[Daseal]

I'm not against enforcing strict penalties against players who bring shame to the shield, but I have an issue with the way Goodell handles things. My first major gripe, is that there isn't any sort of consistency with punishments. Shouldn't two players convinced of the same crime get the exact same punishment from the NFL? Make it like the steroid policy. Make tiers of offenses, and clearly label what the punishment will be from the league.

Secondly, I don't particular like that he rules on issues before the courts see them. NFL players are targets to a lot of people looking for a quick payday. It's important to make sure that the individual is actually guilty of a crime before punishment. I don't need this to be confirmed by a court of law because the NFL employees their own investigative team that does a great job. If they see strong evidence saying the player committed the crime, then by all means proceed with the process, just let the public know.

I feel like repeat offenders and folks that just damage the integrity of the shield by putting themselves in bad situations (Pac-Man and strip clubs) also need punishments. Put a tier in that includes legal activities that still damage the shield and go from there, and make up to three offenses, then you're out. Make each offense a harder and harder suspension. If you don't get it by the 3rd issue, you probably won't.

I guess all I'm really asking for from him is consistency, and the fact that the commissioner is judge, jury, and executioner makes me uneasy. Too much power. When a player appeals, who does he go in front of, the same guy that gave him the suspension. Something about that process is fishy to me. It's time to hire an independent group to deal with appeals, and perhaps suspensions.