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NEW YORK (AP) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the recession has helped build TV audiences for NFL games.

CBS Sports reports the NFL has suspended DT Ndamukong Suh for two games without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct in the Lions’ Thanksgiving loss to the Packers. Suh joins DT Albert Haynesworth as the only players during Commissioner Roger Goodell’s tenure to be handed multi-game suspensions without pay. Haynesworth’s 2006 five-game suspension was also for a stomping offense. The terms of DT Ndamukong Suh’s suspension dictate that he may not practice or use team facilities until he is reinstated Dec. 12. Suh can appeal the suspension if he chooses. The league has indicated that any appeal hearing would take place before Sunday night’s nationally-televised game vs. New Orleans. The NFL said Thursday’s stomping incident was DT Ndamukong Suh’s fifth violation of on-field rules that has resulted in league discipline. Three of his four previous violations — hits on then-Browns QB Jake Delhomme, Bears QB Jay Cutler and Bengals QB Andy Dalton — were public knowledge. The origin of the fourth violation is unknown.

With the league’s decision on discipline for his kick to Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith coming soon, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is trying to curry favor with the powers that be. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Suh called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday to apologize for his actions during the Thanksgiving game. One…

The NFL business day has passed without getting any official word on any plans to discipline defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was ejected from last Thursday’s game against the Green Bay Packers for unnecessary roughness. But discussions clearly are underway behind the scenes. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Suh called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday night to apologize for his actions on the field. It’s unclear whether an apology will impact Goodell’s decision.

NBC Sports reports since 2006, the NFL has had the ability to shift late-season Sunday afternoon games to Sunday night. On Friday, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that the next wave of broadcast contracts, starting in 2014, could entail an earlier flexible scheduling option. ‘As we look toward extending our television agreements, there’s an idea that we would have some more flexibility between our partners to allow our games to be put into different time slots, and maybe start flex scheduling earlier in the year,’ Goodell told Darren Rovell of CNBC Sports Biz: Game On, via NFL.com. Though it’s in the league’s best interests to have the ability to, for example, dump the Colts-Saints game from primetime after it became obvious that QB Peyton Manning wouldn’t play, the move also adds value to the Sunday night package, currently held by NBC. Shifting out a bad game and replacing it with a good game translates to higher ratings, and thus increased revenues. In turn, an earlier flex option impacts the value of the daytime packages, currently held by FOX and CBS. The real question is whether flex scheduling ever would extend to Monday night. Given that ESPN already has extended its deal deep into the decade without any type of flex option, if flexible scheduling ever happens on Monday night it won’t be happening any time soon.

In the wake of last week’s disclosure by Steelers safety Ryan Clark that the hit for which he was fined $40,000 previously had been shown to the team by coach Mike Tomlin as an example of the proper way to dislodge the ball, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met Thursday with Tomlin and Steelers owner Art…

It’s getting easier and easier to see Roger Goodell saying, “With the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select…” The Colts lost 17-3 at home to the Jaguars on Sunday afternoon to move to 0-10 and continue to show almost nothing that makes you think they can win a game this…

PFT Live: Mike Florio discusses Detroit defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell to review league rules. Suh has been subject to scrutiny because of his overly aggressive play on the field and was hoping to clarify some of the league rules with the commissioner. (NBC Sports)

Lions coach Jim Schwartz joined Dan Patrick on Wednesday morning, a day after a much-publicized meeting between Commissioner Roger Goodell and Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.  Schwartz attended the meeting, but Schwartz isn’t talking about it. Dan started the interview by asking the simple question of who set it up.  And here’s what Schwartz said: …

On Tuesday, a much-publicized meeting occurred between Commissioner Roger Goodell and Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.  Also attending the meeting were Jeff Fisher, former Titans coach and current advisor to the Competition Committee.  Lions coach Jim Schwartz, who once worked for Fisher in Tennessee, also was expected to attend. Peter King of SI.com wrote earlier…