The Best Player From Each NFC East Team

Martin Long by Correspondent Written on July 25, 2009

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Guy Whimper #79, Adrian Awasom #95, Visanthe Shiancoe #82 and Antonio Pierce #58 of the New York Giants take the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Giants Stadium on December 3, 2006 in East Rutherford, Ne
Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The NFC East, also known as the NFC Beast, is arguably the toughest division in the NFL.
It posses the most talent and obviously some of the best teams.
In the 2008 season not a single team from the NFC East went below .500.
To manage such a feat all the teams had talented players, good coaches and good on and off field ogranization.
There is one player however from each team that I think is the most talented and the best from their respective team.
This is a list showing these players and why they are the best.

Washington Redskins

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 09: Linebacker London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a key play in second quarter action against the Miami Dolphins at FedEx Field September 9, 2007 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Miami Do

London Fletcher

Yes he is 34 years old and last season he didn't have his greatest season, not recording an interception and only one forced fumble, but Fletcher is a man. He came into the league and was told he could only be a situational player and that he was too small to ever make an impact, but Fletcher didn't listen and proved all those people wrong. He has played at a high level since he entered the league and when he came to Washington it was no different he stepped up amd made it known he was going to be the leader and show his teamates how it is meant to be done.
He had 133 takles last year and played three down football the whole season and it doesn't look like he will be stopping any time soon.
He is the greatest asset the Redskins have and they will need to fill a huge void when he finally decides to hang up his cleets.

Dallas Cowboys

SEATTLE - JANUARY 06:  Michael Boulware #28 of the Seattle Seahawks tries to pull down Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game on January 6, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Jona

Jason Witten

DeMarcus Ware? Not this time.
Jason Witten is one of the most versitile tight ends in the league. He is a great route runner and has nice soft hands and BFF or not in those tough third down or red zone situations Romo is looking for this man Witten.
He is what you would call consistent.
He plays through injury, he plays through pain and he doesn't ever complain about it.
His intagebles and natural talent are a mix that is very hard to find in the NFL and if you have a player like Witten on your team they are always going to find away to move those chains and lift the offense and lift the team.

Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 15: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball after an interception against the Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Imag

Asante Samuel

Samuel is one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL, plain and simple.
He picked off four passes last year in the regular season and then tacked on two more in the post season.
He is someone that has such great awareness that he knows when and when not to jump a route, he knows when to go for the pick or just bat it down, but most importantly of all he knows how quarterbacks think.
During some games it will seem as though Samuel isn't really in position and that the quarterback will have an easy completion, but just like that Samuel will fly in and break up the play or just take it the other way.
Now Dawkins is gone it will be upto Samuel to step up and be the leader on defense and set the bar for his fellow defensive backs.

New York Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02:  Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Brooks Bollinger #5 of the Dallas Cowboys during their game on November 2, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Justin Tuck

Tuck in my opinion beats out Umenyiora for this spot because of the versatility Tuck posses, he can play end or tackle and in this league that can be a huge help for any defense.
Last year Osi Umenyiora went down with an untimely season ending knee injury.
Michael Strahan had just retired and people were beginning to doubt whether the G-Men could keep up this ferocious pass rush witout either of these players.
Tuck put these doubters to bed he came in and played all across the line, leading the defensive front, keeping the pass rush consistent and downing the quarterback 12 times, three of those times stripping the ball for a fumble.
He is a phenomenal talent and with Umenyiora healthy again for this season he should put up even better numbers.
With his leadership and never say die attitude, he is easily the most talented player on the New York team.

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written on July 25, 2009 Opinion

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