Behind the Steel Curtain - Tomlin Two-Step: Steelers head coach fined $100,000A level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2014-03-20T18:00:43-04:00http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/rss/stream/49341112014-03-20T18:00:43-04:002014-03-20T18:00:43-04:00Steelers keep pick, Tomlin keeps blame
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<p>Tomlin nearly getting run over by Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones as Tomlin stood partially on the field will be the catalyst of rage from Steelers fans. While the team didn't lose a pick, Tomlin loses reputation points he needs to start gaining back. </p> <p>We may never know if the league honestly considered removing a draft pick from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> as punishment for head coach Mike Tomlin interfering with a play last season.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174824/steelers-draft-picks-fined-mike-tomlin" target="_blank">It seemed ridiculous at the time.</a> The league <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5175026/nfl-risks-its-credibility-by-waiting-on-further-punishment" target="_blank">risked a shot to its collective credibility, </a>not to mention the establishment of a ridiculous precedent.</p>
<p>In the end, if this was the league's intent all along - a looming punishment similar to Ben Roethlisberger's six-game suspension that could be reduced to four games in 2010 - we'll never know. But the right thing happened in the end. This was an individual's mistake, not a team's coordinated plan of misconduct.</p>
<p>This will no doubt hang over Tomlin's head, reduced pick or not, certainly from his detractors and opposing fans. It's fair to say he deserves the criticism - intended or not, he screwed up, big time, on national television, in a game the Steelers should have won. That loss was one of many losses that, all things being equal, would have put the Steelers in the post-season. But he did lose, and it was the second straight season without the playoffs. The pick issue made the matter worse over the last three and a half months.</p>
<p>It's over, but it'll never be over. All this really does is bring the conversation back into the critical arena regarding Tomlin's decisions, mistakes, errors and lapses of judgment. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> game is rife for savagery over his lack of awareness (or worse). The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> game in Week 16 brought out one of the more curious decisions, electing to score a touchdown on the team's final drive, as opposed to kneeling down, burning the Packers timeouts and kicking a field goal, leaving them just seconds on the clock.</p>
<p>If not for allegations of officiating errors, and a special teams gaffe on the kick return, Green Bay might have had two plays from their 6-yard line with a chance to tie.</p>
<p>It's not just about him being on the field. It's about the team that's on the field. And that's the heart of the resentment fans have burning inside them now. The Tomlin Two-Step may be the headline but the story below it is getting less appealing, and even further away from an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship game</a> three seasons ago.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/3/20/5530998/steelers-mike-tomlin-steelers-draft-pick-jacoby-jonesNeal Coolong2014-03-20T15:02:14-04:002014-03-20T15:02:14-04:00Steelers won't lose pick for Tomlin incident
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<p>Art Rooney II has been informed there will be no further penalties against the team for Mike Tomlin stepping on the field during play in a Week 13 game against the Baltimore Ravens last season. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en data-scribe-reduced-action-queue=">
<p>Art Rooney II said NFL has informed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> they will not lose draft choice from Mike Tomlin sideline incident in Balt.</p>— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) <a href="https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/statuses/446721930163671040">March 20, 2014</a>
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This news is certainly good for the Steelers.
