Tom Brady’s Demise Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Believe it or not, there have been plenty that has questioned the decision to bring in 43-year-old Tom Brady to replace Jameis Winston. What’s not to believe? If you have spent any time on Bucs Social Media, you have seen it up there since it was announced: “He’s washed up.” “Over the hill,” “Noodle armed, has been, can’t throw the deep ball anymore.” “We’re giving 50 million to a guy the Patriots didn’t want anymore?” Even some reputable sports news sites had respected football people explaining How Brady’s age won’t start to show in his play until the last half of the season when it will all catch up to him and take an obvious toll on his game.

I can tell you this, I just watched the last few seconds of week 17 expire, and his stats in this game? He was 26 of 41 for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns, Setting a new Bucs Franchise record for passing touchdowns in a season with 40. The old record set last season of 33 was bested by 7, via the 43-year-old arm of Tom Brady. Tell me again how Brady’s arm would show its age over the last portion of the schedule. It truly is something to marvel. This season is only the second time in his career he has reached a total of 40 passing touchdowns. That it comes in what is supposed to be his twilight seasons before hanging up the Nike’s is remarkable.

The problem with comparisons is that those who make them expect the same results within certain parameters of different players. The parameters of Brady’s game are being over 40 years of age. Others have ventured into those rough waters. Manning, Favre, Brees, Moon, etc., etc. Some of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game have played into their forties, so this has been done before. Not the way that Brady has done it. Brady is the only quarterback to throw 40 touchdowns once turning 40 and beyond in a single season. He’s single-handedly changing the way experts and fans alike judge a player who is playing into their forties. Check off another box for why Tom Brady is truly The G.O.A.T… As a matter of fact, he is playing so well that he has stated he may try and stick around past his contract, which has him in Tampa through the 2021 season. That would put him at 45 years old, no doubt still going strong.

If his high level of play at an advanced age doesn’t impress you, then not much will. His Demise has been greatly exaggerated. There’s no noodle to his arm. He can still take a sack and get up more determined, not bent and broken. Getting to watch Mr. Brady ply his trade at 43 and knowing he’s outplaying most quarterbacks in the league, regardless of age is amazing. How much of a surprise is it really? He has defied the odds at every turn, churning out excellence season after season. More so than anyone before him, and maybe after as well. No one can say for sure if Brady will add to his number of Super Bowls played in which stands at 9, or Super Bowls won, which stands at six. For Bucs fans, it sure is nice to know that his level of play is such that it can still get him there. The rest of it lays in the hands of the football gods. Loss of talent from age has not been an issue, as of yet, and I’m one to believe that as long as he is playing, it won’t be. When that time does arrive, Brady and everyone else will know it. Until then, Go Bucs!!!!