Why The New England Patriots Should Have No Worries

I know I am not in the minority in this, but boy am I glad that for the time being — the Deflategate saga is in the rear view mirror. Now here is the question I believe is worth asking:

Is it fair that Tom Brady has to serve a four game suspension beginning Week 1? A case that did little to prove without a shadow of a doubt that he was responsible for having deflated footballs during the 2014 AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts?

In my opinion, no, not at all.

However, at this rate it does serves Brady well to just get the four game “punishment” over with. Time to put this saga behind him.

If not for anything else, for himself and certainly for the New England faithful. For damn sure, everyone who has been sick of this story since Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star brought it to light.

The entire scandal in a nutshell became more of a distraction to the team and across the league. A saga that became less about deflated footballs and more about Roger Goddell and the power he exerts over his throne in the NFL.

Contrary to what many may have you believe, any likeminded and progressive thinking individual that knows the game of football to the highest degree will tell you that this entire “Deflategate” BS absolutely does nothing to alter Tom Brady’s legacy. Tom Terrific, in the eyes of many, regardless of football’s below a certain PSI, is automatically a top three NFL quarterback all time. In my opinion its closer to 1A or 1B (whatever order you decide) with Joe Montana.

With all that said, the New England Patriots will survive the four games without Brady. They will be just fine with newly inserted wingman Jimmy Garropollo
Patriot fans need not worry about the first month of football without their fearless leader and four time Super Bowl champion. If there’s anything we’ve learned about Bill Belichick and New England over the years is that no matter the situation they are dealt
with, they have always adopted the “next man up mantra”.

In 2008 when Brady went down in Week 1 of the NFL season due to a torn ACL, the team inserted Matt Cassel in as starter. Now for context the team did miss the postseason that year with an otherwise impressive 11-5 record. It was definitely  a wonky season of football. The larger point is that the Patriots showed that even without their most important player, they were still able to post a double digit win total that year.

Also the first four games to open the 2016 season doesn’t necessarily rise up any urge of panic.

Week 1 at Arizona Cardinals: Probably the lone game of the four that even WITH Brady I could see as a automatic loss. The Cards were a NFC Title game participant last season and should show very little regression, if any at all.

Week 2 vs. Miami Dolphins: A divisional game yes, but the Dolphins aren’t a team that should strike fear given their question mark of a roster. Plus rookie head coach Adam Gase will be coaching only his second game ever.

Week 3 vs. Houston Texans: The Texans on a short week could possibly raise some eyebrows yet again. However, this game will be played in the comfy confines of Foxboro. That alone should make things a tad easier.

​Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills: Again — another divisional game. Another opponent that should strike no fear in the hearts of Patriot fans. Once again in Foxboro.
At worse the Patriots should go 2-2. Even that will be shocking given three of the first four games are at home. When Tom Brady eventually takes over the controls after, I do expect things to be what they normally are.  Another double digit win season. Another AFC East title under their belt. Plus the most likely scenario at the end — homefield advantage throughout the entire postseason.
In other words — business as usual.