Posted on 01/19/2005 2:45:31 PM PST by bikepacker67
FOXBORO, Mass. - One quarterback played up to expectations in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game because all the Patriots ever ask Tom Brady to do is win.
As the seasons roll on and each trip to Foxboro turns into Groundhog Day for Peyton Manning, it appears that Manning will be Dan Marino to Brady's Joe Montana. Marino had the records. Montana had the rings.
By the time it all ends in Jacksonville next month, Brady may be tied with Joe Cool as a three-time Super Bowl MVP. He may have only thrown for 144 yards in Sunday's victory but the win moved his postseason record to 7-0.
By the time Manning plays his 17th season (the length of Marino's career), he can only hope he can look back on the one day he did have to face the Patriots in the playoffs. Manning is probably the most talented quarterback in the game but until he cashes one in, he can only envy Brady.
Of the four quarterbacks left in the tournament, two - Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick - routinely make more highlight films. Brady's counterpart in Sunday's AFC Championship Game is Ben Roethlisberger and wouldn't it be fitting if Roethlisberger suffers his first career loss to a guy who just doesn't lose big games?
"There's no other guy I'd want in a big game than him, nobody," said Patriots tight end Christian Fauria. "I mean, go down in history, this is the guy I want in the huddle. Talk about poise and control. The only thing colder out there was him."
You can run down Brady's career highlights and none of them has to do with yards or touchdown passes. He has the highest winning percentage of any active QB with at least 30 starts. He's 7-0 in overtime games. Her has engineered 16 game-winning drives and he is 18-2 in games decided by a TD or less, 4-0 in the playoffs.
It was appropriate that when Bill Belichick was asked about Brady's performance, he talked about one play, the 5-yard touchdown pass he threw to David Givens to put the Patriots up by two scores at 13-3. In case you're counting, that was one touchdown pass for Brady, zero for Peyton. But it's never about Brady's numbers, even when they are sparkling. It's about the plays he makes to help win.
"I mean, that was a really big play in the game," Belichick said. "You know, not having to settle for third down . . . Tom made a nice play, stepped up . . . got a little opening and made the play. You know, that's what good quarterbacks do . . . they make plays when things don't go perfectly, which a lot of times they don't."
The play almost broke down because Brady's receivers were covered. But he bought himself extra time by breaking the pocket to his left. Givens sensed that the Colts had abandoned the weak side and slid past the DB. Brady, as always, saw him.
"Made a great catch," he said. "I threw that thing hard."
Manning, who was never allowed to unleash his arm downfield (by both the Pats' defense and the Colts' play-calling) tried to answer questions about how his 49-TD season (perhaps his career) would be defined. As usual after facing Belichick, he didn't have any answers.
"Unfortunately I have always believed that a player does kind of define himself," said Manning, who is also one of the most thoughtful players in the NFL. "I am starting to change those thoughts because there are so many opinions and experts talking about me and my career, I just sort of stopped trying.
"Right now, it is hard to think about anything else besides losing this game."
Brady blushed when someone asked him why he sparkled and Manning struggled.
"Well, I mean, I don't think I shined," Brady said. "We made plays when we needed to. You know, for a team that led the league in turnovers this year, to come out of that game with no turnovers was probably what I'm most happy about."
Doesn't it mean more because of all the Manning hype, he was asked?
"Just none of this stuff means anything, it really doesn't," Brady replied. "I mean, we're going in there thinking we're going to win."
This is what a dynasty looks like folks... And for all you doubters - there were doubters regarding the Boys, the 70's Steelers and 9'ers.
And when the Steelers win the Superbowl they will have beaten the Patriots TWICE this year. And if they beat the Iggles in the Superbowl they will have beaten them THREE TIMES this year. (Once in pre-season)
I've been waiting for something to put on my thumb since 1981. It's been a looooong drought! C'mon Steelers! Baby needs new shoes! Hellooooooo Seven! Put some Lambert on it and call me in the morning!
Well... it is fitting that we're playing the Steelers - given that they stopped our streak at 21 - now we have a chance to stop theirs at 16.
But ya.. I was hoping Hackett would limp his pansy azz O-schemes into Foxboro ;-)
BTW, congrats on losing that albatross.
that my friend sounds like sour grapes......you could say that Pittsburg in the 70's won because of there defense but they still won and so did Brady and his gang.......I think Manning is a better QB skill wise but some guys just tend to be winners
Have you noticed that since Belichick left Parcells, Parcells has done nothing, Belichick has won everything? Makes ya wonder who was the brains behind the original Pats and Giant Super Bowl appearances.
I differ with both of you. What I see as winning the games was neither kicker nor quarterback, but a group that is willing to play as a team and get done what needs to be done.
And receivers that aren't afraid of getting hit!
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the champions of the West!
Speaking of thumbs, why is Big Ben suckling his? He claims there's no injury, but the video tells otherwise...
If his kicker missed both field goals in the Super Bowls ala buffalo he would look like Jim Kelly who made it to 4 Super Bowls in a row...
Hail to Michigan??? The victors???? The "champions of the West"????
Hasn't Ohio State beat Michigan three times in the last four years?
Automatic Adam??? Pulllease.
Ya see... this is a well oiled team game, where every cog fits precisely into every wheel.
As a huge Jet fan I have to admit Tom Brady is The Best Quarterback in the NFL. He is the best under pressure. Same attributes as Montana. Second best is Manning and third is Pennington (wink, wink)
Is Chad going under the knife to fix his shoulder? Looks like he lost his velocity when he came back.
Last OSU QB to win Super Bowl? The thread is discussing NFL...
As a fellow diehard Steelers fan, my heart could not take another AFC Championship loss...especially when I know we can take any team the NFC has to offer! I go to school at the Coast Guard Academy in New England, and when they beat us in 2001, I heard about it for weeks. God would I love to finally turn the tables and gloat for a while! GO BLACK AND GOLD!!!
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