Super Bowl 2012: 3 Reasons Tom Brady Doesn't Need Another Ring

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is going for his fourth Super Bowl ring this Sunday against the New York Giants. While adding one more to his collection, as well as joining an elite group in Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana would be great, the two-time league MVP doesn't need another to secure his place in history.

Brady has been one of the most consistent and dominant quarterbacks of all time, and his success translates through more things other than rings.

Being the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady has certainly exceeded expectations already. 

While he wouldn't complain about winning more championships, for these reasons he doesn't have to.

1. He Already Holds Many Prestigious NFL Records

Brady has been a beast since entering the NFL, and he has never slowed down. 

Some current records that he currently holds are the most passing touchdowns in a season (50), the highest touchdown-interception career ratio (260-103) and most consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception (162).

Things are not getting any worse for him either. He is coming off of a career-best 5,235-yard season while throwing for 39 touchdowns. He certainly isn't taking his career to a close, and he will have a chance to put himself into an even more elite standing when it is all said and done.

While his three Super Bowl titles are not a best, a fourth will not put him above anyone else. He has already accomplished so many things over his career, that he could still go down as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.

2. He Will Be Making His Fifth Super Bowl Start

Whether or not Brady wins Super Bowl XLVI, he will tie John Elway for the most starts by a quarterback in the game during the Super Bowl era. Elway, who won two of his five tries, will still be second to Brady no matter what the outcome. At least in terms of overall record.

This is quite a feat alone, as it would put him above people like Bradshaw, Jim Kelly, Montana and Roger Staubach. Not to mention, it will create a bigger gap between current players like Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and even Eli Manning.

To make it to the Super Bowl five times out of 10 seasons (not including 2000 or 2008) is all the more impressive, and there is no reason to believe that he is done. With the success the Patriots had this past season, as well as the development of young stars like Rob Gronkowski, there is no reason to write this team off as contenders for next season and many years beyond that.

3. He is a Sure Lock for the Hall of Fame

Brady doesn't need a fourth ring to get him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With everything he has accomplished over his 10-year career, especially recovering from a potential career-ending knee injury, there is no doubt that he has already sealed his fate into the hall.

He could retire right after this game if he wanted, and he would still be guaranteed an automatic selection when his time came.

Will a fourth ring make it even greater? Sure, but it isn't going to make a difference when it is all said and done. It will only increase his legacy, but there is no doubting that he has already accomplished enough to be regarded as one of the greatest to ever step foot on the field.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.