I'm not sure that there are a lot of people on this board who are saying that he is not good. OK, I admit, they are saying it, but they don't think so. The problem is, that the media says he is the best and a lot of people here just don't agree. They overreact because they think he is overrated and that's why a lot of people say that he sucks.
I personally think he is good, but by far not the best QB or even player in the NFL. He reads defenses well and is very accurate in the short and medium range. His long passes are above average, but nothing special. He executes the gameplan well. But that brings us to the Belichick factor. Let's face it. Over the last years, the Patriots had by far the best system and every system has its products. I think Brady is one of it. He is good, but not as good as Belichick makes him look like. And Brady is not the only product. Remember Damien Woody? Two years ago he was supposed to be a premium Center/Guard. One question: How is he doing now?
Seriously. Guys like Fiedler were criticized a lot on this board. But if Brady had to play under Wannstedt with our poor pass-blocking, he would have done worse than Fiedler (for explanation see below). That doesn't mean that the Pats would be better with Fiedler (they wouldn't) but it shows the impact of the system and individual strength. If Brady had played for us the last years, he definitely wouldn't have a Superbowl ring and no one would mention Brady when talking about the best QB.
Here my main critic on Brady:
Brady can't handle the pressure of a pass rush. He can't scramble, but so couldn't Marino. But If Brady doesn't make the right read before the snap, he is lost and makes a lot of bad decisions. (I know, Madden wouldn’t agree with me, because he and Favre are the toughest in the pocket blah blah blah…, but I don’t care). Just take a look at last year's Monday night game. Or this years game against the Chiefs when the O-line needed this one game to come together after all the injuries. He had 8 Ints in these two games. But now, with the O-line playing great again (despite all their injuries, great coaching, again) he plays so much better. Of course, everyone would do better, but in Bradys' case the difference is extreme. Another great example, especially with reference to the media overrating him, is the Superbowl against the Panthers. In the fourth quarter the Pats had a 21-16 lead and a 3rd and 9 at the Panthers 9. This was the only play when Peppers and co were able to put real pressure on Brady (great O-line play, again). He threw into triple coverage and the famous R. Howard intercepted the ball. The game could have been over, but Brady almost threw it away. We all know the end of the story. Brady was voted Superbowl MVP the second time. But the joke is, that he even wasn’t the best QB on the field. Delhomme faced the better Defense and was pressured all the time, but he was playing great (One fumble, but that was a hit from the blind side, not his fault). Brady was good, but not great. The Pats won BECAUSE of a better Defense, better pass-blocking, better kicking and DESPITE weaker quarterbacking. If you don’t believe me, watch the Superbowl again.
But that's the problem with the media and everybody should keep his eyes wide open. Just take a look at this years MVP. Pick the more important factor. Alexander or the Seahawks O-line? Brady or Belichick? Marino or a system?
I would vote for Seahawks O-Line, Belichick and Marino...
