The NFL is expected to make a decision this week regarding disciplinary action against Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. On Thanksgiving, Tomlin got in the way of Baltimore Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones as Jones was sprinting up the sideline in the third quarter. A new angle of the play makes it seem more likely that Tomlin interfered intentionally.
The footage you see above comes from KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. From that angle, it looks like Tomlin was watching the play on the stadium video screen and took a step toward the sideline as he saw Jones coming. When he went to get out of the way, he put his foot further into the playing field and gave off the appearance that he was startled by being so close to Jones. Deadspin provided a GIF that shows the play more clearly:
Why does this matter? As the league comes to a final decision on what the penalty should be, intent is important. There’s a huge difference between accidentally getting in a player’s way or intentionally cheating. I still doubt that the stunt will cost Pittsburgh a draft pick, but this angle doesn’t make Tomlin’s story all that believable.