<p>Now, on with the backlash from it.</p>
<p>On a day in which the Steelers learned veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will depart for Carolina, and talks with free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew dried up, the Steelers won't lose any of their compensatory picks as punishment for coach Mike Tomlin stepping onto the field of play during a Ravens kick return in their Week 13 game this season.</p>
<p>Baltimore won the game 22-20.</p>
<p>Jones was tackled a few yards after Tomlin lept to his left as he was watching the big screen monitor in M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens got a field goal on the drive, and the league's contention was if a touchdown could have been scored, it could have ultimately determined playoff positioning due to tiebreakers. Neither Baltimore nor Pittsburgh advanced to the postseason for the first time since 1999.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/3/20/5530476/steelers-mike-tomlin-sideline-ravens-draft-pickNeal Coolong2013-12-15T15:06:14-05:002013-12-15T15:06:14-05:00Dolphins coach on the field during Polamalu return
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>The league reportedly fined Dolphins special teams coach Darren Rizzi $10,000 for making contact with an official during Troy Polamalu's return of a missed field goal in the first half of Miami's win over the Steelers in Week 14. The play should have resulted in a penalty, and given the Steelers an untimed down. </p> <p>The $100,000 fine issued to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> head coach Mike Tomlin and threat of further draft pick punishment was meant to serve multiple purposes - above all others, it was to be a deterrent against being on the field during a live play that no coach or any other personnel on the sideline should possibly be able to ignore.</p>
<p>Not only did it not even take a full half for an NFL coach to ignore the deterrent, but a coach did so against Tomlin's Steelers.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24376120/dolphins-coach-not-flagged-after-tripping-official-in-win-over-steelers">CBS Sports posted a picture</a> - illustrating the report from Fox's Jay Glazer - that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> special teams coach Darren Rizzi clearly committed a similar sideline infraction while Steelers safety <span>Troy Polamalu</span> returned a missed field goal at the end of the first half.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3723251/Dolphinscoach.png"><img width="95%/" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3723251/Dolphinscoach_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Dolphinscoach_medium"></a> <br id="1387138615862"></p>
<p>No penalty was called, even though Rizzi was clearly on the field and way outside the area he was supposed to be in (which the league pointed to as the main reason behind Tomlin's fine). Moreover, Rizzi reportedly tripped the official (Tomlin never made contact with anyone during his incident).</p>
<p>With the penalty after the return, Pittsburgh should have had an untimed down from Miami's 25-yard line. That would either have been a 42-yard field goal attempt, or a shot at the end zone.</p>
<p>The Steelers lost the game 34-28.</p>
<p>Part of the league's reasoning behind the threat of removing or altering the placement of a draft pick owned by the Steelers was due to Tomlin possibly having cost the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> a chance to score a touchdown, and thus potentially affecting a playoff and draft pick tiebreaker (that is deep on the list of tiebreakers, but there nevertheless).</p>
<p>This situation appears to be no different in terms of the rule violated, but CBS Sports and Glazer indicate Rizzi was fined $10,000 and no other action is apparently expected.</p>
<p>One can argue a higher standard is held for Tomlin, which is understandable, but the stature of the person who interfered and made contact with an official while on the field during a live play has no relevance. If the Steelers end up with some kind of draft pick penalty due to Tomlin's error against Baltimore, the same argument can be made on behalf of the Steelers in this instance. A 42-yard field goal is certainly within Shaun Suisham's range, and <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> can throw a football 25-30 yards to the end zone. Therefore, the lack of a penalty on the play potentially cost the Steelers points.</p>
<p>On a separate level, it is absolutely inexplicable that no flag was thrown, and clearly, the league keeping the fine quiet shows they're aware of it. This should compel the Steelers to protest in some form to the league. Multiple wrongs were clearly done here, and by the league's own mandate against Tomlin, it should take this seriously as well.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/latest-news/2013/12/15/5213558/steelers-dolphins-coach-on-field-fined-week-14Neal Coolong2013-12-08T10:28:42-05:002013-12-08T10:28:42-05:00Report: Steelers will lose a pick
