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• BEN ROETHLISBERGER McFarlane NFL
• ELI MANNING McFarlane NFL
• LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON McFarlane NFL
• PEYTON MANNING McFarlane NFL
• TOM BRADY McFarlane NFL
• TERRELL OWENS McFarlane NFL

McFarlane NFL Figures Series 6 Due: Jan, 2009

Quarterbacks in the NFL are a dime a dozen. At the beginning of training camp, each team in the league has around 6, slowly cut back to 4, and most start the regular season with 3.

In order to gain notoriety and praise for manning the position, you need to put up numbers like "Big" Ben Roethlisberger.

No, not 5,000-yard, 40-touchdown seasons, but wins. The measuring stick of a good quarterback only extends as far as the Win/Loss column. In the 2008 season, Roethlisberger and his Pittsburgh Steelers proved that "perfection" doesn't contain a "0".

The Steelers started out the 2008 NFL season as prohibited favorites to walk away with their division. Behind their mountainous quarterback – the 6-foot-five-inch, 250-pound Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh quickly secured their first two games.

In a week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the Steelers entered the game 7-2, only losing to NFC East teams, Philly and New York.

Roethlisberger was among the MVP hopefuls to this point, and was playing some of the best football of his career.

However, a heartbreaking loss to the Colts threatened to change that.

Roethlisberger was having a good season by Pittsburgh standards. As a team bred on defensive strategy, their demands from a quarterback are slim, and simply involve him managing the games.

After the loss to the Colts, fans were fearful of Ben falling into a slump - as it had happened before - but the defeat only charged the team up, and they won 6 of their last 7 games en route to the playoffs, and finished an impressive 12-4.

Ben started displaying the leadership qualities he had in their Super Bowl-winning year 4-years previous. Although the Colts and the Chargers were AFC playoff favorites in their own right, no on in the sports world was surprised when consecutive flawless performances from Roethlisberger (against the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens) launched the Steelers into the Super Bowl.

Against a surprising Arizona Cardinals team, Roethlisberger was able to thwart the nerves that plagued his performance in his previous Super Bowl appearance vs. Seattle. His solid leadership and impressive talent helped his Steelers to defeat the Cardinals and earn Ben his second Super Bowl Championship in 5 years.

2008 Season Stats

• 17 Touchdowns
• 15 Interceptions
• 3,301 Passing Yards
• 80.1 RTG
• 59.9 C-Pct

McFarlane NFL Figure Specs

Figure stands 3 inches tall.

Includes 2 1/2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep base.

Not to be confused with big brother Peyton, Eli is the younger of the Manning's, and quite possibly, the one playing better all-around football. The NFL isn't regularly known as a place where former warriors send their sons into battle, but Archie Manning proved that a genetic predisposition counts for a lot. After one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets of all time - the highly dogged New York Giants over the astronomically favored New England Patriots - Eli Manning's legacy as a QB was cemented.

His Super Bowl-winning year was a coming-of-age tale for football legend, and his 2008 season picked up where 07 left off. The Giants, led by a swaggering Manning, jumped off to a brilliant start. They quickly rose to the top of not only the NFC, but the entire NFL, with an impressive record of 4-and-0 before an inexplicable loss to the struggling Cleveland Browns. Eli's stats weren't earth shattering or Peyton-like, but his solid QB rating and turnover ratio was league leading through half of the season.

After Manning and the Giants faltered in week 6, they went on to win their next 7 games in impressive fashion. Eli was quickly considered an MVP candidate - even with lackluster statistics - and the Giants were brushed by irony, becoming heavily favored to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. However, Eli soon found that even the momentum train needs to be captained.

The Giants, virtual shoo-ins for the conference's number-one seed, lost two in a row to in-division rivals, Philadelphia and Dallas. Manning's mundane performances in the losses were attributed more to their star wide receiver's (Plaxico Burress) absence. But Eli quickly found that their conference-leading status was in jeopardy, and without a brilliant performance from Manning in a Sunday nighter against competing Carolina, the Giants could drop not only out of #1 contention, but division contention also.

Behind a gutsy performance from Manning, the Giants were able to pull out the #1 seed, finishing the regular season with a record of 12-4. However, their attempts to repeat as champions were thwarted by a hot Eagles team, knocking the Giants out in the divisional round. All told, Manning still had a very impressive year by QB standards, and will undoubtedly keep the family name thriving next season.

2008 Season Stats

• 21 Touchdowns
• 10 Interceptions
• 3,238 Passing Yards
• 86.5 RTG
• 60.3 C-Pct

McFarlane NFL Figure Specs

Figure stands 3 inches tall.

Includes 2 1/2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep base.

