Thomas Edward Brady, Jr. (born August 3, 1977 in San Mateo, California) is a NFL quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Tom Brady started 4th on the depth chart and set behind Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe who had recently let the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl. It is often said that in football you are just one hit away from playing. However, Bledsoe is an incredibly tough quarterback who was extremely durable.

On September 23, 2001 the path of the New England Patriots was changed forever. Drew Bledsoe was knocked out of a game against the New York Jets and suffered internal bleeding. The Patriots would fall to 0-2 and lose Drew Bledsoe, their leader. Enter Tom Brady. Brady would lead the Patriots to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.

During a 2001–2002 divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders (played in January 2002), Tom Brady had been ruled as having fumbled on a pass attempt, with Oakland protecting a three-point lead. Citing the controversial “tuck rule,” where a ball is ruled an incomplete pass after the quarterback starts any forward throwing motion, referee Walt Coleman overturned the decision after reviewing the instant replay, calling the drop an incomplete pass rather than a fumble; fellow Michigan Wolverine Charles Woodson was the player who made the hit on Brady. Brady, who threw for 312 yards in his first NFL playoff game, led the Patriots back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit and engineered the winning drive in overtime to beat the Raiders.

In the AFC Championship Game, Brady was injured and replaced by Drew Bledsoe who led the Patriots to victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and gave them a birth in the Super Bowl. After Bledsoe’s performance, some wondered who would start the Super Bowl, but Brady got the nod.

In 2003 the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts faced off in their first playoff showdown. It was the AFC Championship Game and Brady and the Patriots won the game 24-14. Brady would go on to win his second Super Bowl in 2003.

In 2004 during the AFC Divisional Playoff, the Patriots and Colts would face off again. It was Brady Manning II. Once again Brady and the Patriots came out on top and once again went on to win the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning did have the better regular season by breaking Marino’s single season touchdown record by throwing 49 touchdown passes.

In the 2006 AFC Championship Game it was Brady Manning III. The Patriots went way ahead and appeared to be headed to yet another Super Bowl. This time, Peyton Manning rallied the Colts to victory and this time it was Manning who would win the Super Bowl.

In 2007 it is likely that Brady and Manning will once again play in the playoffs to see who will go to the Super Bowl. Both teams are undefeated after week 7. Like 2004 another record breaking season is taking place. This time, Tom Brady is having the huge statistical season. He is on pace to break Manning’s record. Click Here to read the article, Is Brady the Best?