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>The Steelers should expect the removal of a draft pick, according to a CBS Sports report.</p> <p>CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora is reporting Sunday <a href="http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24368513/steelers-will-face-draft-pick-compensation-from-mike-tomlin-incident" target="_blank">the Steelers will lose a draft pick</a> as punishment for <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> head coach Mike Tomlin being on the field during a kick return by the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> in Week 13.</p>
<p>Tomlin was fined $100,000 for the incident, and the league has said they could still punish the team.</p>
<p>La Canfora indicates a league source informed him the specific punishment won't be determined until the season plays itself out, up to and including the announcement of compensatory picks.</p>
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<p>The NFL did not stipulate the exact nature of the draft-pick penalty because in its mind this remains an open case. Tomlin’s actions could have precluded the Ravens from scoring four more points than they did, and points scored can be a possible playoff tiebreaker. So the NFL does not know the full scope of the ramifications of Tomlin’s actions, nor does it know the full-range of Pittsburgh’s draft picks as compensatory picks, for instance, are not even awarded until the NFL’s annual spring meeting. So until the league has all of the information available, no decision will be announced.</p>
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<p>The last time the Steelers were docked a draft pick was in 2001, and that was due to a self-reported salary cap error from the 1998 season.</p>
<p>The pick they would remove seems more than likely to be a compensatory pick - which the Steelers are likely but not yet confirmed, to receive for he loses of wide receiver Mike Wallace and cornerback Keenan Lewis as well as others in free agency before the 2013 season. To what level those picks would be given is currently unknown, but a reasonable guess would be somewhere in 100-130 range.</p>
<p>La Canfora's report is it will be a "late round" pick, which is ambiguous, but that would generally indicate a sixth or seventh round pick.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/8/5188110/steelers-2014-nfl-draft-pick-reduction-forfeit-mike-tomlin-sidelineNeal Coolong2013-12-05T10:19:17-05:002013-12-05T10:19:17-05:00Tomlin’s Tomfoolery: A coach’s legacy
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<figcaption>Rob Carr</figcaption>
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<p>Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's legacy may take a bit of a hit, but he's still a highly successful coach. Those successes won't be erased by this incident. </p> <p>The ball is caught by the return man. He begins his run up the field, avoiding tackles and skimming the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> sideline. Up the field, a coach is watching the play. As Chris Hudson saunters by (eventually reaching the endzone), Bill Cowher feigns a tackle from the sidelines, garnering some discussion in postgame analyses. Sixteen years later, another Steelers coach made headlines for his activity on the sideline.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before Mike Tomlin became $100,000 poorer, he was contrite. Apologetic. He realized he made a mistake. Fans are still unsure if that was a mistake in judgment, or a simple blunder. Going forward, that debate will include questions of how Tomlin’s act will affect his legacy with the Steelers, and as a coach.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After a mediocre season for the Steelers a year ago, and a very weak start to this season, Tomlin is under duress. Include his performance on Thanksgiving, and many fans are clamoring for undisciplined upheaval.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether Tomlin’s actions were intentional or an accident is still open for debate. In either instance, he did a disservice to the Steelers franchise and fans of the game. If it was intentional, even with Terrell Suggs’ glowing endorsement of "If you ain't <i>cheating</i>, you ain't trying to win," the Steelers franchise took a blow in reputation. If Tomlin stood on the field accidentally, even if he was mesmerized by the Jumbotron, it highlights a lapse of awareness, and once again reflects poorly on the Steelers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The NFL’s disciplinary action was a fine of $100,000, and the threat of altering Steelers draft picks. Cash fines levied by the NFL are difficult to relate to for most fans. The amounts are significant, but generally the response to a fine is "Ok, let’s move on," or "James Harrison’s hit was <i>totally</i> (il)legal!" (depending on which side of the ball the fan was on). A docked draft pick, however, may unify the Tomlin critics, and anger a large number of supporters.