The New England Patriots open the season on Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals. They’ll do so without Tom Brady under center, but don’t expect Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer to feel sorry for the Patriots’ situation.
In an interview with the Boston media, Palmer was asked about his take on the “Deflategate” ruling and Brady’s four-game suspension. He explained that if players break the rules, they have to be prepared to face the punishment. Brady fought the NFL’s ruling through multiple courts over a two-year time period before eventually ending his legal battle.
Palmer said via CSNNE.com:
“I tried not to follow it just because it was everywhere for so long but I go back and … you follow what the rule book says and go about your business and your work and if they tell you not to do it and you get busted and what happens happens then you suffer the consequences.”
He continued:
“Whatever the league comes down upon and whatever ruling they make is what they make. You don’t have much of a decision after that and you can fight it for a little bit but after a while, you just gotta abide by what they say.”
Jimmy Garoppolo will make his first career NFL start Sunday in place of Brady.
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1. Cardinals: If QB Carson Palmer maintains his form and DB Tyrann Mathieu is healthy, Arizona arguably faces the fewest concerns of any team. RB David Johnson could shift the offensive dynamic.
2. Patriots: QB Jimmy Garoppolo faces a tall order as Tom Brady's fill-in while the two-time MVP serves a four-game ban. New England remains far ahead of the pack, however, in its pursuit for an eighth straight AFC East title.
3. Panthers: Even if another 15-1 mark is out of reach, Carolina could still entrench itself among the NFC's elite. Super Bowl 50 serves as proof that QB Cam Newton can't go it alone on offense.
4. Steelers: With a loaded offense led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le'Veon Bell and WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh might have the league's most feared attack. Getting contributions from young talent could be the key to revitalizing the defense.
5. Seahawks: The post-Beast Mode era puts plenty of pressure on QB Russell Wilson, who will work behind an underdeveloped offensive line. The second-ranked defense remains stocked, and Seattle tends to finish strong.
6. Packers: Green Bay has to prove last year's offensive slump was an aberration rather than a trend. QB Aaron Rodgers should be elated by the return of WR Jordy Nelson from a torn ACL.
7. Broncos: Peyton Manning to Trevor Siemian is an odd QB succession plan, but that's where Denver finds itself in Week 1. LB Von Miller and the defense will have to pick up even more of the slack in 2016.
8. Bengals: Cincinnati won't truly have a breakthrough until it snap ends Marvin Lewis' winless run in the postseason (0-7). The offense has to re-establish itself after Hue Jackson's departure.
9. Chiefs: Andy Reid and QB Alex Smith keep finding quiet consistency without the style points. RB Jamaal Charles' return could provide a jolt, though OLB Justin Houston's ACL injury could be a significant concern.
10. Vikings: QB Sam Bradford's arrival mitigates the disastrous fallout of Teddy Bridgewater's knee injury. But RB Adrian Peterson and a stout defense will once again carry this team.
11. Raiders: Even amid owner Mark Davis' push to move to Las Vegas, the Silver and Black's future looks bright. QB Derek Carr must be more consistent, but DE Khalil Mack looks like of the NFL's elite young talents.
12. Texans: Bill O'Brien has a young and fully rejuvenated backfield to toy with after adding QB Brock Osweiler and RB Lamar Miller. DE J.J. Watt has promised a speedy return, and LB Jadeveon Clowney could be in store for a long-awaited breakout.
13. Redskins: QB Kirk Cousins and the surprise champions of the NFC East face a different challenge this year in their attempt to hold their position. CB Josh Norman was found money late in free agency, but Washington ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed per attempt.
14. Jets: Gang Green averted disaster by finding ways to keep QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and DE Muhammad Wilkerson in the fold. OT Ryan Clady is being counted on to hold down the left side after missing almost two full seasons in the last three years.
15. Giants: It's time for Big Blue to find out what kind of returns a $200 million free agency spending spree will provide. If the last-ranked defense improves, first-year coach Ben McAdoo could be within reach of the division crown and postseason berth.
16. Jaguars: Optimism is in abundance for Jacksonville, which is looking for its first playoff berth since 2007. A young D must coalesce, however, and QB Blake Bortles was sacked a league-high 51 times last year.
17. Colts: Andrew Luck needs to remain healthy above all else, but the QB also has to display a quicker trigger in offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's scheme. The defense lacks young, dynamic playmakers and is counting on fill-ins like CB Antonio Cromartie to step up.
18. Ravens: Few teams had as many significant injuries as Baltimore last season, leaving QB Joe Flacco, WR Steve Smith Sr. and LB Terrell Suggs on the recovery trail. S Eric Weddle should assist the secondary, but the defense must improve to live up to the franchise's standards.
19. Bills: Summer was unkind to Rex Ryan, as LB Reggie Ragland and DE Shaq Lawson were sidelined, and star DT Marcell Dareus entered rehab after a four-game suspension. QB Tyrod Taylor signed an extension, though RB LeSean McCoy remains the offensive centerpiece.
20. Buccaneers: Promoting offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to coach was a leap of faith, but QB Jameis Winston could take a big step in 2016 with his guidance. DT Gerald McCoy must return to his top-level form to lead an otherwise overextended defense.
21. Falcons: Atlanta ended Carolina's unblemished run last year, but it might be several steps removed from playing anything more than spoiler. Generating pressure could be a problem again after the rush tallied a league-low 19 sacks in 2015.
22. Cowboys: Dallas had its season shaken up once again when QB Tony Romo broke a bone in his back. Dak Prescott impressed in the preseason, but an entirely new set of challenges await the rookie as Romo's temporary fill-in.
23. Lions: How QB Matthew Stafford adapts to losing WR Calvin Johnson could define Detroit's season. The offensive line still looks shaky, and rookie OT Taylor Decker has been trusted with protecting Stafford's blind side.
24. Bears: QB Jay Cutler could be in for another rocky ride on an offense that has sputtered throughout the preseason. LBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman bolster the front seven, but this is a defense in transition.
25. Dolphins: Patience might be required for first-year coach Adam Gase, whose offense hasn't taken hold in Miami. Ryan Tannehill needs relief after taking the most sacks in the last four years (184) of any QB.
26. Saints: New Orleans' defense is in a daze after giving up a record 45 touchdown passes last year. Even with improvements to the unit, QB Drew Brees might end up on the wrong end of too many shootouts.
27. Rams: The NFL is back in Los Angeles, but don't expect a lot of showmanship on the field. No. 1 pick Jared Goff is starting the year on the bench, and the pass offense ranked last in the NFL in 2015.
28. Chargers: It took until the 11th hour, but rookie DE Joey Bosa is finally in the fold in San Diego. The defense must take a significant leap, however, to give QB Philip Rivers sorely needed support.
29. Titans: With RBs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, Tennessee could have one of the most improved rushing attacks. But the "exotic smashmouth" offense with QB Marcus Mariota could hit a wall.
30. Eagles: Rookie QB Carson Wentz's promotion to Week 1 starter signals the arrival of a full-on rebuild. Expect plenty of growing pains for Philadelphia in Year 1 of the Doug Pederson era.
31. 49ers: Chip Kelly is facing quite the first-year challenge in San Francisco. QB Blaine Gabbert is set to play caretaker for a team that looks like it will have to play catchup.
32. Browns: QB Robert Griffin III looks to have a reloaded receiving corps with Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman. The rest of the roster, however, is in significant disrepair.