Tom Brady = Overrated. You Decide

[PointGuardU03]

I for one and sick and tired of everyone sucking off Brady. While the guy is very good, he's by no means great. He rarely makes mistakes and hits his open recievers, what's so hard about that. Everyone calls him the next Joe Montana, when he's just a glourified Phil Simms. I mean if it wasn't for the worst rule ever in sports (Tuck Rule) he'd probably be irrelavent. I think he's good, but woefully overrated, what do you guys think. Vote b*tch!

[Chicat]

There is something to be said for being a system quarterback. He isn't asked to win games, just to run the offense and not turn the ball over, and he is just about the best at that there ever was.

It's funny that you should mention Joe Montana as a great quarterback, because it could be argued that he also was a great system quarterback. No one threw the 4 yard dink better than he did. I think if you want to talk about great QBs regardless of system or talent around them, you have to look at Elway and Marino. Those guys could throw out the playbook and just win the game. But notice that it wasn't until Elway got a runningback, a defense, and a offensive system that worked that he actually was able to win the big one.

Is Brady overrated? Not when you appreciate him for what he is. And two championships in 3 years is nothing to sniff at either.

PS - tough poll choices. I voted unsure because he isn't overrated, I don't think Peyton and McNabb are overrated, and I don't think Brady is one of the all-time bests. I had to vote "unsure" when what I really wanted was "not overrated, but not underrated either." That's how I would have voted if given the chance . . .

[Zona Dave]

To be honest I'm unsure.. To compare someone to a Joe Montana, can only happen after his career is over. He is clutch though. He's one of those guys that plays his best during big games.

Manning is different kinda player. He has the same problem as Marino. The Defense is not a dominant force for them. If he happened to be on a team with a dominating D then that team would be a lock for the title. I don't think he is overrated.

McNabb is solid and is the opposite (thus far in his career) of Brady. He tends to not play well in his biggest games. He could change that this year but, I would not be shocked if the Falcons upset them. I dunno if he is overrated or not. That's a tough one.

[PointGuardU03]

Chi - Montana wasn't a system qb, seeing as he won outside of San Fran. Montana was also far better in college then Brady was, so I don't think it's a very good argument. And while Brady is a very solid qb, he can't win a game for you by himself the way Montana, Elway, Farve, Aikman, Young and even Marino could. Some sports writers are putting Brady ahead of those guys, which is baffeling to me, and this is why I say he's overrated: He's great at what he does, probably the best ball control qb out there, but he can't take over a game the way all-time greats could. Also, upon further review I apologize for the poll choices, they leave a lot to be desired, that's my bad.

[Chicat]

You don't think that a guy with an average arm and no mobility benefitted from the West Coast offense? It doesn't take anything away from what Montana did, but I have to point to Steve Young's success in the same system with the same amount of talent and say that Joe Montana was as much a system QB as Young or Brady is. It's just my opinion.

[F Duke]

Brady isn't overrated and yes, he can carry the team on his back when he has to. See the first game of the year against Indy when he threw for 300+ and out dueled Payton.

As for Montana, I think he was the greatest quarterback ever and also a product of the system. He would have succeeded in any system but the Niner offense let him use his skills perfectly.

[PointGuardU03]

F Duke - The Colts defense is terrible, they were even worse at the begining of the season. And if you recall, Peyton choked that game away by rushing it when his team was inside the 35 with over a minute left and he rushed 2 passes and got sacked forcing the Colts to take a long FG. Again, I'm not knocking Brady, I just don't think he's as good as everyone is making him out to be.

[PointGuardU03]

Oh and Chi, I think Montana's real greatness comes from his days in KC. He was well past his prime yet willed his team to the playoffs, and had it not been for Marty he may have won another title.

[Chicat]

Don't buy into the media hype. That would be my suggestion.

No one is going to take Tom Brady #1 in their fantasy draft just because everyone at ESPN is sucking his wang.

[JMarkJohns]

In the big game...the only game that truly counts...Brady is 2-for-2 with two MVP's.


He's done it both ways.

