Do These Stats Debunk Notion That Tom Brady Is A Checkdown Quarterback?

Tom Brady gathered an army of supporters throughout his professional career. There’s an army of haters, too. They like to call Brady a cheater and someone who only throws checkdowns and let’s his targets do everything else. Is Brady really a checkdown quarterback?

If you still have some doubts regarding Brady’s greatness, please go through the following numbers. You’ll figure it out. Hopefully.

Using @PFF QB charting and actual ball location on each pass, most accurate passers on 10+ yard passes over the last three years (including playoffs):

1. Tom Brady 55.8%
2. Andrew Luck 53.8
3. Drew Brees 53.6
4. Patrick Mahomes 51.5
5. Matt Ryan 50.3

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 12, 2019

Mahomes
Brady
Luck
Brees
Ryan https://t.co/mOzq4RXCpi

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 12, 2019

10+ yard passes (air yards),
2016-18 (including playoffs):

PFF Grade:
Brady
Brees
Rodgers
Ryan
Wilson

Passer Rating
Brady 120.2
Wilson 119.2
Brees 113.4
Ryan 113.4
Cousins 112.8

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 12, 2019

Most passes thrown under 10 yards, last three years (reg season)

1. Eli 1125
2. Brees 1120
3. Cousins 1090
4. Stafford 1072
5. Roethlisberger 1031
6. Carr 1024
6. Flacco 1024
8. Ryan 991
9. Brady 935
10. Rivers 915

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 12, 2019

Most passes thrown at/behind line of scrimmage (last 3 years, reg season):

1. Ben Roethlisberger 379
2. Matthew Stafford 355
3. Eli Manning 323
4. Derek Carr 313
5. Drew Brees 304
6. Alex Smith 293
7. Philip Rivers 284
8. Aaron Rodgers 281
9. Case Keenum 279
10. Joe Flacco 274

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 12, 2019

Highest passer rating on passes at/behind line of scrimmage (last 3 years, including playoffs):

1. Mahomes 120.7
2. Goff 113.0
3. Ryan 111.2
4. Watson 104.9
5. Brees 104.1
6. Rivers 102.7
7. Tannehill 102.5
8. Prescott 101.6
9. Roethlisberger 100.9
9. Brissett 100.9

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 12, 2019

Dana White is one of the loudest supporters Brady has on his side.

“Everybody was talking sh*t this year,” White said. “Everybody was talking, ‘Oh, he should retire. Oh, the Patriots suck, they can’t win a game.’ We’re heading into another AFC Championship and if we win I think that’s 8 straight AFC Championships. And, it’s a record and he’s going to another Super Bowl. So, shut up!! He’s shoving it up all the haters’ asses one more time and I love it.”

Brett Favre knows that Brady is the best, and knows what motivates him.

“We have to have something that motivates us, and what Tom is saying there is motivating him,” he explained. “You know, you go, ‘why does he need anything else to motivate him?’ It’s what makes him who he is, and what makes him so great is that, yeah, he knows what he’s done. He’s well aware of where he stands in the National Football League, not only presently, but in the history. Now, he’s not going to talk about it, but as long as he’s still playing, that fire within him is going to burn when you speak negatively about (him) or his team.”

The Patriots quarterback is grateful for all the support he’s been receiving throughout his career. If you ask him, Brady will say that he plays for two teams – his family and the Patriots.

“I had the privilege of speaking to my teammates, my brothers, and our whole extended football family last night as we celebrated our 2018 championship season,” Brady wrote on Instagram. “I’ll never take these moments for granted and I deeply appreciate everyone who supports us year in and year out. I play for two teams, the Patriots and my family! And of course you our incredible fans. I always try to make you proud, and we couldn’t do it without you. From my family to yours, thank you.”