It's clearly more than numbers. He has that special way of making his teammates believe that no matter what, he will come through. And he does. It's more than fourth-quarter magic, though, because the truth is he isn't all that special in the fourth quarter.
Brady completed 54.9 percent of his passes in the fourth quarter last season, the low of any quarter by far. He threw five interceptions in the fourth quarter of games, tying the number he threw in the second quarter, despite throwing double the amount of passes (157-71) in the second quarter.
Brady is special because of how he plays when his team is behind. Brady had a passer rating of 113.2 when his team was behind last season, which is 20 points higher than his overall rating of 92.6. Amazing.
That's why Brady has three Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVPs. The guy is clutch.
If you gave me the first overall pick in an open NFL Draft of all the league's players, Peyton Manning would still be my choice. Brady has moved to second, which is why he's gone from nowhere in our CBS SportsLine.com Top 50 two years ago to No. 2 this season.
That's a heck of jump.
It's also a jump that makes me look foolish, something I'm willing to admit. Go ahead, blast away. It's deserved.
And by the way, whatever happened to Harold Miner?
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: He had an amazing season in 2004, solidifying his spot here at the top. Now he has to win a Super Bowl.
2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: Three Super Bowl rings in four years makes for a special quarterback.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Doesn't get the credit he deserves playing in San Diego, but he's the best back in the game.
4. Randy Moss, WR, Raiders: Love him or hate him, he's a player. Moss is the best deep threat in the game today. Oakland fans will love him.
5. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens: Yeah, yeah. We hear all that talk about how Lewis has regressed some. Watch out in 2005. Now that he's back in the middle of the 4-3, he will look like the Lewis of three years ago.
6. Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts: Just a tad behind Moss on the receiver list, Harrison is on his way to the Hall of Fame. He does it with so much ease.
7. Ed Reed, S, Ravens: Reed has made a huge jump up our list. He's arguably the best defensive player in the game today.
8. Terrell Owens, WR, Eagles: He talks a good game, but he backs it up. Owens proved in the Super Bowl what kind of player he is, a point even his haters can't argue.
9. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings: He had a monster year in 2004, but it will be interesting to see what he does now without Moss.
10. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: McNabb has improved greatly as a pocket passer. Maybe Owens had a lot to do with that.
11. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Despite playing behind a bad offensive line in a system that didn't feature his best talents (cutback running), Portis had a good first season with the Redskins.
12. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos: It's chic to rip on Bailey when seeing him get beat for a touchdown. Well, he's in man coverage a lot more than most corners. He's going to get beat. I'd still take him over any other corner in the game.
13. Walter Jones, T, Seahawks: An outstanding pass protector who plays like a man much lighter than 300 pounds. Now that he has a long-term deal that will have him in training camp for the first time in a few years, he will be even better.
