For NFC East Quarterbacks, Be a Legend Or Get Out

Hang your head a little higher there Tony, someone told me that teams win and lose football games--not players.

While there is truth to the old adage, it doesn't seem to matter too much to the fans in the NFC East.  The division that earned the dubious distinction as the strongest in the NFL never takes it easy on each other on the field, but the players have started to get more judgment through the rest of the week than is even close to reasonable.  No matter what goes wrong with one of the squads, the fall guy always ends up being the quarterback.

I'd play follow the leader if I lost, too.

The most recent victim of major criticism has been Tony Romo.  Despite pulling the Cowboys out of the depths of NFL obscurity a few years back when he took over for Bledsoe, the guy can't go a few months without having Troy Aikman call him out for something usually fairly trivial.

Hey Troy, remember how you played with Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin?  Keep that in mind more often.

Most recently Tony was mauled by the Dallas media bear for taking his offense deep into the red-zone on a two minute drill for the tie and then throwing in the direction of Champ Bailey twice.  Even Tom Brady got involved, questioning his decision making.

No one talked about his amazing scramble that saved them on the fourth down earlier in the drive.  And no one mentioned that Brian Dawkins was on the other side of the end zone.

Also, no one talked about the fact that the best receiver option he had was Sam Hurd because Roy Williams was busy taking a nap on the sidelines after a minor injury.

And I haven't heard Emmitt Smith calling out Marion Barber for a less than stellar performance on the ground.

I don't expect Tony to get sympathy anytime soon.  For every team that has gotten rid of Terrell Owens (And sorry T.O., please don't get teary, but Tony isn't your quarterback) there has been a solid drop in offensive production the following season.  Most Cowboys fans aren't thinking of it that way though, and they certainly aren't thinking of the fact that we're only four weeks into the season with their team breaking even.  The Cowboys only losses have come against 4-0 teams.

The next quarterback has had the vultures circling for years despite taking his team to the NFC Championship game last season.

That wasn't his first NFC Championship game, and he has also been to the Superbowl.

However Donovan McNabb gets less respect than Rodney Dangerfield; I'm not sure when it started but there is a long paper trail leading back through the years.

Things like the Eagles inexplicable drafting of Kevin Kolb (and the kid doesn't look to bad now, I have nothing against him), the fans falling in love with the aged Jeff Garcia, and most recently, unbelievable cheers for Michael Vick to start.

That's right Donovan, despite everything you've done, the fans would rather see a felon recently out of prison play your position.

The Eagles don't even have a history of having great receivers (I know they had T.O.) which makes McNabb's ability more impressive.  However, the guy isn't Joe Montana, so in the eyes of Philly fans he isn't good enough?

I don't get it.  How would you like Jamarcus Russell, Philadelphia?

If I had to say I feel bad for anyone though, it would definitely be Jason Campbell.  The guy is a manageable quarterback who can put up good numbers and always keeps his nose clean.  In fact, when used as trade bait for Jay Cutler, Campbell maintained class and recognized that it was all "just part of the business."

Sadly, if there is a justifiable criticism of Campbell, it's that Jim Zorn likes him, and anything Jim Zorn approves of must be bad.  Who am I kidding, the Redskins have a roster loaded with talent that can't perform.  The only person to blame is the coach, but I can't help but notice the lack of support in the Capitol City for this kid.

That's politicians for ya.

And lastly there is the guy who has undoubtedly had to overcompensate all of his life.  When not being referred to as "Peyton's brother" or "Archie's son," Eli Manning has been busy winning a Superbowl ring and dealing with receivers who shoot themselves in the leg (literally).

To his credit, I almost never here Giants' fans complain about the guy, but he still as often looked at as the worst of the three major quarterbacks from his draft class.  It doesn't help when your competition is "Big" Ben and Philip "The Milk Man" Rivers (he delivers), but this year only one quarterback has a team that is still undefeated.  Is Eli getting the hype?

Probably not even as he is beginning to turn Steve Smith (see NYG not Panthers) into a rising star.

And it must be his fault too for not being better than his brother.  The guy is clearly a slacker.

So if your childhood dream was to play quarterback in the NFL, take solace in the fact that it didn't come true with you stuck in the NFC East.