I agree. This is a large story not written about. The whole Rice appeal is about the contract the NFL and NFLPA signed and exactly what you stated.
I would hope (yeah I know ) that the NFL would create a repeatable process, but unfortunately with $$ being the #1 issue, this can't happen. Also you know the NFLPA wants a repeatable process, because at the rate they're going there will be a suspension without merit (or indictment) that the league will be held liable for in the future.