The Steelers all along have been preparing to face Tom Brady in the Thursday, September 10th opener.
They will now get their wish.
A judge today overturned the NFL’s ruling that Brady would have to sit four games, including the season opener on Thursday vs the Steelers, meaning he will be in the starting lineup.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman nullifying the league’s four-game suspension Thursday.
Berman announced his decision after the sides failed to reach a settlement after several weeks of talks.
Brady’s suspension originally was upheld by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in July after an appeal. Brady, meanwhile, repeatedly had disputed the league’s ruling that he and Patriots equipment staff colluded to deflate footballs before New England’s 45-7 victory over Indianapolis in last season’s AFC Championship Game.
DrGeorge
September 3, 2015 at 1:39 pm
The Steelers’ defense is so hapless that Brady’s availability for the game with the Patriots is virtually meaningless. Brady or Garapollo are both more than able to slice, dice, and julienne our secondary and to exploit the weaknesses in our D-line. But at least we can say we were beaten by the best, not a back up.
The real significance of this ruling is Judge Berman’s eviseration of Roger Goodell, his assumption of near dictatorial powers, and his denial of due process in meting out discipline to players. The owners as well as Goodell should be embarrassed and chastened by the decision — should be, I say, but probably won’t be. Hubris dies hard.
DaveB
September 3, 2015 at 6:58 pm
If the Steelers cant stop E.J. Manuel from dissecting their defense , what chance do we have against Tom Brady ? None whatsoever .