No guts and no glory - that's basically the way the world works. No player in the NFL can attest to the value of this adage in more detail than San Diego Chargers All-Pro RB LaDainian Tomlinson. The 8-year veteran out of Texas Christian has recently fell under heavy scrutiny for not participating past the first quarter in the Chargers' 2007 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. "I was hurt," Tomlinson simply stated. But the sports world feels as if his heart wasn't prepared to bleed for his team.

Attempting to quash such coward-calling notions, Tomlinson set out to make 2008 one of his best seasons as a running back. Now... if only Norv Turner and the rest of the Chargers could have gotten aboard the LT Express - but, they didn't, and the Chargers were mauled and left for dead after their first 2 games. Tomlinson's next two games, the Jets and Raiders, would be a vast improvement. But a middling - sometimes struggling, never explosive - team would be the story of the Chargers and Tomlinson's year.

By the time week 8 rolled around, Tomlinson and the Chargers were off to London, England, to play an equally struggling New Orleans Saints team, which both teams needed badly to compete in their respective divisions. The Chargers lost the overseas battle of contenders, and went on to lose 3 of their next 4. Tomlinson continued to put up average numbers throughout the season, but never broke away like years past.

As the season began to fade, so did the Chargers hopes of making it to the playoffs. Their division rival Denver Broncos had a firm grip on first place, and the Chargers' losses at home against Indy and Atlanta left them with a record of 4 wins and 8 losses. Tomlinson and the Chargers showed the league that their iron will was ready to take over, and they then won their next 3 games, setting the stage for a winner-take-all showdown in San Diego against Denver. To the winner, the AFC West Divisional Championship; the loser would be out of the playoffs.

With an exploding performance by Tomlinson and Rivers, the Chargers demolished the Broncos, 52-21, and secured a playoff berth with a division-winning record of 8-and-8. Their first playoff game, at home against the red hot Colts, would see the reemergence of Tomlinson's phantomlike, reoccurring injury, as he sat on the sidelines for most of the game. The Chargers won the game, however, and went on to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. Tomlinson never took the field, and the Chargers lost 35-24.

Time and again, Tomlinson's heart is called into question. But when on the field, he continues to be one of the league's best position players.

2008 Season Stats

• 292 Carries
• 1,110 Rushing Yards
• 11 Touchdowns
• 3.8 AVG
• 52 Receptions
• 426 Receiving Yards

McFarlane NFL Figure Specs

Figure stands 2 7/8 inches tall.

Includes 2 1/2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep base.

One and done: the story of Peyton Manning's life. When the sun sets on his career; when Brady's Patriots age and tire, and when hot upstarts get their chins tapped, Peyton Manning may very well go down in history as the greatest NFL Quarterback, not only of his era, but of all time. This Mississippi-born, Tennessee-bred QB is behind only ironman Brett Favre on the all-time starts list. This record was put in heavy jeopardy before the 2008 Season kickoff, however, as Manning needed surgery on an ailing knee.

Never one to make mountains from molehills, Manning kept mum about his knee (bursa sac) surgery, only to divulge later that he needed multiple surgeries. He missed training camp, but, per expert opinions, would return 100% before season's start. This proved to be far from the truth, as Manning and the Colts were walloped in their opener against the Chicago Bears. It was quickly evident that Peyton's rhythm, motion, and even arm strength were disrupted.

In their next game, Manning's struggles reached a career low, as he could barely propel the ball 15-yards downfield. If not for a game-winning field goal, the Colts would be facing a 0-and-2 start. Peyton proved competitive in their week 3 matchup vs. the Jaguars, but the Colts were edged out, 23-21. Going into the bye week, the Colts were 1-and-2, looking as bad as they had since Manning's rookie season.

Behind an increasingly improving Manning, the Colts defeated the Texans and completely beat down the Ravens in their next two games, before losing their next two to the Packers and Titans. This run-of-the-mill, average show of talent was something Peyton promised to soon rise above. Manning was back to MVP form - something the league noticed - and the Colts bested the entire league with a 9-game winning streak.

Although the Titans won their division and took top seed in the AFC, Peyton Manning and his courageous performances and undeniable talent earned the QB his third League MVP Award at season's close. The Colts finished 12-4 and faced the Chargers (8-8) in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Seeming to be the curse of Manning's career, the Colts D gave way to the Chargers, as they (Indy) lost the game 23-17.

After Tony Dungy's retirement and Marvin Harrison's aging and legal troubles, it's hard to say who the MVP QB will be surrounded by next year. This hasn't deterred Manning's attitude, however, as he plans to return to the Colts and to the playoffs for another go at glory.

2008 Season Stats

• 27 Touchdowns
• 12 Interceptions
• 4,002 Passing yards
• 95.0 RTG
• 66.8 C-Pct

McFarlane NFL Figure Specs

Figure stands 3 inches tall.

