http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/06...dd_haley__615/
Q&A with TODD HALEY - 6/15
Jun 15, 2009, 2:08:15 PM
OTA #11
TODD HALEY: “We had an OTA this morning as you guys saw. We had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red area (Red Zone) periods, as well. Friday we changed it up a bit. We came out, we walked through and then I thought since we had worked very hard as a group we went and had a little team-building work at the bowling alley. It was well attended and went over well. That is what you missed on Friday. That is where we are at right now”
Q: How is the progress of the defensive line?
HALEY: “I think any time you talk about the D-line or offensive lineman you are wasting your breath a little bit because there are no pads on. So much can change when the pads are on, but I think athletically and physically having (DE Glenn) Dorsey back out there has been a help. We had (DT) Ron Edwards back today. I think that the guys are starting to get it because this is a whole new ball game for them obviously. I think we are coming close to passing the ‘look test’ and until we get pads on and get to training camp, we won’t really know but I think we have made progress in that area.”
Q: Now that you have had quite a few practices with DE Tyson Jackson, how has he adjusted?
HALEY: “Mentally, I think they are all doing pretty good. Like I said, they are learning where to line up. There are some subtle changes in alignments, major technique changes at times and mentally I think the entire group is doing a good job. We are all excited to get to training camp and put the pads on. Quite frankly, defense and offensive linemen can get into bad habits without pads on because you can play high and not pay for it like you would with the pads on. Mentally, I would say they are all getting it right now.”
Q: Are the defense and offensive linemen the biggest question mark at this point because of that reason?
HALEY: “Yeah, and I think that is just being straight up. Once we get those pads on, we will get a true evaluation of that. We can see mentally how they are doing.”
Q: Do you feel like you have established a good baseline with these OTAs?
HALEY: “I think we have made tremendous progress in a lot of areas. What is critical now, once we finish the week, is what these guys do. We will keep the rookies here and they will be here working out for a few weeks and that will help them. Some of these other guys that have worked really hard now, how they handle this time off will be critical. We don’t want to give anything back. Our goal is to come to training camp in condition and not have to play or practice our way into condition. That will be a critical time period and we are pushing for guys who can, to stay around here. I think we will have a fairly good group that is here working through training camp.”
Q: Since this is the last week of OTAs, has anything changed with the way practice is going?
HALEY: “I think it is like any other week. You continue to lay out there what is expected. I don’t think it is different than last week or the week before that. We have pretty much installed everything that we are going to install so now we are just getting a chance to go back through some things and review. We expect the guys to have it down a little cleaner overall and if you didn’t then we would worry a little bit. I would say just to continue doing what we are doing but do it a little better.”
Q: Are the players having trouble staying focused in practice as OTAs wind down?
HALEY: “That is one of the reasons I am encouraged. The guys have done a really good job of being focused. That is why I did what I did last Friday, because they have been focused and working. They have been doing everything that has been asked of them so I thought doing something like that would help us in another area. Anytime you get down towards the end guys get a little antsy but I think overall they are doing a very good job of staying focused.”
Q: Is (G) Mike Goff similar to (LB) Zach Thomas in terms of his work ethic and commitment?
HALEY: “It’s very similar. In all the guys we have brought in here, it has been a big item for us. These are guys who know how to prepare and play in the NFL. Mike has been an excellent off-season guy for us. We actually recognized him this morning in the meeting just for that. He is a guy that has been around long enough that he could slack off if he wanted to. He has been full bore. He has run every gasser that we have run. He has done everything exactly the way we want. I am very encouraged by Mike and what he has brought to us.”
Q: Is Goff one of those veteran guys you don’t have to worry about staying in shape?
HALEY: “No. Most of the guys who have been around that long, know what it takes. That is something we are stressing hard to everybody that we don’t want to take a step backwards physically for sure. We want to come into training camp in shape and ready to rock and roll.”
Q: Now that CB Donald Washington is here, are the next several weeks critical for him to catch up?
HALEY: “Conditioning, mentally and all of those things. We will have somebody hanging with him to work and get him up to speed. We are going to catch him up in all areas. Cedric Smith will be working with him in the weight area and out on the field. We will have coaches working with him mentally.”