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Denver Broncos star linebacker Von Miller will be served a six-game suspension from the NFL today, Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN report. That is an increase from his original four-game suspension he is currently appealing.
From @Mortreport and me: Broncos LB Von Miller likely will be suspended as soon as today for at least six games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2013
According to Schefter and Mortensen, Von Miller and the NFL are still talking, but there isn't a lot of optimism out of Denver right now.
Miller still hopes to negotiate 4 game suspension; not lot of optimism in Denver. Talks ongoing but 6 games has been on table, per sources
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 19, 2013
Reports haven't specified if Miller's recent arrest for failure to appeal in court for a traffic ticket played any role in this increased suspension, but I would hope it didn't. If Goodell is lowering the hammer for traffic tickets, he's a little too tied to the gavel for his own good.
It's more likely new information came to light involving his failed (or missed) test that has the NFL putting more heat on Miller, and the Broncos feeling like they're less equipped to handle it. Perhaps Miller failed more than one drug test since 2011. Perhaps he lied about something. Or perhaps the NFL just doesn't like it when you challenge its authority.
Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: we want answers.
The lack of information behind Miller's suspension is the most frustrating part of all of this. If the NFL and the Denver Broncos expect fans to blindly accept this suspension while respecting Miller's privacy, they've got another thing coming. Fans deserve to know why Miller is out six games. They deserve to know whether Miller's name belongs on the jersey on their backs, and their children's backs. They deserve to know how to react: in support of Von, or against Von for his actions.
Peyton Manning said, "We have Von Miller's back" during the first practice of training camp. Broncos fans would love to say the same. They just need more to the story.
Updated 9:36 a.m. MT