As the Super Bowl approaches, one debate that has circulated amongst the media and fans is the status of Tom Brady if he leads the Patriots to a win in the Super Bowl.
With that win, he will tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to win four Super Bowls. Regarded as the greatest quarterback ever, Joe Montana's status could change if Brady does get that fourth ring.
But right now, is there really an argument of who is better? To compare the two, a quick look through some notable career achievements could help get this debate started.
MONTANA
- Four Super Bowl trips, four Super Bowl wins. No interceptions thrown in the Super Bowl and has won the game MVP three times (a league record).
- Known for possibly the best game-winning touchdown drive in Super Bowl history (Super Bowl XXIII).
- For the most part, Montana was a consistent winner his entire career with the 49ers. His clutch performances has led him to a stellar Hall of Fame career.
BRADY
- Three Super Bowl wins in four appearances, including two game MVP honors. Those Super Bowl wins came courtesy of game-winning drives.
- Holds a 16-4 postseason record (second best win percentage in league history) and has helped mold a winning tradition in New England.
- Threw for a record 50 touchdown passes in 2007 amongst other passing records.
Throwing all statistics aside, the main factor has to be Super Bowl wins. Montana has been to four and he's won all four. Brady has won three in four trips, so at this point, Montana gets the edge. But if the Patriots win this Sunday, the argument could change slightly.
There will be debate that Brady won with a less than stellar cast of receivers and he deserves credit for making it work with them. But at the same time, Brady isn't known for clutch late touchdown drives -- Montana is.
With the new passing rules in the league, Brady does have it a little easier in terms of playing quarterback. But with these passing rules, he has put on tremendous passing seasons (2007, 2011) that ranks among the best ever.
Ultimately what makes a quarterback great is their ability to lead their team consistently through the good and bad times to big wins. Both quarterbacks have done that. But the argument will always revert back to Super Bowl wins.
In people's eyes, Montana will remain as the greatest quarterback of all time because of his precision in his passing game. He had a talented team around him and that made things a lot easier for Montana. But because of his legendary status, it's hard to argue against him in the debate.
Maybe it could take Brady's fourth ring to change the argument. The rings are the ultimate deciding factor. Depending on if and how Brady wins a fourth ring, Montana still would be viewed as the best because he never lost a Super Bowl. It might take five rings from Brady to elevate his status over Montana's.
We'll see this Sunday what direction this argument will go.
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