FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- A few thoughts on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appointing himself to hear New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's appeal:

Not what Brady wanted. Through the NFL Players Association, Brady had asked for a neutral arbitrator. A more favorable scenario would have been former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who had stepped in during the Saints' Bountygate appeal.

Could strengthen chances this lands in court. One line of thinking is that with Goodell putting himself in this position, it increases the chances of Brady suing the NFL in court. And according to sports law professor Michael McCann, it actually might help Brady's case in court if he loses his appeal.

Strategic move by NFL? With Goodell having handed off the decision on the NFL's punishment of the Patriots to Troy Vincent, he put himself in position to hear the appeal. That could have been a strategic play by the NFL, although the Players Association could fight it based on the wording of the NFL's own press release announcing the Patriots' penalties. In that press release, Goodell is quoted as saying, "We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others."

Brady and Goodell met on Feb. 2. The last time Brady and Goodell shared company was the day after the Super Bowl, when Goodell introduced Brady at the MVP news conference. They shared a meaningful embrace that day. It seems safe to say that won't be happening this time around.

Pondering a possible endgame that works for everyone. If Goodell potentially uses the opportunity to show some type of introspection on the league's handling of the investigation -- and how it blew up into a much bigger story than it needed to be -- he could score some points with Brady and the Patriots -- if he's interested in finding a possible endgame that works for both sides. That's part of what seems to have the Patriots so peeved: No one from the NFL has taken any accountability for some missteps early in the investigation.