Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots will travel to New Orleans this weekend to take on the Saints in hopes of improving to 4-2 on the year. While the two teams do not have an extensive history, their games used to feature two of the all-time greats at quarterback: Tom Brady, the undisputed GOAT at the position, as well as fellow future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
Has Brees done enough to be in the conversation for the second greatest QB of all time? That is the subject of this week’s Pats Pulpit Debates question:
First some picks from our staff, and then it’s up to the comment section for your picks.
Bernd Buchmasser: When we’re talking purely of skill, somebody like Dan Marino, Fran Tarkenton or Patrick Mahomes might be deserving of the nod. However, to quote Herm Edwards, “You play to win the game.” Before Brady came around, nobody did it at quite the same level as Joe Montana — a four-time Super Bowl champion and the widely-recognized GOAT before a certain sixth-round draft pick went on his journey to rewrite the record books. Otto Graham deserves a shoutout, too, but Montana is my choice.
Taylor Kyles: To be the (second) best, you gotta beat the best. Peyton Manning was the Joker to Tom Brady’s Batman, and he put together a pretty solid career outside of those clashes. Manning also revolutionized the position in a way few have at any spot.
Pat Lane: The answer is probably Montana, but I’d like to make a case for Peyton Manning. There is, perhaps, no quarterback that won with their mind more than Peyton Manning. His constant checks at the line and audibles are things of legend, and he is one of the most prolific passers of all time. His playoff record isn’t good, which is why he never had a chance to pass Brady, but his sterling regular season record, combined with his mastery of the game from a mental standpoint, make him a fantastic second best.
We, as Patriots fans, remember him as the guy who seemingly could never beat them, but he in fact never lost a home playoff game to New England and holds a 3-2 advantage over Brady in the postseason. Plus, his penchant for hand-writing letters to retired players he respected, like Troy Brown, won him serious brownie points from me.
Marima: Joe Montana gets the edge because playoffs and Super Bowls matter slightly more than Peyton Manning’s regular season dominance. “Joe Cool” earned 2 NFL MVPs, has a 4-0 Championship record and is a 3-time Super Bowl MVP. Next to Tom Brady, Montana was the epitome of clutch with an impressive 31 4th-quarter comeback wins. With Brady forever in the top spot, Montana has to come in second.
Slot Machine Player: I agree with Marima. Montana had the GOAT spot sewn up for years until Brady told him, “Hold my avocado ice cream!” Brady moved up...
