by Paul Schwartz , The New York Post

Once Manning came aboard in 2004, Collins knew he was a spare part and was far too proud to stay and watch his beloved team taken over by some skinny kid with a royal last name. Once Manning was deemed to possess half a clue, Warner knew his time was up and, despite his frustration, gracefully moved aside as the rookie took his lumps as part of the learning process.

Take a look at where all three quarterbacks landed and shake your head in amazement. Manning, way ahead of schedule, is a Super Bowl MVP and champion and pulling the strings for a legitimate powerhouse. Collins, 35, proved there's life after the Raiders, kept quiet while supposed prodigy Vince Young imploded and now directs the upstart Titans, the league's only undefeated team. Warner, 37, kept quiet as supposed star Matt Leinart faltered and now is flinging and winning for the high-flying Cardinals, doormats no more.

The triangle this weekend intersects New York Football in a most fascinating way, as Manning takes the 9-1 Giants out to the desert for a meeting with Warner's 7-3 Cardinals, while Collins hunkers down in Nashville as the 10-0 Titans await the arrival of the surging 7-3 Jets.

Warner as the hottest passer in the NFL is fully capable of shredding the Giants. Collins as the best story in the NFL is fully capable of derailing the Jets. The lesson? Never, never discount aging quarterbacks who have done it before, because they often can do it again.

If there's an expert on all this, it is Amani Toomer, who has hauled in passes from all three en route to becoming the most prolific receiver in Giants history. It wasn't until Collins in 1999 was given the keys to the offense that Toomer began to shine.

"I really respected a lot of things about Kerry," said Toomer, who has five career 1,000-yard receiving seasons, all with Collins. "He was a really accurate passer, deep balls were some of the best I've ever seen. He made it real easy to catch the ball and turn up and run afterwards because he put it so accurately on you, right timing, we just had a very good rapport. It was sad to see him go, but I think Eli's doing well as well."

Toomer and many other veterans were more than sad when Tom Coughlin and Manning came in and Collins asked out. Players in their prime wanted no part of rebuilding. The Giants at the start of the 2004 season needed someone to keep the seat warm and settled on Warner, who was three years removed from his record-setting days with the Greatest Show on Turf Rams.

Always knowing he was operating on borrowed time, Warner lasted nine starts, rustling up a 5-4 record before the organization opted to let Eli loose. It was a 17-14 loss in Arizona, with Warner holding on to the ball for six sacks, that finally did him in because falling to the Cardinals - the NFL's version of everyone's Homecoming Game - is never acceptable.

Now Warner has strong-armed the Cardinals to first place.

"That's a little more surprising, because he had a rough time here, he only had a short chance to start, not as much as he wanted to," Toomer said. "But I'm really happy for him. He's a great guy. He's one of the best guys I've ever played with in terms of personality."

Both former Giants left their mark, Collins for his great character rebirth and the way he resuscitated the franchise with an improbable Super Bowl appearance, and Warner for accepting his role and his aura of goodness.

"He never made it awkward," Manning said.

"Just a quality, quality guy," echoed Coughlin.

Manning is here and winning. Collins and Warner have gone elsewhere and are winning. Sometimes there are happy endings.

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