Talking NFL

Yes, I know; this debate is absolutely ridiculous. But you know what? It’s FUN, dammit! When most football fans aren’t arguing about who’s team is better, or whose better at fantasy football, they’re making completely subjective comparisons between great players that play the same position - like these two wonderboys.

Besides, today’s alternatives are to talk about the benching of Sexy Rex Grossman, make some horrible predictions for Week 3, or just rant and rave about the writer over at AOL NFL Fanhouse that makes me gnash my teeth in rage. Boring, been done, and nobody cares (in that order). So let’s reopen this can o’ worms and have some fun!

When we last left the Brady/Manning cunundrum, Manning backers and Colts fans were joyous with glee. For the one taunt that had previously stumped them, the “he can’t win the big one!” argument, went up in a cloud of smoke when Peyton hoisted the Lombardi trophy after Super Bowl XLI. He had led the Colts to glory in comanding fashion with 3 postseason TD’s, 7 INT’s and a QB rating of 69.8, a full 31.2 points lower than his ghfklihouriopewhbhhuiwgy7hvxxxx- (ugh. Just once I’d like to be able to write that without having a seizure…). Point being, the Colts were the champs & he had his ring, end of story.

With that, some writers wanted to end the debate and crown Manning the champion. However, Brady backers had one last move to make; to play the “Brady’s never had the weapons that Manning’s had!” card. Three games into the ‘07 season, that card looks to be an Ace.

With Moss, Welker, and Stallworth catching his passes instead of guys like Fred Coleman, Bethel Johnson, and Featherstone from Necessary Roughness, here are Brady’s ‘07 numbers to date, compared to Manning’s:

Brady:  70 CMP 88 ATT 887 YDS 79.5% 10 TD 1 INT 141.8 RAT
Manning:  66 CMP 101 ATT 873 YDS 65.3% 5 TD 1 INT 104.9 RAT

On their own, Manning’s numbers are extremely impressive in their own right. Which makes what Brady’s done so far that much more ridiculous. As it’s been pointed out by other writers, Brady is currently on course to put up 53 TD passes.

Now, besides the “dude, it’s WAYYYY to early to be talking this way!” argument (I know, I know - hey, we’re having fun, remember?), you could also argue that Tommy Terrific’s Targets this year are BETTER than those of Peyton’s. With back-up targets like Maroney, Gaffney, Watson, and Faulk, he may hold a slight advantage over the likes of Addai, Clark, Gonzalez and Utecht.

So perhaps a better comparison would be to take a look at Manning’s numbers through the first 3 games of the ‘04 season, when he had arguably his best compliment of weapons (Harrison in his prime, Wayne just emerging, Stokley as the #3 guy, and the Edge out of the backfield), and compare them to Brady’s first 3 outings this season:

Brady:  70 CMP 88 ATT 887 YDS 10 TD 1 INT
Manning: 68 CMP 102 ATT 903 YDS 9 TD 1 INT

MUCH closer, but Brady still has a slight edge. Now Manning’s numbers were against the Pats, Titans and Packers; 2 teams that made the playoffs (including the eventual champ), and one bad team. The Patriots so far this year have played the Jets, Chargers and Bills; 2 teams that made the playoffs last year, and one bad team. For the sake of arguement, let’s give Manning the slight edge on the tougher match-ups. Based on that, we’re talking about a dead heat here.

So not only are the Patriots chasing that 4th title, but Brady is chasing something he’s never had before; statistical superiority over Manning. AGAIN, long way to go, a lot can happen, bla bla bla. But anyone that prematurely crowned Manning last year as the better QB has to admit Brady has taken his game up a notch this year thanks to the talent around him (including an offensive line that has only let him get sacked 3 times this year).

More importantly, think of the side benefits this chase for glory will produce! I can see the CBS Pregame show before Week 17 now:

James Brown: “Today, Tom Brady looks to break Peyton Manning’s single season Touchdown record, previously held by our own Dan Marino!”

Boomer Esiason: “Correct, James. Amazing to watch a record that we all thought would stand forever be broken not once, but twice in just a few years! Also worth nothing that Brady and Manning have combined for four Super Bowl rings, wheras Dan still has none.”

James Brown: “Correct, Boomer! Dan, anything to add to the discussion?”

Dan Marino: “…”

Boomer Esiason: “Dan?”

Dan Marino: “I’m trying to determine whether or not I can strangle you both before security gets to me.”

To conclude; Brady’s electrifying performance in the first three games of this season reopens discussion on this great QB debate (to the delight of Patriots & Colts fans, and to the horror of those who could care less).

As for who’s better? Here’s my take (brace yourself, it’s a shocker): If I’m looking for a QB to set records and get my team to the postseason, I’ll take Manning. But if I’m IN the postseason, and my team’s down by 4 with 2 minutes left on the clock, I’m taking Brady.

Of course, the reality is that each one is great in his own way and both are guaranteed to be in Canton someday. Your winner in the comments.

(That’s right, we didn’t settle a thing, but hey, that was fun right?!)

(…uh, right?)

{Image credits: WireImage, Boston.com, roflbot}

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, NFL, quarterbacks, who ya got, flip a coin