The NFL is in this position because it is
not a sports league anymore. It is now an entertainment company that has pandered to people who were never football fans in past, because it needs these people to just pay attention to a story (whether it be a football game or an off-the-field drama involving a player or coach) long enough to make them attractive to sponsors.
The NFL does not want to be seen as a sports league anymore. The television revenue they would generate if they catered to football fans is far less than what they generate if they are a bad soap opera.
I never thought I'd miss Al Davis. Just win, baby, is the way to play football. Commit a crime, do the time. Come back and if you can play, we may have a spot for you. There are exceptions for people who simply can't be allowed to do anything in society ever again--murderers, child molestors, and so on. But have a policy for when a crime is too heinous and when it is forgivable, and follow it. Don't make the NFL a part of the enforcement process, IT'S NOT THEIR JOB!!
It was funny, seeing Ray Lewis and Keyshawn Johnson having to speak about this. Fact is, if they were playing now, they'd be dropped by their teams.