The clinical term is:
RING PROTECTION
Because I am not a Doctor (just a Dean of NoHology) I have to break it down in terms that I can easily explain.
Comic Books.
The Green Lantern has a power ring that protects him. It shields him from almost anything and allows him to do anything that his imagination can think of.
In the Green Lantern Corps some Green Lanterns are more powerful than others. Some received their rings because of their exceptional feats that made them worthy, while others got their ring by accident or being at the right place at the right time.
Being a Super Bowl winning quarterback is like being in the Green Lantern Corps, regardless of how you got your ring you are affording some sort of protection.
If Peyton Manning, John Elway or Brett Favre didn’t get that jewelry how would that have affected their ranking as the greatest quarterbacks of all time?
Manning already catches grief, but you have no clue how much more he would get if he didn’t have at least one ring.
How would you remember Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler or Trent Dilfer if they didn’t happen to get hot at the right time and lead a team to Super Bowl glory?
Why was Drew Brees voted to the Pro Bowl over Aaron Rodgers?
Regardless if you are an all-time great or someone who just caught lightening in a bottle, the ring provides you with some protection and people are willing to overlook some of your shortcomings.
This brings us to Tom Brady.
Brady’s legend is based off being a clutch performer. When you win your first 10 playoff games and three Super Bowls often leading game winning drives it is a reputation that is warranted.
But we can’t live in the past the question begs is Tom Brady clutch now?
Since the Patriots last Super Bowl victory they are 4-5 in the playoffs. Since their last Super Bowl appearance they are 0-3, with two 1st round exists.
Brady has not been horrible, but remember his reputation is someone who is “Clutch”.
Is it simply the law of averages catching up with him?
Even Joe Montana who was 17-6 in the playoffs suffered through a three game playoff game losing streak in the middle of his career.
Here are Brady stats in the five losses, the Patriots have suffered starting with the Super Bowl loss to the Giants.
58% Completion, 255 Yards per Game, 7 TDs, 7 INTs
Not bad numbers, but the word that comes to mind is average.
From 2001-07 if there was one quarterback you need to win one playoff game it would have been a no brainer it would be Tom Brady.
Right now, I don’t think it is an open and shut case.
Similar to how Manning had an opportunity to close the gap (maybe even surpassing Brady as the greatest quarterback of our era) by winning the Super Bowl last year, Brady had an opportunity to distance himself from Manning this year.
Both failed.
Leaving a dark horse candidate for the most clutch quarterback in the NFL.
Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger who has one more Super Bowl than Manning and one less that Brady is staring at another Super Bowl appearance.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks Big Ben is a better overall quarterback than Manning or Brady.
But right now in the present moment, who would you trust more if you needed a game winning drive?
Tom Brady isn’t done and he still has plenty of years to try to get into Joe Montana’s drive way. But currently there is a little shine off his Lantern rings.
