GoBlue in IA

February 6th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^

Not only did Tom F'n Brady cement his legecy as the GOAT, he made that POS Godell hand him the trophy.  

Tell me why Llyod Carr in all his infinite wisdome thought Drew Henson was a better college QB than Brady?  

MC5-95

February 6th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^

IIRC, at the time, the feeling was that Drew Henson was on par with Brady but younger so they wanted to get him snaps. They didn't split time as much as people think. In 1999, Henson had 46 completions on 89 attemps versus Brady's 180 completions on 295 attempts. In that year's Orange Bowl, Henson barely played as Brady led Michigan to the win over 'Bama.

Henson was a good college quarterback and probably could have been a great one and had a good NFL career if he hadn't focused on baseball. 

Post-Brady Henson stats as a Jr. starter in 2000 (his last season for UM): 131 completions on 217 attempts (8 games), 16 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, 152 rating, win over OSU and Auburn in the Citrus Bowl. 

So that's probably why Lloyd played Henson as much as he did: He was good.

Michigasling

February 6th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^

Henson was Yankees property, Steinbrenner was an OSU booster...

Carr was quoted years later that Henson was put in because he needed some on-field time in the games because his summer baseball commitments didn't allow enough off-season football.  Conspiracy theory given credence when Steinbrenner gave then-starter Henson a now-or-never $1,000,000 come-to-Yankees after his junior year. 

Did the platooning affect Brady's draft status?  Then the other Drew got injured... 

Wow.

Pepto Bismol

February 6th, 2017 at 3:05 PM ^

I think it's obvious that the platooning hurt Brady's draft status - at least to an extent.  Bill Belichick is on record in one of the documentaries that they noticed (maybe the 30 for 30 about the Brady 6?).

Paraphrasing of course, but Belichick said something to the effect that Brady looked great every time he was on the field and always pulled games out of the fire in the 2nd half, but Michigan seemed to try like hell to replace him.  It raised red flags.  What are we missing here? 

Michigasling

February 6th, 2017 at 10:52 PM ^

I knew nothing about draft status, recruiting, or much of anything about what goes into football or coaching, but I was already in NYC, watching the few Michigan games then broadcast nationally, and I'd see Brady pulled for this kid who didn't seem to play any better, and wondered why Brady had to wait two years to get on the field and this kid with no experience couldn't wait his turn. 

Then there was the Ohio State game, broadcast nationally of course, and there was a feature of Steinbrenner leading the cheers at the OSU pep rally the night before the game.  No wonder Steinbrenner was so eager to get Henson off the field at Michigan, and no wonder Carr felt the pressure to get him ON the field to keep him from jumping ship for baseball.  No proof, but sure made sense to me.

LSAClassOf2000

February 6th, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^

For all the years that I've followed Michigan players that went on to NFL careers, I don't know that I ever saw one quite like Brady, where it started in what was a very odd draft year and so unassuming and quiet. If you had asked me how he would do back in 2000, I don't know that anything that he has done in the 17 years since would come to mind then. It has been fun to watch him turn into what he is now. 

anywaytodelete…

February 6th, 2017 at 2:53 PM ^

Let's forget about stats and just look at how Brady performed in crunch time in all 7 super bowls.  Everyone knows what happened last night.  Over the course of 7 SBs, 2 big mistakes -- 1 INT and 1 inaccurate, but catchable, pass -- he overcame one.  2 game-winning FG drives starting with just over a minute left. 3 TD drives on what was, effectively, his last possession. 1 bad throw on a long drive while nursing a 3-point lead. 

  • In 3 SBs he trailed on his last meaningful possession (that is, with enough time to move into scoring position without a miraculous play or a bad penalty by the defense).  3 TDs (including a 2-point conversion last night).  Wins 2, losses 1.
  • In 2 SBs he was tied with just over 1 minute to go and led his team to a game winning field goal both times.  Wins 2, losses 0.
  • In 1 SB he went 3 and out up by 10 with 7 minutes to play and then took 1 minute off the clock in 3 plays on his final possession to leave Philadelphia with no TOs, down by 3, and the ball on their own 4.  Wins 1, losses 0.
  • In 1 SB up by 2 with 9 1/2 minutes left in the game he takes 5 1/2 minutes off the clock and gets that Patriots close to FG range, but misses key pass (catchable, but his fault) that would have come very close to sealing the game.  Down by 4, gets ball back with 57 seconds left, 1 TO, and 80 yards to go.  Gets to midfield in 9 plays, but runs out of time.  Wins 0, losses 1.

Anyone want to dig up what Montana did?  I'm sure his stats were great.  At least one comeback to win with about 1 minute left.  But some major blowouts as well.  Brady had to perform with the game on the line in 6 out 7 super bowls -- came up with 3 TDs, 2 FGs, and one long drive that failed.  4 wins, 2 losses in those 6.