Why Tom Brady wanted to break the TD record this year (1 Viewer)

[Ghost Rider]

I think many think it was because of Spygate, but I do not. I think Brady came into this season wanting to try and break Manning's record, and he knew he had the WRs to do it this year, if Moss could stay healthy and not be stupid.

Tom Brady is no fool. He cares about his legacy. Like so many great athletes over the years, he wants to be the best at what he does, but for years, he has had to listen to many say that Peyton Manning was the best QB in the NFL. Oh sure, Brady would win another Super Bowl, and everyone would give him kudos and call him number 2, but many in the media always pointed to Manning's superior numbers as the reason why he was the best. But Brady knew that he had the championships, while all Manning had was the numbers. But when Manning won the Super Bowl last year, suddenly Manning had the numbers AND a championship now, so it was easier for the media to make the Manning over Brady argument, so Brady figured, okay, they want numbers, I will give them numbers. And what did he do? He went out and broke the single season TD record. And he is two wins away from his 4th title, while Manning still only has 1.

I know some will say that Brady doesn't care what the media says, but it is not so much about that as it is about his legacy. Brady knows how influential the media is when it comes to a players' legacy. For years, far too many have thought of Brady as an above average QB who was clutch in the postseason, but wasn't a guy who could put up earth-shattering numbers. Now, those who thought that have been proven wrong (I was never one of those people). And lately, for the first time, I am consistently hearing those in the media call Brady the best and Manning the 2nd best. Trust me when I say that that makes Tom Brady smile, even if he would never admit it.

Edit: This is not meant to be a Brady vs. Manning thread. Really!

 

[switz]

So you're saying Tom Brady is selfish. OK

 

[Ghost Rider]

So you're saying Tom Brady is selfish. OK

Every great athlete is selfish to some extent. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the best at what it is you do.

 

[Workhorse]

If that "selfishness" propels the team to a 19-0 overall record, give me more of it.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

brady cares.

He also wants to be the first qb to win 5 superbowls.

 

[TD Ryan]

Why Tom Brady wanted to break the TD record this year

because he's an NFL quarterback.I'm not sure Tom Brady wanted to break the record any more than a Matt Hasselbeck or Tony Romo or Brett Favre did... he just had more opportunity and more success at it.I'm sure Manning would like to break Brady's record next year. Why wouldn't he?and maybe I'm a naive optimist, but I'm not sure that athletes at that level put in the effort and work to specifically break records. I believe they put in the work and effort to win the most game, to play the best they can possibly play, and the records are a byproduct of that. As you approach the record and breaking it becomes a possibility, sure there's probably a little more "want to" at that point. IMO, the thinking that a player sets out at the beginning of the year to break a record seems flawed.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Brady is kind of a wuss. He doesn't even yell at the fans during away games.

 

[PatsFanCT]

He broke it because it was there for the taking. Just like any other QB would do if he had the chance.

 

[bostonfred]

Brady is kind of a wuss. He doesn't even yell at the fans during away games.

But if he had Phillip Rivers' receivers, he would.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I think many think it was because of Spygate, but I do not. I think Brady came into this season wanting to try and break Manning's record, and he knew he had the WRs to do it this year, if Moss could stay healthy and not be stupid.

Tom Brady is no fool. He cares about his legacy. Like so many great athletes over the years, he wants to be the best at what he does, but for years, he has had to listen to many say that Peyton Manning was the best QB in the NFL. Oh sure, Brady would win another Super Bowl, and everyone would give him kudos and call him number 2, but many in the media always pointed to Manning's superior numbers as the reason why he was the best. But Brady knew that he had the championships, while all Manning had was the numbers. But when Manning won the Super Bowl last year, suddenly Manning had the numbers AND a championship now, so it was easier for the media to make the Manning over Brady argument, so Brady figured, okay, they want numbers, I will give them numbers. And what did he do? He went out and broke the single season TD record. And he is two wins away from his 4th title, while Manning still only has 1.

