Comparing Tom Brady & Ben Roethlisberger - THE FIRST 5 YEARS

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Since there has been much speculation as to if Ben has actually had a better start as QB compared to Brady shows its not really that close - Tom has been better in most catagories

Of course this is a TEAM game and the stats below are just to divide the 2 players to see which one has had the better numbers so that people can clearly see the numbers are in reality quite apart

These stats are based on numbers for each player in their first 5 years in the league as starting QB (Brady only had 1 snap in 2000 so it is not in consideration)
- During his first 5 years Brady has not missed any game as starting QB playing in 78 regular season games while Roethlisberger did miss 7 games and played in just 71 regular season games,so stats may not be 100% fair but nevertheless here they are ....

THE FIRST 5 YEARS COMPARISON

Averaged out between all 5 years

TOM BRADY (2001-2005 Stats)

Comp % 62.0
Passing Yards 18,029
TD Passes 123
QB Record 58-20 (reg. season)
TD % 4.8
INTs 66
QB Rating 88.3
YPG Average 227.5
Yards Rushing 333
Post Season 10-1 w/3 SB Titles

BEN ROETHLISBERGER (2004-2008 Stats)

Comp % 62.4
Passing Yards 14,974
TD Passes 101
QB Record 51-20 (reg. season)
TD % 5.3
INTs 69
QB Rating 89.4
YPG Average 208.0
Yards Rushing 616
Post Season 8-2 w/2 SB Titles


So as it appears by these individual stats Brady has been better in most stats but Ben not far behind although comparing these two can be misleading but interesting regardless

 

[ALP]

Since there has been much speculation as to if Ben has actually had a better start as QB compared to Brady shows its not really that close - Tom has been better in most catagories

Of course this is a TEAM game and the stats below are just to divide the 2 players to see which one has had the better numbers so that people can clearly see the numbers are in reality quite apart

These stats are based on numbers for each player in their first 5 years in the league as starting QB (Brady only had 1 snap in 2000 so it is not in consideration)
- During his first 5 years Brady has not missed any game as starting QB playing in 78 regular season games while Roethlisberger did miss 7 games and played in just 71 regular season games,so stats may not be 100% fair but nevertheless here they are ....

THE FIRST 5 YEARS COMPARISON

Averaged out between all 5 years

TOM BRADY (2001-2005 Stats)

Comp % 62.0
Passing Yards 18,029
TD Passes 123
QB Record 58-20 (reg. season)
TD % 4.8
INTs 66
QB Rating 88.3
YPG Average 227.5
Yards Rushing 333
Post Season 10-1 w/3 SB Titles

BEN ROETHLISBERGER (2004-2008 Stats)

Comp % 62.4
Passing Yards 14,974
TD Passes 101
QB Record 51-20 (reg. season)
TD % 5.3
INTs 69
QB Rating 89.4
YPG Average 208.0
Yards Rushing 616
Post Season 8-2 w/2 SB Titles


So as it appears by these individual stats Brady has been better in most stats but Ben not far behind although comparing these two can be misleading but interesting regardless

other then that Ben had AMAZING defenses EVERY SINGLE year, and they he had HOF runningbacks on his team, ohh, and that he loses in face-to-face PO competition......its semi close

 

[sieglo]

Wait, does this include 2008, the year that Brady only played one quarter?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Wait, does this include 2008, the year that Brady only played one quarter?

READ the opening post

 

[sieglo]

Oops, LOL.

 

[maverick4]

Ben is on the trajectory of a top 15 all time QB

 

[BradyManny]

Ben is on the trajectory of a top 15 all time QB

When people look back at this era, Brady and Manning are still going to be so far ahead of the rest of the competition - granted, unless Ben improves greatly.

 

[Rob0729]

Roethlisberger is a very good QB, but he is not in Brady's league (at least not yet) no matter what the numbers say. The Steelers have always been about a strong, physical defense and a strong running game. It really hasn't changed with Roethlisberger at the helm. He is great in the fourth quarter like Brady is and is very illusive, but Brady makes the players around him better.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

When people look back at this era, Brady and Manning are still going to be so far ahead of the rest of the competition - granted, unless Ben improves greatly.

