver on that team better the first time he steps onto the field. Watch out for Earl Bennett, he could have a Roddy White-like breakout year.


No. 19)

Derek: Washington Redskins (Last Week: N/A) - After hearing his name in Trade talks all off-season, Jason Campbell looks like a man possessed. Too bad their tight end is the best receiver.

Bob: Miami Dolphins (Last Week: N/A) - The Wildcat, the Dolphins' key source of offense, is a gimmick that may have reached its end. Dolphins will have to rely on the running game for any real shot in '09.


No. 20)

Derek: Buffalo Bills (Last Week: N/A) - Cowboys loss is the Bills gain, and a big gain at that. T.O. will provide Trent Edwards with a second #1. Impressive. Marshawn lynch misses the first four games though.

Bob: New York Jets (Last Week: N/A) - Mark Sanchez appears to have what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, and the defense should be good. Might be a playoff contender in a couple years.


No. 21)

Derek: Miami Dolphins (Last Week: N/A) - They tricked their way to win the AFC East. Look for teams to be more aware this year.

Bob: Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Week: N/A) - An injury-ravaged offensive line should be healthy and will significantly improve what was a sub-par offense in 2008.


No. 22)

Derek: Cincinnati Bengals (Last Week: N/A) - Could very well move up this list easily. Chad Ochocinco should be back, Carson Palmer is back. Hopefully Chris Henry can make a name for himself ON the field this year. Don't forget about Lavernues Coles. An under the radar acquisition.

Bob: Washington Redskins (Last Week: N/A) - Jason Campbell is playing with a chip on his shoulder, but the offensive line still isn't where it should be to make them legitimate contenders.


No. 23)

Derek: New York Jets (Last Week: N/A) - May be a little low, but I won't give credit until it's earned. Sanchez cna be fantastic this year, but I won't place them higher until he proves it.

Bob: San Francisco 49ers (Last Week: N/A) - "Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em, can't do it. I want winners!" Give the man a few years, this team will be back in the playoffs.


No. 24)

Derek: Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Week: N/A) - There's just something I don't like about this team. The offense just doesn't seem to go without Fred Taylor.

Bob: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week: N/A) - I'm a big believer in Byron Leftwich and think that he will win them a few games this season on his own. Still, only a five or six-win team.


No. 25)

Derek: San Francisco 49ers (Last Week: N/A) -They have a decent offense, but they might as well not even suit up a quarterback and let Frank Gore take the snaps. Wildcat all day.

Bob: Buffalo Bills (Last Week: N/A) - The Bills have some talent in Trent Edwards, T.O., Marshawn Lynch, and the rookie Aaron Maybin. However, Dick Jauron is not a winning coach. Until he goes, they'll lose.


No. 26)

Derek: Denver Broncos (Last Week: N/A) - This is a trainwreck of an off-season for Denver. Cutler gone, Marshall gone (At least in his own little mind). Tough to see them win more than 5 games.

Bob: Cincinnati Bengals (Last Week: N/A) - Carson Palmer returning automatically makes them better than what they were last year, but the defense is still a mess and outside of 85, the offense has no weapons.


No. 27)

Derek: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week: N/A) - Byron Leftwich is a good quarterback, and they have a fantastic backfield again this year, but I can't see them winning more than 4 games.

Bob: Denver Broncos (Last Week: N/A) - As far as I'm concerned, Josh McDaniels has proven that he doesn't know how to lead a group of men. His seat is rather hot, and his era in Denver could end quickly.


No. 28)

Derek: Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week: N/A) - They got the hot free agent this season in Matt Cassel, but is he really that good, or a product of the Belichek system?

Bob: Oakland Raiders (Last Week: N/A) - The Raiders rushing attack is scary, but until JaMarcus Russel progresses the way he should, the Raiders will always find themselves down here.


No. 29)

Derek: Cleveland Browns (Last Week: N/A) - When you have 2 quarterbacks, you have none. That's the old saying, and that's what you have in Cleveland.

Bob: Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week: N/A) - Matt Cassel must replicate his '08 season to prove he's much of an improvement over Tyler Thigpen. Moving to the 3-4 takes at least a year before it finds success.


