During the period between Mini Camp and Training Camp (also know as the dead period of the NFL), we often often see the majority of football related content around to web to be preseason rankings and predictions.

Well, what do you know! This post is no different, sorry to say. But one Patriot player was listed in the continuing countdown of the top rated NFL quarterback in the league, as ranked by analyst Ron Jaworski. I wish I could throw you for a spin and tell you it's Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett. But i'd just be lying to you.

Coming in as the number third ranked QB in the league currently, is Tom Edward Patrick Brady. Herrrreeee's Jaws!

"Number three on my big board entering the 2012 season is Tom Brady. Brady is outstanding in so many areas, but what really stands out is his total command in the pocket. Few quarterbacks in NFL history move within the pocket better than Tom Brady. Pocket movement is an essential attribute to play NFL quarterback at a consistently-high level. Think of it this way: the ability to move within an area no larger than the approximate size of a boxing ring. Sometimes it's a strain, just a step here or a step there. Other times, it's more pronounced. The corollary, and it's equally as important, you must maintain your downfield focus while you're moving. You cannot look at the rush. It's a far more important trait than running out of the pocket.



"I don't think I've ever seen a more comfortable pocket quarterback than Brady. There have been times over the years he's literally been a statue in the pocket - static, stationary, motionless. I can tell you from experience that's a rare trait. Everything is happening very fast. The ability to slow down your body like that, that's remarkable "Another attribute that Brady has mastered is controlling the game at the line of scrimmage. Brady is outstanding at the subtle nuances of quarterback play. It's a highly-disciplined craft, and Brady has expertly refined the small details. His ability to immediately locate mismatches in man coverage, like Wes Welker on a linebacker, and to move defenders in zone coverage is as good as it gets. Manipulating and controlling the defense is advanced quarterbacking.

Despite not repeating his MVP honors from 2011, he put up yet another worthy season for the award. Last season, he along with Drew Brees passed Dan Marino's single-season yardage mark; throwing for 5,235 yards and 39 touchdowns. All en route to the New England Patriots going 13-3 and getting back to the Super Bowl.

Sure, I can agree with Jaws in saying that Rodgers (and arguably, Brees) were slightly better than Brady last season. Both threw for more touchdowns. Brees threw for more yards than Brady--Rodgers had more regular season wins and fewer interceptions.

Still, Brady was the more successful quarterback. While he wasn't spectacular in the AFC Championship game, he was able to once again to do just enough to help New England get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2007. He didn't have his best year in 2011, but he surely worthy of this ranking, if not a higher one.