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the absolute worst case scenario, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> lose a playoff spot to the Steelers because of a tiebreaker utilizing total points scored, by the difference of 4 or fewer points (the difference of a field goal versus a touchdown + PAT). The NFL docks the Steelers a First Round draft pick for the following season, the Steelers go on to not be able to select a Left Tackle in the first round. Mike Adams, for whatever reason, starts the first game of the season next year at LT, and the story ends here because it would be far too scary to continue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A more realistic (or potentially best case) scenario would be that an AFC team claims the Wildcard spot, and a tiebreaker utilizing points scored is never realized. The Steelers do not have their draft picks adjusted (or should not), because the play does not affect the playoff picture. Additionally, the NFL accomplished its goal in clearly stating that interfering with a play will be harshly punished.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Assuming the latter scenario, Mike Tomlin does not have much to worry about. Much like Cowher, he has brought success to the Steelers. He has given the critics more ammunition (and something for his sons to make fun of), but he is still a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>-winning coach, with four playoff appearances in his first six seasons. He was the coach of the first NFL team to obtain six Lombardi trophies, and has the opportunity for more in the coming years.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His reputation may have taken a blow, but this will be a blemish easily erased by time. And maybe another trip to the Super Bowl.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/5/5178124/steelers-mike-tomlin-fined-nfl-baltimore-ravensAlexRD2013-12-04T16:38:29-05:002013-12-04T16:38:29-05:00NFL waiting on tie-breakers for decision on picks
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<figcaption>Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A Post-Gazette report Wednesday cites a league source who confirmed the league is reserving its right to alter potential Steelers' draft picks due to as-of-now unforeseen tie-breaking scenarios for the postseason as well as the draft. </p> <p>Reservations on including draft pick reductions may have a link to deep tiebreakers, writes Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo.</p>
<p>The deeper tie-breaking scenarios for the playoffs as well as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a> go, it eventually gets to strength of victory and point differential scenarios. Fittipaldo is quoting a source that told him the reservation on the pick is due to what may happen <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2013/12/04/NFL-fines-Steelers-coach-Tomlin-100-000/stories/201312040140#ixzz2mXn3BMlo" target="new">in potential tie-breaking scenarios because of the play.</a></p>
<blockquote>...a league source said today that Anderson is waiting to see if there are any "unforeseen ramifications from the interference with play." Those "unforeseen ramifications" could be things such as tiebreaking procedures that go into determining playoff qualification or seeding.</blockquote>
<blockquote>Tomlin’s step onto the field did not affect the outcome of the game, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> did not score on the play. They settled for a field goal on the ensuing drive, which theoretically could skew playoff scenarios. For instance, the sixth tiebreaking procedure to determine a wild card playoff berth is best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.</blockquote>
<p>This fills in a lot of blanks surrounding the issue (and a nice bit of reporting on Fittipaldo's part). However, it is essentially saying the league feels there is enough evidence to suggest Jones could have scored a touchdown on the play. Baltimore settled for a field goal on the possession - one in which running back Ray Rice was assessed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.</p>
<p>That's the same penalty the Steelers should have been assessed for Tomlin having been on the field during play.</p>
<p>It gets really murky around this point, but if it does happen to come down to one of those tie-breakers, it appears as if the league is saying the Steelers would lose it by default.</p>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/3/5170070/steelers-mike-tomlin-kickoff-ravens-jacoby-jones-memes-gifs-punishment-video-footage?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Tomlin Two-Step: Steelers head coach fined $100,000</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5175026/nfl-risks-its-credibility-by-waiting-on-further-punishment?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">NFL risks its credibility by waiting on further punishment</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174988/mike-tomlin-salary-steelers-nfl-fine-amount-total?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Mike Tomlin's salary drops two percent, gains far less than other fined coaches</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174824/steelers-draft-picks-fined-mike-tomlin?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Tomlin fined, draft picks held over Steelers collective heads</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174720/mike-tomlin-fined-steelers-draft-picks-nfl?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Mike Tomlin fined $100,000 by NFL; Forfeiture of Steelers draft picks remain a possibility</a></li>
