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2015 NFL Predictions: Which Suspension has Biggest Impact?

By Dan Salem

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The NFL handed down a ton of suspensions this offseason, but who’s will have the greatest impact on their team? Tom Brady doesn’t count. 2015 NFL Predictions. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

Taking a look at the suspensions handed down thus far for the 2015 NFL season (list courtesy of Spotrac), which do you see as having the largest impact?

Let’s remove Tom Brady from consideration because a) his suspension is still under review and could be reduced or removed entirely and b) quarterbacks are always going to be the answer to any question about anything ever.

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Greg Hardy‘s suspension was reduced to four games, but he has been away from the game for a year anyway. I’m not sure how much was expected of him right out of the gate this season. If he’s good, Dallas will surely feel that boon, but if he’s a non-factor, it would almost be written off anyway.

I’d have immediately thrown Le’Veon Bell at the top of my list, but he’s only out three games, and the Steelers have a good enough passing attack to overcome that loss when their offense is on the field.

I think the real answer comes down to two players: Sheldon Richardson and Antonio Gates.

Both are suspended for four weeks for respectively violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy (Richardson) and the policy against performance-enhancing drugs (Gates). Both are also key cogs on the best units on their individual teams.

I think the bigger loss will be felt by San Diego though partly because the Jets’ defensive line is still crazy good without Richardson. The drafting of Leonard Williams makes this an easy choice. Just imagine if the Chargers had drafted the league’s best tight-end prospect this year. Would missing Gates for a month be that big of a deal?

Instead, Gates is out and the Chargers could be in big trouble. Ladarius Green has never been able to get over the hump from project with potential to actual producer. Maybe this is just the chance he needed to get extended playing time, but more likely he was never able to put his full talents together.

San Diego, who relies on its offense to win ballgames, already has a rookie running back and depth concerns at wide receiver and along the offensive line. Gates was one of the few lynchpins. This is likely the biggest setback any team faces from these offseason suspensions.

Oct 16, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rb Gronkowski (87) is tackled by New York Jets inside linebacker

David Harris

(52) and New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) after catching the ball during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

There are quite a number of players entering the new season with suspensions, but I believe you overlooked one of the most impactful of all. Below are the players who jumped off the list, excluding Tom Brady of course. He wins this debate as you well noted. But of the remaining six players, whose absence looms largest?

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Greg Hardy – 4 games – Cowboys
Sheldon Richardson – 4 games – NY Jets
Antonio Gates – 4 games – Chargers
Josh Gordon – 16 games – Cleveland Browns
Dion Jordan – 16 games – Dolphins
Le’Veon Bell – 3 games – Steelers

Greg Hardy’s suspension is pretty big, mainly because another player on the Cowboys’ defense also will be suspended for the first four games. But that team lives and dies on the strength of its offense, or lack there of. Facing Philadelphia, Atlanta, and New Orleans in weeks two through four will certainly test the defense, but the team as a whole is strong enough to withstand the storm.

The same is true for the New York Jets. Richardson will be missed, but one man’s loss is another’s gain. Leonard Williams has a real opportunity to steal the spotlight. New York’s defense will not miss Richardson as much as you think.

Josh Gordon missing the entire season is the biggest setback of all. I agree that the Chargers will miss Antonio Gates. They appear to have little offense without him. But Cleveland will struggle out of the gate offensively without their best weapon and receiving threat.

I realize the Browns learned to win without Gordon last season. But I’m not convinced that Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline can get it done, with Josh McCown throwing them the football. Philip Rivers probably misses Gates more, but the Browns as a team will miss Gordon’s impact on the field the most.

Are full year suspensions unfair to count? If so then we agree. Antonio Gates has been the definition of offense and touchdowns in San Diego for many years. Detroit, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and Cleveland will have a leg up against the Chargers without him.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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