Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers?

    Both have won a Super Bowl. Both play important roles in their team's success. Both are outstanding quarterbacks who have shown true signs of greatness. In the 2011 season, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers have been continuously compared by football fans. After Week 6, it appears one has the edge over the other, in terms of statistics, leadership quality, and intelligence. So who is the better quarterback? 

    

Aaron Rodgers

     Aaron Rodgers: In his fourth year as a starter, Aaron Rodgers has made a huge impact on the league. Rodgers has everything you can ask for in a QB; arm strength, accuracy, and leadership. What differentiates himself from top quarterbacks is the ability to move around in the pocket. When being heavily pressured, Rodgers can sprint away from the rusher, and make an accurate throw while on the run. Against Atlanta in Week 5, it appeared like Rodgers would be sacked numerous times. However, he used his agility to escape the threat and make a perfect throw. Rodgers currently leads the league in touchdowns (17), completion percentage (70.2) and passer rating (122.5). With statistics like those, it is hard not to give him the top spot. The Packers are already 6-0, and show no signs of slowing down. If Rodgers can continue to play well, his team may go back-to-back.

     Tom Brady: It is safe to say the New England Patriots is Tom Brady's team. Bellicheck may be the coach, but Brady is well respected by teammates, and appears to make most of the important decisions. In my opinion, Brady is so amazing that he makes the players around him better.  Just look at wide receiver Deion Branch; originally, Branch played for the Patriots from 2002-2005, with somewhat solid statistics. Then, he was traded to Seattle, and went completely off the radar. In the middle of last years season, Branch was traded back to the Patriots, where, under Brady, caught 5 touchdown passes and 706 yards in 11 games. It is quite hard not to put up great statistics as a wide receiver if the ball is thrown straight to your hands. If you were to compare the Green Bay WR corp to the Patriots WR corp, it is obvious how much of an advantage Rodgers has over Brady (Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley compared to Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Rob Gronkowski). Besides Brady's ability to throw hard, accurate passes, his outstanding intelligence allows him to be one of the best 2 minute drill quarterbacks in football history. Last weekend against the Cowboys, Brady was able to march up the field with 2:31 seconds remaining in the game, and throw a game winner to Aaron Hernandez, making the Patriots 5-1 this season. Brady currently leads the league in passing yards (2,163), where he is second to Rodgers in just about every other category. He may not be amazing statistic wise, but he makes a winning team out of average football players. He is one of the greatest quarterbacks, if not THE greatest quarterback, in the history of the NFL, and Brady continues to show signs of greatness in his 12th year of football.

     On paper, Aaron Rodgers appears to be the clear pick; he has accuracy, arm strength, mobility, great statistics (etc.). However, Brady does not have a lot to work with, yet he still wins 12 or more games each season. For now, Brady is the greatest quarterback overall. Rodgers will eventually surpass Brady, but I think the Patriots quarterback still has a lot left in him, making him the best QB in the league.

Tom Brady Rating: 99

Aaron Rodgers Rating: 97.5