Let’s get this out of the way. This will be an editorial column. Basically, there will be more of a “I think” or “I feel” vibe. Sorry, not sorry, for any third-person snobs that don’t like the style. When learning the news of Jonathon Cooper’s involvement in a domestic dispute with his now ex-girlfriend, it didn’t leave me thinking good thoughts about where the issue was probably going to end up. Perpetually uppity about its corporate image, the NFL has involved itself in other high-profile misconduct cases to send the message that risky or illicit behavior will not be tolerated. We are all innocent until proven guilty, and Cooper is still waiting for his day in court, but even if the linebacker leaves unscathed legally, he still isn’t out of the woods when it comes to any potential discipline from the league. Yes, Cooper is expected to participate in training camp but was noticeably sent home for OTA’s this past summer. Make no mistake, this was a message being sent by the team to Cooper that this matter was being taken seriously. Good on the Broncos, right? Broncos Country might not feel the same when they learn about former outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite being brought back by the team in some capacity for the upcoming season. If the story sounds minor, let's fill in the broad strokes. Last year, Wilhoite was let go by the team after getting into an altercation with a Denver policeman, leading to his being charged with 2nd-degree assault. Now, with that charge being dropped and the officer suing Wilhoite in civil court, the team felt that the punishment fit the crime, clearing the way for Wilhoite’s return. For me, why is beating up a cop (allegedly) swept under the rug after the accused was unemployed for a year, but beating up your girlfriend (allegedly) is enough to warrant being punished by the team, the league, or both? Since Wilhoite is just a coach and Cooper is a starter on the defense, their impact on the team gets measured in different ways, obviously. That is also where the punishments aren’t measured on fairness either. If Cooper was the fry cook at McDonald's and the cops came to look for him at his job after slamming his girlfriend into a wall, there’s a great chance McDonald's would not be employing said gentleman going forward. Same if the fry cook had beaten up a cop. Cooper essentially was sent to his room to think real hard about what he did. If Wilhoite finds the right number of zeros to put down on the settlement check, his problems go away as well. That feels and looks wrong. Full stop. Where is the consistency from this organization and where does it start? Does it matter that Wilhoite is seen in the eyes of the law as innocent while being reported as telling the officer, “Do you know who I am?”  From the wording of the team statement regarding the situation, the very legalistic “charges DROPPED” is the presumption that he can have his job back because he isn’t guilty… technically. In a league that weighs talent against how much of a public relations headache someone may bring, Cooper probably has a job waiting for him if the Broncos took the drastic move and outright released him, so what is the punishment at the end of the day? That doesn't make you feel icky about Cooper still? Try this one on: Cooper is being represented by Harvey Stienburg. Chris Rock said about good lawyers, “Hiring a good lawyer makes you look guilty, but it also means you get to go home.” I am already jaded enough in my own opinions that, despite Cooper being in a toxic relationship with a woman that got out of control, it will probably lead to no real consequences because he has the best justice that money can buy. And who was right by Cooper’s side at the courthouse after the start of the proceeding? You guessed it, his former position coach, Michael Wilhoite. Yuck. If all things were fair, Cooper would be persona non grata until his legal issues are sorted out, and Wilhoite should be a defensive coordinator at a high school, but welcome to “Who Really Cares Anyway,” where the crime won't fit the punishment and consequences don’t really matter either. Because for as much goodwill as the Penners have had in righting the ship for this franchise, both on and off the field, the legal situation of Cooper and Wilhoite should remind all of us common folk that there are rules for thee and rules for me, and they are rarely the same.