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It Ain’t Over Yet-Brady and Montana Comparison
By Callie Spear
He’s not your average Joe…..or is he? With only 5 years in the NFL, Tom Brady has proven to be one of the best-ranked quarterbacks in the nation. And who gets him? The New England Patriots.
Brady, already a rising star, has proven his ability to deal with pressurized situations.
Two years ago, he was a first-year starter filling in for Drew Bledsoe when the Patriots won nine games in a row to win the Super Bowl. Playing conservatively that season, Brady relied on a solid running game covering for his inexperience. Then came Super Bowl XXXVI when Brady was told by coach Bill Belichick to go and win the game with only 1:21 left on the clock and no timeouts left.
His .745 winning percentage is the best among active quarterbacks. Brady is the all-time NFL leader in overtime victories without a loss (7-0) and his numbers in extra periods are extraordinary: 28 for 32 (87.5 percent) for 341 yards and a touchdown without an interception.
He now has two Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVP trophies to his credit. He is one of six quarterbacks in history to win his first four playoff starts and hold the record with Troy Aikman with seven consecutive playoff victories without a defeat.
All of this from a sixth-round pick, what would Joe Montana have thought?
Yes, the standards have risen and the comparisons are inevitable.
The Joe Montana. The one with four Super Bowl rings, three Super Bowl MVP trophies and a place in the Hall of Fame. But how many guys can be compared to him? No, I am not saying Brady is another Montana, I am saying at this stage in his career, Brady looks like a young Montana in his third season as starter. But at this level, the comparisons are eerie.
Montana was selected by a coach (Bill Walsh) who knew the quarterback would fit well into his offense. A third-round pick, Montana was devalued in his starting season.
However, it is fair to compare these two quarterbacks in how they play. For example, two years ago when Brady drove the Patriots 53 yards in 72 seconds to a winning field goal and again he drove them 47 yards in 64 seconds yet to another victory.
And no it wasn’t Brady trying to be Montana, it was Brady being Brady. Like his comrade, Montana also was able to drive the ball to victory. For instance, when he took the 49ers 92 yards to beat the Bengals on a TD pass in Super Bowl XXIII.
In a regular season, Brady has managed to keep in close standings with the legendary Montana. When it comes down to wins and losses, Brady has the higher rating of the two (.739) compared to Montana’s .713. Although Brady’s career is far less than Montana’s, Brady is only few points shy (85.8) of Montana’s 92.3 in TD ratings. The most significant figure: Montana won his second Super Bowl at age 28. Brady is 26.
We the people have Brady following in Montana’s steps, although we should know that there will never be another Joe Montana or another Brett Favre perhaps. Though Brady has made these comparisons come to life, he has made a name for himself. He has earned the trust of not only his coaches, but his teammates as well. There is no doubt in the years to come that Brady may be seen on a different level. But for right now, he plays a role on a team that happens to be quarterback. So until next season, it ain’t over yet for this QB!
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