</ul>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5175984/steelers-draft-picks-mike-tomlin-fine-nfl-tie-breaker-procedures-rulesNeal Coolong2013-12-04T14:00:07-05:002013-12-04T14:00:07-05:00NFL punishes Tomlin, but risks damaging integrity
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bUA1aoEoTaxRRXnVYkqSz1BVOec=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24490703/20131128_jla_ax1_642.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In a move fully expected by participants and fans alike, the NFL has levied a huge fine against Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. But by leaving further punishment open for future consideration, exposes questions of its own integrity.</p> <p></p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000292517/article/pittsburgh-steelers-mike-tomlin-fined-100000-by-nfl">NFL disclosed today</a> that it is levying a $100,000 fine against Mike Tomlin for his actions in the Thanksgiving Night game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>. In addition, the NFL has also stated that it will consider making the Steelers forfeit a 2014 draft pick after the final order of the 2014 draft order is determined.</p>
<p>Early in the third quarter, Ravens WR Jacoby Jones was in the process of running back a Steelers kickoff for what potentially could have been a touchdown. Tomlin, standing with one foot marginally on the field of play but clearly within the six foot wide Restricted Lane, jumped to his left just as Jones passed. Jones swerved slightly to his right and very shortly thereafter was tackled by Steelers CB Cortez Allen.</p>
<p>Whether Jones could have, or would have taken the ball all the way for a touchdown is not the question; it appeared Allen had more than enough speed to bring Jones down shy of the goal line. Rather, the question that has been raging throughout Steeler Nation, as well as with NFL fans in general, was whether what Tomlin did was intentional.</p>
<p>In a press conference yesterday, Tomlin took full responsibility for his actions, calling them "inexcusable, illegal, and a blunder". Witnessed by a national TV audience, there was no question the NFL was going to take some action.</p>
<p>However, if the League judges Tomlin's actions as being egregious enough to justify punishing the entire Steelers organization by taking away a 2014 draft pick, then levy that punishment now and explain why it (the NFL) feels justified in taking such an action when Tomlin never made physical contact with Jones, unlike former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> strength coach Sal Alosi who actually tripped an opposing player during the course of a play. The Jets were fined $100,000 but were not docked a draft pick for a coach's actions that directly impacted a player's safety. The Jets themselves suspended Alosi.</p>
<p>Otherwise, what the NFL is doing is just as inexcusable and as much a blunder as Tomlin's actions.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/2/5165786/mike-tomlin-steelers-ravens-punt-return-on-field-penalty-nfl-draft-pick-fine" target="new">Jets strength coach Sal Alosi tripped a player intentionally, Mike Tomlin did not</a>
</div>
<p>While the League may feel justified by the results of its investigation into this matter in docking the Steelers a draft pick, how does waiting for the end of the season make sense? Draft picks have value, yes, but what is the calculus being used in equating an action in a game the Steelers lost (and which ultimately may cost the Steelers a chance at the playoffs) with a draft pick? How is waiting until the value of the Steelers draft position is determined more equitable than suspending Tomlin and temporarily removing his contribution to the Steelers success (or lack thereof) to the rest of this season?</p>
<p>If a Jets' coach who physically tripped an opposing player gets off with just a fine, is the NFL saying that because Tomlin is a head coach, and/or a member of the Rules Committee he should be held to a higher standard? If so, that's understandable. But leaving the question of the magnitude of the total punishment to be levied open; fining Tomlin but reserving judgment on whether a draft pick will be forfeited and if so, what the value of that pick will be suggests the NFL doesn't fully know how severe a message it wants to send in response to Tomlin's actions and borders on a childish spitefulness that has no place in the NFL's governance practices.</p>
<p>If an action warrants punishment, levy that punishment in a timely manner and be done with it. For the NFL to conduct itself in the way it is doing suggests that despite Tomlin's actions not providing the Steelers a win as a result, the NFL will determine whether the Steelers end up being "too successful" this year and will "take them down a peg" in punishment for Tomlin, as HC and Rules Committee member having the temerity to make such a mistake (intentional or not).</p>
