Deflategate Inflated

Here we go again. It’s near the end of April in 2016 and we’re still talking about something that happened in January of 2015. Our focus should be on the NFL Draft that’s just a couple days away or the overall snoozefest that has been the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs. But that’s not the case anymore.

On Monday, a federal appeals court brought down the decision to reinstate New England QB Tom Brady‘s original four-game suspension for his part in deflated footballs below the required NFL PSI levels, popularly known as Deflategate. The fact that federal courts (or any court for that matter) are addressing matters related to deflated footballs continues to make me question what our judicial system considers important but that’s for another day. Just know that this case could go all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court (I’m not kidding).

Brady and the Patriots had thought they were well past Deflategate but yesterday’s decision has us all back to square one. Like last season when Brady was handed down the suspension by the NFL, Brady has the option to appeal the federal court’s decision. He has the option of requesting a hearing in front of the full 2nd Circuit Court (ESPN). The next step would then be the Supreme Court.

As a Dolphins fan, and with Miami scheduled in the 2nd week of the Patriots season, I should be thrilled over the idea of not having to face Tom Brady in week 2. Truthfully, I’m not even close. Yes, it would be great to finally see some punishment brought down on the Patriots organization for their consistent cheating scandals but this is the most drawn out story that I can recall. It has grown beyond tiresome.

The critics will still argue that it’s not a big deal and that everyone else does it. In fact, up to a third of the NFL owners believe that the Patriots did nothing wrong and should be given their draft picks back (Bleacher Report). However, if it wasn’t a big deal then it wouldn’t be in the rule book and the everyone else does it argument is one of the most childish arguments one can make. Not everyone gets caught speeding on the highway but you wouldn’t argue with a cop that pulls you over for it that everyone else does it and expect to get out of a ticket so please spare me. Cheating is cheating and if you get caught then you are subject to the consequences of your actions. Even if it is true that everyone does it, then the Patriots may be great at winning but they fucking suck at cheating because they seem to be the only ones getting caught.

Regardless, this story has gone on for far too long now and, unfortunately, it’s not over. Roughly 250 young men will have their lives changed this weekend but the Deflategate story will once again cloud over the NFL Draft. No one knows for sure when we will hear the end of it either. Last season, Brady’s suspension was lifted in court just a week before the regular season. Could we see the same thing again? Some owners are lobbying for the NFL to settle with Brady and his agent to where Brady may only serve a one or two-game suspension. A similar option was on the table this time last year but Brady wouldn’t cave into signing.

As it stands, Brady will miss the opener at the Arizona Cardinals, followed by three home games against the Dolphins, Texans, and Bills. Should Brady’s suspension hold, New England may be able to stomach the loss of their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback. The visit to Arizona will be tough for the Patriots with or without Brady and there’s a good chance that New England will start off their season with a loss. Not having Brady for three home games could hurt but it’s not exactly the heart of the Patriots season. Miami and Buffalo know the Patriots well but neither can say they’ve had much success playing at Gillette Stadium. The Texans are a playoff team that continued to improve this offseason with the signings of QB Brock Osweiler and RB Lamar Miller so this could be a tougher matchup but the home crowd could be beneficial for New England.

If backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo can lead the Patriots to a 3-1, even 2-2 start, the Patriots will be fine for Brady’s return. Anything less and the Patriots will have their work cut out for them but don’t count them out. Even with Brady’s suspension, New England will still be the favorites to win the AFC East and top contenders for another Super Bowl run.

We can only hope that the official ruling comes quickly. Roger Goodell and the NFL have shown that they are willing to go to the extremes against anyone who tries to ‘one-up’ them. While I agree with Goodell about keeping the integrity of the game, this is absurd. If this is all just so Goodell can continue to be the one handing down disciplinary action then the collective bargaining agreement solved nothing. The idea that this case could go all the way up to the Supreme Court only proves the absolute arrogance and stubbornness on both sides. Just our luck, chances are with only eight active members that the Supreme Court would have a split decision in their ruling. I don’t even want to see where this story would go from there.

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