Tom Brady: How a Super Bowl XLV Win Would Change His Legacy

Tom Brady will be the runaway NFL MVP winner.

There's no doubt about that.

But LeBron James has two NBA MVP awards and the only thing people seem to care about is the fact he's never won a title.

Well, Brady has won three Super Bowls and, at the very least, appears to be on the verge of another.

He is already considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, but we always want more.

So what would another ring do for Brady's legacy?

Let's take a look.

10. Show That He Doesn't Need Big Names To Win

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The 2010 New England Patriots team isn't exactly filled with superstars, Pro Bowlers and future Hall of Famers.

Tom Brady has tossed his passes to the 5'9" Wes Welker, a past-his-prime Deion Branch and a former Division II player named Danny Woodhead who was once cut by the New York Jets.

He's also thrown 15 total touchdowns to two rookie tight ends (Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez) and relied on a running game that centers around an undrafted third-year running back (BenJarvus Green-Ellis).

There's been no Randy Moss, no bonafide stud at the receiver position. 

Brady's had a stellar season with inexperienced youngsters and NFL afterthoughts. 

9. Show That His First 3 Super Bowl Wins Were Not a Mirage

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Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he stands on the podium after The New England Patriots defeated The Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Staduim in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

One of the biggest knocks on Tom Brady is that he's only won three Super Bowl rings because of his defense.

Of course that defense helped. After all, football is a team sport and the Patriots have had some great defensive players over the years, like Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Asante Samuel and so on and so forth.

But the Patriots defense is incredibly young and inexperienced this time around, so the old "Brady wins because of his defense" debate just doesn't hold up.

Has New England been good on that side of the ball? Absolutely.

But Brady's offense has pounded top defenses like the Jets, Bears and Steelers into submission this season.

And that, my friends, is not a mirage.

8. Improve His Hall of Fame Resume

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after running the ball for a first down against the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Ge

I'm as sure about this statement as I would be if I wrote that the Carolina Panthers are the worst team in football: Tom Brady is going into the Hall of Fame.

In fact, anyone above the age of five can tell you that. But it's important to note that this season has drastically improved his Hall of Fame resume.

Brady has now totaled 34,545 passing yards, has accounted for 267 career touchdowns, has a career passer rating of 95.0 and has thrown just 103 career interceptions.

That's not even taking into account his Super Bowl trophies and the multiple MVP awards he's about to have.

If something in life besides death and taxes is guaranteed, it's that Brady's credentials will be much better by season's end.

7. Guarantee His Place As One of the Most Clutch Athletes in Sports History

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after running back Corey Dillon #28 scored a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonvil

There's a difference between winning and coming through in the clutch. 

Tom Brady's done both throughout his career, but his clutch performances often seem to be forgotten after New England's recent Super Bowl loss. 

In actuality though, Brady has already proved to be one of the most gritty athletes in sports history.

In each of his three Super Bowl victories, Brady led the Patriots on a fourth-quarter scoring drive that either tied the game or gave New England the lead outright.

He's not only shown that he can win in blowouts or dominant fashion, but he can deliver when the most is on the line.

6. Prove That Tom Brady's 2010 Season Was Better Than 2007

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures during the first quarter of the game at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

During the 2007-08 season, Tom Brady threw for 4,806 yards, scored 52 total touchdowns and threw just eight interceptions.

And New England started 18-0 before losing to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. No one thought that Brady would ever top that magical season.

But he has.

This season Brady's thrown for 3,701 yards, scored 35 total touchdowns and thrown just four interceptions.

He has also gone an astounding 10 straight games without an interception and has led the Patriots—who many expected to have a down year—to the top of the AFC.

If Brady's Patriots win Super Bowl XLV, the case is closed—2010 is the best season of Brady's career.

5. Cap Off the Most Impressive Single Season In Recent NFL History

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (

When you think about some of the greatest seasons for a quarterback in recent NFL history, several come to mind.

Like Steve Young in 1994 (3,969, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions).

Like Kurt Warner in 1999 (4,353 yards, 41 touchdowns and 13 interceptions).

Or Peyton Manning in 2004 (4,557 yards, 49 touchdowns and 10 interception).

Heck, even Brett Favre in 2009 (4,202, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions).

But no one's been impressive as Tom Brady, who leads the league in touchdown passes (34), hasn't thrown an interception since an Oct. 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and has led the Patriots to the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

4. Prove That He Is Better Than Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won the game 35-34. (Phot

If Tom Brady and the Patriots capture another Super Bowl title, he will undoubtedly assert himself as the greatest quarterback of his generation.

Yes, better than Peyton Manning.

Brady's career resume would read like this: four Super Bowls and two NFL MVPs.

Manning's would read like this: one Super Bowl and four NFL MVPs.

It's just simple math.

Brady would have six combined MVPs and Super Bowls while Manning would have just five.

Okay, it's not that simple. But at the end of the day, team accomplishments mean more than individual awards.

3. Reassert Himself As the Winningest Quarterback In League History

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As of this writing, Tom Brady's career record as a starting quarterback in both the playoffs and the regular season is 124-36.

His winning percentage of .775 is the highest of any quarterback in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) with at least 100 career starts 

Brady is already the winningest quarterback ever to step foot on an NFL field, but another Super Bowl ring would be the cherry on top of the "I never lose" sundae. 

2. Assure His Spot As One of the Greatest QBs in Playoff History

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates the Patriots 21-12 win against the San Diego Chargers during the AFC Championship Game on January 20, 2008 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Chris McGr

Tom Brady entered the 2010 season with a 14-4 (.778) playoff record. That ranks second in NFL history only to Bart Starr, who went 9-1 (.900) during his career.

Brady's 14 playoff wins are tied for second in league history behind the one and only Joe Montana (16).

If the Patriots win Super Bowl XLV, Brady will surpass Montana and become the all-time NFL leader in playoff wins with 17.

If that doesn't assure him a spot as one of the—if not the—greatest quarterbacks in playoff history, then what does?

1. Affirm His Place As a Top-Two Quarterback in NFL History

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown scored by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 (not pictured) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

Joe Montana has two regular season NFL MVP awards, three Super Bowl MVP awards and four Super Bowl rings. 

At the end of this season, he could be dead even with Tom Brady in every single one of those categories.

And sorry to guys like Dan Marino, but no Super Bowl ring automatically eliminates you from any "greatest quarterback" talk even if you were a better football player than Brady.

Apologies also go out to quarterbacks like Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman as well, whose strong supporting casts hurt their cases.

When it comes down to it, this is a two-horse race between Brady and Montana.

It's definitely a case of comparing apples to oranges though, as the quarterbacks played in different eras and never crossed paths.

If Brady wins another Super Bowl, he and Montana will be 1a and 1b.

It's up to you guys to decide who goes where.