In the first Bowl, he allowed his defense to dominate and did just enough (including a game-winning drive with under 1 minute left) to get the win.

In the second Bowl, when his defense allowed Carolina to score, score, score...Brady orchestrated an equally effective offense with lesser talent than Carolina had and once again, with under a minute left had a game-winning drive to get the win.


He's not the greatest QB, but he's hardly overrated. I'd say, when it matters, Brady is a top-10 QB all-time. Playoffs, Super Bowls...that's when it matters and so far, Brady is perfect.

[ZONACAT]

He is greatness, there is no denying it now. He is about to win his third Super Bowl.

Did you guys think Aikman was great?

[Morgan]

to quote Herm Edawards

"YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"

Brady just flat out wins and I think he is very similar but better then Aikman. Aikman was good but I think Brady is better. Aikman had more weapons. Brady has lead a comeback in the super bowl and has been Super Bowl MVP twice. I think Aikman only won hat once.

[Ben Hansen]

You need a fifth option in the "No" area. I don't think he's overrated at all but I certainly don't think he's one of the all-time greats, either.

How can you be overrated when you are the quarterback on two Super Bowl teams and you are 7-0 in the playoffs? If Brady is overrated what are Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, Michael Vick and everyone else?

[WallyNoche]

Hansen Quote...
How can you be overrated when you are the quarterback on two Super Bowl teams and you are 7-0 in the playoffs?

Nuff said... :smokin:






Do you think Marino would give back some of his QB records for a Super Bowl ring? I do...

[PointGuardU03]

Originally posted by Ben Hansen
How can you be overrated when you are the quarterback on two Super Bowl teams and you are 7-0 in the playoffs?
Because if it wasn't for the Tuck Rule we wouldn't even be having this conversation. And no I'm not a Radiers fan, I just think everything has fallen the right way for this guy (part of which should be a credited to him) and in my eyes he has yet to take over a game the way the greats have and therefore is overated b/c some people have him as high as 2nd on their list of best qbs ever.

[Chicat]

Well PGU03, anyone who thinks Brady is the second best quarterback ever, obviously started watching football a couple of years ago. Brady doesn't even make my top 5 . . . but he does make my top 10.

And I have every reason in the world to hate this guy. He screwed up my Rams chance to be where the Patriots are today - a dynasty. :angry:

[JMarkJohns]

... and in my eyes he has yet to take over a game the way the greats have and therefore is overated b/c some people have him as high as 2nd on their list of best qbs ever.

I said top-10 when the game counts...


And also, he's orchestrated two, final minutes drives in the Super Bowl.

I don't care that they score was tied both times. When his defense failed him by allowing a touchdown to tie the score (happened both times), Brady gathered the troops and marched down the field for the win.

You simply can't ask for more from a quarterback than what Brady is and has done. For this, he is great. Not all-time, not yet anyways, but great.

[PointGuardU03]

Although I respect both of his game winning drives(even though Vinateri deserves more credit) both are tarnished in my eyes. In the first SB Brady was real bad until that final drive. His D held of the Rams for as long as they could and had Brady played halfway decent game and put some points on the board the Pats would have run away with the game. The only reason he won the MVP that game (with something like 155 pass yds, maybe 1 td) was b/c you can't give an MVP award to a whole defense and for some reason they didn't pick out just one player from the D that dominated the game. And the second one was more deserving(even though Delhome had the better game) Brady never would have had to drive his team 30 yds for the FG if he hadn't thrown an interception in the endzone that sparked the Panthers comeback. His accomplishments are great, just a bit tainted. It'd be like if Salim had turned the ball over 3 times to allow UCLA to get back into the game on Saturday before hitting "the shot". It would have lessened the impact or greatness of the shot. And becuase of this is why I say he's a good qb, but an overrated one. Sorry, that was a bit long winded, but I think I got my point across.

