Jim Harbaugh is still very interested in Atlanta despite the reports

This can be a dirty and high-stakes game and University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh just demonstrated – again – that he knows how to play it.

Harbaugh was expected to meet with Atlanta’s decision-makers a second time but on Wednesday it was revealed he “pushed back his interview.” Media outlets who are friendly with Harbaugh painted an innocent picture; maybe the dog ate his homework?

The reality? Harbaugh, who first interviewed with the Falcons on Jan. 16, will not have a second visit here. He’s also done in Ann Arbor.

He is still in Los Angeles and that’s where he’s staying following his second in-person interview with the Chargers.

And he’s taking the Chargers job.

ESPN recently swore that Harbaugh viewed the Falcons as an intriguing destination.

“Jim Harbaugh is still very interested in Atlanta despite the reports that he’s on the verge of (Los Angeles),” ESPN said.

That report looks silly now. Was he ever seriously considering the Falcons?

Why feel the need to push back an interview if Atlanta is the place he legitimately wants to be?

Perhaps Harbaugh used the Falcons for leverage, dragging them along to garner a better offer from his two presumed favorite options – staying with Michigan or joining the Chargers.

Netsport reporters  had said the meeting is being moved “for now,” while The Athletic noted a second interview “could be upcoming.”

In essence, the Falcons were in wait-and-see mode … as Harbaugh had his leverage. And used it … thus winning a dirty high-stakes game