PFT: TFB could be the GOAT?

[NEPats1]

Brady could be the best ever.

Early last year, we made the case that a win by the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV could put quarterback Peyton Manning on track to be known as the undisputed best ever, since he would be 2-0 in the games that matter most and on track to take all of Brett Favre’s career records (except the one previously held by George Blanda). When the Colts lost, the debate remained a topic on which reasonable minds could differ, with some folks lining up behind stats masters like Favre and Marino and others focusing on lords of the rings like Montana and Bradshaw and others considering men with a mixture of both, like Elway and Manning.

By the time his career ends, Tom Brady could be the one to unite both camps. He has three Super Bowl wins, he’s working on his fourth, and there’s a sense that he could end up with five. While his excellent 2010 season falls short statistically when compared to an uncanny 2007, Brady still had one of the best all-time performances this year, with a passer rating of 111.0, 3,900 yards on the nose, 36 touchdowns, and only four interceptions.

He has said he plans to play into his early 40s. He seems to be getting even more intense with age. And his lost season of 2008 due to a Week One ACL tear has given him a genuine appreciation of the possibility that it can all go away at any given time, so he gives all that he has on every snap.

For now, we’re not declaring Brady the best ever. But based on the way he is playing this year, he could finally provide some clarity to a question that currently has no answer on which a majority of NFL fans and followers can agree.

Week 17 Monday 10-pack | ProFootballTalk

I've always thought if TB would already have #4 the mainstream media would be more receptive to this debate because it's a lot closer than people want to admit IMO.

 

[RobertWeathers]

If guys like Elway, Favre, Montana, Young and Gannon can have MVP/SB years into their mid-late 30's there is no question TB can.

Just need a good O-Line and running game to keep him from getting hit real hard.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I've always thought if TB would already have #4 the mainstream media would be more receptive to this debate because it's a lot closer than people want to admit IMO.

Nope. Montana coming out of the 3rd was one thing. Brady as a 6th rounder they panned matched with the HC they equally reluctantly find themselves having to acknowledge as a GOAT candidate after mocking him early on as well will always have to do exponentially more than a chosen one like Manning who seemingly did it all by hisself... Prolific regular season empty stats are just more heavily weighted than winning championships. Like Boomer said yesterday Tommy's gonna hafta win one for the thumb...topping an entire franchise's accomplishments with multiple QB's...

 

[nabwong]

Marshall Faulk said Brady has less pressure to win than Manning cos he was a 6th round pick and Manning was a 1st round pick. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA... what a DB. I enjoyed watching Gameday morning yesterday as Faulk looked super uncomfortable around all the Patriots love.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Marshall Faulk said Brady has less pressure to win than Manning cos he was a 6th round pick and Manning was a 1st round pick. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA... what a DB. I enjoyed watching Gameday morning yesterday as Faulk looked super uncomfortable around all the Patriots love.

What in the world was the context for him saying such a thing?

I really don't think draft position has anything to do with it. It's based on performance, and it's hard to argue against TFB in any way. Especially if the post-season plays out the way we hope.

 

[BradyManny]

Marshall Faulk said Brady has less pressure to win than Manning cos he was a 6th round pick and Manning was a 1st round pick. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA... what a DB. I enjoyed watching Gameday morning yesterday as Faulk looked super uncomfortable around all the Patriots love.

Wow, Marshall Faulk is so flat-out dumb it's a wonder he can make it to set in the morning. Right Marshall...I guess that contract extension Brady signed doesn't bring any pressure/responsibility with it....

As for GOAT talk, that's premature. Leave it to Colts fans to make judgments after the regular season. The real season is just beginning.

 

[PatsWSB47]

Marshall Faulk said Brady has less pressure to win than Manning cos he was a 6th round pick and Manning was a 1st round pick. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA... what a DB. I enjoyed watching Gameday morning yesterday as Faulk looked super uncomfortable around all the Patriots love.

I was embarrased for him. His other ammo was that Manning and Montana had to build bad teams into good ones while Brady was handed one. Right. They were 5-11 his rookie year in which he only appeared once I think and they were 0-2 when he became the Patriots starter in 01....that's an impressive 5-13 team he inherrited Marshall.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I was embarrased for him. His other ammo was that Manning and Montana had to build bad teams into good ones while Brady was handed one. Right. They were 5-11 his rookie year in which he only appeared once I think and they were 0-2 when he became the Patriots starter in 01....that's an impressive 5-13 team he inherrited Marshall.

