Roger Goodell hasn’t been the head of the NFL for long, but the new commissioner has already put his personal stamp on the league in his short time on top. Among Goodell’s most important ventures was a campaign against some of the league’s bad boys. Though most have accepted that a league-wide cleanup is a positive move, how much is too much? When does coming down hard on players become too severe of a punishment?

Goodell’s prime target in this character revitalization has been Tennessee Titans corner Adam “Pacman” Jones. The West Virginia product has seen his share of troubles over the last couple of years. From strip clubs to shootings (usually at the strip clubs), Jones seems content to be the face of a criminal movement that Goodell thinks will bring down the league. Following Jones’ felony indictment in Las Vegas this spring, the commish slapped a year long suspension on him. That leads to the question, “How much is too much?”

With so many players in the NFL, is it even possible to police the entire league? Though the head man looks set on applying an across the board policy, it looks like he might have overstepped his bounds a little bit with the Jones suspension. Should a player lose an entire year for a couple of simple transgressions? Should an off the field situation cost the star five or six million dollars in salary that can never be recouped? Those questions and more are ones that must be answered before the NFL goes forward with their policy.

It’s true that the NFL must keep their league in check. In reality, their guys really aren’t that bad, though. With almost 1,500 human beings running around, there are bound to be a few bad apples. As long as those rotten pieces of fruit are out earning money for Goodell and the owners, they are fine with any number of transgressions. When the offseason rolls around, though, they change their tune in an attempt to keep a clean image.

Roger Goodell would be much better suited taking a common sense approach to his punishments. Keeping players in line is a noble goal, but taking six million dollars from a man seems a little bit over the top. Even after he makes an example of Adam Jones, there will be many more players who screw up and get in trouble. Is Goodell willing to strip them of their livelihoods, as well? Here’s to hoping that the answer is no.

I really think whenever it comes down to players that are doing crimes, etc.. that it really shouldn't affect them in the league. Personally, I really don't think it 'brings the league down'. As long as they don't harm anything about the league at all then there shouldn't be any punishment.

i think this has been the best thing for the league in a long time. these players are making too much money to not be held accountable for the decisions they make off the field.

Well if you think theyre like role models for many people and of course how much they are paid, i suppose they expect some kind of good behavior to be a good example of athletes that people would like to follow... So it makes sense what Goodell is doing