Roger Goodell Could Make Or Break The Pittsburgh Steelers In 2015

Ryan Shazier
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Out of the four major sports in North America, the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, has the most power and authority over his or her sport. In part it’s because of how popular he is with the owners of the league with his strict player conduct policies. Other reasons range from the weakness of the NFL Players Association and the increased popularity of the league over the past 15 years. One of his many jobs is to enforce suspensions and overlook the appeals. With six weeks until the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New England Patriots, two decisions by Goodell for both teams could decide the season for the Steelers.

In the headlines of the champions, quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady‘s suspension and appeal has been the story of the offseason. He was suspended the first four games of the season for allegedly not cooperating with Ted Wells during his investigation about deflated Patriots’ footballs in the AFC Championship Game. Since then, the NFLPA and Brady have been fighting like a heavyweight to reverse the suspension. For the most part, they have been winning in the court of public opinion.

A Patriots team without Brady, combined with losing Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Steven Ridley and Vince Wilfork to free agency, would lose easily to a Steelers team in Week 1. That would be the case even if the Steelers do not have Le’Veon Bell, who is the second player whose early-season availability will be determined by Goodell.

Bell is currently appealing a three-game suspension stemming from his arrest last offseason for possession of cannabis along with current Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount. Though it is doubtful he will be able to play Week 1, he desires his suspension to be for only one game, which Blount was given for his part in the arrest.

Pittsburgh’s regular season sees them playing 10 games against playoff teams from the previous year. Five of their last six games are against playoff teams, meaning they have to get off to a good start to prepare for that stretch. Bell’s suspension puts that goal of an early-season hot streak in jeopardy, especially if Brady is eligible to play in Week 1.

There is a chance for the Bell-less Steelers to defeat the Brady-led Patriots because of the strength of the black and gold offense and weakness of the New England defense. That being said, Pittsburgh fans do not completely support the Steelers’ wishes of Brady being able to play Week 1. The two players, playing for two of the most successful and respected franchises in the NFL, have given Goodell more than enough to deal with for a single offseason.

Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter. Like him on Facebook. Add him on your network on Google

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