by Patrick Gegg

Created on: February 07, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

After the Patriots defeated the Eagles in Superbowl XXXIX, if you as a fan hadn't heard it before, you did now: is Tom Brady the next coming of Joe Montana, or even better?

What Joe Montana achieved in his NFL career is second to none. He was everything a quarterback should be - powerful arm, pinpoint accuracy, ability to elude defnders with ease, a deep understanding of the position in its entirety and an indominable will to win. He's won two MVP awards. Only he and Terry Bradshaw won four Superbowls. Only Joe himself has won three Superbowl MVP awards. Twenty-six fourth quarter comebacks with the San Francisco 49ers, thirty-one alltogether. The first quarterback to score a rushing tocuhdown in the Superbowl. He has never thrown an interception in his four Superbowl appearances. Combine these stats with those of his college and high school days, and you have perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time.

At the same time, what Tom Brady has achieved in his very young NFL career is second to none. He has played just seven seasons, started six, and already has won three Superbowls and two Superbowl MVP awards. He has led 25 (give or take) fourth quarter comebacks. He has an incredible 80-25 career record. He's a perfect 7-0 in overtime games. Most importantly, he won his first ten playoff games, a record, and has a 12-2 career playoff record. Tom Brady is on the road to unfathomable success.

So when you look at these two men, you see a lot of smiliarities. Both were not high draft picks (3rd and 6th rounds). Both have won multiple Superbowls and garnered multiple Superbowl MVP awards. Both led their teams to new levels of success. But easily the biggest similarity is both's ability to lead a comeback from any deficit at any point in the game, whether it be in the regular season or in the Superbowl, the most intense stage for a pro football player. What makes these men the quarterbacks they are is that courage under fire, that trait that relatively few people, let alone athletes, possess. Can Tom Brady be compared to Joe Montana? Yes. Very easily. Is Tom better? Only time will tell, and it will always be a matter of opinion. But regardless, these are two of the most superior quarterbacks to ever play this wonderful game.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Gegg.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.