NFL Preseason: Top 10 Quarterbacks To Watch This Weekend

The NFL preseason schedule gets in full motion this weekend and by Monday night every team in the league will have played their first preseason game.

But it isn't just the teams that analysts and fans alike are looking at. No, most significant are the individual players that will be highlighted for numerous reasons. Either new faces in new places, players coming off injuries, players redeeming off the field trouble, or rookies, will all have their moment in the spotlight this weekend.

Yet, only 10 players can stand out as the ones you need to watch out for in Week One of the NFL preseason.

10. Aaron Rodgers

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 13: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers comes off a Pro Bowl season, but already there are higher expectations for him and the Green Bay Packers. 

The Packers fate could be altered by whether or not "he that shall not be named" returns to Minnesota, but nevertheless Green Bay is good enough to go to the Super Bowl regardless of what happens with their biggest rival.

Rodgers is the captain of that effort, and now a regular 4,000-yard threat.  The Packers starters will not play much when they welcome the Cleveland Browns to Lambeau on Saturday night, but a couple of drives against a maligned Browns defense should be enough to show the Packers potency.

9. Philip Rivers

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass against the New York Jets during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Mirall

There are a couple of big reasons to watch Philip Rivers on Saturday when the Chargers welcome the Chicago Bears.  First, the Chargers are without Vincent Jackson who is Rivers' biggest weapon in the offense.

Second, the Chargers are missing left tackle Marcus McNeill, who has yet to end his holdout.  Not having his left tackle there to protect his blind side is a significant wound for Rivers.

Have Rivers and the Chargers formulated ways to protect Rivers and remain a very productive offense without those two significant pieces?

8. Mark Sanchez

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Dani

The Jets (and the Hard Knocks crew) will be in the New Meadowlands Stadium on Monday Night Football to face off against the Giants in the first football game played in the new building.

As big and boisterous as the opening of the new stadium will be, it is Sanchez's development that will remain a big storyline from this Monday night throughout the season.

The Jets possess the highest of expectations for the 2010 season, but they cannot get there if Mark Sanchez fails to develop and endures a sophomore slump. He will face off against a Giants defense hungry to prove they have put last year's ugly finish behind them.

7. Tim Tebow

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 05: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Bronocs takes part in practice during training camp at Dove Valley on August 5, 2010 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

NFL fans may already be sick of Tim Tebow stories, but the Broncos quarterback will continue to receive publicity through his entire rookie season. It is just the nature of the sports media beast that will we have to put up with.

Expect more of that when the Broncos travel to Cincinnati and give Tebow a nice chunk of time on the field for his first NFL action. Sure, he may face off against the second or third team defense the Bengals throw out there, but how Tebow handles next level play is still something to watch.

Will he pass a lot? Will he just act as the Broncos' battering ram? All things worth watching.

6. Kevin Kolb

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Kevin Kolb gets his first taste of being the man in Philadelphia when his Eagles host the Jaguars on Friday night.  It's a new era in the City of Brotherly Love and at the center of it is a quarterback who has more questions than answers. Will his ability lead this Eagles team back to the playoffs.

We move one step toward getting our answers in the first preseason game of the Eagles' season.

5. Matt Leinart

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FLAGSTAFF, AZ - AUGUST 02: Quarterback Matt Leinart #7 of the Arizona Cardinals practices in the team training camp at Northern Arizona University Walkup Skydome on August 2, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Like Kolb in Philadelphia, Matt Leinart takes over the reins in Arizona where things could be dramatically different in the Cardinals offense. Gone is the quick-strike, big arm of Kurt Warner. In comes Matt Leinart, who is down a weapon with Anquan Boldin leaving town.

Still, Leinart's starting job is no guarantee.  He has former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson looking over his shoulder. Still, a good preseason should land Leinart the starting job.

He takes one step toward quieting doubters and asserting his position as the number one guy when the Cardinals host the Houston Texans on Saturday.

4. Jay Cutler

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BOURBONNAIS, IL - JULY 30: Jay Culter #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver during a summer training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University on July 30, 2010 in Bourbonnais, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The other half of the Chargers-Bears matchup to watch is Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler comes off a season in which he threw a ghastly 26 interceptions and was responsible for a number of Bears losses.

Enter offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who is being looked upon as the man who can right Cutler and get the Bears offense to a level it hasn't been in decades.

So far, Martz has gushed over the work and improvement he sees in Cutler.  Will that stand up or is Martz blowing hot air? We'll get some measure of the answer on Saturday.

3. Tarvaris Jackson

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Vi

No, Tarvaris Jackson isn't as big of a name as others on this list, but his preseason debut will be just as important.

While the Vikings waffle on what to do regarding the Brett Favre question, they still need a starting quarterback. Enter Jackson who has to believe that now he will finally get a chance to put all the Favre hoopla behind him.

But is he in a no-win situation? If he plays well, many will still call for a wait until Brett Favre makes his decision. If he plays poorly, that will only ratchet up the heat to get Favre back in camp.

2. Ben Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH - APRIL 19: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers practices on April 19, 2010 at the Pittsburgh Steelers South Side training facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will not say whether his starting quarterback will actually take any snaps when the Steelers host the Lions on Saturday, but that may be enough for fans to tune in.

Roethlisberger can play in preseason games despite a suspension that will kick in at the start of the regular season. However, Big Ben has not been in this kind of public forum since his night of club-hopping in Georgia.

Will the fans cheer? Will they boo? Will Roethlisberger remain the same tough-as-nails quarterback as he's been so far in his career?

1. Donovan McNabb

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ASHBURN, VA - JULY 30: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass during the second day of training camp July 30, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Lastly, there is arguably no quarterback in the league with as high expectations as new Washington Redskins signal caller Donovan McNabb.

Bigger things are expected in the nation's capital now that McNabb is pairing up with head coach Mike Shanahan.

How McNabb will gel with new receivers, behind a new line and with a stable of veteran running backs should be an engaging combination.

If anything, tune in to see McNabb in the burgundy and gold—something we're all still getting used to.