"I'll be lucky to be compared to that guy." - Joe on Tom
"I'm nowhere near his level." - Tom on Joe
If the question is which has accomplished more in their career, it's still obviously Joe.
But if the question is which is the better QB, I wouldn't even hesitate -- I'd take Tom at any point in their careers.
Joe simply was not as consistent as Tom over any 5 or 6 year stretch in his career.
Although Joe was an underrated passer, and very rarely couldn't make a certain throw, Tom has a MUCH stronger arm (which he rarely gets to show off, but which coordinators are very aware of).
Joe was more mobile but there's no boot or roll out in the west coast system that Tom can't execute. Tom moves MUCH better in the pocket than Joe did. Tom is tougher against the rush than anyone I've ever seen. Joe played in a system designed to protect him from the pass rush, very similar to Manning. BTW, I'm not a PM basher, but he's not in this conversation.
People remember Joe playing so well in the Super Bowls, but they selectively overlook his spotty playoff record. Joe didn't know what being an underdog was. Both are great big-game QBs, but in terms of the total package (skills and makeup), one of them is already head and shoulders above pretty much everyone else who's played the game.
It's hard to make statistical comparisons between eras and teams -- believe me I've tried. IMO, a solid basis for QBs is their record in close games. Montana was around .550 in starts decided by a touchdown...while Brady is an absurd 21-3, .875 (inc. season-ending Miami loss when he played Q1 only). That record pretty much destroys all other QBs in League history.
he just doesn't lose close games. Joe did.
