Like you, I’m also tired about hearing everyone overreact to the Tom Brady suspension. Since that subject has been covered by everyone who has access to an Internet connection, it’s time to accept the ramifications and focus on how the Brady suspension will impact the NFL season.
Before you smear my name across Twitter, let me get this out of the way: I am not a Patriots fan. Yes, I currently live in Boston. But I’m from New Jersey (jealous?) and I bleed Big Blue. So understand the belief that Tom Brady’s four-game suspension will be positive for the Patriots organization isn’t coming from an overzealous Patriots supporter.
1) Fire in the belly – You probably already know the narrative. It’s mentioned a thousand times during April in the days leading to the NFL Draft. Tom Brady has had a chip on his shoulder for his entire career as a result of being drafted in the sixth round. If the chip on Brady’s shoulder started to diminish after four Super Bowl titles, being found guilty of probably knowing about deflated balls will ignite him like a mother bear that thinks her cubs are being threatened.
2) A chance to get a look at the new kid – Do the Broncos know what they have in Brock Osweiler once Peyton Manning retires? Can the Giants be certain Ryan Nassib is the future of the Giants if Eli Manning isn’t re-signed? There’s something to be said for knowing.
The Green Bay Packers have been unusually fortunate to transition from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers without having to endure an awful season (remember: the only reason Andrew Luck succeeded Peyton Manning for the Indianapolis Colts was because Manning was injured and a triumvirate of Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky, and Kerry Collins led the franchise to a 2-14 record and the first overall pick). And unlike Brock Osweiler, who has seen the end of blow outs, or Ryan Nassib, who has barely sniffed the playing field, the Pats will get a long look at Jimmy Garoppolo. And this playing time won’t be during the meaningless preseason. These four games really count and real pressure will be on Garoppolo. Garoppolo will prepare all offseason knowing he’ll be the starter, and the first four New England opponents will prepare to face Garoppolo. It’ll be a verified glimpse of Garoppolo’s production and potential on the NFL level. One of three things will happen: A) Garoppolo will become Brady’s obvious heir-apparent, B) Garoppolo becomes delectable trade bait for QB-needy teams, or C) he sucks, and Belichick needs to find Brady’s successor elsewhere.
3) Underdog mentality – After the Patriots were found guilty of “Spygate” early in 2007, they went on to finish an undefeated regular season as Tom Brady shattered several existing single-season records. Once “the Golden Boy” reclaims his role as starting quarterback, he and the rest of the New England roster will be playing every game with something to prove. The stigma of being “cheaters” will follow this team like a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. The visceral hatred gleaned from opposing fan bases will inspire the Patriots to work harder, practice harder, condition harder, be more focused, and pay more attention to detail than ever before. And that won’t be good for the rest of the AFC.
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