I think it’s fair to say NE’s 19/20 year run is the best in NFL history and THAT isn’t close. How much is Brady / how much is BB? There have been much more talented QBs to play in the last 20 years than Brady - IMO Peyton was a lot better. He did ok for himself. 4 SB appearances and 2 wins. When he played head to head against Tom, the team that was supposed to win (the better team) won it. Peyton could go to any team and make them a contender. I really don’t think that about Tom. I used to have this argument w Montana and Marino. That I thought Marino was better but Joe was in the better situation (NFC was the dominant conference for 15 years). And that Marino could go to any team and make them a contender while Joe couldn’t carry the team himself. I feel that way about Brady.It’s not all about rings but rings certainly mean a lot. Brady also has individual accolades. He’s won 3 MVP awards and set what was at the time, several single season records. He’s mastered the position and dominated the league for 2 decades. Also, beyond Moss and Gronk, he hasn’t really had an all world supporting cast. I would argue that he made Welker, Edelman and a few others into legit wrs.
Now, if the definition of great is related to team success then yes, Tom has to be considered the greatest or top 2-3. I still say there is absolutely an argument for Montana who wasn’t just 4-0 in SBs, he was flawless and his teams clobbered their opponents in all but one game. And that game was the one that he led the amazing long drive comeback for the win. Finally, I think Bart Starr is in the conversation. When you go 9-1 in playoffs it means you won the championship (SB or pre SB - doesn’t matter) every time you got to the playoffs except 1x. That’s 4 or 5 titles for Bart. Team success is what Starr, Montana and Brady have had - and they were or are a HUGE part of that.
Now were they better players than Staubach, Unitas, Marino, Peyton - I don’t think so.
So for me it’s how one defines “GREAT”.
Just because I don’t like Brady doesn’t mean I don’t respect what he’s done / doing - same w BB.
Finally, sports legacies are a funny thing. If Bokamper holds on to that ball in the ‘82 SB, Shula’s run of dominance in the NFL (‘69-‘85) at 16 years looks damn close to BBs’. NE could easily be 0-9 or 9-0 in these SBs. They’ve all been so close with most coming down to one play. Point is, debating this stuff is splitting hairs really but I don’t think the argument about a GOAT can be “won” by anyone in any team sport.
I am looking forward to the day I don’t have to watch BB and his hoodie and Brady and his whining at refs when he gets hit. Hurry up and retire. Both of you.