Mike Tomlin addresses why replay for penalties and improving technology in the NFL isn’t always needed

At his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin added a final comment to a question about the possible tipped pass in the fourth quarter Sunday’s game.

“But I also don’t believe it was a DPI.”

In stating he did not believe defensive pass interference should have been called against Joe Haden on fourth down, it raised the question if Coach Tomlin thinks those type of penalties should be reviewable.

“I got a firm position on that, man: I don’t. I just worry about the entertainment component of it and what that might do for fans and the viewership and what that looks like.”

Although Coach Tomlin is not in favor of using instant replay for such a situation, he does suggest others may be interested in discussing the issue.

“But given some of the things that have happened, I’m sure it’ll be up for debate as it always is and has been in recent years. Because technology and the amount of coverage that our game at this level gets, not only on Sundays but seven days a week, allows for that type of scrutiny and review.”

As technology improves, the NFL knows it needs to be prepared to make the necessary adjustments in their product. As part of the competition committee, Coach Tomlin may have more insight than others as to the need to keep up with advancements in technology to help improve the game.

“It’s just part of our business today and so I think we all understand and I think we’re all ready to have that debate every year. I don’t think we’re ever moving away from that debate. The utilization of technology and information on different components of the game whether it’s play, strategy, officiating or otherwise.”

As technological advances in society seem to come along every day, the overall quality of officiating seems to be trending in the opposite direction. With game-changing penalties, missed calls, and decisions from New York greatly impacting games, the fans have become more interested in getting calls correct than interrupting the flow of the game. In the next several years, perhaps the technology can be in place to where the flow may not be affected. In turn, the NFL would have no choice but to implement anything they can to fix the exterior factors affecting outcomes rather than the play on the field.