<p>If perception begets reality, then what the NFL is doing is just as harmful to its image as Tomlin's were to the NFL and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> brand.</p>
<p>What if the Steelers lose all their remaining games and end up 5-11, do they deserve to lose a higher round pick or a lower one? If they make the playoffs they will lose a what, a lower or higher round pick? It doesn't make sense and if the NFL believes the crime deserves the loss of a draft pick, it should be objective about it.</p>
<p>Take away a compensatory pick, or take away a supplemental pick; both are "bennies" not directly related to the performance of the team in the regular season; a performance that was in no way improved by Tomlin's actions. Compensatory picks are granted if a team loses more players to free agency than it signs; supplemental picks are those teams bid on when pursuing players not eligible for the actual draft.</p>
<p>Or, if the NFL feels the crime deserves the loss of a pick, specify it now; don't wait until an actual value can be determined on the pick. It should tell the Steelers: "...you lose your fourth round pick (or seventh or whatever)...for the actions taken by your head coach". To leave open the question of whether the punishment will even include the forfeiture of a pick, and if so what the value of that pick may be exposes the combined integrity of the NFL and its Commissioner Roger Goodell to speculation of bias and spitefulness and breathes new life into this incident, further bringing unwanted attention to the NFL and unfavorable scrutiny to the integrity of "The Shield." </p>
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<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174720/mike-tomlin-fined-steelers-draft-picks-nfl">Steelers coach Mike Tomlin fined $100,000</a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174824/steelers-draft-picks-fined-mike-tomlin">Draft picks? Puh-leeze.</a></li>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5175026/nfl-risks-its-credibility-by-waiting-on-further-punishmentPaVaSteeler2013-12-04T12:54:47-05:002013-12-04T12:54:47-05:00Tomlin got less than other fined coaches
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lkBgG6Z6fHjn3uqLxunfwQF1vww=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24491641/154540373.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Four other coaches have been fined $100,000 or more. They all got more out of their massive deduction than Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. </p> <p>The NFL doesn't typically report the salaries of head coaches, but Forbes Magazine recently put the salary of head coach Mike Tomlin at $5.75 million in 2012, making him the eighth-highest paid coach in all of sports. He was the sixth-highest in the NFL last season, after having signed a three-year extension that keeps him in Pittsburgh through the 2016 season.</p>
<p>Assuming Tomlin's salary was somewhere around that level for 2013, his fine is roughly two percent of his yearly salary. That doesn't seem astronomical, but for the action, Tomlin did less than fellow Six Figure Fine Clubbers did.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> coach Bill Belichick was personally fined $500,000 for patterned behavior involving his instruction to his employees to film the signals of opposing teams - up to and including placing those coaches on the sidelines of their opponents. That's something alleged to have gone on for quite a while.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> coach Sean Payton endorsed and cultivated a program in which players were allegedly paid for hits on certain players. Again, something that took time and orchestration over an extended period of time, which resulted in his year-long suspension.</p>
<p>Former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> coach Mike Tice sold <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> tickets, and was fined $100,000 for it. After the six grand he made on the sale of those tickets, it was more like $94,000 - assuming the buyer was able to get in the game, and Tice didn't have to refund the money.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> quarterbacks coach was suspended for five games and fined $100,000 for taking performance-enhancing substances he claims were due to diabetes. So Wilson either received treatment for a significant medical condition, or he became the most ripped QBs coach in the NFL.</p>
<p>Tomlin got enough memes created in his honor to fill SB Nation, Bleacher Report and The National Enquirer for the next year, didn't gain a competitive advantage (like Belichick and Payton), didn't profit financially (like Tice) and didn't get rock-hard abs (like Wilson).</p>
<p>Tomlin really got nothing out of it. Just a moment that changed his legacy from Youngest Super Bowl Winning Coach Ever to The Guy Who Nearly Hit A Guy on a Kick Return.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/4/5174988/mike-tomlin-salary-steelers-nfl-fine-amount-totalNeal Coolong