by John Kothrade

Created on: March 20, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

This question has been presented time and again by numerous people on numerous sporting programs. Tom Brady. Joe Montana. Both names conjure up memories of Super Bowls past, albeit some a little more past than others. Montana is in the Hall of Fame and touted as quite possibly the best quarterback to play the game to date. Brady is a shoe-in as soon as the 5-year wait has passed. And the answer is a very emphatic "Yes!"

Let's take a moment for a very simple comparison. Brady has 3 Super Bowl wins. Montana has 2. Montana has achieved Hall of Fame status. Brady, with his 3 Super Bowl wins in 4 years, a virtual shoe-in, as soon as the 5-year waiting period has expired after his retirement. Montana is touted as quite possibly the best quarterback of his era, as is Brady. Joe Montana executed the original "West Coast" offense with poise, grace, patience, and accuracy. Tom Brady commands Bill Belichek's version with the very same poise, grace, patience, and accuracy. Both had/have a supreme understanding of defenses and all the intricacies of defensive schemes. Watching game film of both in action in the playoffs, when the games really count 'cuz it's win or go home, is poetry in motion.
Now for the clincher. Tom Brady won 3 Super Bowls with virtually no Pro Bowl caliber receivers. Meanwhile, Joe Montana had "Jesus in cleats", as coined by fellow Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice. And Roger Craig. And Brent Jones. And John Taylor. Brady had adequate receivers. But none the caliber of Rice and company.
After looking at things in that light, I not only consider Tom Brady to be in the same company as the legendary Joe Montana, but quite possibly in a league of his own.

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