Before this 2015 NFL season commences in September, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will turn 38-years old. By the time Brady starts his first game of the season, he’ll be one-sixth of the way to celebrating birthday 39. Thanks to his role in “Deflategate”, Brady is banned from the field until October 18 when the Patriots play at the Indianapolis Colts.

That suspension is still going through the courts so it may be reduced before training camp begins. With or without the time off, it’s a certainty Tom should be terrific again in 2015.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection will be the main man again as the Patriots attempt to defend their Super Bowl championship. Brady was named the MVP of the title tilt for the third time in February, and there is no reason to believe that he can’t capture that award again if New England makes it back to the big game.

Of course, there will be no competition for Brady’s starting gig in training camp. Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will start in Brady’s stead while the veteran sits through his suspension. Garoppolo spent all of last season apprenticing under the living legend, so he should have a good grasp of the Patriots’ offense. When Brady went down with an injury in the opening game of the 2008 campaign, Matt Cassel played the remainder of the season and led New England to an 11-5 record.

With that in mind, maybe New England’s offensive system should be given some credit for Brady’s career numbers too.

Is there a chance that New England can have a winning record when Brady comes back to the team? It’ll be a shame that he can’t participate in the national Thursday night opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots may need a win in their pockets against Pittsburgh when playoff seeds are handed out in January.

A visit to the Buffalo Bills follows that first game. Head coach Rex Ryan always seemed to have an answer for Brady when he coached the New York Jets, so maybe having the lesser-known Garoppolo in that game will be a good thing.

After a home game versus the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars and a bye week, the Patriots must play another challenging contest against the Dallas Cowboys in Texas. The biggest loser that day may be the fans that will be cheated from seeing an infrequent showdown between Brady and Tony Romo.

It is very realistic that New England can be 1-3 when Week 6 begins. It is also realistic that if that is indeed the case, Brady can return and rally the Pats to 10 more wins. Let’s face it: there is no proof that the other trio of AFC East teams has done enough improving to overtake New England. Maybe a few weeks away from the pounding can help Brady stay fresh enough to blow away his competition per usual.