Roger Over and Out: Why Roger Goodell Must Go for the NFL To Prosper

When Roger Goodell took over as NFL Commissioner in 2006, he was lauded as an accomplished, no-nonsense champion of the game. He was the undisputed favorite of former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, having worked closely with him for several years.

Since 2006, the shine has come off of Goodell considerably. He's been inconsistent, overbearing, difficult, and an all-around poor ambassador for the game.

Here's a look at five reasons why Roger Goodell must not be allowed to continue as the league's leader.

1. Offensive Officiating

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak has words with referee Ed Hochuli after the Texans were charged with a timeout after the play clock was zero against the indianapolis Colts during the NFL season opener at Reliant Stadium on S

The league's officiating was in fair shape when Goodell assumed control in 2006. Despite a few disputed calls in the still-fresh Super Bowl XL and during the 2005 playoffs, referees were generally accepted as competent officials.

Since, the wheels have come off.

Several player-inspired rule changes (the so-called Brady and Ward rules among them), some extremely questionable calls, and more recently, an increasingly confusing policy on rules enforcement has lead to a near-collapse in the league's credibility when it comes to officials.

Coaches and players are not allowed to publicly criticize officials or their rulings. If they do, they're subject to fines. The league now protects officials to a fault, issuing apologies for some of the most egregious bad calls and publicly ignoring as many as possible.

Most fans and coaches have sensed a significant lapse in officiating during last season and throughout this season. Nothing has been done to correct the problems. Instead, rules have been tinkered with, enforcement policy has been muddied and players and coaches have no voice with which to protest.

2. Commissioner As Fuhrer

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is interviewed by Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets for the 'Ocho Cinco New Network' on the red carpet during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by

Paul Tagliabue and his predecessor, the heralded Pete Rozelle, were considered true gentlemen and were often portrayed and viewed as genial, approachable characters.

Roger Goodell has affected a different image in his nearly-four years in charge, approaching his position and power with an almost totalitarian style. The commissioner is the final arbiter in all cases and the lone distributor of suspensions for behavior, substance abuse and other serious problems.

Goodell has been panned as "Hitler Goodell" or "Goodell Castro" by pundits and the media for his stiff manner and his single-minded approach to disciplining any player who steps out of line with his goals. He's instituted a "Personal Conduct Policy" and has penalized several players for violating its ambiguous regulations.

This style has made Goodell plenty of enemies within and from outside of the league and is a key reason why the labor negotiations with the league's players are going so very poorly. It is hard to imagine Tagliabue or Rozelle taking such a stiff, unmoving line with player demands.

3. Consistent Inconsistency

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

A few cases from this offseason merit mention when discussing Roger Goodell's consistency when it comes to meting out punishments to players who violate the league's policies.

Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger was twice accused of sexual assault (2009, 2010) and, when Georgia law enforcement found no grounds for charges against the Steelers' quarterback, punishment for his embarrassing behavior was left up to the league. Roger Goodell immediately and correctly suspended Roethlisberger for a period of no fewer than four, no longer than six games for the 2010 season.

Later during the same offseason, Vince Young had an altercation in a nightclub that was caught on video and that clearly showed Young in a physical confrontation with another patron. Goodell's response to this violation of the league's conduct policy was to publicly defend the player's actions as self-defense and to wash his hands of the matter.

The inconsistency with which Goodell has handled discipline is becoming even more legendary during the 2010 regular season.

Richard Seymour

Interestingly enough, the key situation here also involved Roethlisberger. During last week's game against the Oakland Raiders, Seymour sucker-punched the Pittsburgh quarterback in the jaw after a late first-half touchdown pass put the Steelers ahead 21-3. Seymour was ejected from the game for his actions.

While most media outlets and analysts predicted and called for a suspension of the player, Seymour was only fined $25,000 for his actions.

Meanwhile, other NFL players are being fined higher amounts for hits during play and for attempting to injure players with helmet-helmet contact. James Harrison has been fined over $100,000 and players such as New England safety Brandon Meriweather have been fined in excess of $50,000.

Goodell reportedly said the Seymour's punch was only his first offense, but that is untrue. In fact, he has been fined in each of the last two seasons for unsportsmanlike hits on opposing players.

This inconsistency has led to confusion among players as to what the rules actually are and whether or not certain players or teams are given the benefit of the doubt more often than not.

4. Labor Days

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Center Kevin Mawae #68 of the Tennessee Titans and President of the NFL Player's Association (2nd R), former NFL running backs Ricky Watters (C) and Barry Sanders (L) look on during the NFL Player's Association Press Co

In case you hadn't noticed, the NFL is currently playing the 2010 season without a labor contract between the league and players. Under this agreement, the players can strike and/or the owners can lock out the players as soon as the season concludes.

Labor talks have been slow-moving to say the least, with a potential deal unlikely before mid-summer at the earliest. This lag in productivity is likely to severely and negatively effect the 2011 season. Should an agreement not be reached in a somewhat timely manner, there could even be a cancellation of all or part of the 2011 regular season.

This would be a significant blow to the league. I believe one of the key roadblocks to an agreement is that Roger Goodell is taking a hard line with the players and is backing the owners ludicrous statements that they are in financial despair.

There is virtually no evidence that the league or it's 32 owners are in any sort of financial danger. Several teams have recently funded new stadiums and spending was as high as ever, especially in a year without a salary cap. Even some fiscally responsible teams are taking some financial risks on players.

Goodell has refused to be cooperative in negotiations and is by all accounts comfortable trying to force the players into admitting their bluff. The problem is that the players don't appear to be bluffing. Barring an agreement, there will be a lockout after the 2010 season and no more football until both sides can agree.

5. Rules of Engagement

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Brandon Meriweather #31 of the San Diego Chargers tackles Patrick Crayton #12 of the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

What makes the game most difficult to play and watch today? There is no clear indication of what the rules truly are for hits and other plays.

Goodell has increasingly tinkered with the game's rules and structure. Some changes, like those proposed for overtime in the playoffs have been lauded as important accomplishments. Some, like his proposed changed to an 18-game regular season have drawn sharp criticism.

Goodell doesn't back down and likely will force an 18-game season on the league if possible. He's also been tinkering with rules, asking officials to target headshots, pass interference and other penalties specifically at different times throughout his tenure.

These "point of emphasis" calls are troubling because they force officials to make more judgement calls than normally necessary. The officials err on the side of caution and call more penalties in increasingly less obvious situations to prove they are doing the commissioner's bidding.

If there is going to be a concerted effort to prevent and lessen the effects of concussions and other major injuries, then that effort should come from a dialogue with the players, officials and league representatives and not solely from the commissioner. Targeting a specific rule for enforcement only weakens the game since all rules should be enforced by the referees whenever necessary.

Goodell has stepped well outside of his bounds of power and has taken over the way the game is played and is structured. This error in his judgement is alone justification for his removal, but when taken with all of the other evidence, it's even more clear that he must be stopped before the game on the field is ruined.