solman
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
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This is the year that will determine Brady's legacy. Is he just a great pressure quarterback who won a bunch of superbowls? Or is he also one of the most talented quaterbacks ever to play the game.
I believe that the entirety of the statistical difference between Brady and Manning can be explained by two factors:
1. Manning plays most of his games indoors. Heading into last seasons, Brady's per game indoor statistics were better than Manning's. Brady's per game outdoor statistics were also better than Manning's. But Manning had the better overall statistics since both QBs play better in a dome, and Manning played far more games there.
2. Manning has consistently had one of the best receiving corps in the game while Brady has never had better than a mediocre set of receivers (culminating in last year's unfortunate group).
As long as Brady is in New England, there is nothing he can do about the indoor/outdoor disparity (although at least now he has field turf). But now he is playing with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
Are Stallworth and Moss better that Harrison and Wayne? Probably not. But at least they are close enough that you can do the comparison. It would be difficult to even ask the same question about Caldwell and Gafney.
If Brady is as good as I have always believed, then this season he will have numbers that are as good as (or substantially better than) some of Manning's best years. The entire league will have to acknowledge that his previous performance was due to a second rate (at best) cast of supporting offensive players, and that Brady does not "just win" but is also a phenomenally skilled QB. If Brady turns in another "merely" good season, then he is destined to be a guy who "just wins".
Certainly, entering the hall of fame on the first ballot, being compared to Joe Montana, and having a hand full of rings, is not a terrible fate. But Brady deserves more, and I hope that he proves it this season.
I believe that the entirety of the statistical difference between Brady and Manning can be explained by two factors:
1. Manning plays most of his games indoors. Heading into last seasons, Brady's per game indoor statistics were better than Manning's. Brady's per game outdoor statistics were also better than Manning's. But Manning had the better overall statistics since both QBs play better in a dome, and Manning played far more games there.
2. Manning has consistently had one of the best receiving corps in the game while Brady has never had better than a mediocre set of receivers (culminating in last year's unfortunate group).
As long as Brady is in New England, there is nothing he can do about the indoor/outdoor disparity (although at least now he has field turf). But now he is playing with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
Are Stallworth and Moss better that Harrison and Wayne? Probably not. But at least they are close enough that you can do the comparison. It would be difficult to even ask the same question about Caldwell and Gafney.
If Brady is as good as I have always believed, then this season he will have numbers that are as good as (or substantially better than) some of Manning's best years. The entire league will have to acknowledge that his previous performance was due to a second rate (at best) cast of supporting offensive players, and that Brady does not "just win" but is also a phenomenally skilled QB. If Brady turns in another "merely" good season, then he is destined to be a guy who "just wins".
Certainly, entering the hall of fame on the first ballot, being compared to Joe Montana, and having a hand full of rings, is not a terrible fate. But Brady deserves more, and I hope that he proves it this season.