Post by Man in Black on Sept 10, 2008 6:15:03 GMT -5
OK, so I realize that I skipped a week... It wasn't because I was lazy - I'm just not going to make something up out of thin air. I poured over the news and stats looking for somebody who stood out. With college football in full swing you'd have thought there would have at least been a hero there. Some good games and big upsets, but no legends just yet. So, my award this week goes to a fellow who most would put last on their list of athletes they thought I'd write about here.
Savior, Anti-Christ, Cheater, Legend... how ever you may think of Bill Belichick's number one - he has been the best NFL quarterback since he wrested the starting job from an injured Drew Bledsoe - a move that introduced us to the ice in Belichick's veins as he proved he'd do anything to win, including sending a beloved franchise face packing. None of which, I might add, is Tom Brady's fault. He was just kind of there.
The Chiefs Bernard Pollard will be forever remembered for changing the face of the 2008 NFL season with a single hit. Last years NFL MVP, Tom Brady will go under the knife to repair his knee and won't return until next year. He's not the first, and he won't be the last... but he might just be the best it's happened to.
Why, you might ask am I anointing Brady - Athlete of the Week at the lowest point of his career? No matter how cliche it may be - We don't know what we have until it's gone. Tom Brady is gone, out for the season just one year removed from completely blowing up the record book.
We all know what Brady has done: Super-bowl Rings, MVPs - all with a smile and a super model on his arm. But, what have we lost? Well, there will be no magical match ups of Brett Favre and Tom Brady gunning it out over the AFC East title or even a bonus AFC Championship showdown. The Peyton Manning/Tom Brady rivalry is on pause. Pats fans lose their Montana, their Elway, their Marino, their Manning. The rest of us lose somebody to hate, the best of the best to root against.
Tell me truthfully, had the NY Giants marched into last year's big game against any other team with any other quarterback, would that win have been anywhere near as astronomical as it was. Not to me. Not to the 1972 Dolphins who still reside alone in Perfectville. I was on the edge of my seat with millions of others when Plaxico Burress took the winning leather from the air that simultaneously whooshed out of the latest "Dynasty".
Did you enjoy that game? Then surely, thank Eli Manning and the Velcro headed wonder David Tyree along with the Giants ridiculously good D-Line. But, be sure to thank Tom Brady because he's the man that made it happen.
Don't believe me? Just wait and see if the Patriots go 18 - 0 this season without him. Then try to tell your self that you don't miss him... just a little bit.
Tom Brady - The Devil His Due...
Savior, Anti-Christ, Cheater, Legend... how ever you may think of Bill Belichick's number one - he has been the best NFL quarterback since he wrested the starting job from an injured Drew Bledsoe - a move that introduced us to the ice in Belichick's veins as he proved he'd do anything to win, including sending a beloved franchise face packing. None of which, I might add, is Tom Brady's fault. He was just kind of there.
The Chiefs Bernard Pollard will be forever remembered for changing the face of the 2008 NFL season with a single hit. Last years NFL MVP, Tom Brady will go under the knife to repair his knee and won't return until next year. He's not the first, and he won't be the last... but he might just be the best it's happened to.
Why, you might ask am I anointing Brady - Athlete of the Week at the lowest point of his career? No matter how cliche it may be - We don't know what we have until it's gone. Tom Brady is gone, out for the season just one year removed from completely blowing up the record book.
We all know what Brady has done: Super-bowl Rings, MVPs - all with a smile and a super model on his arm. But, what have we lost? Well, there will be no magical match ups of Brett Favre and Tom Brady gunning it out over the AFC East title or even a bonus AFC Championship showdown. The Peyton Manning/Tom Brady rivalry is on pause. Pats fans lose their Montana, their Elway, their Marino, their Manning. The rest of us lose somebody to hate, the best of the best to root against.
Tell me truthfully, had the NY Giants marched into last year's big game against any other team with any other quarterback, would that win have been anywhere near as astronomical as it was. Not to me. Not to the 1972 Dolphins who still reside alone in Perfectville. I was on the edge of my seat with millions of others when Plaxico Burress took the winning leather from the air that simultaneously whooshed out of the latest "Dynasty".
