What's Next For Tom Brady, New England Patriots?
This isn't over. Not by a long shot.
Roger Goodell's decision to uphold Tom Brady's four-game suspension is not likely the end of the deflated footballs saga.
Brady appears headed to court seeking to overturn the suspension, and at the same time would place his New England Patriots in a damaging quarterback limbo.
Brady wants his name cleared, particularly after the damaging information released Tuesday in Goodell's decision on Brady's appeal, so he and the players' union will seek an injunction stopping the suspension until the case is heard and ruled upon, whenever that might be.
Suppose Brady loses in court, too. In late November or early December. New England could be without its four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the stretch drive, when it is trying to make the playoffs — usually a foregone conclusion for the Patriots.
Cynics will point out that Brady and the Patriots got to a Super Bowl, which they won, after doctoring the footballs in the AFC championship game. So any such dark scenario for them when winter hits is a payback.
Brady supporters will argue that the evidence is circumstantial, at best, and that his destroying his cellphone displays little more than bad judgment and timing.
Regardless, the biggest dilemma in "Deflategate" now faces the franchise Brady has led to the top.
Here are some things the Patriots must ponder as this drama reaches the next stage:
SUPPORTING BRADY: While building an offensive line to protect their crown jewel is a gimme, aiding Brady's court case is anything but for the Patriots. Owner Robert Kraft is not fighting the team's $1 million fine and loss of two draft picks, and though he doesn't want Brady sidelined at all, losing him for the first four matches is easier to swallow than for, say, the final four games. One of the league's most influential men and a longtime adviser to Goodell, Kraft would, in essence, be confronting his fellow owners by backing Brady's legal case.
The team's strongly worded condemnation of Goodell's decision on Tuesday in which the Patriots used such words as "folly" and "incomprehensible." The Patriots said they "continue to unequivocally believe in and support Tom Brady," but in a court of law, how much assistance can Kraft really provide?
GETTING JIMMY READY: Brady's QB heir might not be Jimmy Garoppolo, especially if Brady carries through on his plan to play a few more seasons. For now, with the two-time league MVP's availability uncertain, the Patriots have no choice but to turn to the second-year quarterback with 27 pro passes on his resume. Journeyman Matt Flynn would be a desperate option.
So who gets how many snaps in training camp practices and preseason games? Brady likes to take nearly all of them in practice, but if Garoppolo is likely to start against Pittsburgh when the season kicks off on Sept. 10, he'll need to be as sharp and tested as any quarterback can get during the summer.
Brady is allowed to partake in all preseason activities. Just how many of those activities should involve getting Garoppolo ready instead of having Brady take the reps?
GAME-PLANNING: Not knowing when Brady will be taking snaps in a real game can hinder the entire makeup of the Patriots, who like to game-plan for specific opponents — and do that better than anyone. They appear weaker for 2015 with the losses of standout cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner; DT Vince Wilfork, a leader of the defense; and running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley. The rest of the AFC East looks improved.
It will take some coaching brilliance to keep the Patriots' offense rolling under such uncertain circumstances.
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