Includes 2 1/2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep base.

A person's opinion is usually as different and unique as their voice. Joe Namath and Johnny U, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird - opinions about who was "better" are scattered all over the place. But when it comes to the season Tom Brady had with the New England Patriots in their undefeated regular season performance, the jury is in: His season was the absolute best by an NFL quarterback, bar none, hands down...ever.

The immortal-like way Brady delivered the ball in 07 was truly magical. However, as the first game of the 2008 season began, the sporting world quickly found that immortality is the stuff of legend. While dropping back for his 12th passing attempt of the game, Brady's knee was clipped by a Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman, and the air quickly left the stadium as he writhed on the ground in obvious pain. Everyone knew - even if afraid to admit - what had just happened to this now-fallen hero.

In the eyes of the media, Tom Brady's departure from the NFL in the 2008 season was the equivalent of Global Warming wiping Florida off the map. It was traumatic, life changing, and wholly preventable in hindsight. Brady's ligaments in his left knee were torn and in need of surgical repair. Ironically, the Patriots were the most optimistic about their future with head coach Bill Belichick citing that Matt Cassel - the rarely seen QB who hadn't made a game start since high-school - was ready to play.

After the smoke cleared, Brady's surgery was reported to be a success. This later proved to be a stretch of the truth, as the real report read "Danger." Brady's knee was infected and his recovery was - and still is - in question. His rehabilitation is what has been halted, and that's the driving force behind NFL reentry. Without the proper rehab, as the Colts found out with Manning, a QB can't give his team what's needed to win.

Brady successfully fought off the infection and is back on a rehab regimen that should have him ready to test the knee out in training camp. As far as the New England Patriots go, Matt Cassel proved to be everything the team wanted and more. Posting a record of 11-5, the Patriots came within a New York Jets win of securing a division championship, but the chips didn't quite fall in place.

Tom Brady's 2007 performance may never be matched by another QB in this modern era. As a testament to his fortitude, Brady plans to play next year - regardless of his current condition.

2007 Season Stats

• 50 Touchdowns
• 4,806 Passing Yards
• 8 Interceptions
• 68.9 C-Pct
• 117.2 RTG

McFarlane NFL Figure Specs

Figure stands 2 5/8 inches tall.

Includes 2 1/2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep base.

"I love me some me," proclaimed Terrell Owens after a satisfying season full of successfully caught balls some four years ago. The proverbial "bad boy" of the NFL, Owens makes a habitual stance as the self-centered, impatient, and uber-talented wide receiver of the Dallas Cowboys. His resume includes a QB-destroying stint in San Fran, an outright refusal to play for the Ravens, a team obliterating stretch with the Eagles, and now a woefully destructive force with the Cowboys.

Jerry Jones was willing to forgive Owens' team-decimating ways and overlook his propensity for selfishness when he signed the player to a very large contract in Dallas. In 2008, his third full year with the team, Owens looked to prove he was worth both the check and the trouble. For everything that Owens is, he's also one of the top 3 wide receivers currently suiting up in the NFL.

Owens' season got off to a hot start. Terrell and the team handed out beat-downs to Cleveland, Philly, and Green Bay in successive weeks. Although the New York Giants, Dallas' divisional rivals, had won the Super Bowl the previous year, the Cowboys were the NFCs prohibitive favorites to represent the lackluster conference. The Cowboys, never a team to shy away from media honors, held their heads high as the Redskins marched onto their field in week 4 and beat them by 2 points.

Rumors surfaced of Owens' immediate criticism of his quarterback's failure to throw him the ball. Although these rumors were unsubstantiated at the time, the truth reared its ugly head after a week 9 loss to the Giants before Dallas' bye week. Owens was involved in a locker room shouting match with teammates, where he criticized everyone from the O-linemen to upper management for his dwindling number of pass attempts.

The dust settled and the sporadic season played on. Owens seemed happier with the situation, but the team was still underperforming. In the last week of the season, the Dallas Cowboys held their own fate, as the 9-6 team set to square off against the Eagles (9-5-1) for a winner-goes-to-the-playoffs bout.

Owens and Cowboys, though they talked a big game, failed to compete in this season's-end matchup, and the Eagles routed the crippled Cowboys 44-6. To date, Owens has kept relatively quiet about the Cowboys' lack of participation during their season's biggest game. His return to the squad for a 4th year looks promising, even if his mouth catches more publicity than his hands catch footballs.

2008 Season Stats

• 69 Receptions
• 1,052 Receiving Yards
• 10 Touchdowns
• 15.2 AVG
• 1 Fumble

Figure Specs

Figure stands 3 1/2 inches tall at top of raised ball.

Includes 2 1/2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep base.

NFL Figures series 6 Due: Jan, 2009