Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb Biggest Surprises Among NFC East QBs

by David Elfin

Filed under: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Ravens, NFC East

The NFC East began 2010 with three elite quarterbacks and one unproven starter. The team that began the season on Sept. 12 with the unproven quarterback won the division even though he wound up starting just five games. Meanwhile, one of the elite trio's seasons ended with an injury in his fifth game, another was benched in December and the third led the league in interceptions. And the quarterback who replaced the unproven one is starting the Pro Bowl.

That shows you how much things can change in the span of a few months in the NFL. So here's a look at the NFC East's quarterbacks.

EAGLES -- In 2006, his sixth season in Atlanta, Michael Vick was still considered more of an athlete than a quarterback. But after two years away from the game -- most of it spent in prison for dogfighting felonies -- and a season as a gimmick player in Philadelphia, Vick exploded back into the spotlight in 2010. After replacing the concussed Kevin Kolb at halftime of Philadelphia's opener, Vick dazzled the NFL with both his trademark running ability but also a newfound passing excellence and sterling leadership. Vick was leading the NFL in passer rating and yards per-carry and had yet to turn the ball over before his shock and awe performance on "Monday Night Football" at Washington on Nov. 15. Just hours after the Redskins announced a five-year contract extension with 2000-09 Eagles starter Donovan McNabb, Vick quarterbacked the Eagles to a quick 35-0 lead en route to an eventual 59-28 rout. The one-time pariah was the toast of Philadelphia and the talk of the league.

 

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