The skills and accolades compiled by Tom Brady early in his career made the comparisons to Joe Montana all too easy to make. Yet, according to Spike TV, Brady's not even close to being in the same class as Montana.
The network compiled a list of 10 mythical sports matchups that would make for great viewing, featuring such clashes as Roger Federer vs. Pete Sampras, the 1998 Yankees vs. the 1975 Reds and everyone's favorite, Mike Tyson vs. an elementary school spelling bee (winner: first grader).
But the one that sticks out for Patriots fans is No. 8: The 1989 San Francisco 49ers against the 2004 New England Patriots.
Both teams went 14-2, and both teams won Super Bowls. They both, however, didn't have historically great quarterbacks, according to Spike.
"The result: Joe Montana picks apart a slightly overrated Patriots defense and finally ends the “Brady is the new Montana” talk spewing out of New England."
The story is funny in the sense that it came out just a day after Brady admitted he's no Montana.
"I think Joe Montana is the best — that’s ever — player," Brady told London reporters on Tuesday when asked if his goal is to become the best quarterback to ever play. "I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as he [was]. I’m resigned to the fact that I’m going to be the best I can be. And, really, to compare players of different eras, I don’t think is ever fair. To compare players of the same era is very challenging. Everyone deals with different circumstances on the team, different changes throughout the team every year."
Still, the comparison is much closer than Spike is letting on. Brady's career completion percentage is 63.1 percent. Montana's is 63.2. Brady's averaged 3,767 yards and 28 touchdowns in his seven complete seasons. Montana averaged 3,333 yards and 23 touchdowns in his 10 full seasons (he played in 11 or fewer games four times after becoming a starter).
Montana has the edge in Super Bowl titles (four to Brady's three) and Super Bowl MVPs (three to two), but Brady's got some time left to close that gap.
If Sunday's 59-0 win in the snow is any indication, Brady might not just be holding the candle — he could be stomping it out.
