Tom Brady has walked away with the top vote as the best quarterback in the world, according to ESPN.

"Elite quarterbacks are the ones who usually make the playoffs, so I categorize the elites as the ones who give their franchises the best chance," writes ESPN's John Clayton this week.

"The league has 12 playoff spots, and usually 10 or 11 of the elite quarterbacks fill those positions. To be elite, a quarterback must have 4,000-yard potential, complete 60 percent of his passes and score more than 20 points a game."

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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is at the top of that elite list, according to Clayton.

"Working 39 plays a game out of two-tight end sets in 2010, Brady baffled defenses until the playoffs, winning 14 games and the league's MVP award. With the addition of Chad Ochocinco on the outside and some young runners, Brady should even be better this year," Clayton concludes.