Just A Bit Outside: What will NFL do about Jim Irsay?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hasn't been put in this position before: How does the league punish an owner for detrimental conduct?

Longtime national NFL writer Peter King of Monday Morning Quarterback doesn't think Goodell will have much difficulty deciding the penalty for Colts owner Jim Irsay, who was arrested Sunday night for operating a vehicle while under the influence and for possession of a controlled substance.

King writes: "Goodell knows everyone is watching the Irsay case. He knows he's going to have to be compassionate but tough on Irsay. I think he will be. I think anyone who can strip a playoff team of its coach for a year isn't going to have a hard time disciplining an owner if he's found guilty of crimes as serious as felony drug possession and driving under the influence."

What will the punishment be? King weighs in on that as well.

"What's the right punishment, if Irsay is guilty? A fine, certainly," he wrote. "But I can tell you from knowing Irsay that a fine won't be such a big deal. Banning him from being around his team for a period of time would be much worse. Irsay loves being around his team. He loves being an owner. He loves the life, and what he can do for people because of that life. For goodness sakes, he tweets transactions. He gives out tickets in Twitter contests."

Everybody knows of Irsay's good deeds. Former Colts beat writer Len Pasquarelli on Monday shared the story of how Irsay wanted the writer to fly home to Atlanta on the owner's private plane with a nurse on board after Pasquarelli had bypass surgery in Phoenix.

"I think a fine plus a suspension from any team-related activities will likely be Goodell's discipline if the charges against Irsay are true," King wrote. "And if true, the discipline will certainly be justified."

Brewers adopt Hank the dog

As the Milwaukee Brewers settle on a roster at spring training in Phoenix, one decision has been made: Hank the dog will be accompanying the team back to Milwaukee.

The team adopted the lovable, white stray animal and will be bringing him to his new home when spring training ends.

"Hank, you're one of the few walk-ons we've had here in camp," general manager Doug Melvin said, before presenting Hank with his tiny little jersey. "You've been a good teammate. I think that you add to our ballclub."

Hank has posed for pictures, even when being interviewed. And he has his own Twitter account @BrewersHank with more than 3,400 followers.

Bruce Pearl hiring sparks reaction

Former Southern Indiana coach Bruce Pearl has been hired to coach at Auburn.

He's still serving a three-year show cause punishment for recruiting violations that led to his firing at Tennessee in 2011. He led the Volunteers to six NCAA Tournament appearances with a 145-61 record in six seasons.

Auburn's hiring prompted some immediate negative reaction on Twitter because of Pearl's past transgressions.

A link to an article on Deadspin reminded of what happened with Pearl at Tennessee.

But not everyone was harsh about the hiring.

Pearl coached at Southern Indiana from 1992 to 2001 and guided the Screaming Eagles to an NCAA Division II national championship in 1995. He had a record of 231-46 in nine years at the Evansville school.

Pearl most recently has been working as an ESPN college basketball analyst.

"I'm humbled and blessed to be back in the game that I love," Pearl said in comments posted on AuburnTigers.com. "I don't know how long it will take, but it's time to rebuild the Auburn basketball program, and bring it to a level of excellence so many of the other teams on campus enjoy."

Phil Jackson returns to Big Apple

It didn't take long for the New York Knicks to market the return of Phil Jackson as president. One fan found this picture and shared it on Twitter.

It's being described as the "Zen Era" in at least one story, a reference to Jackson's holistic approach to coaching influenced by Eastern philosophy.

Jackson intends to move to New York City, which was in question after spending so much time in the Los Angeles area.

He's won 13 NBA championship rings, two as a player with the Knicks and 11 as a coach, the latter with the Chicago Bulls and Lakers.

Indy's Doss signs with Jaguars

Indianapolis native Tandon Doss, who led the NFL with a 15.6-yard average on punt returns last season, has found another NFL home in Jacksonville.

The wide receiver/kick returner who starred at Ben Davis High School and then Indiana University was selected in the fourth round by Baltimore in 2011. He won a XLVII Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in 2013.

"I had a few offers going for me, but I felt like this would be the right place," Doss said in a phone interview with Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union. "It just seemed like a place where I could compete for a spot and show what I can do. The coaching staff was great and was excited and amped."

Need help with your NCAA bracket?

Sports Pickle provides an amusing flow chart to assist with selecting underdogs in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Just answer the questions and follow the arrows.