The Aaron Rodgers Argument

Green Bay's D practically shut down Atlanta in the second half. Aaron Rodgers could not lead them to victory despite the help from the defense.

Brady outperformed Rodgers in practically the same circumstances.

Wheelman said:

Obviously Rodgers is the better passer.

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???

Nehalem said:

... excluding the 2 SB winning years ...

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If this has to be a component of the argument, the argument shouldn't be put forth in the first place.

RelocatedPatFan said:

I would add to this that pundits and many reporting probably have no idea what it takes for a QB to actually play the position and probably have a "fan" level of knowledge.

Their stories look at only what they can see and assume that what they see somehow infers some type of known quality. I don't think we'd argue that Rodgers has better physical traits than TB. He can run better, make throws on the run better, has a stronger arm (though there was never anything wrong with Bray's). He's accurate and careful with the football.

The mental aspects, reading progressions, processing speed, intangibles (leadership, getting players to reach their ceiling or even set a new ceiling, ...) aren't obvious or quantifiable to them. They don't even take the time to dig into the depth of a subject (like what he does during his offseason to keep getting better).

I'd listen to the people who know what they are talking about and ignore the noise.

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What is your evidence that Brady's mental game is superior to Rodgers? Im just curious if its something you see on film or what

letekro said:

What is your evidence that Brady's mental game is superior to Rodgers? Im just curious if its something you see on film or what

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I'd say Rodgers' well-documented inability to lead his team back from a significant deficit, for one.

Debates sell, certainties don't.

The media will always try bringing someone in the conversation, because it will drive ratings up. It generates discussion and makes people on both sides of the argument react. It is a time-proven recipe.

I honestly don't think that many people think AR compares favourably to TB12 all-time. Maybe a few homers and/or idiots, but that's it. As for the "right now" argument, I guess there can be an argument, but I think Brady still wins it. Tom is less flashy and less media friendly (he doesn't give good quotes), so, of course, the media will push Rodgers. And attacking/doubting TB12 will attract a lot of people. It will "validate" the haters and anger the fans; EVERYONE will react.

That's all it is really. These 24/7 outlets need content... they create it.

letekro said:

Nobody is arguing he has better accomplishments or resume. The argument is that he is more talented and if he had Belichick and the Patriots system and Bradys longevity he would match or exceed his accomplishments. That can be legitimately argued although it requires somehow extricating Bradys greatness from Belichicks, which is impossible.

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Like I say to everyone, "You STILL have to make the throws". I hear from Atlanta fans or hater fans, "The Pats didn't win, the Falcons lost." Or "The Falcons choked."

BUT, you still have to take advantage of the so-called gifts given to you on bad play calling or bad clock management. Brady makes clutch plays, period, that's what makes him the greatest. Look at the come from behind drives vs Atlanta and vs Seattle, Brady makes some incredibly clutch throws. In overtime, the throw to Amendola on the deep curl route was insanely perfect. Not many QBs make that throw due to the enormity of the situation (SB OT). Look at a similar play Ryan was trying to make to Gabriel late in the 4th trying to get Atlanta some yards to get closer for a field goal. On 3rd down and 33, he misses on that pass to Gabriel (who was open), and they have to punt and give the ball back to the Pats.

Look at that throw to Hogan on the comeback pattern in OT. That took BALLS to make that throw. Shows how much confidence Brady has in himself, and in his receivers. His clutchness (if that's a word) is what makes Brady the best of all time. He makes great throws in the clutch.

They're grasping at so many straws they don't even know which one they have in hand at any given moment.

Sometimes it's "he's the most talented QB of all time!!!" If we're ignoring "putting it all together", which the talent argument explicitly ignores, I'd argue Cam is way more talented.

Other times it's "look at Brady, he never makes highlight reel throws, but Rodgers does a few a game." My personal favorite is "if you put Rodgers on the Patriots they would have 10 rings." Packers fans genuinely believe that.

In the end, these guys are judged on resume. And no one is going to top Brady's for a long long time

Vick was hands down the most talented QB I've seen. He got clocked running a 4.25 40. Great strength for his size. Cannon for an arm. Didn't work on his craft so we never saw what he could of been. Then he went to jail.

Skills are one thing. The fact there is now a Box Set Collection of the NFL's Greatest Games, with about half of them as Tom Brady playing the hero, is quite another. I can guarantee BB would take Brady over Rodgers. How many times has a teammate said a single negative thing about Brady? Never. There is always some kind of weird dark cloud in Green Bay when it comes to talking about Aaron Rodgers and his relationship with the team.

IMO: It's not even close. 2016 Brady >>> 2016 Rodgers. Brady beats you pre-snap. His experience is unbelievable. His demeanor is serene, especially in the greatest of moments. His heart is immense. He is on a different planet. I'll take Brady over anyone, anytime. Period.

Brady is better, especially when the game is on the line, but I won't malign Rodgers. If you don't think he is a pretty damn good QB you haven't been paying attention. He had Brady's back when he admitted he like his footballs overinflated. There weren't many players outside of NE jumping on that bandwagon.

XLIX said:

I don't mind the venting, but I haven't seen a single conversation about Rodgers being the greatest of all time since the GB-Atlanta game.

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Correct. No one mentioned that after ATL game. Also, some media folks pitied him because his supporting cast were hurt and could not help him win the game.

Aaron Rodgers does not have half the stones of TB12, and will never come close to his accomplishments.

Aaron Rodgers is an exciting player to watch with a ton of talent. Nothing more, nothing less. He is not even on Manning's level

If your life was on the line and you had to pick one QB to win a game for you, who would you pick? I think that answer is obvious.

qbno12 said:

Aaron Rodgers is an exciting player to watch with a ton of talent. Nothing more, nothing less. He is not even on Manning's level

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Peyton Manning wasn't on Manning's level until pretty late in his career. For most of his tenure on the colts, Manning had the always-a-bridesmaid problem and was working on a reputation of being a bit of a choker (anyone remember "the Manning Face?")

It was only once he'd accumulated enough experience to start winning close games (starting, sadly, with the Patriots in the AFC) that the "real" Peyton Manning, as we'll remember him, happened.

Rodgers is a player I will be very interested in watching mature. Just like Manning, I expect him to be better than he is now, as he matures and gains the experience to help see him through tight spots and put the team on his back to get them over the hump a bit more often.

What makes Brady so epic is that he was as mature and savvy and calm as a 38 year old veteran, when he was mint in the box. The reason he never lost his job back to Bledsoe is that Brady was acting like a veteran quarterback from his first game with the Patriots. Never got the yips, never made the rookie mistakes that Bledsoe would have needed to take his job back. He was that guy with the maturity and poise only usually gained through a decade of hard experience, and he was that guy the very first time he got to play in the NFL. That, my friends, is rarer than rare.

Wheelman said:

One of the big issues when people debate between Brady and Rodgers is people end up debating who's the better passer. Obviously Rodgers is the better passer. But Quarterbacking takes more than just passing ability.

Tom Brady is without a doubt the better Quarterback.

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I don't think is obvious. I think Brady is better.

4th and 3 with the season on the line, who's your quarterback? Anyone who says anything other than Brady is just plain wrong.