It still amazes me that he can dress himself in the morning and brush his teeth.

 

[nabwong]

Irvin had a good point. Manning's pressure as a 1st round pick was to win. Brady's pressure as a 6th round pick was not to get cut everyday. So Brady had to seize his chance right away and had no room for failure.

 

[ahmed]

lol, the tragedy is that Faulk is smart and is a good analyst when it comes to non-Patriot things.

Brady actually had a lot more pressure. Everyone knows that a team would stick with the overall 1st pick for a few years jut because of the size of the investment no matter what (e.g. Russel & Leaf). While, Brady was an afterthought 6th rounder (comp pick at that) who had a former 1st overall and 100 million dollar QB breathing down his neck in his first season as a starter. So, Brady definitely had more pressure.

However, once they both became established, they both have equal pressure to succeed.

 

[PatsWSB47]

In Peton's defense, he did have to play with Marshall Faulk...talk about pressure!

 

[Timbo717]

Irvin had a good point. Manning's pressure as a 1st round pick was to win. Brady's pressure as a 6th round pick was not to get cut everyday. So Brady had to seize his chance right away and had no room for failure.

This is a good point. If Manning had two seasons of being mediocre, the team likely sticks with him for one or two more due to the money invested. If Brady doesn't perform well (forget mediocre), then the team goes anouther route after the season and gets a different QB.

Manning's pressure as a #1 pick was moreso from outside sources like the media in terms of everyday worries, although given the type of competitor Peyton is I'm sure he pressured himself plenty as well. However, given the investment in him the team was ready to weather his early struggles if any. Brady's pressure was from worrying about his actual job security and he did not have that cushion of a multi-million $$ deal to keep his job.

 

[shmessy]

Marshall Faulk said Brady has less pressure to win than Manning cos he was a 6th round pick and Manning was a 1st round pick. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA... what a DB. I enjoyed watching Gameday morning yesterday as Faulk looked super uncomfortable around all the Patriots love.

Actually, it was more insane than that.

He said that Brady came into what was already a WINNING SYSTEM but when Manning came to the Colts the team that was awful at the start of his career.

I was waiting for Mariucci or Irvin or Eisen or SOMEBODY to shake their heads and say "Marshall, do you even PREPARE or do any HOMEWORK before going on the set?"

 

[ahmed]

I always find it funny how short everyone's memories are. They always say Brady came into a great situation. I still remember reading an article from 2000 that predicted the Patriots to be the worst team over the next decade.

If Brady stays healthy, I have absolutely no doubt he goes down as the Goat.

 

[nabwong]

Actually, it was more insane than that.

He said that Brady came into what was already a WINNING SYSTEM but when Manning came to the Colts the team that was awful at the start of his career.

I was waiting for Mariucci or Irvin or Eisen or SOMEBODY to shake their heads and say "Marshall, do you even PREPARE or do any HOMEWORK before going on the set?"

Yeah, he said that too. One think I know for sure is, they already plan what to say before the show. But what I don't know is if the producers make them say these things or just let them freelance without any editing. I mean, Faulk can't be thaaaaaaaat stupid....

 

[NEPats1]

I always find it funny how short everyone's memories are. They always say Brady came into a great situation. I still remember reading an article from 2000 that predicted the Patriots to be the worst team over the next decade.

If Brady stays healthy, I have absolutely no doubt he goes down as the Goat.

Yeah, I think Mel Kiper said the 2001 Pats would be the worst team in the league that year, and would get the 02 #1 pick.

 

[Haley]

If Brady stays healthy, I have absolutely no doubt he goes down as the Goat.

I couldn't agree more. Maybe it is the homer in me, but I can't even see how this could end up any other way given the current trajectory.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If Brady wins this year he is at a tight tie with Joe Montana

If he wins one more after this year then the debate will be over and he is the GOAT without a doubt.

as of right now Montana has my vote but that can change soon.

 

[SVN]

Exactly the same kind of article was published last yr by various mediots that manning maybe the best ever if he won the SB which he didnt. This is just flavor of the yr. People seem to like to anoint people before its all over.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

5 more quality seasons, 2 more rings, and he will be the GOAT.

He should be able