BRADY Retires

[SixtiesFan]

He goes out tied with Otto Graham for QB'ing his teams to 7 championships.

Of course, Otto did it in 10 years. If he'd put in the years Brady did, he might've retired with 10, maybe more. Who knows? As always, different era, different rules.

But props to Brady. Winning a title with a new team his first year out of NE is quite an achievement. And he just narrowly missed pulling out another comeback last week vs. Rams. Well, his kids got to see him play when they were old enough to understand and appreciate what Dad did for a living. Guess that was as much of a driver as anything for him.

To be fair though Otto Graham also didn't have to go through as many playoff games to get those championships. Back then if you won your division you were automatically in the championship game.

Exactly. As I've observed, the goal pre-1967 was to "win your division." From 1967 it was to "make the playoffs." Over time as the number of playoff teams kept increasing it was "make the postseason."

[Brian wolf]

With his conditioning, smarts, quick release and ability to stay healthy, its still very surprising he would retire. I still believe he just wants to break away from Arians and find a new challenge with a different team. When September rolls around and he isnt with a team by then, I will be convinced.

[7DnBrnc53]

Apparently, he is returning with Tampa:

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/ ... 3DEdge1246

[Bryan]

Apparently, he is returning with Tampa:

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/ ... 3DEdge1246

Baseball lockout lasted longer than Brady retirement.

[RichardBak]

I think he discovered what a whole lotta people I know found out when they quit working---retirement can be pretty damn boring. Especially for some guy who's used to 20+ years of NFL highs (and lows). You can only play so much golf, watch so much TV.

[Brian wolf]

We will see if a possible trade could happen between TB and SF. I really didnt think Brady wanted to play for Arians another year but maybe Gronk and his teammates convinced him. If there is no trade for Jimmy G, draft picks etc, the Niners would be smart to keep Garappolo one more year but maybe its Lance's time. Brady might as well play, not many QBs in the NFC that could take a team all the way.

[sheajets]

I'm fine with calling him the goat of this era, but as a rule I don't rank QB's across different eras together. The game is far far too different in so many ways

I just always wanted to see Brady in a situation where he didn't have so many things constantly in his favor. Upon leaving New England he jumps rigbt into the perfect mercenary All Star team with an outstanding coach. I understand in NE he didn't always have a Moss or Gronk or a #1 defense...but for the most part he was almost never touched, had layup wins on his schedule yearly. had the smartest, savviest, best prepared coach on his sideline. An offensive system that they executed perfectly...many games he's throwing to wide open giuys 80% of the time. Kickers that always made the big ones and refs that always give you the calls.

I'd just like to drop Brady in Jacksonville last year and see how he does. Or Detroit. Or Houston. And let's see what he does and what happens with that team. Maybe his presence turns a 2-15 mess into a more respectable 7-10. Maybe he works a miracle...or maybe he gets thrown around, beaten down, and not able to make that team any better

[7DnBrnc53]

I just always wanted to see Brady in a situation where he didn't have so many things constantly in his favor. Upon leaving New England he jumps rigbt into the perfect mercenary All Star team with an outstanding coach. I understand in NE he didn't always have a Moss or Gronk or a #1 defense...but for the most part he was almost never touched, had layup wins on his schedule yearly. had the smartest, savviest, best prepared coach on his sideline. An offensive system that they executed perfectly...many games he's throwing to wide open giuys 80% of the time. Kickers that always made the big ones and refs that always give you the calls.

Exactly. That's why I don't have him as the GOAT like a lot of others do. Fans have been brainwashed to see QB greatness as how many rings you have. It is a team sport.

When you say this, people get offended. However, I have watched Brady over the years, and I don't see a special player. I see someone who has gotten all the breaks. I don't know why fans can't look past the media brainwashing and see that.

[JuggernautJ]

....I don't know why fans can't look past the media brainwashing and see that.

Perhaps because it isn't entirely true?
Not to get overly philosophical but the truth usually lies between the two extremes.

It is probably not true that Tom Brady is the second coming in shoulder pads.
It is probably also unlikely that he is entirely a benefactor of a great situation, great coach and/or favorable circumstances/officiating.

The truth almost certainly lies between those viewpoints.
Whether you see it as 50/50 or 60% or 70% (or more) towards one perspective or another is a matter of opinion. Insisting on one extreme or the other as the only alternative is, well.... extreme.

[Brian wolf]

Its a team game but to the victors the spoils ...

All great QBs get the breaks. They happen to create them as well. After the infamy of 2001, who would have suspected a QB out of California would become a hero in 2002, coming off the bench and leading veterans at that ...
Wanda Sykes of Inside The NFL predicted it, without even knowing who Brady was, simply because she believed people would rally around the word -- Patriots. Did Belichick and his football organization cheat to win ? Who cares, they did what many teams did and got away with it. On Tagliabue's not Goodell's watch. Teams find leaders and for the television networks its QBs, whether fans or onlookers like it or not. The Patriot team will be lucky to have any other player besides Brady make the HOF after Seymour. Not on defense, offensive line or special teams except maybe Vinatieri after ten years.

It will be amazing if any other NFL QBs win multiple championships because postseason upsets are the norm.
Brady won in an era of parity, no matter how lucky he got. Just the fact that opponents knew he was prepared to play every sunday forced many into a mindset of attrition, where entertaining fans took a backseat to surviving the game without embarrassment. No one can take away his spoils ...