Chris Villani is a writer for the Boston Herald and he joins the show to talk Deflategate and the impact it may have on Vegas.
What is the effect in Vegas due to this? With the line being at 3 it is really saying that there is a 50% chance that Tom will play in game 1 vs Pittsburgh. RJ States that if the line is 6 with Tom and PK with out him and with it currently being at -3 then the Market is pretty much stating that he has a shot at starting this game.
Chris does feel that it will be at least a game suspension for Tom, but also states that should it be longer he doesn't see the Pats going out an getting another QB. Jimmy was outstanding in practices last year and has a pretty good grasp of the offense, plus he will have plenty of time to prepare over the summer. That is a huge plus for the Patriots, but still he is no Brady.
Dave states the other issue here is that if it's just one game then Jimmy Grap will probably start, but if it's more than one game then do the Pats go out and get veteran? Teddy states that we don't know when the suspension will take place. If Brady appeals then it could be a few weeks into the season.
Chris states that all signs are pointing to a suspension of Brady, but not sure how long and that many people in Boston are bracing for it. Chris does state that the whole report has plenty of holes in it and just doesn't feel there is enough there for a suspension. Chris also states that the defense for the Patriots is not looking tat great, which makes their game 1 bet a scary one. They are a tough team to predict early in the year.
RJ agrees with that, but across the country there seems to be a different perception about what the punishment should be. Chris agrees with this and states that the Pats get no love from outside there state. They are the NY Yankees of football and when there is controversy surrounding this team the rest of the nation rallies against them even more. Chris feels that the reaction from the people across the nation is not good for Brady, because Godell has been consistent with listening to the masses and doing what they feel should be done. He is a re-active commissioner and not a proactive one. He has proven that with Spygate and the domestic violence issues. The league really cared about these issues because the public made them.
Speaking of spygate, will this be more distraction in this one than back then? Chris states that if there is a team that can overcome distractions it is the pats, but the 2007 team was a much better one than this one, especially on paper.
Was there value on the Steelers at +4 and would you like to have that ticket in your pocket? Teddy states no and a big reason is because he has many questions about the Pittsburgh defense and the fact that is is the opening home game for the defending SB champs.
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