How big is the challenge facing the Browns on Sunday when they face the New England Patriots at FirstEnergy Stadium?
Well, consider the fact that, in Bill Belichick, the Patriots may have the greatest head coach in NFL history, or at least one of the greatest, and they also may have in Tom Brady perhaps the greatest quarterback in history, or at least one of the greatest.
That’s impressive, and also scary.
Why is Brady considered one of the best quarterbacks ever to play in the league?
Is it because of all those touchdown passes?
Is it because of the low number of interceptions?
Is it because of the high pass completion percentage?
Is it because of all the long completions?
No.
No.
No.
And no.
It is not because of any of that. Sure, those things are nice, but they don’t really mean anything.
The key is winning. The job of the quarterback is not necessarily to throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, although those things sure do help. But again, they mean nothing if they fail to lead to a victory. Yes, the job of the quarterback is, pure and simple, to win games. If that means the quarterback throws for just 150 yards and no scores, then so be it. Good teams – and good quarterbacks — focus on winning and nothing else.
The Patriots have won in historic fashion. Brady has won in historic fashion.
That’s why he’s on the short list of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
