Lets get this thing done, so we can get out here on the field and do our jo

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. Kenny Stabler Raiders Jersey . -- Theres been so much talk about Mike Moustakas at the plate that the third baseman ignored the conversation Wednesday -- even after doing something positive. Otis Sistrunk Youth Jersey . Nine years later, he might have finally figured it out. He had only five rounds in the 60s in his previous eight trips. https://www.raiderssportsgoods.com/Womens-Willie-Brown-Inverted-Jersey/ . The alleged sexual assault is believed to have happened over the weekend of Feb. 1, when the hockey team was in Thunder Bay for two games against Lakehead University. The criminal investigation branch of the Thunder Bay Police Service is leading the investigation with help from Ottawa police. Antonio Brown Youth Jersey . Russia has spent about $51 billion to deliver the Sochi Olympics, which run Feb. 7-23, making them the most expensive games ever, even though as a winter event it hosts many fewer athletes than summer games do. John Matuszak Raiders Jersey . -- During a players meeting following the All-Star break, Jermaine ONeal promised his teammates to play the rest of the regular season like he would never play again -- because he very well might not. CFL training camps opened Sunday amid the uncertainty of a potential players strike. Veterans reported for the start of two-a-day workouts three days after negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement broke down for the second time in as many weeks. The old deal expired at midnight ET on Thursday, the two sides havent met since and have no new talks scheduled. The CFL Players Association has mailed strike ballots to its members but Alberta labour laws could push the start of a strike into next week. For defensive back Eric Fraser, a union rep for the expansion Ottawa Redblacks, thats a good thing. "Thats a lot of time for the (CFLPA) executive and CFL to sit back down and hammer something out," he said. "I dont think were too far away right now, but tough decisions are going to have to be made on our end and their end and hopefully we can nail something out and everyone leaves the negotiating table a little upset because they think they gave up a little too much." There has been one strike since the formation of the CFLPA in 1965. That was in 74 when a new agreement was reached during training camp without the loss of regular-season games. The 2014 regular season is scheduled to kick off June 26. Despite the huge cloud hanging over the league, Fraser is confident a deal will be reached. "I have 100 per cent confidence there would be no lockout or strike like (2012 in the NHL) in the CFL," he said. "You just cant do it. "A good deal is going to get done here and I think thats positive." The CFL and players met for 17 hours over two days last week but money remains a major stumbling block after the league signed a five-year TV deal with TSN said to be worth a whopping $42 million annually this off-season. That deal alone would reportedly net teams an extra $2.7 million in 2014. The CFLPA is looking for the salary cap -- which was $4.4 million last year -- to increase to $5.8 million, with a $4.8 million minimum. The league has countered with a $5-million cap offer and boosting the average stipend to $96,000 from $92,917. The players have amended their revenue-sharing stance. Instead of requesting specific percentages on gate, television and sponsorship revenues, the CFLPA proposed a fixed cap for at least two years. After the second if league revenues increased by more than $12 million -- excluding the Grey Cup -- the two sides would renegotiate the cap or the CBA would be terminated at seasons end. The league would renegotiate the cap if revenues increased by $27 million or more in the third year. Cohon, who called the CFLs proposal last week its last and best, has repeatedly stated owners wont agree to any revenue-sharing offer because league revenues and profits arent enough for the model to work effectively. And that bothers veteran kiicker Paul McCallum, the B.ddddddddddddC. Lions player rep. "I dont know which way is up when (Cohon) talks sometimes," McCallum said. "All I know is the finances are what they are -- theyre black and white. "As players we just need to be treated fairly, and thats all were asking for. Were not millionaires here." For decades the CFL suffered financially, something the 44-year-old McCallum knows firsthand. But the veteran kicker feels the CFL is banking on the union cracking this time around. "To be quite honest, over my career weve sort of bent and bent and bent so I guess they think why would we not bend now," he said. "Theyre in for a rude awakening this time. "Enough is enough." Argos centre Jeff Keeping, also a member of the CFLPA executive, is glad to be playing football again but would readily replace his uniform with a suit for the resumption of contract talks. "The players are unwavering . . . we hope to get back to the negotiating table," he said. "Until then were here to play football." Veteran Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris is undeterred about the leagues labour strife but said its time the two sides resume talking. "The people that are in place saying all this stuff in the media, they need to quit all that crap and get to work and do what theyre paid to do and thats to make decisions and get this thing rectified so we can get back out here and do our jobs," he said. "For me thats the bottom line, as a senior member of the CFL, Im telling you guys Lets get this thing done, so we can get out here on the field and do our jobs because were looking forward to an amazing time here in Ottawa and we dont want nobody to spoil this party that we have planned." Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich has contingency plans for a work stoppage but says right now its business as usual. "Any practices we can get is great for the coaches, great for the players," he said. "It just makes the practices we get in even more important that we take advantage to all the minutes and reps we get." Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and B.C. running back Andrew Harris are both pretty much taking the same approach. "Its not in my mind, its not in my control," Levi Mitchell said. "No matter what, whatever happens, the day you come back, if it does happen, youve got to be ready to play that day. Were going to come out here and compete and get better every single day and practise like nothings going on." Added Harris: "Were here to work. were here to get better. Youve just got to prepare as if everythings going great and were going to be playing." -- With files from Lisa Wallace in Ottawa, Donna Spencer in Calgary and Joshua Clipperton in Kamloops, B.C. ' ' '