The NFL's 10 Most Exciting Quarterbacks To Keep an Eye on In 2008

Quarterbacks, love them or hate them, they're an important part of any offense. Some of the most famous (and infamous) athletes in America have been quarterbacks. Here's a list of 10 quarterbacks to watch this season.

Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre made the list, but Tom Brady and Peyton Manning didn’t because you know what your going to get from them each season.

10. Atlanta Falcons

You have to feel a little sorry for our dear fans in Atlanta. Not only do they have to deal with one of the dumbest owners in the NFL and a criminal quarterback, but they also have to deal with the possibility of another losing season.

With the way things are looking now, that's what they're going to get: another 4-12 season. The Falcon's quarterback situation has been a mess in recent years, ever since Mike Vick, the dog-fighter, was sent to jail.

I'm not counting on Joey Harrington or Chris Redman to make plays for them. The only chance for them is Matt Ryan. Whoever's the starter this season is going to be watched by all of Atlanta.

9. Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings

2007 Stats: 9 TD, 12 INT, 1,911 YDS

Tarvaris hasn’t had the best of seasons with Minnesota, but he hasn’t had the worst of seasons either. He’s posted average numbers for three consecutive seasons, but Minnesota doesn’t want to be average (at least, that’s what I think).

After an average 8-8 record last season, the Vikings want to accomplish something. That means Tarvaris is going to have some pressure to succeed, or else he’ll most likely lose his place on the team.

Whatever happened to the good old days when Daunte Culpepper was a star and the Vikings had wide receivers with attitude issues? Nowadays, the only good thing the Vikings have on offense in Adrian Peterson.

8. Josh McCown, Miami Dolphins

2007 Stats: 10 TD, 11 INT, 1,151 YDS

At 1-15, the Dolphins put up the NFL's worst season record last year. They hope to change that this year. Their defense has always been average, to say the least, and it doesn’t look to get any better as they have traded Jason Taylor to the Redskins.

Their quarterback situation isn’t looking to hot, either. John Beck was a flop last season, and Trent Green didn’t do any better. This season, the Dolphins, and the entire city of Miami, will be watching newcomer Josh McCown from Oakland.

Will he be what Miami needs to have at least an 8-8 record? Hopefully he is, because no one looks to be up for the job.

7. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins

2007 Stats: 12 TD, 11 INT, 2,700 YDS

Sean Taylor’s death, Todd Collins' comeback, and making it all the way to the playoffs, the Redskins almost had a fairy-tale season, thanks largely to Jason Campbell and the Redskins' offense.

This season though, there’s no fairy tale in the making, yet. The Redskins boosted their defense by recruiting Jason Taylor from the Miami Dolphins. Now, Jason Campbell has to lead the offense, and if he doesn’t do well, Todd Collins can always take over.

6. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars

2007 Stats: 18 TD, 3 INT, 2,509 YDS

The Jags had a fantastic season last year, going 11-5 and making it to the divisional playoffs. David Garrard had a big part in their success. He had great plays and showed good control as he and Fred Taylor led the Jags to the playoffs. 

This year, Garrard has to prove that he can do it again. If he doesn’t though, he’ll still have a spot on the team. There’s no one else to take his place.

5. Philip Rivers, Sand Diego Chargers

2007 Stats: 21 TD, 15 INT, 3,152 YDS

San Diego was the best California team last season, sporting an 11-5 record. Along with L.T., Rivers had a great season, until he received an injury. Many speculate that if L.T. and Rivers had been fully healthy, the Chargers could’ve beaten the Pats and made it to the Super Bowl.

This year, if Rivers gets and stays healthy, he could have another great season and make it to the Super Bowl.

4. Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns

2007 Stats: 29 TD, 19 TD, 3,787 YDS

After years of being the laughing stock of the NFL, Cleveland is set to be a team to be reckoned with. Last year, they had a 10-6 record but missed the playoffs. Derek Anderson had a breakout year.

This year though, he has pressure. If he doesn’t do well, the Cleveland faithful will be screaming for Brady Quinn, the top rookie quarterback last season. If he does well, he’ll be loved by all of Cleveland.

3. Eli Manning, New York Giants

2007 Stats: 23 TD, 20 INT, 3,336 YDS

Well, after being in the shadows of his brother, Peyton, he finally won a Super Bowl. However, he still didn’t have the best stats of the season last year. In my opinion, he wasn’t the best quarterback last year. 

This year, he has to prove that he’s one of the best and not just a decent quarterback that got a lucky break. He proved he could compete with the best last season, so we’ll see what he can do this year.

2. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

2007 Stats: 36 TD, 19 INT, 4,211 YDS

Romo always seems to choke at the worst times. Everyone knows he has the skill to win a Super Bowl, but something always distracts him. I blame his poor choice in girlfriends. What’s worse for him is that his team is nicknamed “America’s Team.”

In other words, no matter how the Cowboys do, they’re gonna be watched by everyone. If the Cowboys do poorly, Romo is gonna get blamed. Hopefully, this year he’ll get his mind back where it’s supposed to be. He has no excuse for performing poorly this season.

1. Brett Favre & Aaron Rodgers

2007 Stats: 28; 1 TD, 15; 0 INT, 4,155; 218 YDS

“I’m retiring this year...no wait, hold the Packer Train, I wanna come back.”

Favre, get used to it, the Pack has moved on without you, and Rodgers is taking over. Whatever the outcome is, it should prove to be very interesting. Most likely, Favre will retire, and Rodgers will get to show his stuff.

Personally, I don’t think Rodgers is that great, he’s merely decent. If Rodgers does well, everyone will forget about Favre. If he does poorly, the entire state of Wisconsin will overrun Lambeau Field and kidnap Ted Thompson.

If Favre goes to another team, God-forbid Minnesota or Chicago, and then comes back and beats the Packers, then there’ll be a riot for not keeping Favre. Whatever happens, these two quarterbacks will be interesting to watch this season.