No. 30)

Derek: Oakland Raiders (Last Week: N/A) - The running game should be a bright spot, but when 39 year-old Jeff Garcia might be your best option at quarterback, you have some problems.

Bob: Cleveland Browns (Last Week: N/A) - Derek Anderson is the right choice at quarterback, but it appears as though it will be Brady Quinn leading the Browns to the cellar this year.


No. 31)

Derek: St. Louis Rams (Last Week: N/A) - Outside of Steven Jackson, they have nothing. Bulger hasn't thrown 6 more picks than touchdowns the past 2 years, and now he lost Torry Holt. Things just keep getting worse in The Lou.

Bob: Detroit Lions (Last Week: N/A) - At this point, the bottom two teams really are interchangeable. That being said, I give the edge to the Lions because they've improved in some key areas this offseason.


No. 32)

Derek: Detroit Lions (Last Week: N/A) - 0-16 last year, so they gotta stay here. They did improve in a few key areas this season, so look for them to move up a little bit.

Bob: St. Louis Rams (Last Week: N/A) - Unlike the Lions, the Rams have not improved anywhere, really. Jason Smith may help, but overall they're bad from top to bottom. Excluding Steven Jackson.
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Find out why Brady is not No. 1 on this list.


Unlike the rest of the positions, on offense and defense, the position of quarterback has stayed relatively the same since the NFL's inception.

While it's gotten harder to read defenses because they've become increasingly complicated as the years go by, they are still expected to be the leader of their team and always put them in a position to win.

They are the glory-hogs of the NFL. A quarterback is usually the face of your franchise, and your money-maker. It's hard to win without one, and having a good one just makes winning that much easier.

In order to be a franchise quarterback, that player must be able to gain the trust, respect, and confidence of his team. He must have the stats, of course, to back up his play, and winning a Super Bowl or two doesn't exactly hurt either.

While I expect this to be by far the most controversial list, and perhaps the one with the most interchangeable parts, I feel confident that based on the criteria mentioned above that these men are the top five quarterbacks in the NFL today.



5. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)

48 games started, 33-15, 890-1428, 62.3%, 10,697 yards, 78 TDs-36 INTs, 92.9 QB Rating, 1-time Pro Bowler

Of all the Pro Bowl snubs I've encountered, this may be the absolute worst.

34 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions, and this kid can't even receive a nod to the Pro Bowl? It's outrageous to think that anyone was more deserving.

While Rivers originally entered the NFL with the label of "immature," he has since been able to rip that sticker right off his chest.

Playing in the AFC Championship game with a torn ACL was one of the single greatest acts of selflessness and toughness that I think I have ever seen on the football field. He knew that he was counted on to lead his team, and he wasn't going to let anything stop him.

On top of the obvious toughness he throws one of the prettiest balls in the entire league. He can throw long, he can throw short, he can hit the intermediate route, he can put the ball on a rope, or he can give it just the right arc to land safely in his receivers hands.

He's an unreal talent, and I'd be extremely shocked if he doesn't win San Diego a Super Bowl before he's done.



4. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

106 games started, 55-51, 2,334-3,650, 63.9%, 26,258 yards, 168 TDs-99 INTs, 89.4 QB Rating, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

The first thing most are thinking seeing Brees at No. 4 is, why so low?

First off, what has he won? Yes, he had a couple winning seasons in San Diego, but he didn't get them anywhere. He's also never won more than 10 games in New Orleans, and only has one winning season in the three years he's been there.

While that's not all his fault, he does bare some of the responsibility.

For all the yards and the touchdowns, he throws far too many interceptions. In fact, since taking over as a starter in 2002, he averages 14 interceptions per year. A number that would be much higher were it not for 2004, a year in which he only threw seven interceptions.

2004 is also the only time in his career where he has not thrown double-digits interceptions.

Brees is a great talent, and could one day even hold the NFL's record for passing yards. The man is an absolute machine and maybe the most accurate quarterback in the league.

However, his lack of playoff success keeps him out of the top three.



3. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles)

128 games started, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303, 59%, 29,320 yards, 194 TDs-90 INTs, 85.9 QB Rating, 5-time Pro Bowler

McNabb is, not may be, the most overly scrutinized quarterback in the NFL today, and perhaps in the history of this great league.

While he's not a touchdown machine, and probably not the most accurate of quarterbacks, he is the least intercepted of any quarterback in the history of the NFL.

Not only that, but he was also the first quarterback to throw over 30 touchdowns, and less than 10 interceptions (31 touchdowns to eight interceptions, to be exact). Add on the fact that he's one of only six quarterbacks in league history to have over 25,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards, and you've got a special guy.

At the moment, McNabb sits at 29,320 passing yards, and 3,109 rushing yards. This year, or next year at the very latest, he will become only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 30,000 yards, and rush for over 3,500 joining Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, and the late Steve McNair.

He has led his team to five NFC Championship games, winning one of them, and coming within three points of preventing the New England Patriots from becoming a dynasty.

Say what you will about Donovan McNabb, but the man not only has the stats of Hall-of-Famer, he has the wins of a Hall-of-Famer.

For those who will say he's injured too often, I reference you to Steve Young who only ever played three complete seasons. He also had a career record a 94-49. Similar, wouldn't you say?



2. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

111 games started, 87-24, 2,301-3,653, 63%, 26,446 yards, 197 TDs-86 INTs, 92.9 QB Rating, 4-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Tom Brady has the rings and his stats are good enough, so why only second?

Brady, while a great quarterback, benefits from playing in a great system. Matt Cassel gave that away when he stepped in and performed the way that he did.

However, that being said, Brady runs that system like no one else could. Well, besides our No. 1 guy (guess who that might be).

He is cool under pressure, he has a very accurate ball, and really knows when to put the extra zip needed on the ball, or when to throw a nice lob. He's great at reading defenses and anticipating where his guys are going to be, which gives him an edge.

Like McNabb, Brady has had very little around him for his entire career. That is, up until 2007, and we all saw what happened then.

He's a great quarterback, probably in the top 10 of all time, but the guy ahead of him definitely is as well.



1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)

176 games started, 117-59, 3,839-5,960, 64.4%, 45,628 yards, 333 TDs-165 INTs, 94.7 QB Rating, 9-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

Not only does Manning have an incredible arm, intelligence, and even good pocket mobility, but he also is one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Since coming a league and becoming a started in 1998, he has not missed a single game. 176 straight starts for Manning.

How can he stay so healthy? He doesn't take hits when he doesn't have to. Many times you will see quarterbacks holding onto the ball too long, and while they make the throw, they will take a nasty hit at the end.

Manning doesn't do that.

He's very good at getting the ball out of his hands quickly; Mainly because he has already dissected the defense and knows exactly what is going on.

Manning also doubles as the team's offensive coordinator. Even while Tom Moore was there, all he did was call in concepts. From there, Manning would diagnose the defense, and call a play.

All of those times you think he's calling an audible, he's really only just then calling the play.

Were Manning in a system like Brady has, he probably would have three or four rings by now, if not five or six already, he could be that dominating.

Since his rookie year, he's never thrown less than 3,700 yards or less than 26 touchdowns. He's up and down everything that you could possibly want in a quarterback, and now that he's got that ring, there's no doubt.
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I was recently discussing this very same issue on Voice America's "G. Cobb in the House" with Micah Warren as G. Cobb was unavailable for the show.

Listen Here.

On the show, Micah and I went around the NFL debating and discussing how McNabb matched up against every starting quarterback in the league. What we found was that he's still an elite quarterback, but where does he fall?

If you would like to hear a debate for every quarterback, the audio is provided. Instead, I will pick out five quarterbacks that I believe someone may be able to make an argument for as a better quarterback than McNabb, and some who will always have an argument on their behalf, even an undeserved one.

