Tom Brady DeflateGate Suspension Reinstated

According to NFL.com, Tom Brady's original 4-game suspension has been reinstated. The U.S. Court of Appeals declared that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acted in accordance with his "broad discretion." However, it does not appear this will be the last word in the ongoing legal drama between the NFL and Brady's attorneys - some media outlets expect this to drag out even longer than it has. According to Andrew Brandt on Twitter, the NFLPA and Brady's legal team have 2 options:

• Petition to have a re-hearing of the case
• Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court

(Goes quietly to corner at work and fist pumps)

This has direct effect on the Miami Dolphins in 2016, as Tom Brady, if the suspension holds up, was slated to play the Dolphins week 2 in Foxborough. Tom Brady would also miss contests against the Cardinals Week 1 in Arizona, the Houston Texans in Week 3 at home, and the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 at home. Brady will be scheduled to come back Week 5 @ Cleveland.

Tom Brady will conceivably miss 3 straight home games, including 2 (Dolphins and Bills) against division opponents. He will also miss an important early season contest with a possible Super Bowl contender in the Arizona Cardinals, as well as a home game against a 2015 Playoff team in the Houston Texans (someone had to win that division). The New England Patriots* will look to Jimmy Garoppolo to keep their head above water during the 1st 4 games of the season.

Although most of us would like to beat the New England Patriots* at full strength, I'm guessing there's a few of us that will be cracking open a beer as soon as we get home. Maybe 2 or 3 of them.