Tom Brady ranked NFL's most clutch QB

Submitted by Wolverine In Iowa 68 on

Bleacher Report article ranking their version of the top 25 "most clutch" quarterbacks in NFL history, based on clutch performance, whether it was:

  • In the 4th quarter
  • In the Playoffs
  • Off the bench in a crisis, etc.

Interesting nostalgia read, and Tom takes the top slot with this opener:

"Tom Brady has led 10 game-winning drives in the playoffs, four more than any other quarterback in history and as many as John Elway and Dan Marino combined."

 

My favorite line.... "...the only people arguing this selection are a half-dozen dudes in faded Elway jerseys and some cranks typing CHEATRIOTS on every comment thread they can find"

 

Link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2718337-nfl-nostalgia-ranking-histor…

mGrowOld

July 13th, 2017 at 1:26 PM ^

But I found it interesting that they cited Montana's stats: 31 fourth quarter comebacks and 33 game winning drives but didnt list Brady's.  Instead they listed his 10 game winning playoff drives and 63 post-season TD passes vs Montana's 45.  And notwithstanding the different era's yielding different emphasis on passing,  Montana threw his in 23 games vs Brady's 34 so his per game TD % iin the playoffs actually higher than Brady's.  Also Brady threw 31 Int in those games vs Montana's 21 so his TD to interception ratio was lower.  

Love Tom Brady but he's second place to Montana IMO.  Sorry.  

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MontJo01/gamelog/post/

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00/gamelog/post/

 

lilpenny1316

July 13th, 2017 at 1:38 PM ^

...those SF teams were loaded with HOFers and a coach that I will always adore for Bill Walsh CFB/NCAA FB.

It's easier to comeback when you're throwing to Jerry Rice and John Taylor or handing off to Roger Craig behind an elite O-line.  Brady didn't win a SB with the best skill position player he ever had (Randy Moss).

I think the stats are crazy to compare due to different eras, but I'm pretty sure that any Joe Montana, SB teams would be a heavy favorite against any of the NE SB teams, even the team that went 16-0.  

Brady gets the nod in my book for doing his work with less heralded talent.

MotownGoBlue

July 13th, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^

Don't forget about the 49ers' OLine(s); Bubba Paris, Randy Cross, Guy McIntyre, Jesse Sapolu, etc... I'd take them over anything the Pats ever assembled. Under-appreciated blocking FB and TE in Rathman and Jones as well. Joe had excellent protection. **Even the receivers, Rice, Solomon, Clark, Taylor, etc... could all block. Some of those 9ers teams had no weaknesses on either side of the ball.

lilpenny1316

July 13th, 2017 at 8:28 PM ^

John Taylor went to multiple Pro Bowls.  And I think that anyone old enough to remember the 80s would be able to put Walsh over Belichick in a heartbeat, me included.  People to this day are still trying the West Coast Offense because of him.  And his coaching tree is more impressive.

Holmgren, Sam Wyche, Seifert all came directly from Walsh.  Belichick has Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini and Josh McDaniels.  All of them, flameouts.

 

East German Judge

July 13th, 2017 at 8:02 PM ^

You are absolutely right as JM's era, the free agency and player's ability to change teams and the salary cap were different and/or moot points. Thus, it was easier once you built a winner for teams to retain their players, whether they were HOFers or just very good players. In the current era, it is SO much harder to keep a good team intact. Finally, count the rings, count the rings! 

CWoodIsMyBoiii

July 13th, 2017 at 1:53 PM ^

I'm just messing with ya.  I'm not quite old enough to have seen Montana play but have had the opportunity to see Brady for his entire career.  I enjoy hearing and reading people go back on forth on these types of sports topics where there really is no correct answer. 

old98blue

July 13th, 2017 at 1:53 PM ^

And Young to the team over and won 14 games in his second year 10 in his first, Lion fans would kill for that. Team loaded with HOF talent both sides of the ball and back to back HOF coaching to go along with it.

 Who knew Edelman, Welker or the other 20 or so receivers that Brady has had not named Moss. He has had TE or has he made them better too?

This isn't taking away from Montana but a HOF line a HOF receiver corps and a HOF back field and a HOF defense to get the ball back to you makes it a little easier than a different team almost every other year. The only constant is Brady and his head coach

 

mGrowOld

July 13th, 2017 at 2:25 PM ^

There are only two players on offense from those teams in the HOF.  

 

"HOF Line" - Zero in NFL HOF

"HOF Reciever Corp" - Rice only (and Moss will make it for Pats)

"HOF Backfield" - Zero in NFL HOF

And Young from 85-89 (the Montana overlap years) only had significant playing time in 86-the year Montana was injured.  Other than that he played in garbage time only - not a signficant participant to their success

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounSt00.htm

 

big john lives on 67

July 13th, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^

Moss was a blip on Tom Brady's career radar screen and not really valid for this discussion. So for one or two years Brady had a great receiver at the end of his career versus having the greatest receiver of all time for the vast majority of your career. Big difference here. This last Super Bowl comeback cements it. There is no greater nor more important comeback on the history of football. Montana could never have pulled it off. Tom Brady stands alone as the greatest.

mgowill

July 14th, 2017 at 1:52 AM ^

All you need to know mGrowOld, is that in 14 years at SF and 2 years at KC, Montana went to 4 Super Bowls.  In the same 16 year span, Brady has been to 7.

Winning in the big game means actually getting to it.  Brady has been to the Super Bowl for 44% of his career.  Compare that with Montana making it for 25% of his career.  While that 25% is impressive on its own, it pales in comparison to the domination that Brady has held over getting to the Super Bowl for the last 16 years.

Brady also has 9 more playoff wins in the same span as Montana and only 2 more losses than Montana.  His win percentage is much higher than Montana's.  25 playoff wins is a record that won't be touched for a very long time.  It's just an unreal statistic for someone who is still active.

I get it mGrowOld - Montana was pretty awesome in his day.  He was a great QB.  He won at the highest level.  What you are watching right now with Brady though, will be remembered for the rest of our lives because nobody will touch his Super Bowl and Playoff records for a very long time - if ever.  

Also, what would you say if Brady got his 6th or even 7th Super Bowl ring?  Would you still want Montana as your QB then?

mGrowOld

July 13th, 2017 at 2:38 PM ^

I give up.  Apparently the NFL Hall of Fame's official site is in error and the place is litttered with 49ers from the 1980s.  Every O lineman, Running back and WR who suited up for the niners is in there (I mean they must be according to everyone in this thread) and the guy in charge of updating their website forgot to list them.

old98blue

July 13th, 2017 at 2:58 PM ^

I stand corrected, maybe it's just my hatred for all things Irish. The team not the people. 

We'll go with pro bowlers instead, besides it's opinion just like Warrior fans saying this is the best team ever and Lakers and Celtics fans losing their minds

blueinbeantown

July 13th, 2017 at 4:04 PM ^

Joe wins that discussion!  She may not Gisele's checkbook, but for us in those years, The Schick Chick wins the who's hotter discussion all day long!

Brady will have only 1 potential HOF candidate teammate that he played with for an extended period, Gronk. Moss was really 1 year, set all the records, Brady missed year 2 and then Moss, well started turning back into Moss!