Bradyism

I just watched a show on the NFL Network this morning about the Top 10 Clutch Quarterbacks - it was very satisfying to see both Joe Montana and Steve Young on that list. The 49ers were quite fortunate to have both of them.

Now, I'm going to go ahead and dream a little and wonder what things might have been like had the 49ers selected Tom Brady during the 2000 NFL draft. I wouldn't be alone in doing this (as futile an exercise as it might be) - time and time again, all the teams in the entire league passed up on him, including the Patriots who finally chose him; after all, he wasn't drafted until the 199th pick! 199! In the sixth round! Naturally, that also means that a number of quarterbacks were selected before he was, including by the 49ers.

Besides being just one of a league full of teams that must be kicking themselves for not choosing him, what makes the 49ers not picking him even more galling is that he is from nearby San Mateo and grew up a Niners fan. His hero was Joe Montana and in childhood photos, he is seen wearing a Niners jersey. He wanted to be drafted by the Niners. Although I am the first to remind myself that football is a team sport and success rests on more than a single player, I wonder what things would have been like had Tom Brady been our quarterback over the past decade. And he's still playing with no signs of slowing down.

Montana - Young - Brady... WOW! Oh well...

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A week and a half until the draft!!