If you look at how scary-young Ben is and how excellent of an organization the Steelers have, there is no doubt that Ben actually has a chance to be just as good ... or even Better than Tom when his career has ended - Yes it is very possible,especially if Pitt continues to dominate thier division and consistently win and we all don't know what type of QB Tom will return as - He may be the same type of player or better or worse

I don't think its fair to say that Tom and Peyton are way ahead of Ben for the simple reason that Ben entered the league in 2004 - Thats 4 years later than Tom and even a longer edge for Peyton .. and Ben already has one more ring than Manning and closing in on Tom

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Roethlisberger is a very good QB, but he is not in Brady's league (at least not yet) no matter what the numbers say. The Steelers have always been about a strong, physical defense and a strong running game. It really hasn't changed with Roethlisberger at the helm. He is great in the fourth quarter like Brady is and is very illusive, but Brady makes the players around him better.

In the end all that really matters is which QB has led his team to more hardware - Tom has 3 Ben has 2 Peyton has 1 - The difference here is that Ben,barring any major injury probably has another 10-11 years in the league while Brady probably has 5-7 years left (if he decides to play until then) and I don't expect Manning to be in the league longer than another 3 or 4 years

 

[ScottieC]

When people look back at this era, Brady and Manning are still going to be so far ahead of the rest of the competition - granted, unless Ben improves greatly.

Ben just took a little magic from Peyton.

When you start talking about QB's and their place in History, Ben is +1 - As of Feb 2009.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Quarterbacks should never be evaluated without looking at the number of int's, nevermind compared. Although I can not be 100% sure, I think that number would change the look of the comparison quite a bit.

 

[Deus Irae]

If you look at how scary-young Ben is and how excellent of an organization the Steelers have, there is no doubt that Ben actually has a chance to be just as good ... or even Better than Tom when his career has ended - Yes it is very possible,especially if Pitt continues to dominate thier division and consistently win and we all don't know what type of QB Tom will return as - He may be the same type of player or better or worse

I don't think its fair to say that Tom and Peyton are way ahead of Ben for the simple reason that Ben entered the league in 2004 - Thats 4 years later than Tom and even a longer edge for Peyton .. and Ben already has one more ring than Manning and closing in on Tom

Marino has no rings, so Ben must be better.....


QB's better than Ben:

Brady
P. Manning
Rivers
Warner
Brees
McNabb

A couple clearly in the debate against Ben:
Cutler
Rodgers
Palmer (used to be clearly better, but with the injuries....)

And there are several others where the jury is still out.

 

[BradyManny]

Ben just took a little magic from Peyton.

When you start talking about QB's and their place in History, Ben is +1 - As of Feb 2009.

Maybe, but if thats the case, it really shouldn't be. History won't remember it, but Roethsliberger's first Super Bowl was the worst ever by a QB, and his last Super Bowl would've gone down as a major dud if it weren't for an amazing final drive.

I think ultimately Super Bowls can be trumped by a QB's talent and production - just like at any other position. If Manning never wins a Super Bowl, he's still in the argument for best QB of all time, just as Marino is. By comparison, Big Ben is not anywhere near close to entering that argument, and likely never will.

And on that same token, as for the legacies of the team, I really think that despite the 2 SBs to the Colts 1 SB, the Colts have been a much, much more formidable and respected team this decade than Pittsburgh. Of course, history won't remember it that way b/c of the rings.

 

[maverick4]

QB's better than Ben:

Based on what?

Ben is on the trajectory for a hall of fame career, even with zero Superbowls. Look up the stats.

 

[Rob0729]

In the end all that really matters is which QB has led his team to more hardware - Tom has 3 Ben has 2 Peyton has 1

I don't neccessarily agree with that. Terry Bradshaw has as much hardware as Brady and Manning combined; but I wouldn't put him in the same category of either of those two. Granted, I'm sure that either Brady or Manning would happily be viewed as lesser QBs than Bradshaw if they could have 4 or 5 rings.

