Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson's appeal to overturn a one-game suspension and $264, 705 fine was denied by NFL official Ted Cottrell.  Goldson received those harsh penalties from the league office after he took a head shot on wide receiver Roddy White in the Buccanneers' victory over the Falcons on Sunday.

Early in this season, Goldson had a fine reduced and suspension overturned by hearing officer Matt Birk. Birk, a former NFL center, was an independent appeals officer appointed by the NFL league office, and his decision was not seen by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell . Goodell would go on to say that "a violation of the rules has consequences," and that a "substantial fine" reflects that.

Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson (AP Photo)

That hit was also a helmet-to-helmet shot over the middle of the field on a defenseless Darren Sproles. In response to accusations of foul play, Goldson cited personal safety as his biggest concern going forward.

"I'm an aggressive player. We all know that across the league," Goldson said. "I've never tried to hurt anybody. I try to keep my hits within the rules. And that's what I'll do week in and week out. I have to make sure I get guys to the ground, but at the same time I have to be careful."

This hit wasn't quite as egregious, but it did show that this is a player who hasn't changed how he goes about playing the game. If you count the $30,000 fine for striking a defenseless player in the Tampa Bay's opening game at the Jets, the hard-hitting safety has accumulated nearly $300,000 alone this season.

Goldson will be eligible to return to the Bucs Monday, November 25, and will miss this Sunday's game against the Lions, but is the league's punishment severe enough?

The Buccaneers gave Goldson a 5-year $41 million contract in the offseason, and he was also named a one of the teams' two defensive captains before the start of the regular season.  It is clear the Buccaneers consider him a valueable asset, both on the field and in the locker room, so don't expect the organization to discipline one of their own anytime soon.

Sitting Goldson down for a game is a good start, but if the NFL is serious about cutting down on concussions and injuries to the head, then the punishment for this particular breed of player need to be more severe.  Until then, it's not a matter of if Goldson's dirty antics will strike again, but when.