Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady is the Fastest- and Best- Gunslinger in the NFL

When you think of the old Western movies, you think of the sheriff and the outlaw in the noontime sun, ready for a shootout. The fastest draw would win the day and the credits would roll.

The NFL is no different and Tom Brady is John Wayne.

Sure, Peyton Manning was #1 in the league when it came to average time to pulling the trigger (2.23 seconds), and Andy Dalton was #2 (2.26). Brady ranked 3rd (2.31).

And, sure, Brady ranked third in Pro Football Focus' grades on three-step drops (behind Eli Manning and Matt Ryan), and third in their grades on 3rd down, when opposing defenses are pinning back their ears to attack the quarterback (behind Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers).

But you'll also notice that Brady is the only player on all of these lists. And he ranks first in their grades on five-step drops (ahead of Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning). And after the Week 1 debacle with the Dolphins, where the Patriots featured Marcus Cannon and Jordan Devey at the guard spots, no quarterback threw a greater percentage of passes in under 2.5 seconds (Brady threw the ball in under 2.5 seconds on 68.1% of his snaps).

Brady had to become the league's fastest gunslinger to account for his offensive line and he rose to the challenge. Across the board of quick passing evaluations, he was one of the best in the league. Quick passing is a perfect mix of accuracy, decision making, and presnap adjustments. Brady thrives in all of these skills.

As the Patriots break in a new offensive line with rookies Tre Jackson and Shaq Mason, Brady will likely have to continue as one of the league's fastest quarterbacks in 2015.