bursting through a gap for an easy layup

PITTSBURGH -- Mike Tomlin was "mesmerized." He was also, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach admits, out of position. Way out of position. Tomlin was so awed by the way Baltimores Jacoby Jones raced through the Steelers crumbling kickoff return unit in the third quarter Thanksgiving night, Tomlin couldnt take himself away from watching it all unfold in high definition on one of M&T Stadiums video boards. Only when Tomlin -- standing on the white strip of grass meant to separate the playing field from the sideline -- saw his black-and-gold jacket and black baseball cap flash across the screen did he realize it might be a good time to move. Too late. As Tomlin danced to his left, Jones edged right to avoid bowling the coach over. Pittsburghs Cortez Allen made the tackle after a 73-yard return, a bizarre play that will be remembered far longer than Baltimores eventual 22-20 victory. Its an ill-timed two-step the 41-year-old Tomlin allows was a lot of things, namely "embarrassing, inexcusable, illegal and a blunder." The one thing it wasnt, he insists, was intentional. "The thought that it could be perceived as intentional never even crossed my mind," Tomlin said Tuesday during a lengthy and candid apology. "I realized I fell short of the expectations of my position in being where I was and my actions on the play. I am not one to seek comfort from that standpoint, so I was just going to take my medicine." Tomlin was not flagged on the play, and pointed out he was following his normal routine when he stood at the Pittsburgh 35 following a touchdown that pulled the Steelers within 13-7 midway through the third quarter. He prefers to watch kickoffs on stadium scoreboards because it gives him a better perspective on how the play is developing and couldnt recall a specific time when officials told him to step back. Still, Tomlin declined to use that as an excuse while communicating with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league officials Monday. Tomlin said he had no plans to fight whatever disciplinary action the league decides to hand out. "I dont know what a just punishment is," he said. "I have no idea. Im not acting in a way to preserve my wallet and my money. My wallet and my money is what it is because of the game of football." The NFL fined the New York Jets $100,000 in 2010 when cameras caught strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi tripping a Miami player on the sideline. Alosi was suspended by the Jets and eventually resigned after the season. While Tomlins job status is certainly not in jeopardy, he is aware critics believe he was attempting to gain a competitive advantage. Its why he felt the need to speak up. "Its been shocking to me that my actions could have been or have been perceived in any way intentional," he said. Which is why Tomlin was a little surprised his sons told him the incident kept coming up during the usual Sunday NFL TV coverage. "When I realized the integrity of the game became the chief issue in the discussion, it was an opportunity and the time was appropriate to set the record straight," he said. Tomlin acknowledged there was a memo sent out by the league last week asking coaches to be more mindful of where they stand on the sideline. He said he might have missed it because the Steelers were facing the Ravens on a short week. Regardless, he stressed he will do a better job "policing" himself in the future and stay out of harms way. He still plans on watching kickoffs on video boards. He just plans to do it from a safer (and legal) vantage point. As for whether his public expression of remorse could have any effect on whatever fine is coming his way, Tomlin considered it the least of his problems. "I guess, he said, "we will all make due." ---- NOTES: DE Brett Keisel will miss Sundays game against Miami (6-6) after aggravating a left foot injury against the Ravens. ... LB LaMarr Woodley (left calf strain) will be limited in practice. ... The remaining players injured against the Ravens, including running back LeVeon Bell (concussion), offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum (right knee sprain) and David DeCastro (left foot sprain), could play this weekend. DeMarcus Cousins Jersey . Power had a two-lap average of 218.896 mph in qualifying Friday at the high-banked, high-speed 1 1/2-mile track for his 34th career pole. Solomon Hill Jersey . -- Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has a broken bone below his right eye after being struck by a bad-hop grounder, sidelining the star slugger for at least a week with opening day on deck. http://www.shoppelicansonline.com/Authentic-Anthony-Davis-Pelicans-Jersey/ . Smiths former Atlanta teammates were glad to hang on for an ugly win. Custom New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . They have homered once every 27.3 at bats, which just happens to be the third best mark in the American League, albeit just 10 games into the season. New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . This week, topics cover the World Series champion Red Sox, John Farrell and what to look forward to this off-season. ATLANTA -- The Chicago Bulls strengthened their hold on home-court advantage in the playoffs, and made it a little tougher for the Atlanta Hawks to extend their season. For that, the Bulls can thank D.J. Augustin. Again. Keeping up his inspired play, Augustin scored 23 points as Chicago held off slumping Atlanta for a 105-92 victory Wednesday night, bumping the Hawks out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two weeks left in the season. Chicago stretched its lead to 2 1-2 games over Brooklyn for home court in the opening round of the playoffs. The Bulls may have lost Derrick Rose to major knee injuries two years in a row, but they are 35-20 since signing Augustin in mid-December. "Hes saved our season," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "D.J. can beat you a lot of different ways." The performance came three days after Augustin scored a career-high 33 points against Boston. "D-Rose is the face of this team," Augustin said. "Im just trying to come in, just trying to help us out, do whatever I can do to help us win and go forward in the playoffs." Chicago took control with a 16-3 run in the second quarter and led the rest of the way, fending off the last of Atlantas runs when Jimmy Butler swished a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining. "We just want to finish the rest of the season strong," Augustin said. The Hawks are heading in the opposite direction, losing for the 21st time in 28 games. This one dropped them slightly behind New York for the eighth playoff seed. "We still control our own destiny," DeMarre Carroll said. "But now things got more interesting." The Knicks (33-43) routed Brooklyn 110-81 to climb percentage points ahead of Atlanta (32-42). Cleveland is also in the mix, two games out after beating Orlando. The Hawks host the Cavaliers on Friday night. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jeff Teague added 21 points. But Kyle Korver, with 12 points, was the only other Atlannta player in double figures.dddddddddddd Everyone else went 13 of 32 from the field. "Were a new team," Carroll said, referring to Atlantas massive turnover the last two summers. "This year is not going to make or break us. Just to be talking about making the playoffs is amazing." The Hawks were up 42-38 with 9 minutes left in the second quarter after Mike Muscala knocked down a couple of free throws. Chicago took control from there, clamping down defensively and scoring 16 of the next 19 points. The Hawks missed 12 of 13 shots, forced to settle mostly for outside jumpers and botching a couple of easy ones when they did get inside. Augustin capped the spurt with a brilliant hesitation move, freezing the Atlanta defenders before bursting through a gap for an easy layup. The Bulls led 57-49 at the half and never surrendered the advantage. Atlanta made several runs, only to have Chicago answer every one of them. With the Hawks down 93-87 and in possession, Taj Gibson swatted away Carrolls driving shot, the Bulls grabbed a loose ball and took off the other way, with Augustin sinking a 3-pointer that led to an Atlanta timeout. It was another trey by Butler that finished off the Hawks -- appropriate enough, since the Bulls went 12 of 25 beyond the arc. Augustin was 4 of 8 from long range, while Butler chipped in with three more. In contrast to the Hawks, six players were in double figures for the Bulls, including Butler and Kirk Hinrich with 17 points apiece. Atlanta has eight games left to pull out its seventh straight playoff appearance. "This team is competitive," Elton Brand said. "Theres no quit in us. Were going to play it out until the end." NOTES: Chicagos Joakim Noah had 10 points and 10 rebounds. ... The Bulls swept the season series 4-0 and now have won six straight against the Hawks since last season. ... Thibodeau shrugged off the 200th career victory. "Ive got a good team," he said after improving his record to 200-105 in four seasons. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '