PITTSFORD, N. Winnipeg Jets Jerseys .Y. -- Nigel Bradham is trying to stay upbeat even after learning hell be suspended for the first game of the regular season for a year-old drug offence. The NFL announced on Wednesday that the Buffalo Bills linebacker will miss the start of the season because of a one-game suspension. Bradham said the suspension comes from a ticket he received last August for marijuana possession in suburban Buffalo. "Its something that followed me from last year, a decision I made," Bradham said. "I regret it, I made a mistake. I apologized to my teammates. Im sorry that weve got to go through this again. Hopefully I just get past it come back in Game 2 ready." Bradham said that he first learned of the suspension in March and decided to appeal. The appeal happened one week ago, Bradham said, and the NFL upheld its original ruling. The linebacker was disappointed to receive discipline a year after the incident took place, especially because all charges were dropped. "Everything was dismissed and Im not in the substance abuse program or anything," Bradham said. "Its kind of shocking and disappointing that it came back again." The suspension is a setback for the 24-year-old, who has made significant strides both on and off the football field this season. With linebacker Kiko Alonso out for the season because of a knee injury, Bradham has taken charge of Alonsos starting weakside spot and has worked exclusively with the first team at training camp. He has drawn praise from both coach Doug Marrone and defensive co-ordinator Jim Schwartz for his change in approach and attitude compared to one year ago. "Obviously its unfortunate, especially since Nigel has been playing very well," Marrone said. "Like Ive said before, Ive probably seen the biggest improvement in him. When I say that, Im not just talking about him as a football player. When you look back at what happened, maybe it took something like that for him to grow up and I think hes learned to make better decisions." Bradham has stressed that the incident last year served as a wake-up call. "I was hanging around with some of the wrong people and made some bad decisions," Bradham told The Associated Press last week. "It was a chance where I could have lost everything that Ive worked my life for out here. I just had to get that focus and remove myself from some of the people I was around, make better decisions and be a man. ... I let these guys down and I cant do that anymore. Ive got to kind of put the team on my back. I feel like I owe them." A fourth-round pick of the Bills in 2012, Bradham had 51 tackles in 2013. He remains eligible to participate in preseason practices and games. Bradham may not be the only Bills defender to miss the start of the season. Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus may also face NFL discipline following arrests for drug possession and a drag racing incident this spring. Patrik Laine Jersey .com) - His team lost in the round of 16 of the FCS playoffs, yet Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says his team has made a strong case to be voted to the top 5 in the final rankings. Teppo Numminen Jersey . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. http://www.officialwinnipegjetspro.com/Blake-wheeler-jets-jersey/ .com) - The Milwaukee Bucks will try to get another win on this homestand Thursday night when they welcome the Utah Jazz to the Bradley Center. With the Leafs rookie tournament getting underway in London and training camp fast approaching, the rumour mill surrounding the teams most pressing issues has begun to go into full effect. In this weeks Leafs Report podcast, Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle touch on the Kadri/Franson contract divide and look ahead to the roster strengths and flaws heading into camp. Leafs Report Podcast: Kadri/Franson, roster strengths/flaws TSN 1050 Leafs Audio: Dave Nonis on the Kadri/Franson negotiations Dreger: Leafs intent on not overpaying Kadri Hayes and ONeill discuss the Kadri negotiations Joffrey Lupul on the Leafs new additions Tyler Bozak on regrouping from Bruins loss Mark Fraser on his injury recovery ' ' '