I'll take a stab at this argument:
I'll start by saying I feel Brady is still a top-2 QB in the NFL. In fact, Aaron Rodgers is the ONLY QB that I'd take over Tommy and it's only because of his mobility. Say what you want, but that is such an added dimension to any offense that drives defenses crazy. How many times have we all seen our beloved Pats being shredded by QB's with the ability to escape the pocket?
With that said, here we go. This is the type of argument where all sides have made valid points. The fact that the overall premise may be considered ludicrous by some does not negate the validity some of the individual points within the argument. Is Brady in decline? The answer would have to be yes. It's almost implausible to believe that some of his skills have not diminished by now. Stats aside, I think that if you're watching Brady today and saying, "Man, he's still as sharp as those SB years or '07 or '10" are in denial. The fact is that it's simply not true. Never mind the deep ball, but even his trademark accuracy has been off more lately, even by the admission of his throwing coach on throws to the left. But is Brady still elite? The answer to that would have to be absolutely yes as well. Like I've already said, I feel he's second only to Rodgers because of something he can't even control really. Rodgers just has an extra gift from the football gods. Is Brady is top-five guy? Is that even really a valid question? Hell yeah, he is!
Another part of the argument, at least as it pertains to last season, is the fact that Brady had few weapons and an O-Line that has become inconsistent, even with the great Scar on the job. Gronkowski played seven games, and the Patriots were scoring more points than the Broncos during that stretch. That was the only small window where the offense started to click again and ALL of Brady's statistics went up, except turnovers. Other than that time he was playing with two rookie receivers who ran the wrong routes and dropped almost every ball thrown to them for the first half of the season, a banged up Amendola, and a small guy who caught 105 passes but had only two free agent visits in the offseason. Let me say that again, Brady's top receiver last season got only TWO visits during FA. But wait a minute . . . Brady got that squad with an injury-depleted defense to the AFCCG. How many other QB's in the league could do that? C'mon. However, this same guy had a sub-par game in that one, a downright awful first half especially.
Look, it's unrealistic to believe that anybody's skills wouldn't be diminishing somewhat at this point. The man is in his late 30's. Of course there's going to be some drop-off. But he's still one of the very best at his craft! He still has the ability to bring your favorite team to the SB. The Patriots still win 10+ games every damn year. I don't care how many other QB's are knocking on the proverbial door, Brady still occupies the room. He'll vacate when he's good and ready and on his own terms. Big Ben is better? Really? Luck . . . Wilson?
Sorry to be so long-winded, but it's funny to me how nobody is talking the demise of Peyton Manning who could not throw in any windy conditions. Nobody is talking the demise of Peyton Manning who clearly does not have the same velocity he use to have. All anyone wants to talk about is the demise of Brady. Nobody wants to face the reality that one is clearly diminishing faster than the other. He just happens to have better weapons around him. I'll leave that one alone, though.