[Jason Scheer]

This shouldnt be an argument. I too used to think he was overrated until I actually thought about it. Quarterbacks are often asked to do what it takes to win. For instance, Trent Dilfer was asked not to make mistakes-that was really his only job and he succeeded in in. Brady is asked to do the same, especially now that Dillon is on the team. What makes a great quarterback is their ability to put their team in the position to win without making mistakes. Sure Viniatieri made those field goals and is an awesome kicker but Brady put him in position. If a guy quarterbacks a team to 3 superbowls in four years then there is no way he is overrated.

For every tuck rule there is a bad holding or pass interference call so, for me, that play is irrelevant. Peyton Manning is on your list as being overrated. How can a guy that threw 55 touchdowns be overrated? Is he an unbelievable quarterback? Absolutely. Is he a winner? No, not yet. He didn't win as a Vol and he hasn't wont as a Colt. However to say he does not deserve praise is foolish, especially with the numbers he put up.

Systems are huge for a quarterback. They have to fit the system well and it often makes a good quarterback look great and vice versa. Brady fits well under the system and does his job. He is being compared to Montana for the sole reason that he is a winner. While you may say that the Chief years is what makes Montana a good qb (I couldnt disagree more-his superbowl years is what hes known for, nobody talks about how good he was as a chief) an argument can also be made that Brady is winning with much less than what Montana ever won with.

Considering you think that McNabb, Manning and Brady are all overrated I would be interested in seeing who your top 5 quarterbacks in the league are and maybe throw in a seperate list of your all time best.

My top 5:

Brady
Manning
Culpepper
McNabb
Favre (I still want him on my team)

All time:

Montana
Otto Graham
Unitas
Bradshaw/Namath/Elway/Marino

[Class of 1990]

Tough phrased poll. He is not overrated but not yet an all time great.

Actually he is underrated IMO.

The guy has never lost a playoff game. The guy wins. Look at both SuperBowls. He has two game winning drives. Right there you can hang you hat for a career but here he comes looking to get another one.

He is their leader and they win. So all time greatness is on the way.

[JMarkJohns]

Not to mention, the Patriots weren't exactly a powerhouse before he got the starting reigns from Bledsoe.

LINK: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nweindex.htm

They weren't this good until Brady took control.

[WallyNoche]

PGU03 Quote...
I for one and sick and tired of everyone sucking off Brady. While the guy is very good, he's by no means great. He rarely makes mistakes and hits his open recievers, what's so hard about that. Everyone calls him the next Joe Montana, when he's just a glourified Phil Simms. I mean if it wasn't for the worst rule ever in sports (Tuck Rule) he'd probably be irrelavent. I think he's good, but woefully overrated, what do you guys think. Vote b*tch!

PGU03...You still think he is overrated?

[PointGuardU03]

Yes, if Big Ben didn't crap the bed I think Pitt. wins this game. Brady is great at what he does, dinkin' and dunkin' while no turning it over, but he's not the greatest of all-time as I've now seen 2 different outlets call him. As I've said all along, I think Brady is a very good qb, just not as great as everyone says he is.

[Morgan]

Yes, if Big Ben didn't crap the bed I think Pitt. wins this game. Brady is great at what he does, dinkin' and dunkin' while no turning it over, but he's not the greatest of all-time as I've now seen 2 different outlets call him. As I've said all along, I think Brady is a very good qb, just not as great as everyone says he is.

Exactly, Brady just dinks and dunks it. Did you see Troy Polumaleu (spelling obviously not correct) get looked off and Brady throw a STRIKE straight down the middle of the field for about a 60 yard TD pass? Yep he just dinks and dunks.

[Zona Dave]

Don't forget about Brady throwing a bullet 45+ yards later in the game. The thing is he looks weak but, he's not. He's not a legend, he's just a winner... He's a team player with very good skills. Pittsburgh had no chance once the game started.

[PointGuardU03]

Here's an article by Skip Bayless that personifies and articulates my opion/points better then I could, this is a good read.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/050128

[JMarkJohns]

Anytime you find that either Skip Bayless or Jay Mariotti agree with you...

One should immediately change his mind.

Skip is the biggest sack of idiocy the profession has ever churned out and Mariotti isn't far behind. Skip ain't dubbed "Clueless" for no reason...