I know some will say that Brady doesn't care what the media says, but it is not so much about that as it is about his legacy. Brady knows how influential the media is when it comes to a players' legacy. For years, far too many have thought of Brady as an above average QB who was clutch in the postseason, but wasn't a guy who could put up earth-shattering numbers. Now, those who thought that have been proven wrong (I was never one of those people). And lately, for the first time, I am consistently hearing those in the media call Brady the best and Manning the 2nd best. Trust me when I say that that makes Tom Brady smile, even if he would never admit it.

Edit: This is not meant to be a Brady vs. Manning thread. Really!

Tom Brady's legacy was established when he won his second Super Bowl and proved the first one was no fluke. When he won the third, it was cemented. I think if someone other than Manning had the record, he wouldn't have been as interested in getting it. But since those two have had a lot of battles and are always compared, that makes a compelling argument for Brady being better. If it was still Marino's record, it would have been nice to get, but less important.

 

[Jambi]

I'm not so sure he went into the season saying "I'm going to break the record". Once the snowball started rolling, why not? You know why he broke the record? Because he could. It's really that simple.

 

[nxmehta]

I'm not so sure he went into the season saying "I'm going to break the record". Once the snowball started rolling, why not? You know why he broke the record? Because he could. It's really that simple.

That pretty much sums it up. I don't think there's anything complicated about this.

 

[switz]

I'm not so sure he went into the season saying "I'm going to break the record". Once the snowball started rolling, why not? You know why he broke the record? Because he could. It's really that simple.

I don't think so. The whole purpose of the offseason moves that NE made was to put Brady in position to break this record, and to overcome Indy's beating them last season. Everything they did was about the Colts. Like it or not.

 

[Bankerguy]

Brady is kind of a wuss. He doesn't even yell at the fans during away games.

 

[Big_Russel]

I think Brady might break the record again if Moss stays with NE. Why not?

 

[Road Warriors]

I'm not so sure he went into the season saying "I'm going to break the record". Once the snowball started rolling, why not? You know why he broke the record? Because he could. It's really that simple.

I don't think so. The whole purpose of the offseason moves that NE made was to put Brady in position to break this record, and to overcome Indy's beating them last season. Everything they did was about the Colts. Like it or not.

I have to disagree with the first part. The whole purpose of the offseason moves was to address what showed up as an evident weakness in the team, one that was a significant contributor to the teams elimination the previous season. The moves were made to position the Patriots for a run at the SB. I don't for one second think they had aspirations of breaking the single season TD records until much later, when the new offense showed it was capable of doing just that.

I do agree that the moves had everything to do with the Colts, even more so than your post indicates. Not only did the Pats need to shore up the receiving corps, as evidenced by the god-awful play in the AFCC last year, if it weren't for Polian's backroom rules committee input that made dominant WR nearly unstoppable...

 

[nxmehta]

I'm not so sure he went into the season saying "I'm going to break the record". Once the snowball started rolling, why not? You know why he broke the record? Because he could. It's really that simple.

I don't think so. The whole purpose of the offseason moves that NE made was to put Brady in position to break this record, and to overcome Indy's beating them last season. Everything they did was about the Colts. Like it or not.

I agree with the last part of that statement, but I think there's no evidence for the first. What evidence would you say points to NE specifically wanting to break the record at the start of the season, as opposed to just having a kick ### passing attack to beat every other team in the NFL? I would say certainly they wanted to go 19-0 (like they do every year). I don't know if Belichick and Brady sat down in the offseason and were like, "Yeah, let's break the record this year!"

 

[Keys Myaths]

I don't think so. The whole purpose of the offseason moves that NE made was to put Brady in position to break this record

Pretty sure this is 100% false.If it's true, NE management is incompetent. Pretty sure NE's management is one of the brightest group of people we've ever seen.They signed WRs to win a Super Bowl. Period.

 

[Jambi]

I'm not so sure he went into the season saying "I'm going to break the record". Once the snowball started rolling, why not? You know why he broke the record? Because he could. It's really that simple.

I don't think so. The whole purpose of the offseason moves that NE made was to put Brady in position to break this record, and to overcome Indy's beating them last season. Everything they did was about the Colts. Like it or not.

