I think the anger management classes are working. Also, no coach will simply decide to have his starter take a red, then send in a replacement. The drop in quality is usually quite large. They review every possible intentional foul and hand out significant sanctions even if the ref didn't call a foul. Now that makes sense to me.
Every incident is dealt with in a meaningful manner.
It's not up to the refs to be handing out multiple game suspensions. They should be dealing with only one game. If a team would develop a name for goonism, they should start suspending all suspicious incidents for longer and longer periods. He can barely tackle a quarterback anymore, but that is the reputation that he has earned. At least the refs never had to destroy the Sunday afternoon game, by forcing the teams to play 11v10, because of an illegal hit.