TAKE YOUR PICK: Tom v. Eli

Matt’s Take:

As we looked forward to this week’s Double Take column, we decided to debate quarterbacks and given the Super Bowl matchup, it was a no-brainer to argue the merits of Eli Manning and Tom Brady.

With all the hype that surrounded this Super Bowl rematch, not to mention Eli Manning proclaiming that he was also an elite signal caller prior to the season, we are going to share with you who has had the better career to this point.

While he might have lost the past two head-to-head Super Bowls against Manning, I’m still putting my money on Brady.

The former Michigan Wolverines quarterback has pretty impressive stats when you look at them. With 39,979 career passing yards, 300 touchdown passes, 115 interceptions and a completion percentage of 63.8 percent, there is not really too much to argue.

And I have failed to mention the seven Pro Bowl selections, three Super Bowl titles, two Super Bowl MVP awards and the five AFC Championships.

So, as we look over to Eli, his 29,579 passing yards, 185 touchdowns, 129 interceptions and 58.4 percent completion percentage don’t measure up. Yes, he is a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP, as well, but I’m still not buying it.

How can I pick Eli when he’s not even the best Manning?

The Manning/Brady debate could be close… if you based it on the supporting casts surrounding each player. But we saw what happened to the Pats when Brady was out — a mediocre season led by Matt Cassel.

I’m sure the Giants would have fared much better with former No. 1 pick, David Carr.

Advantage Patriots and Brady.

It’s hard for me to make an argument that really shouldn’t be an argument.

Sorry, this is a moot point.

Andrew’s take:

Name one thing that Tom Brady does better than Eli Manning. And “smiling” doesn’t count as an answer.

After Sunday’s Super Bowl, the two quarterbacks are drawing a lot of comparisons, but no one is asking the most obvious question: “Who is the better quarterback?”

I’m not talking about just this season, or performance in particular games. Double Take is tackling these two gamers onto the list of all-time quarterbacks, to see who comes out ahead.

And we don’t agree. Weird.

Give me an NFL franchise and the choice between Brady and Manning, and you won’t see me flinch.

But how? Every working sports writer in the last 12 years has dubbed Brady the “quarterback of this generation.” How could the second best quarterback in a particular family be better than the second coming of Joe Montana?

Back to my original proposition: the search for one good reason.

Just separate their strengths.

Brady is known for his ability to move a defensive backfield with his eyes. Basically, he stares at Deion Branch until Wes Welker is open, then he turns and throws. And everyone knows that Brady does this as well as anyone.

But the League has taken note. Every franchise quarterback can now do this. So, again, I am left wondering what makes this guy so special.

Not only can Manning direct a defense with the movement of his helmet, he does it under duress while Brady crumbles.

Think about Brady preparing to throw the ball. A statuesque image surrounded by green probably comes to mind. Insert Manning, and the picture comes with 300-pound defensive linemen, each with a hand in Eli’s face.

It all comes down to this: Brady has three rings and Manning has two. But, without Brady the rings still slip on New England fingers. Without Manning, New York doesn’t enter the post season.

And on the biggest stage, against Brady, Manning is 2-0.