I don't get annoyed with the "Big 3" talk. I think Brees has proven himself through a difficult "prime" of his career. In fact, in his last 2 appearances vs. the TB-led Pats, he has absolutely blown out his opponent (2005 41-17 beat down when Brady told Schottenheimer to "worry about his own team" and of course this year's undressing the Pats received at the Super Dome).
He is as big a part of this team's success as Brady or Manning have been and deserves all the accolades and hyperbole being thrown his way.
While I love the "Manning chokes" talk, I do not believe that Tom Brady has been "exceptional" under pressure the way most of this board makes it out to be. In his last 3 playoff runs:
1. Looked terrible vs. the Ravens
2. Had a great (though unspectacular) 2007 playoffs
3. Ended the 2006 run with an INT late in the 4th with a chance to win.
4. Should have lost at SD in the 2006 Divisional game when he threw a backbreaking 4th quarter pick that would have iced the game for SD had their corner just taken a knee. Thank God for Troy Brown.
5. In 2005, Brady threw essentially a pick 6 to Champ Bailey for a 100+ yard return.
In short, Brady has been anything but "clutch" in the playoffs since our last SB victory and for that reason, I do not put him above Manning in their career comparisons and as a QB, I have no reason to put Brees below him - RIGHT NOW.
Any Brady fan that says Brees "dinked and dunked" his way to the completion record needs to check themselves - isn't the WR screen and the dump off to the H-back staples in our dink and dunk offense? How about 6yd passes to Mr. "YAC" Welker?
I hope when their careers are over, TB has 4 or 5 rings, putting him down as the best ever...but I think TB=Manning with Brees behind in the career comparison, but not so far behind at this very moment.
OK? I never said Brady was the clear cut best. Just happened to list his name first.. Him or Manning is a toss up and the arguement can be made for either right now.
But yes, Brees IS clearly behind them. The fact is, a legit arguement can be made that Brady OR Manning could be the best all time. Not saying it's true, just saying the arguement can be made. That arguement couldn't even come close to being made about Drew Brees and that ALONE kicks him out of any "big 3" talk. It's "big 2", and then everyone else. Drew Brees is at best just leading the "everyone else"
By the way, Brady is 14-4 in the postseason. With the last loss coming due to being completely injured and having literally nothing to work with on offense. I'm not one to make excuses, but that's factual.
As for your 1-7:
1.Injured, no offense around him. What did you really expect to happen?
2. 2007. Brady played well in the postseason. In fact, he gave us a lead in the Superbowl, only to have the defense allow a flukey ass game winner to the Giants. So calling Brady unclutch for that is a bit stupid, don't you think?
3. Yeah ok, and Brady allowed that epic comeback by Peyton Manning right? And he allowed Addai to march into the endzone right? Give me a break.
4. Cool, they won
5. Shouldnt have been a pick 6, Don't remember the play EXACTLY, but I remember there being some controversy about it being a touchback of some sorts or something. Ben Watson made a great play, but whatever. YEah, Brady didn't play very well that game.
So out of the 18 games, he's played, not ALL of them ended with QB ratings over 100...Cool.
And if you're referring to me abotu the dink and dunk comment. Please re read what I wrote and THEN come back to me. I said there is NOTHING wrong with it, and it works, and I'd do it. My saying that was in response to someone saying that Brees played a stunning game. I thought the word stunning was getting a bit ahead of ourselves. I think it was stunning, could have been a similar word.