*(GS, W/L, Comp/Att Completion Percentage, Passing Yards, TD, INT, QB Rating)*

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Peyton Manning: 176 GS, 117-59, 3,839-5,960 64.4%, 45,628, 333 TD, 165 INT, 94.7

Matching up against Manning, McNabb loses significantly in every major category except interceptions. Before you assume that Peyton wins that stat anyway because of the touchdown difference, take into consideration a different stat: INT percentage. Looking at that, McNabb's is 2.1 while Manning's is 2.8.

A small victory for McNabb and not a huge loss for Manning considering that McNabb holds the NFL record for his INT percentage, which until this past year, was under two.

Arguing in McNabb's favor, the obvious counter to all the inflated stats for Manning is the fact that he's always had more talent around him than McNabb, or any other quarterback for that matter.

Marvin Harrison is Hall of Fame bound, Reggie Wayne is one of the best playing right now, Brandon Stokley and Anthony Gonzalez had/have been fantastic slot receivers and Dallas Clark is one of the better tight ends in the league.

Aside from McNabb's one season with T.O., he has never had a real No. 1 receiving threat. Even with all of that, Manning has been the more consistent of the two quarterbacks, he has the better numbers, and perhaps more importantly, he's got the ring.

Another question I ask myself is (removing age as a factor), "Would I trade McNabb for this quarterback?"

I love McNabb as a quarterback, but...

Advantage: Manning

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Philip Rivers: 48 GS, 33-15, 890-1,428 62.3%, 10,697, 78 TD, 36 INT, 92.9

Philip Rivers will win a Super Bowl for the Chargers before his time in San Diego is over, he's that good. He was always looked at as a spoiled kid playing quarterback because of his verbal altercations with fans and players alike, but ever since he played in the postseason with his ACL torn, he has earned respect from everyone in the league.

The man cares about one thing, and that's winning.

But we all know that Rivers is a good quarterback, the question is, "Is he better than Donovan McNabb?" The answer? Well, I just can't bring myself to say that he's better than McNabb. I know it's hard to guess how well a quarterback will play, but up to date he has done less than McNabb but with more talent.

Rivers has had a lot of talent around him in L.T., Antonio Gates, Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, and Darren Sproles just to name a few. Even with that talent, he has yet to get the Chargers to a Super Bowl.

It took McNabb six years, and Rivers is heading into his sixth season, so we'll see.

But as it stands, McNabb is the better quarterback.

Advantage: McNabb

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Drew Brees: 106 GS, 55-51, 2,334-3,650 64%, 26,258, 168 TD, 99 INT, 89.4

For me, this is extremely close. Drew Brees is a very talented quarterback, there's no doubt about that. This is a guy who I could not fight against for very long in talking McNabb vs. Brees because there is such a good argument that could be made.

Brees may have had the luxury of better receivers during his time in the NFL, whether it be with the Chargers or the Saints, but the receivers he had were not that much better overall than what McNabb has had to work with.

An argument could be made that Marques Colston is a No. 1 receiver and that Lance Moore is highly underrated, but to me it appears as though Brees makes them look better than they are, rather than the other way around.

He has pinpoint accuracy and a very good arm, also the ability to lead a team. However Brees has not found a way to win. He's barely over .500 for his career and has only been as far as one NFC Championship game with the Saints in his first year.

Given Brees' pedestrian numbers as far as the win-loss part of it goes, I believe McNabb has to get the nod because of what he has been able to do and what he has been able to achieve in his career.

Quite simply, he's done more than Brees.

Advantage: McNabb

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Tom Brady: 111 GS, 87-24, 2,301-3,653 63%, 26,446, 197 TD, 86 INT, 92.9

Not even the homerism that I try so hard to fight will allow me to put McNabb over Brady in this case. Brady and McNabb have really been in the same boat for their entire careers as far as the talent surrounding them.

Brady, outside of his one year with Moss, has never had a real No. 1 receiver, but I will say that he has just a bit more than what McNabb has had. For instance, who wouldn't take Troy Brown and David Patten over James Thrash and Todd Pinkston?

Even with the lack of talent surrounding him for most of his career, Brady has found a way to win. Three Super Bowl rings tells the tale as opposed to McNabb's zero. The other X-factor may be the coaching that Brady has had in New England.

