Kev, there is an argument against Brady from one of the local sports radio hosts when compared to Montana that Brady is 5 for 7 in the Super Bowl, so he lost two, versus Montana who is undefeated in his 4 so therefore Brady can't be better than Montana. I don't agree with it but that's the argument.
I think it's a poor argument, and here is why:
1) Both of these guys played over 200 games, and we are going to boil down who is better to a 4-game sample size??
2) If we are going to look at Super Bowls, first off, Brady has now won more. Second, saying that 4-0 > 5-2 in this context implies that it is better to lose earlier in the playoffs.
Consider:
-the four best playoff finishes of both guys, winning the Super Bowl, is a push. Both have won three Super Bowl MVPs, so that is a wash.
-Montana's 5th best playoff finish was losing in the conference championship game; Brady's 5th best playoff finish was winning another Super Bowl.
-Montana's 6th best playoff finish was losing in the conference championship game; Brady's 6th best playoff finish was losing in the Super Bowl.
-Montana's 7th best playoff finish was losing in the conference championship game; Brady's 7th best playoff finish was losing in the Super Bowl.
Edge: Brady
3) If we look at the playoffs overall, Montana has the edge in individual play (95.6 passer rating vs 89.0), while Brady has the better record (25-9 vs 16-7).
Now, regarding individual play in the Super Bowl, Montana has the obvious edge: 11-0 TD-INT ratio > 15-5, plus Montana's offense averaged 35 points per game in his four Super Bowls, while Brady's has only averaged 23 points per game in seven. Brady clearly benefited greatly by having the best coach ever, plus the best kicker ever in his first three Super Bowls, but Montana benefited greatly by playing in the most innovative offense the NFL has ever seen, at its inception. It's a tough call. And I think Montana gets extra points for playing in era where you could legally knock the crap out of the QB, while Brady plays in an era where it's a penalty to breathe on the QB sometimes.
I just think the 4-0 > 5-2 argument is a very poor one. There are strong arguments for Montana still being ahead of Brady (although I put Brady and Peyton both ahead of him), but that is not one of them.