The New England Patriots have Tom Brady suspended 4 games for the 2015 season and if his suspension is not overturned on appeal, Bill Belichick will need a new starting quarterback for Week 1 and if backup Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't get the nod, a free agent like Matt Flynn, Brady Quinn, Michael Vick or Jason Campbell could be options.
The NFL released the news about the punishment on Monday and along with Brady's suspension, the Patriots were docked two draft picks and fined $1 million. According to Pro Football Talk, Brady has the chance to appeal and he will have three days to file that appeal if he wants to take that route. The team also can appeal the punishment, although Robert Kraft said the team would accept the NFL's discipline before it was handed out.
The Patriots now have to face the prospect of playing a quarter of the season without Brady at quarterback and that could have a major effect on the AFC. Garoppolo spent the season as the backup to Brady last year and he is the presumptive option after being taken in the second round of the draft in 2014. Garoppolo threw 27 passes last season and completed 19 for 182 yards and one touchdown. Garoppolo was very impressive at Eastern Illinois, passing for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns in 2013 and putting up over 100 in his career at the school.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots could bring in a free agent quarterback to backup Garoppolo or to be a spot starter for the team. Brady Quinn and Matt Flynn were mentioned as options, whiole Matt Barkley could be a fit if he is released by the Eagles.
The Pats likely will bring in a backup, as they have confidence in Garoppolo. PFT reports that the quarterback's personal coach said that Garoppolo is "ready for anything" and that Brady has done good work with him as his backup. It does show confidence that the Pats were comfortable with Garoppolo as the backup after trading Ryan Mallett last year.
There is a chance that Brady could get the suspension reduced or overturned on appeal, but as it stands now he will be out for four games. There is precedent for players getting games knocked off of their suspensions and if that happens, Garoppolo or someone else will have to start for Brady. During this run with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Matt Cassel is the only other quarterback apart from Brady to start a game and now another QB could add to the list.
The Patriots are obviously not happy with the results of the investigation, but the team has to deal with what the NFL has handed down. Tom Brady and his legacy could take a shit, but the Pats in 2015 also will take a hit and missing him for four games or whatever it ends up being is a significant loss. Matt Cassel is the only player to start for Bill Belichick since Brady took over and now Jimmy Garoppolo could step up.
Funny enough, the Patriots play Cassel and the Bills while Brady is expected to be out. Adding to the intrigue as well is Week 4, as Garoppolo could start against fellow Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo if everything holds.
