NFL Thread

[SerenityNigh]

Back on the Montana-Brady question (I'm sure old timers will toss in Unitas, to make it more interesting. @mezzrow?), it's hard to compare the two completely separate eras. Brady gets much praise for 6 Super Bowl appearances in his time (still going, could add another?) during an era of parity, uncertainty, and generally weaker teams. No doubt this is the stuff of one of the best ever. Montana only made 4 appearances (probably a stretch to suggest he could have won in 1995, as I stated earlier), winning each, but his fights were in the NFC, not the Super Bowl. His era was one of dominant, pre-salary cap, smash-mouth teams.

Leave aside the remarkable 1985 Bears and the 1984 Raiders (with their 2nd win in 4 years) victories, and you get absolute dominance from 1982 to 1996, a 15 year run. During this time you saw San Francisco win 5 times in 5 appearances. Dallas won 3 times in 3 appearances. The Giants won 2 Super Bowls under Bill Parcels, and Gibbs' Redskins won 3 and lost 1. Without discounting Brady's brilliance, let's not brush aside what Montana did, because each time he won a Super Bowl, he also defeated these other NFC teams, which were his main competition.

 

[Minimeister]

SHALL I HAND THIS TO YOU OR MOVE BACK 8 YARDS AND THROW IT?

 

[davek]

What you've got to look at as well, this is a Pats team without any out and out superstars, with the possible exception of Gronk. It's a team put together with sensible free agent signings and good scouting at the draft.

A team like that needs good leadership and that's where Brady excels. Look at the 89 yard drive for the second score, mixed it up perfectly with running the ball and short quick passes to make first downs.

Honestly think in 10 years, people will look at Brady as all round, the best QB ever.

Made one major mistake on the first drive last night getting intercepted on the pass into the end zone. Just came storming back and handled the best defence in the league with relative ease.

 

[SerenityNigh]

 

[davek]

http://nypost.com/2015/02/01/tom-brady-changes-label-from-cheater-to-greatest-of-all-time/ lol

Comments section to that NY Post piece is great. Boston v NY sports rivalry in the raw.

 

[mezzrow]

Back on the Montana-Brady question (I'm sure old timers will toss in Unitas, to make it more interesting. @mezzrow?), it's hard to compare the two completely separate eras. Brady gets much praise for 6 Super Bowl appearances in his time (still going, could add another?) during an era of parity, uncertainty, and generally weaker teams. No doubt this is the stuff of one of the best ever. Montana only made 4 appearances (probably a stretch to suggest he could have won in 1995, as I stated earlier), winning each, but his fights were in the NFC, not the Super Bowl. His era was one of dominant, pre-salary cap, smash-mouth teams.

Leave aside the remarkable 1985 Bears and the 1984 Raiders (with their 2nd win in 4 years) victories, and you get absolute dominance from 1982 to 1996, a 15 year run. During this time you saw San Francisco win 5 times in 5 appearances. Dallas won 3 times in 3 appearances. The Giants won 2 Super Bowls under Bill Parcels, and Gibbs' Redskins won 3 and lost 1. Without discounting Brady's brilliance, let's not brush aside what Montana did, because each time he won a Super Bowl, he also defeated these other NFC teams, which were his main competition.

Imagine Roy Keane as QB. That's Unitas as a leader. Remember the way you felt when Elway got the ball down by four and with three minutes left and ninety yards to go? (let's go, we're screwed, I don't want to watch it happen I know what's coming...) That's Unitas. He won two championships in a row when he was at his peak, then they couldn't get past Lombardi's Packers to the championship game for the next decade.

Like Brady, nobody really thought he'd be much of anything coming out of college. His hometown Steelers cut him at least twice and then lost like dogs. He always played hurt. Always. He was a physical wreck by the end of his career. He spent most of his post-NFL life estranged from the Colts as well, because he felt he never got the respect he deserved from them.

 

[mezzrow]

Speaking of quarterbacks - from the sublime to the "necessary trip" (actually glad to see this):

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, who's been photographed partying from coach to coach since the day he was drafted, entered a treatment facility Wednesday and is getting the help he needs, according to a family friend and advisor.

"Brad Beckworth, a friend and advisor to Manziel and his family, has confirmed that Johnny entered treatment on Wednesday,'' a statement from Manziel's publicist read. "Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate, and he thought the offseason was the right time to take this step.

"On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/02/browns_quarterback_johnny_manziel_rehab.html

 

[SerenityNigh]

Speaking of quarterbacks - from the sublime to the "necessary trip" (actually glad to see this):



http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/02/browns_quarterback_johnny_manziel_rehab.html

Not surprising at all. The question is whether he can stick with it. Very few have been able to pull themselves out of the pit (or let others help). Otherwise he's little different from Ryan Leaf/Jamarcus Russell.

 

[Minimeister]

There was some top moments in the post season. Dallas's 'catch' against Green Bay, Green Bays negativity against Seattle and Seattle's comeback then a moment like that last night. Can't wait till next season!

 

[mezzrow]

Not surprising at all. The question is whether he can stick with it. Very few have been able to pull themselves out of the pit (or let others help). Otherwise he's little different from Ryan Leaf/Jamarcus Russell.

...Matt Jones/Justin Blackmon - we get it through the receiver position down here.

Rumblings that Blackmon could come back in 2015, btw... I'll believe it when I see it. That said, nobody said he couldn't play.

With the other receivers we now have, it could be a .500 season next year.

All together now:

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between...

 

[obc]

being an early QB pick pretty much sucks. you know you are most likely headed to a moribund franchise and if not handled correctly it can wreck you.

 

[obc]

Seattle fans might want to look away.



And, fwiw, been there, done that. Pete Carroll's goal line decision put him at the top of the "most incredibly stupid managerial/coaching decisions ever made in key moments" list, bumping Grady Little, Manager, Boston Red Sox 2003 to #2 on the list.

 

[wm02]

Regarding the greatest quarterback of all time, an older generation will claim that title for Otto Graham. Hear this every damn Thanksgiving from my uncle.

 

[rascal]

You've also gotta give credit to the rookie, Butler, for coming up with a play like that to prevent the touchdown. Extraordinary ending to the game. I had a feeling the Kearse catch was gona be reminiscent of the Giants Superbowl game with the helmet catch.

I felt sorry for the Pats at that point

 

[SerenityNigh]

I felt sorry for the Pats at that point

I liked Brady's response to that play, only matched by Sherman seconds later.