EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a longer-than-expected tuneup before he begins serving a four-game suspension to open the season, playing the entire first half in the teams preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday.Im happy I was able to play as much as I did. Coach and I talked about it and it was a good opportunity to get out there and play. I hadnt played much in the preseason, so just to get out there and feel some game action ... I think it all helps, said Brady, who hadnt played quarterback snaps in a preseason finale since 2011.Brady played 39 snaps against the Giants and finished 16-of-26 for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the 17-9 loss. His final snap was a kneel-down at the end of the second quarter.After the game, he was asked how difficult he thinks it will be with the uncharted waters of serving a four-game suspension.I think thats a good word -- uncharted, Brady said. So well just do the best we can do.Brady said he didnt plan to leave the team with a message before his departure.I think our coaches do such a great job of that and we have so many great leaders on the team that have always stepped in and filled the void, Brady said. Theyre going to understand what they need to do in order to win. Ill be cheering like hell.On Thursday, coach Bill Belichick said the plan entering the game was for Brady to play the entire first half. He didnt waver from it even though starting left tackle Nate Solder left with an injury on the 10th play, which meant the club was down to its fourth and fifth tackles.Belichick wasnt thinking about potential injury as much as Brady getting important work to prepare him for his return.You cant take insurance out on players. You play football, you play football, Belichick?said. I dont know how you get better playing football without playing football. You can stand around and talk about it all day -- I dont think that really makes you a better player. At some point you have to get out there and play.Brady echoed those thoughts.The practices are really important, but ultimately the game decisions and getting hit, its all about decision-making as a quarterback, he said. You try to replicate it in practice, but at the end of the day it has to be game situations and real football. Thats what these games allow you to do.Brady took a few notable hits against the Giants and added a 10-yard scramble in the first quarter, saying, I know Im never going to be like Russell Wilson, but if I can make one or two of those a game, that helps us out a bit.In all, Brady played 55 snaps in the preseason. He will start serving the suspension Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and cant have any contact with the team. Alec Burks Cavaliers Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Kyle Korver Cavaliers Jersey . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/Cedi-Osman-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Jordan Clarkson Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Cedi Osman Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft, where he is a potential first-round pick.The 6-foot-6, 276-pound McDowell led the Spartans with seven tackles for losses, despite sitting out of three games with an apparent leg injury, and was named to The Associated Press All-Big Ten team. As a sophomore last year, he helped Michigan State win the Big Ten title and advance to the College Football Playofff.dddddddddddd McDowell had 24 + tackles for losses, including 7 + sacks, in 23 starts and 36 games.Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio says McDowell is an extremely gifted player with the mindset to succeed at the next level.McDowell made his announcement Tuesday.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '