The War of 1812- Legacies

     Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning

     The Ultimate question. Brady or Manning? Truth is, most people would take either one. It is also not a fair question to ask at this point because both are still playing at a very high level and can still do things to add to their respective legacies.

     I have mad respect for both of these guys. These are two guys who are very close friends and respect each other greatly. Peyton Manning’s coach Tony Dungy said, “People would be surprised how close they are. They share game plans on how to attack other teams and stay in contact all the time.” Tom Brady has said he thinks Manning is the “greatest of all time.” Manning has said, "It's pretty well documented my respect for Tom as a quarterback, the way he prepares. The way he's better each season than the year before. Those are the couple of the many things that are impressive about him as a quarterback." Wes Welker, who has played and endured success with both has said “They are both spectacular. It’s like Michelangelo and Picasso. It’s hard to compare the two.” However for the sake of argument, I will pick one and at this point I believe it isn’t that hard to pick.

     If we were picking who is playing better right now, it isn’t even a discussion. Manning may just be having the best quarterback season ever. But we are comparing legacies. And with that, you have to go with Tom Brady. And I truly mean that objectively, taking the fan emotions out of the equation. It is unfair to see full career numbers because Manning has played 3 more full seasons than Brady. If you see the per-game stats, Manning has averaged 269.5 yards per game to Brady’s 253.3. For touchdown percentage they are pretty equal with Manning at 5.7% and Brady at 5.5%. In interception percentage, Brady is at 2.1% while Manning is at 2.6%. Statistics wise they are pretty equal, although I would give Manning a slight edge. But then you have to consider the surrounding circumstances. 

     Manning has played with 2 surefire Hall of Famers for his entire career in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Then he got released following injuries and got to handpick his team and for his two years in Denver, he has had arguably the very best receiving corps in the league. He also played in a dome stadium for his 13 years in Indianapolis, where it is much easier to throw the ball, especially with his arsenal. Manning also played with worse defenses so he had to throw the ball more, inflating his stats. Tom Brady has played where often it can start snowing in October. Even in those games, Brady has maintained success and has thrown for record-breaking stats (see 2009 game vs. Titans). Brady has also rarely had the arsenal Manning has consistently had. When he did, as in 2007, he lit up the league and put up all-time best numbers and did not lose. Then, in the following years when Brady was given a mediocre defense at best, he never dipped under 4,000 yards passing and had unbelievable stats including in 2011 when he threw for 5,235 yards, 2^nd best ever. And even while gathering these stats, he did not have the superstars.

     Where the real separation for these guys occurs for these guys is the postseason. Brady has the most wins ever with 17 to go along with 7 losses. That includes 5 Super Bowl appearances and 3 Super Bowl victories. Manning has a losing record, 9-11, in the playoffs and has been one-and-done 8 times in the playoffs in his career. Brady has been one-and-done twice. Brady led two game winning drives in the Super Bowl wins and near the end of his two losses, he again elevated his play. Barring a helmet catch by David Tyree and a Wes Welker drop, Brady could have been sitting with 5 rings right now. Peyton Manning arguably threw away his second chance at a ring with a pick-6 to Tracy Porter. Tom Brady also leads Peyton Manning in head to head matchups 9-4, with a 14^th one coming up this Sunday. Brady is also the single winningest quarterback in NFL history with a .773 winning percentage. 2^nd is Joe Montana at .713 and Manning is 3^rd at .697. Brady can endure a 1-15 season and still have the best winning percentage ever.

     When asking the question who is better, it isn’t fair to go off of the opinion of those people who have played with their guy. Obviously Tony Dungy, Jeff Saturday, Reggie Wayne and other will go with Manning. And of course Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, Randy Moss and Bill Belichick will go with Brady. When you ask neutral people who don’t hate one of the two and don’t love one of the two, the widely regarded opinion is that Tom Brady has a better legacy right now. Obviously it is not unanimous and some do make an argument for Manning but most give Brady the edge for now. Charlie Casserly, the former General Manager of the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans recently said, “I think our era will appreciate Brady more.”

     When this issue was brought up just yesterday, Deion Sanders said “If there is one guy that I want on my team for that last drive, with a good pass rush on the other side, inclement weather and everything, it is Tom Brady. Because he is going to win that game and is not going to do anything stupid to hurt his team.” Sanders added, “We can maybe argue who’s been the best- remember Tom Brady’s been to 5(Super Bowls)- but we just did the Hall of Fame finalist list. Marvin Harrison is up. Reggie Wayne will be up. Ain’t nobody from the Patriots coming through but Tom Brady makes everybody better, regardless of who is on his team. We have seen this man go out with a swollen hand and make it happen. He just gets it done.” Probably the most surprising comments came from Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, who was Peyton Manning's teammate and was also beat by Brady in a Super Bowl. He said, “As much as I love Peyton Manning and what he can do, I’m riding with Tom Brady. Tom is unbelievable the way he throws the football.” That caught the attention of others on the table and Faulk basically said that he was being unbiased and “just doing my job, being an analyst.” That shifts the argument to Brady’s favor, when even Manning’s ex-teammate who always defends Manning and has a reason to hate Brady, takes Brady’s side.

     With all of that being said, Brady may have the edge for now, but it is far from over. Manning could very easily surpass Brady by adding to his decorated career. This argument is better suited for when they are both retired. Anybody would happy just to have either one of these guys on their team. Both are among the top 3 of all time.

     Peyton Manning can be favored as the greatest regular season quarterback ever, signified by his four regular season MVP's to Brady's two. However, the complete package, for now, has to go to Tom Brady.