I was never a Drew Bledsoe pimper. And I would NEVER contend that he is better than Brady. No one would. But in the 15 odd years since Drew left NE, I think, as a fan base, we have forgotten just how good Drew Bledsoe WAS, especially when you think back and remember most of his yards were gained in the PRE-flag football era. BTW- I include myself in this category. So when I saw these stats in a MMQB column that was referenced in another thread, I thought it might be time to let some of the younger Pats fans (like myself
), just how LUCKY we have been at the QB position since 1994.
"•
Yards. His 44,611 yards exceeds Dan Fouts, Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas.
•
Touchdown passes. His 251 TD throws beats out Jim Kelly, Steve Young and Terry Bradshaw.
•
Passing yards per game. His average of 230.0 is 10 higher than John Elway’s.
And the comparison with Tom Brady is compelling:
• Each man has averaged 34.6 pass attempts per game.
•
Bledsoe played 124 games for New England, and set the franchise record for passing yards with 29,657. And it was in Brady’s 124th game for the Patriots that he broke Bledsoe’s yardage record."
I was these comparisons with Fouts, Young and even Brady that caught me by surprise
For all his passing accomplishments, the ONE thing that I will always remember Bledsoe for was his TOUGHNESS. In his most productive years, he wasn't playing in any quick release offenses. He was a the prototypical 7 step drop QB, who stood in the pocket and slung it. And in the process of doing that absorbed some huge hits behind some pretty suspect OL's, and never flinched, or complained.
I'm a New Englander so THAT is what endeared me to Drew....and Steve Grogan before him... and Tom Brady after him. That and their respective insatiable drive to win, and the effort they showed in the attempt....EVERY TIME. That is the FIRST requisite we
demand of our pro athletes here, and Drew had it..in spades.
Just sayin'