 

[maverick4]

and his last Super Bowl would've gone down as a major dud if it weren't for an amazing final drive.

Could say the same thing about Brady's first ring

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

Marino has no rings, so Ben must be better.....


QB's better than Ben:

Brady
P. Manning
Rivers
Warner
Brees
McNabb

A couple clearly in the debate against Ben:
Cutler
Rodgers
Palmer (used to be clearly better, but with the injuries....)

And there are several others where the jury is still out.

I highly disagree with this post.

Rivers (No Way. He is good, but he also has LT in the backfield, one of the best TEs in the game and the luxary of playing against Oakland, Denver and KC twice a year. Sorry but I don't see the Rivers Lead Chargers ever beating the Ray Lewis Ravens Defense 3 times in one season.)

Warner (He's good, but he has always had Tremendous Talent as Wide Outs in the Years he had Great Years. 5 years of his career are great, the rest mediocre.)

Brees (Great Numbers, zero ability to win big games. Take the Tampa game this year, his team needed a win, the tossed 2 picks in the last 4 minutes)

McNabb (This guy can't win a big game. Yes, he lacks the great talent at WR for most of his career, but he chokes in big spots. He gets nervous and shaky and can not handle pressure at all. He had the ball with a chance to lead his team to Victory in this year's NFC Title game and in the Super Bowl against the Pats, he Choked both times.)

I'll give you Brady and Payton Clearly. I don't argue against those two guys being 1&2 right now.

But Palmer? No way, he had one of the best wide receiver corps in football and couldn't win a single playoff game since coming out of USC. Not one Playoff game. Imagine if Brady or Manning had Housh and Chad in their Prime?

Cutler? Come on, the guy has had one ok year and was the QB of the only team in NFL History to be 9-3 and Miss the Playoffs. Great QBs are Great Leaders too. He has proven nothing.

Rodgers. Took an NFC Championship Game Team and missed the Playoffs. He may need a couple years to shake off the Favre legacy. Tell me though, if the Packers start the season next year 0-6, is he still QB of that team? I don't think so. I think a coach could very well be fired in GB next year because of Rodgers.

 

[jmt57]

In my opinion since there are different styles of offense, certain stats such as passing yardage and touchdowns probably are over rated and are not very good measuring sticks when comparing players. There are a couple of stats that I prefer, because they take in several parts of a quarterbacks's game. Quarterback Rating uses four components: completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdowns per attempt, and interceptions per attempt. Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt uses passing yards, passing touchdowns, yardage lost on sacks, passing attempts and sacks.

Here's the comparison of the two for each of their first five seasons.

QB Rating Numbers
BR: 98.1, 98.6, 75.4, 104.1, 80.1; total of 89.4
TB: 86.5, 85.7, 85.9, 92.6, 92.3; total of 88.5

QB Rating Rank
BR: 5th, 3rd, 21st, 2nd, 24th; average of 11th
TB: 6th, 10th, 10th, 9th, 6th; average of 8th

ANY/A Numbers
BR: 6.4, 6.9, 4.6, 5.8, 4.9; total of 5.5
TB: 5.0, 5.1, 5.5, 6.4, 6.4; total of 5.8

ANY/A Rank
BR: 6th, 2nd, 19th, 11th, 25th; average of 13th
TB: 13th, 20th, 8th, 7th, 7th; average of 11th


Not a huge difference but Brady does appear to have a better start than Roethlisberger; I'll give Big Ben credit, it was closer than I thought it would be. However Brady appears to have improved over those first five years while Roethlisberger seems to be far more inconsistent, and to have actually regressed since his first two seasons. And while Roethlisberger may have a chance at equalling Brady's sixth year, I seriously doubt anyone thinks he will match his seventh season.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

You forgot one important stat where Roethlisberger probably has a permanent lead:

Faceplants into BMWs:
Roethlisberger 1
Brady 0

On a somewhat more serious note, I think this speaks at least a little as to the intelligence of these two QBs.