Did you enjoy that game? Then surely, thank Eli Manning and the Velcro headed wonder David Tyree along with the Giants ridiculously good D-Line. But, be sure to thank Tom Brady because he's the man that made it happen.
Don't believe me? Just wait and see if the Patriots go 18 - 0 this season without him. Then try to tell your self that you don't miss him... just a little bit.
What has he done? Oh, just a little...
Tom Brady's Notable accomplishments
Career bests
Highest single-game quarterback rating: 158.3 (at Miami, October 21, 2007)
Highest single-season quarterback rating: 117.2 (2007)
Highest total passing touchdowns in a game: 6 (at Miami, October 21, 2007)
Highest total passing touchdowns in a regular season: 50 (2007) NFL Record
Highest total passing yards in a game: 410 (vs. KC, 2002)
Highest total passing yards in a season: 4,806 (2007)
Lowest interception total, season (minimum 2 starts): 8 (2007)
Largest touchdown to interception difference: +42 (2007) NFL Record
21-game win streak statistics (including post-season)
690 passes attempted
412 passes completed
4,953 passing yards
34 passing touchdowns
13 passes intercepted
20.29 passing attempts per touchdown
53.07 passing attempts per interception
59.71 completion rate
90.3 passer rating
Career
87–24 (regular season), 101–27 (career) as a starter
19.05 passing attempts per touchdown (career)
43.35 passing attempts per interception (career)
7–0 (career) in overtime games
27–5 (career) vs NFC teams
84–1 (regular season) when the Patriots have a lead at any time in the fourth quarter
28 game-winning drives after a Patriots' fourth-quarter tie or deficit
Post-season records and statistics
NFL record for most consecutive wins in post season: 10 (broke record of Green Bay's Bart Starr).
Most consecutive post season wins (college and professional combined): 12
3 Super Bowl victories
2 Super Bowl MVP awards
Most completions in a Super Bowl (32 in Super Bowl XXXVIII)
Most career Super Bowl completions (100 in four games)
Highest completion percentage in a single game, minimum 20 attempts (26 of 28, 92.9%, against Jacksonville in 2007 AFC Divisional round)
Career bests
Highest single-game quarterback rating: 158.3 (at Miami, October 21, 2007)
Highest single-season quarterback rating: 117.2 (2007)
Highest total passing touchdowns in a game: 6 (at Miami, October 21, 2007)
Highest total passing touchdowns in a regular season: 50 (2007) NFL Record
Highest total passing yards in a game: 410 (vs. KC, 2002)
Highest total passing yards in a season: 4,806 (2007)
Lowest interception total, season (minimum 2 starts): 8 (2007)
Largest touchdown to interception difference: +42 (2007) NFL Record
21-game win streak statistics (including post-season)
690 passes attempted
412 passes completed
4,953 passing yards
34 passing touchdowns
13 passes intercepted
20.29 passing attempts per touchdown
53.07 passing attempts per interception
59.71 completion rate
90.3 passer rating
Career
87–24 (regular season), 101–27 (career) as a starter
19.05 passing attempts per touchdown (career)
43.35 passing attempts per interception (career)
7–0 (career) in overtime games
27–5 (career) vs NFC teams
84–1 (regular season) when the Patriots have a lead at any time in the fourth quarter
28 game-winning drives after a Patriots' fourth-quarter tie or deficit
Post-season records and statistics
NFL record for most consecutive wins in post season: 10 (broke record of Green Bay's Bart Starr).
Most consecutive post season wins (college and professional combined): 12
3 Super Bowl victories
2 Super Bowl MVP awards
Most completions in a Super Bowl (32 in Super Bowl XXXVIII)
Most career Super Bowl completions (100 in four games)
Highest completion percentage in a single game, minimum 20 attempts (26 of 28, 92.9%, against Jacksonville in 2007 AFC Divisional round)
