Deflategate: 4 good things about Tom Brady’s suspension

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3. We’ll get to see Jimmy G in real action

As a rookie, Garoppolo completed 19 of 27 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Most of that action came in a meaningless Week 17 game with the Buffalo Bills, in which he tossed for 90 yards and completed 10 of 17 throws.

Assuming he beats out Matt Flynn in training camp (which he should), Garoppolo will be playing his first meaningful NFL snaps in September. Considering the Patriots spent a second round pick on him, it’s safe to say that he is the heir to Brady’s throne. Think of this four-game stretch as a dress rehearsal.

Yes, we would all rather see Brady taking the first snap against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, but come on—you have to be excited to see how the kid does in these big games. Most teams don’t have the luxury of grooming a promising young quarterback under a Hall of Famer; in another situation, Garoppolo might have been expected to start as a rookie, so getting these games under his belt as a sophomore is good for his development.

It’s hard to see Brady nearing the end of his career, but all good things eventually come to an end. The end for Brady isn’t there yet, but the gap between New England quarterbacking eras is beginning to be bridged with Garoppolo starting the first four games of 2015. That’s not a bad thing.

For more thoughts on Garoppolo starting in Week 1, check out what Connor Wilcoxen had to say yesterday.

Next: The offense will be a complete mystery