Here’s a handy rule of thumb for sports fans and media alike: If the owner of a franchise is compelled to come out and say an off-field incident is a “non-issue,” it’s an issue.

(”There is nothing to see here! Our glorious cornerback did nothing wrong!”)

Witness the latest episode of the Adam Jones crime drama, where he attacked his baby-sitter “bodyguard” in a bathroom at a nightclub earlier this week. As you’ll recall, Jerry Jones decided there’d be no punishment and blamed the bodyguard. In an absolute stunner, Roger Goodell might disagree:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is seriously studying the Adam Jones altercation from last week and weighing what he feels would be the most appropriate action to take.

Suffice to say, a suspension is a viable alternative based on the commissioner’s statement at the time he granted limited reinstatement to Jones in June.

That’s from the NFL’s official mouthpiece blog, so this is hardly idle speculation. In all likelihood, Jones (Adam, not Jerry) can probably expect to take a couple weekends off pretty soon here. Maybe go to the clubs, get real drunk, throw a few punches–wait, no no, don’t want to do that. Bad idea.

There’s also a very obvious message being sent by Goodell to Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization, and that is that there is a rather large credibility gap for the program. In fact, it could only be made more obvious if Goodell came right out and said “Jerry Jones, you are not to be taken at your word ever.”

But perhaps that’s unfair. Keep in mind that Jerry Jones did preside over the Switzer-era Cowboys, who we might remind you were total Insaneobots running Microsoft Calamity on a constant basis (tons of NSFW language). His star receiver, remember, stabbed a teammate in the throat over haircut priority. Repeat: stabbed a teammate in the throat over haircut priority. So perhaps in Jerry Jones’ universe, this nightclub actually isn’t a big deal.

But this is Roger Goodell’s universe that we live in, as Mr. Goodell will be more than happy to remind you at a moment’s notice. And if you doubt that, guess what? He just suspended you. Yes, you, sitting at home hung over with your shirt off. You’re suspended for two games without pay. Goodell strikes again!