Super Bowl Fallout: Joe Montana Still the Gold Standard

49ers fans should be happy to realize that for at least one more year, the title of who's the best QB ever is still undisputed.

Tom Brady will have to wait at least one more year.

At least one more year to avenge two straight losses to the Manning brothers when it mattered most.

At least one more year to become a four-time Super Bowl champion.

At least one more year before his name can be legitimately mentioned when people talk of the greatest quarterback ever.

When Eli Manning found a wide-open Plaxico Burress in the end zone with 35 seconds left in Super Bowl XLII, he rendered Brady's previous 12-play, 80-yard drive moot.

Instead of Brady's fourth-quarter performance becoming heroic, even this decade's version of "The Drive," it became only a prelude to Manning's victory.

The touchdown pass to Randy Moss with 2:42 to play can never be compared to any other great catch, such as the one Dwight Clark made.

Brady was cool in the face of seismic pressure, enduring five sacks and what seemed like countless hits to take that 14-10 lead late. But it takes a little luck to be the greatest, no matter how good you are.

The Patriots are a dynasty with or without a fourth title, and Brady undoubtedly had a season for the ages. But with everything on the line, the greatest find a way to get it done.

They score early and often, racking up scores of 55-10 and leaving no doubt, or driving the length of the field in the final minutes with John Candy and the rest of 49er faithful watching in awe.

Brady still has all the stats; his 50 TD passes and 4,806 yards from 2007 are more than any 49er quarterback has ever thrown for in a single year, and in addition still has three Super Bowl championships.

Brady still has a chance to get his four titles in one decade and maybe even more over his career. But for at least one more year, the red and gold standard remains in the Bay Area. For one more year, there really is no argument as to who's the best QB ever.

One of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history really only means one thing to die-hard 49er fans. Brady will have to wait at least one more year to match Joe Montana.