Originally posted by jonnydel:
Lets see Brady get hit as many times as Joe did in his era where there wasn't the, "you tap the QB on the head with an index finger and there's a penalty" rules in place and continue to be able to play as long as he has and be proficient. Then we might be able to talk about this fairly.
The hard part is this debate of Joe vs Tom can never be settled. What Tom has done is impressive - as much as it pains me to say that because I can't stand him nor the Patriots. The only time I ever wanted them to win was against the Seahawks in a, "who do I hate least" game.
But, they played in different eras. Joe's time, the game was much, much different. Defenders mauled QB's. Hits to the head? Sure, that's fine. Low at the knees? Yep, go ahead.
Joe's SB window as a starting QB wasn't that long. 11 years. In 10 years he won 4 SB's and injury may have kept him from a 5th. We don't know how that 1990 NFCCG would have turned out if Joe wasn't on the sideline with cracked ribs, a broken hand, bruised sternum and bruised stomach. Steve made a big throw on the final drive and Roger coughed it up, but one has to wonder if Bill wouldn't have called a passing play there in the 4 minute drill if Joe was in the game.
Let's also not forget why Montana was pulled in the 1986 NFCCG where Young had his epic run that's shown on the highlights. Walsh pulled Montana after 2 picks because Joe had been dealing with elbow problems from all the wear and tear of the NFL at that time. He had surgery in the off-season and came back and won the SB the next year.
In 1991 people also forget that he tore a tendon in his throwing arm in training camp - it's why Steve started in 91. Steve won the passing title that year, but you still have to wonder if it wouldn't have gone all the way with Joe under center.
Joe also played in a time with much less medical knowledge and sports injury knowledge than we have today. I highly doubt Tom is going to have the long term health affects that Joe has had to deal with since playing even though he will have played a lot more games(Joe is headed for a 3rd neck fusion on top of bad arthritis in his legs and arms).
There's no denying that Tom is great. There's no denying Montana was great. But, if you look at the adversity and brutality of the game in Joe's era, to do what he did is incredible.
If healthy, I would pick a Joe Montana over Brady 10 times out of 10.
Here's the thing. I agree playing offense in that era was a lot tougher and QBs took much more punishment.
However I don't think we can simply say that if they switch spots that Brady's career is ended quickly and Joe plays great into his 40s.
Tom Brady goes through a ridiculous regiment and a crazy extreme diet to keep his body in shape and he actually looks better moving around these days than he did in his 20s as crazy as that is.
Not to mention there are plenty of QBs getting injured today as well. Guys may not be able to hit the same way they did back in Joe's playing days but QBs still get hit and they get hit hard. The whole thing about comparing era's is hypotheticals. I think you have to compare guys among their peers.
With Joe you had Marino and Elway. Elway had what was it 3 trips to the SB before the salary cap era? 5 total when he was done?
With Brady what other QB comes close to his success since he took over as the Pats starter? Manning? 4 trips with 2 wins to Brady's 8 trips with 5 wins. We all know his SB numbers(pretty sure he has more picks than TDs)
Yes you can argue that the teams Brady had were better but we've watched Joe, we know there is such a thing as having "IT" and Brady, like Joe, has IT.
You don't come back down 28-3 in the 3rd unless you can make magic happen.
You don't go to 8 Superbowls with very different teams if you don't have IT.
I know people like to point out that Belichick is a mastermind who can win with everyone but I don't agree. The biggest thing everyone points to is Matt Cassel in 2008 but he took over a stacked team and his performance was a huge decline in play from Brady the year prior...including the Pats missing the playoffs for the first time since Brady's 2nd year in the league.
I mean forget just making the playoffs with Brady they've made it to the AFC Championship or further 12 times out of Brady's 16 years where he started most of the games.
Besides not like Joe didn't have good coaching either...coaching which was perfect for his play style too.
I don't have an issue with you or someone else taking Joe. I don't agree but I respect the opinion and can understand it but I just don't like the idea that Brady in the 80s is some kind of broken b***h who can't complete a pass when he's playing against more complex defenses, faster, stronger and bigger players.
