Sir Tom Finney

Tom Finney has died, at the age of 91. I believe that had he been born around 1990 he would be receiving the acclaim (and money!) now given to Messi and Ronaldo. He was that great. More like Ronaldo in that he could use either foot and was a fine header as well but he ran with the ball more like Messi in terms of close control at speed. He was also, alas, among the last of a dying breed; a classic, old-style Lancastrian, like Brian Statham. I never had  the fortune to meet Sir Tom but, from every account I have ever read, he was in the mold of men of my dad's generation; utterly honest, straightforward and humble. I did see him play once, though, and I still see him in my mind's eye. He scored twice for Preston, his only club, against Bolton. He played centre forward that day. Both goals were "highlight reel" goals, one with his right and one with his left foot. In retrospect it was likely his last game against Bolton.

Manning, Brady and the Diffence between Fitba and Football

In advance of the Patriots vs Broncos plyoff game there's been the usual blather about where Brady and Manning fit in the pantheon of great QBs. It's curious to note that the nature of the media discussion is very different from discussions of say, Messi and Ronaldo. In the case of QBs the main issue it seems is who's won the Superbowl and who's won the other "big games". This doesn't come up much at all with Messi & Ronaldo and other greats. Even media pundits realise that Messi and Ronaldo are only one of ten outfield players. Thery don't decide games on their own.
I don't claim any deep insight into the NFL game but I find this emphasis on QBs grossly overdone. Would Dan Marino won 3 supebowls instread of none if he'd switched places with Brady? I'm pretty sure he would. Likewise, Manning with Montana. There's also the odd "natural  experiment"; e.g, Frank Rech (who he?) taking over for Jim Kelly and leading Buffalo to one of the greatest plyoff comebacks. Or, even more revealing, the Patriots went 11-5, I believe, one year when Brady missed a season through injury. (Counterevidence, perhaps, the Colts sagged to 2-15, I think, when Manning was unavailable.) My amateur observation is that if the offensive line gives any NFL QB time they rip up the defence.
On pure throwing ability I think it`s hard to put anyone above Marino who, as note, won no SBs with a HOF coach, Don Shula.