Maybe it’s just me, but it seems as though all you hear these days are conversations-by sport- about the G.O.A.T., aka “Greatest Of All Time”, for those of you unsure of the worn-out acronym. During basketball season it’s LeBron versus MJ and during football season it’s typically simplified to, “Is Tom Brady the greatest quarterback of all time?” The interesting piece of this often-debated subject is not necessarily his comparison to other quarterbacks, but determining if Belichick and his system are capable of the Patriot’s achievements with any average joe QB. So, I ask, which is more important: the system or the quarterback?
With five rings (eight total Super Bowl appearances) in his possession during his nearly 20 year career, it’s hard to contend Brady’s number of championships compared to anyone else to ever play the game. The next best quarterback, as far as rings are concerned, would be a tie between legend Joe Montana and Steeler great Terry Bradshaw. Both Montana and Bradshaw were 4-0 in Super Bowl appearances.
Late reports have uncovered Brady considered, what an unnamed source is referring to as, a ‘divorce’ from Belichick, but he obviously never went through with it. Does that prove that he knows the system and coach combination in Kraftland is unbeatable? Possibly. It could also be that fact that as TB neared the age of 40, he realized his options were limited and he sort of had a good thing going on in Boston.
It could certainly be argued there are more naturally talented and athletic players (ahem, Aaron Rodgers), but have these other quarterbacks reached eight Super Bowls? Nope. Not even close. John Elway is the next closest and he had five Super Bowl appearances, ultimately ending up 2-3 on the big stage. It is truly hard to believe that other teams in the current era have not “cracked the code” to Belichick’s system. It does not seem to be a secret. Draft young and smart, yet always keep your options open to veterans when they become free agents.
This NFL season, as it nears December and January will be a very interesting time as we see not only what Brady and the Pats have done (a ninth appearance for Brady?), but if the ‘R-word’ becomes tossed around. At age 41, one would have to assume retirement will be brought up each and every season. Does a sixth ring solidify Tom’s spot in history? I guess we will have to wait and find out.
