Home 2015 Off-Season Steelers Await Decision on Brady’s Status

Steelers Await Decision on Brady’s Status

by Steeldad

National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell told CNBC in an interview that he hopes to have a decision in Tom Brady’s appeal from “DeflateGate” by early next week. Brady of course was suspended for four games for his role in the deflation of footballs used in game action.

While we at SCB expect Brady to play week one because of our belief that he will take legal action if his suspension isn’t fully lifted, the Steelers have to prepare for two contingencies.

The first is that Brady will remain suspended for at least the first game and that means we’ll get second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the opener. The second is of course that Brady will play. Neither is an ideal situation for a guy calling his very first game as the defensive coordinator but Keith Butler will no doubt be prepared.

The last time the Steelers saw Tom Brady across the line of scrimmage from them was in November of 2013. All he did on that day was throw for 432 yards and four touchdowns in the 55-31 route of Pittsburgh. It was easily the worst day of former DC Dick LeBeau’s tenure.

What people often forget is that the Pats also rolled up 195 yards rushing too.

Brady has had great success against the Steelers in his career which makes his presence in the opener all that more crucial for the defending champions. What Butler has to do is find a way to consistently pressure Brady while limiting the running game as well.

We’ll get more into the nuts and bolts in September but until then, we wait.

Oh and just to add to the entire scenario, Goodell was spotted vacationing with Patriots’ Owner Robert Kraft this week in Sun Valley. Let your minds wander.

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