Brady unphased by contracts, wants W's

So I'm browsing the internet on this lovely Tuesday afternoon, going through all my regular sites: Gmail, BarstoolSports.com, BostonDirtdogs.com, Facebook, ESPN, blah, blah, blah. And it was when I came to ESPN that I read a very well written article by Tim Graham that got my blood to boil.

To sum up the article, Graham had asked Patriots QB Tom Brady about the new mega-deals given to his understudies, Eli Manning (6 years, $97.5 million) and Philip Rivers (6 years, $93 million). "It's great for those players. They've worked hard to deserve those," Brady said. "Any time a guy gets a contract, it's a pretty cool thing. I've had that experience a couple times."

God, even his responses are perfect. But that can't be what he's actually thinking. Brady, 30, has two years left on a six-year $60 million contract (coming off of his second Super Bowl MVP in 2005, I might add).

And what did Eli do to become the highest paid NFL player? He threw for over 3,200 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs, a 12-4 record and a first-round loss in the playoffs. Do I get a Viagra with that? Because those numbers certainly don't turn me on. And to be honest, if it wasn't for the gum on David Tyree's helmet, Manning would probably not be a quarterback in New York.

San Diego QB Philip Rivers enjoyed undoubtedly his best year of his career; throwing for 4,000 yards, 34 TDs, 11 INTs and leading his team to the AFC Championship game. But this will be Rivers fourth year starting.

In 2004, Manning and Rivers were the dandies of the draft. Manning was drafted first overall by the Chargers only to be traded to the Giants for the number four overall pick, Rivers. Their careers will forever be compared to each others.

But Brady? They can't even sniff his jock strap. Let's take a look at what Brady accomplished before trading in his rookie contract (a modest 6th-round contract) and see how he matches up against Manning and Rivers:

• 58-20 regular season record
• 18,029 passing yards
• 123 TDs
• 66 INTs
• 62% Completion
  
• 3 Super Bowls
• 2 Super Bowl MVPs

It's not even comparable. Brady was far-and-away the better player through his first five years. He was arguable the best quarterback in the league then, let alone now. And what did he do to prove he's the ultimate leader? Took less money, that he undoubtedly deserved, so that the Patriots could re-sign top defensive lineman, Richard Seymour.

If these QBs are getting those type of numbers, what does that mean for Brady? Is he going to be the first $200-million man?

But in this day-and-age the fountain of youth holds all the change. Sports agents have done a really good job at getting top rookie talent top of the line money; something that veteran players are not pleased with. How can Matthew Stafford get $72 million before taking a snap in the NFL? And with all that money, Lions management expect him to start. What does this do to a player's drive to be the best?

For players like Manning and Rivers, it's going from something to nothing. Brady? He earned his spot over a HOF-QB and never looked back. Yeah, I'd say that's from nothing to something. (Don't believe me? Just check out his workout for the 2000 NFL Draft Combine).