Why? Because the Colts won 1 Championship over the last 30 years? Yeah, I'm sure the Patriots brass was all about getting Tom a record. What they did was repair the holes they had, efficiently. Brady and the Patriots have a history of crushing Manning and the Colts. The Colts won a few and the most recent hurt. Manning outplayed Brady. History between the two is clearly on the Pats side. To think that they made moves to get Brady a record may be the most ridiculous post you've made in reference to the Pats...and that's saying something. You actually think that thought came up when they were making moves? The funny thing is you're not even fishing...unreal.

 

[Jambi]

I don't think so. The whole purpose of the offseason moves that NE made was to put Brady in position to break this record

Pretty sure this is 100% false.If it's true, NE management is incompetent. Pretty sure NE's management is one of the brightest group of people we've ever seen.They signed WRs to win a Super Bowl. Period.

Switz is hilarious.

 

[Harry Manback]

Tom Brady was the QB on his High School team and never got a snap.

He started as the 7th string QB on Michigan, and had to fight for his position through hard work and dedication.

He saw a sports psychologist to deal with anxiety and frustration at not being able to be recognized in college.

He was drafted in the 6th round by the Patriots, a team that had never won anything, with the 199th overall pick.

He wanted to break this record for himself, and he deserved it.

He is one of the hardest working and smartest players in the game, and I'm happy for him.

 

[boneman2]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns. It took Brady 16 games just to one-up him. Hell Daunte Fatpepper threw 42 td's ,with Moss, the same year Peyton broke the record.

It is so painfully obvious Randy is the only reason Brady and the Patriots are so dominating on offense. Just look at the effect Randy's presence had on Daunte and Donovan.

I guess throwing Donovan in there is off base since Randy never played with him. What I meant is TO did the same for Donovan that he now does for Romo, only with less dominance than Brady/Moss. It's relevant because a dominant wideout can turn an average qb into an all-pro, and an all-pro into a legend.

What I am saying is Randy is batman and Brady is robin.

 

[Jambi]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns. It took Brady 16 games just to one-up him. Hell Daunte Fatpepper threw 42 td's ,with Moss, the same year Peyton broke the record.

It is so painfully obvious Randy is the only reason Brady and the Patriots are so dominating on offense. Just look at the effect Randy's presence had on Daunte and Donovan.

What's your point? I'm not following.

 

[Harry Manback]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns. It took Brady 16 games just to one-up him. Hell Daunte Fatpepper threw 42 td's ,with Moss, the same year Peyton broke the record.

It is so painfully obvious Randy is the only reason Brady and the Patriots are so dominating on offense. Just look at the effect Randy's presence had on Daunte and Donovan.

What's your point? I'm not following.

He has no point, he's mindlessly hating because he is jealous.If he says otherwise, he's a liar.

 

[Keys Myaths]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns. It took Brady 16 games just to one-up him. Hell Daunte Fatpepper threw 42 td's ,with Moss, the same year Peyton broke the record.It is so painfully obvious Randy is the only reason Brady and the Patriots are so dominating on offense. Just look at the effect Randy's presence had on Daunte and Donovan.

Donovan McNabb? Really?

 

[Synthesizer]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns.

Taht is so good for 2nd place!

 

[Jambi]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns. It took Brady 16 games just to one-up him. Hell Daunte Fatpepper threw 42 td's ,with Moss, the same year Peyton broke the record.It is so painfully obvious Randy is the only reason Brady and the Patriots are so dominating on offense. Just look at the effect Randy's presence had on Daunte and Donovan.

Donovan McNabb? Really?

Yeah, that was my concern. Maybe they play pick up league together in the winter

 

[Phlash]

It took Peyton 13 .5 games to throw 49 touchdowns. It took Brady 16 games just to one-up him. Hell Daunte Fatpepper threw 42 td's ,with Moss, the same year Peyton broke the record.It is so painfully obvious Randy is the only reason Brady and the Patriots are so dominating on offense. Just look at the effect Randy's presence had on Daunte and Donovan.

Donovan McNabb? Really?

Yeah, that was my concern. Maybe they play pick up league together in the winter

 

[saintfool]

Belichek wanted this as much as Brady did. I guarantee it. Their names will be forever intertwined. Brady's success on the field is every bit a testament to BB as it is to Brady. Beli wanted the record season too.