"Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that he doesn't want a third-party to be able to review his decisions under the personal conduct policy because he doesn't want to entrust the NFL brand to an outsider. Perhaps the more accurate assessment is that Goodell wants to be able to make decisions on a case-by-case basis, without concern for the kind of consistency that a quasi-judicial panel would attempt to weave into the broader process of assessing the accuracy of Goodell's decisions.

Indeed, if consistency means anything, Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth would be at least suspended for pleading no contest to simple assault, given that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended six games (reduced to four) despite never being arrested or charged with any crime, in his life.

Consistency, for now, means nothing. According to ESPN, Haynesworth won't be suspended."