Tom Brady is the "greatest" quarterback since the merger.

[Nintendesert]

Idle talk like that will likely get YOU purged in the Tim Tevolution, comrade 😡

So KT isn't safe?? Sorry KT. :\

 

[techs]

It is important to note just how much easier it is being a quarterback and a wide receiver in today's NFL than back in the day.

Which is why I don't try to compare stats between Brady and Montana. What is more important, imo, is how did they do compared to the other qb's who played in the years they played.

Bradys 50 touchdowns and 5000 yards would swamp Montana. Yet, I use the fact that Brady was at or near the other qb's who played when he does as the measuring stick.

 

[preslove]

So KT isn't safe?? Sorry KT. :\

No one is safe from justice. If you stray from the Tebow Trail, you will be tebowned.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Matt Cassel was 11-5 on that team, which I think illustrates your point well.

No kidding. The Pats have had plenty of talent the entire time that Brady has been there.

I'm not talking about Brady, I'm talking about the fans. KT, you're safe, you won't be purged in the Tim Tebow Revolution that's coming.

No shit? Really I couldn't tell. 😵

 

[TangoJuliet]

Uh, ok? You act like that proves that Brady was on a crap team? It doesn't, it actually shows you that Brady has been on good teams that could overcome stuff like crap receivers more often than not.

he may have been on some good teams but before everything happened do remember that in his first SB the pats were 14 point underdogs to the Rams. It was the game winning drive that began the Pat's dynasty and the HOFer that is Brady as we know him today

 

[techs]

No one is safe from justice. If you stray from the Tebow Trail, you will be tebowned.

Tebowing is dead. Long live Kaepernicking.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You know, that's a really good point that I forgot about.

I hate to use the words "system QB," but.....

 

[Kev]

I think arguing greatest of all time is kind of impossible. You can argue greatest of the current era but comparing across generations isn't really a fair way to compare. Example, yes Brady does play in the world of free agency while Joe Montana did not. However Brady is also playing in an NFL that plays under a ruleset designed to make quarterbacks thrive. They're protected and their receivers are given much more cushion than in the past.

Is he the best of the current generation? I think so. It would be very difficult to argue for anyone else based purely on results. Peyton Manning would be in the conversation but whether the playoff losses are on him or someone else the point is he's 1/2 in super bowls.

I agree with all of this except the mention of Super Bowls as being a deciding factor. Dan Marino is one of the top 5, if not best, QB ever, and he never won a super bowl. It's a team sport, teams win the games, and while QB is the most important position, it is not the only position.

 

[jagec]

Free agency allows a good team to load up now at the expense of later seasons. Contracts can be structured to allow a team to try and get to one or two Super Bows before the bad salaries force them into a few years of poor teams.(see New York Jets)

So, Montana played against teams with far more static rosters who couldn't add that great running back, D lineman etc for a one or two year shot. Brady plays against teams that can add that great player.

Did the NFL ever propose a "Montana rule" just to make his life easier? No? Brady got two. Lot easier to look good when the rulebook is written to protect you and minimize the effects of your mistakes.

 

[Kev]

That is probably one of the dumbest sports related things I've read lately. What exactly is your reasoning behind this? Any stat you throw out and Eli is going to be last on that list.

He ranks #1 in the "looks like he was bred via incest" category.

 

[nehalem256]

Matt Cassel was 11-5 on that team, which I think illustrates your point well.

You know, that's a really good point that I forgot about.

And how did Joe Montana's backup perform?

http://www.nfl.com/player/steveyoung/2503843/profile

:sneaky:

 

[preslove]

I agree with all of this except the mention of Super Bowls as being a deciding factor. Dan Marino is one of the top 5, if not best, QB ever, and he never won a super bowl. It's a team sport, teams win the games, and while QB is the most important position, it is not the only position.

I'd argue that it isn't. The offensive and defensive lines are more important. The QB may be more important than each individual tackle, but the quality of the lines as a whole tell you far more about how successful a team will be.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I agree with all of this except the mention of Super Bowls as being a deciding factor. Dan Marino is one of the top 5, if not best, QB ever, and he never won a super bowl. It's a team sport, teams win the games, and while QB is the most important position, it is not the only position.

I'm with you. It's just hard when comparing greats of an era to not bring the super bowl titles into the discussion. It at least adds some level of tie breaker. But to say a QB is defined by super bowl wins when 52 other people had a say in the result is a bit unfair in my opinion.

 

[Fingolfin269]

And how did Joe Montana's backup perform?

http://www.nfl.com/player/steveyoung/2503843/profile

:sneaky:

He was awesome? The difference here is that we know Brady's back up was not awesome yet still posted 11 wins.

 

[Kev]

I'd argue that it isn't. The offensive and defensive lines are more important. The QB may be more important than each individual tackle, but the quality of the lines as a whole tell you far more about how successful a team will be.

So you mean 5/11 of the offense is the most important position? Never would have thought!

 

[TangoJuliet]

He ranks #1 in the "looks like he was bred via incest" category.

lol, I don't know Bradshaw is up there too

 

[IndyColtsFan]

lol, I don't know Bradshaw is up there too

 

[momeNt]

That is probably one of the dumbest sports related things I've read lately. What exactly is your reasoning behind this? Any stat you throw out and Eli is going to be last on that list.

This is football, not baseball. Football is not about stats, it's about winning and clutch performances. Eli and Coughlin toppled what SHOULD have been the greatest single season in NFL history, a post-merger undefeated team, but you know what that team lacked? Winning and clutch performances.

 

[zinfamous]

I hate to use the words "system QB," but.....

you're talking about P Manning, right?

:hmm:

 

[IndyColtsFan]

you're talking about P Manning, right?

:hmm:

Of course not -- he is obviously not one.

 

[edro]

I agree. He is great and makes his receivers look great too.
He gets a new round of receivers every few years, yet the team is always awesome.

 

[momeNt]

hmmm...left the sarcasm meter in the car's glovebox?

Not being sarcastic. 18 fell and one stood in their path, and the one won.

 

[nehalem256]

He was awesome? The difference here is that we know Brady's back up was not awesome yet still posted 11 wins.

And there was a significant drop off in QB stats from Brady to Cassel. Also note that Cassel had pretty decent year in 2010.

The difference is that Cassel was a servicable backup unlike Painter, and the Patriots had great coaching unlike the Colts.

 

[crownjules]

System QB? Wooo, that got a good chuckle out of me. A real knee slapper.

 

[TangoJuliet]

This is football, not baseball.

Very true but you can't compare Eli to Brady its not even close.

Brady has 26 fourth quarter comebacks, 37 game-winning drives. 3 of those 37 were in the superbowl.

Eli has 24 fourth quarter comebacks, 28 game-winning drives. 2 of the 28 were in the superbowl.

Just because the Giants were able to beat the previously undefeated Pats in 2007 doesn't make him the best ever.

The great thing about football is the best team doesn't always win. You never know whats going to happen on any given sunday. In baseball, a majority of the time the best team wins the world series.