When Roger Goodell took office as the commissioner of the National Football League in 2006, he immediately made an impact as the new take-no-prisoners sheriff in town. He cracked down on the conduct of thuggish players who had previously had free reign. While the other major sports danced around significant scandals, Goodell looked ready to take on the task of cleaning up the NFL.

Yet the discipline problem has not seemed to improve. Goodell’s infamous suspensions, which are usually deemed appropriate by analysts, seem to be decided arbitrarily without clear guidelines for consequences or any real repercussions for the teams involved. In four years, Goodell has established a dictatorship of inconsistent punishment, an inability to get teams involved in improving the NFL’s culture and a willingness to coddle players after they have served their suspensions.

Most NFL teams still reward players who have off-the-field issues. The New York Jets are advancing money to their cornerback, Antonio Cromartie, so he can pay for his legal troubles – fathering seven children by six women in five states. Even Maury Povich would be appalled. Then again, Cromartie is just following in the footsteps of former Pro Bowl running back Travis Henry, who has fathered at least 11 children by 10 women.

That’s not the worst of it, either. Michael Vick was released after two years in prison for dog fighting and then won a courage award from the Philadelphia Eagles for, presumably, no longer being incarcerated. Vick had a two-game suspension once he returned. Adam “Pacman” Jones, who was allegedly involved in a strip-club shooting, is still trying to get yet another chance to play. He originally served an eight-game suspension.

The Baltimore Ravens recently signed wide receiver Donte Stallworth to a contract that will pay him just under $1 million next year. Stallworth was the player who killed a man when he got behind the wheel of his car while drunk. He was suspended for the entire 2009 season, but it does not seem to be enough.

Meanwhile, Pete Rose is still banished from baseball for gambling.

Yes, teams might trade or release troubled-but-talented players, but the vast majority end up back on their feet.

Now comes Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has faced two accusations of sexually assaulting two women in two years. Both cases were dropped due to inconclusive evidence. Either Roethlisberger is the unluckiest person in the world, or he has escaped charges for deviancy twice.

In any event, he is receiving an arbitrary six-game suspension. Now, Goodell says he wants to help Roethlisberger. In other words, Goodell alone wants to be the NFL’s sheriff, judge, prosecutor, warden and priest, all at the same time.

Roethlisberger might very well be guilty and likely deserved a punishment, but he was not charged with a crime. He also very well might be innocent. Goodell’s mixed messages and lack of clarity are not helping the culture of the NFL.

Goodell’s lesson to Roethlisberger and the other players is unclear. The act is wearing thin because he is only interested in vague punishment and redemption rather than prevention. But it seems the message that the players are getting is to do whatever you want, pay a small consequence, repent and move on. Then everything will be okay. Heck, you might even win a courage award.