Tom Brady positive despite four-match 'deflate-gate' ban

Tom Brady says he is looking for the positives after accepting his four-match 'deflate-gate' ban.

For the first time in 16 years the New England Patriots will begin a new NFL season without their superstar quarterback, who was given the suspension for his role in the scandal which saw the team under-inflate balls in the AFC Championship game against Indianapolis.

Brady, who will miss games against the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills, says his decision not to launch a final appeal against the ban was a personal one.

"I've tried to be as positive as I can be," he said. "I think that's always been my motto. Over the course of my career, I've been faced with different things and tried to overcome them the best way I could or [the] best way I knew how.

"I'll try and do the same thing. I just want our team to go out there and play really well."

Brady has been assisting the team's other quarterbacks who will are vying to deputise in the first four games.

"I think we've had really good competition, and we're trying to push each other so that we're ready to go," he said.

"It's tough competition in the NFL, and every team is working hard this time of year. We can't take any days off. We have to go out there and try and work on something every day. Everyone has to be ready to go."