Andy Reid is a great coach, the best in franchise history and one of the best in NFL history. If he wins a Super Bowl, he'll be compared to John Madden. Unfortunately, it's always appeared that the McNabb-Reid duo has always been one half-notch behind the Brady-Belichik duo.

I guess that's all it takes.

Advantage: Brady

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Jay Cutler: 37 GS, 17-20, 762-1,220 62.5%, 9,024, 54 TD, 37 INT, 87.1

This may not be fair considering Cutler's short time in the NFL. But even during his short time he has shown that he has the arm and the leadership to make a difference for his team.

This comparison is looking more at potential than anything else, but I believe it's a valid one because it would look like Cutler is about to unleash that potential all over the NFC North and the entire NFL.

No, Cutler has not accomplished what McNabb has accomplished, but give him time. He is a top-five quarterback in this league and will be for at least the next eight-ten years or so.

Advantage: McNabb

These next few quarterbacks are guys who will sometimes be compared to McNabb, or placed above McNabb. Honestly, it leaves me dumbfounded when I see it.

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Kurt Warner: 101 GS, 57-44, 2,327-3,557 65.4%, 28,591, 182 TD, 114, 93.8

For all the talk that McNabb is injury prone, Warner is much worse. Since 1998, he has only finished three seasons. In addition, he has seen two seasons of only seven games, and one season of only two games.

Warner also has a very simple key to success: great receivers.

The only times he's been successful is when he has not one, but two great receivers. In St. Louis he had Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, and now in Arizona he has Larry Fitzgerald, arguably the best receiver in the game, and Anquan Boldin, who isn't too shabby.

In fact, between his years without great receivers, and even during some years where he did have the receivers (2002-2006) he amassed 27 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. That's not one season, that's five.

Yes, Warner has a Super Bowl ring. But who really believes that was all Warner and not the help of an all-around great team?

The numbers speak for themselves. Hall of Fame, top-of-the-line quarterbacks can go through funks and hit ruts. McNabb had a two-game rut this year, it happens. But a five year slump is not a slump at all. It's the mark of a quarterback who can play only when he has a great supporting cast.

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Eli Manning: 71 GS, 42-29, 1,276-2,284 56%, 14,623, 98 TD, 78 INT, 76.1

Even after looking at the numbers, there are some who will yell and scream that Eli even holds a candle to McNabb. The reality is that he is nowhere close. The numbers speak for themselves.

Yes, he has a Super Bowl ring. But, just like Warner, does anyone believe that they would not have won that Super Bowl without Eli? If Eli went down and gave way to David Carr, they would still have won that Super Bowl because of their offensive and defensive lines.

I hear the questions. "Well then, what about his game-winning touchdown pass?" What about it? Plax was wide open. David Carr could have made that throw. I could have made that throw. Your lovely little old grandmother could have made that throw.

Plax did a great job on that play, the offensive and defensive lines were some of the best in the last decade, and that's why they won that Super Bowl. Eli was just another player on that team.

Had they not won that Super Bowl, this would not even be a discussion.

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Tony Romo: 39 GS, 27-12, 831-1,307 63.6%, 10,562, 81 TD, 46 INT, 94.7

In all honesty, Romo may be the most talented quarterback on this list. Yes, even above Warner. Warner is a very good quarterback, but Romo seems to show these flashes of brilliance that would fool people into thinking he's a great quarterback when in reality, he's average at best when the game is on the line.

I'll always remember Brian Dawkins' quote about players who only show flashes of talent, "It just means they're not working hard enough."

I don't know if this is the case with Romo, but he does seem to hyped into the stardom that goes along with being an NFL quarterback, rather than actually enjoying being an NFL quarterback.

Someone get Carrie Underwood on the phone, maybe she's looking to sling some dirt.

One last comparison:

Donovan McNabb: 128 GS, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303 59%, 29,320, 194 TD, 90 INT, 85.9

vs.

Kevin Kolb: 0 GS, 0-0, 17-34 50%, 144, 0 TD, 4 INT, 21.8

Advantage: Kevin Kolb

Just Kidding, Philly.

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