Patriots Gridiron News: Tom Brady praises the greatness of Aaron Rodgers

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has paid Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers the ultimate compliment.

Two of the top quarterbacks in the game are set to face off Sunday night when Tom Brady and the 6-2 New England Patriots take on Aaron Rodgers and the 3-3-1 Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium.

In an NFL that is being taken over by young quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes II, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff, this Week 9 battle will feature greatness from two of the oldest pass slingers in the game.

While the 41-year-old GOAT is still doing his thing in New England, the 30-something Rodgers has Green Bay competing with the top teams in the league, nearly knocking off the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams.  Both defenses will have their work cut out in this game as this showcase shines the spotlight on two cerebral quarterbacks who have the utmost respect for one another.

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Aaron Rodgers has already acknowledged Tom Brady as the GOAT and said he is inspired by his longevity.  On Tuesday, the New England Patriots quarterback returned the praised by recognizing Rodgers as one of the greatest to play the game.

"“I think Aaron is one of the best ever to play the game,” Brady said during his weekly appearance on Kirk & Callahan.  “He’s got every skill you need to be a great quarterback.  I think there is a lot of other guys who are playing today that are phenomenal – Ben Roethlisberger, I think he is an incredible player.  What Drew Brees has done, and I am just talking players who are playing.  I mean Peyton Manning, I don’t there there was anyone who commanded the position better than Peyton what he did from Indy to Denver.  That was spectacular.”"

Going even further, Brady showed love for Brett Favre, Steve Young and Joe Montana as quarterbacks he has looked up to, but it is Aaron Rodgers who he has associated the adjective “inspiring.”  Not that the other players mentioned aren’t inspiring, but because of the path Rodgers took to become elite.

As Tom Brady shied away from answering the age-old debate on who is the greatest in today’s game, he did acknowledge the Packers quarterback as someone he enjoys watching.  On Sunday night, both players will have a font row seat in watching the other.  This is one of the few times where two quarterbacks are actually facing off against one another.

No, they aren’t physically playing against each other.  But, the way they lead their offenses and adjust throughout the game makes it a chess match in which NFL fans everywhere can just sit back and marvel not matter how much you hate the two logos.

Eric Rowe to IR

Cornerback Eric Rowe may have played his last game in a New England Patriots uniform.

On Tuesday, the team placed Rowe on injured reserve which means he would be out for the remainder of the season.  This opens a roster spot that will likely be filled by rookie cornerback Duke Dawson.

As for Eric Rowe, this outcome has to be frustrating.

In a season in which he had a major opportunity to hold down the No. 2 cornerback role behind Stephon Gilmore was crippled by injuries, which has been what has held the 2015 second-round pick back during his career.

In what figured to be a breakout season in a contract year now raises question on whether the Patriots will attempt to re-sign Eric Rowe or just let him walk.  If he is back next season, it will undoubtedly be on a cheaper, prove it type of deal.