Chiefs Here's another big reason why the Chiefs should re-sign Tamba Hali

malachi47000 · 01-24-2011, 12:11 PM

Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali asked me not to repeat it. Not yet, anyway.

It was early December, and I was interviewing Hali for a Sunday story about his background, contract situation and ability to stay quiet through adverse conditions. Toward the end of the conversation, he mentioned that he had been injured all season.

How badly?

He pointed to his right shoulder, which he said had a tear in it. Then to his left shoulder, which he said had a partial tear in it, too. Then to a foot, which also had a torn muscle in it.

Hali led the AFC with 14 1/2 sacks with two torn shoulders and a tear in a foot. He was named to his first Pro Bowl last night and will replace one of two Pittsburgh linebackers. On that Friday afternoon, he asked me to withhold the specifics of his injuries so that opponents wouldn't target those body parts during games.

But that says an awful lot about Hali, the Chiefs' only legitimate pass-rusher and a player who has been a model citizen in the organization since Scott Pioli and Todd Haley took over. Hali doesn't complain or question coaches; he does his work mostly in silence and in a way that tends to inspire his teammates.

Now, it's also clear that was playing through several severe injuries because he realized his value to the team.

“People are pointing their fingers to me,” he said that day. “ 'You're the rusher. You're the rusher.' ”

Hali's contract, which he signed after being a first-round pick in 2006, expired after the 2010 season. He is, in effect a free agent, and as of recently, the team and Hali's agent weren't close to a new deal. That can, of course, change quickly, but Hali's side wouldn't be surprised if he is tagged as Kansas City's franchise player, assuming that survives a new collective bargaining agreement. That would essentially extend Hali for one year and pay him the average of the league's top-five salaries at his position. It would be a short-term fix, but players aren't typically satisfied with being franchised.

Hali said that day in December that he wants to remain in Kansas City; that he likes the defense, enjoys his teammates, and respects Haley.

The Chiefs might draft another pass rusher in April's draft, but the team has to realize that today's NFL teams need at least two players who can pressure the quarterback, and perhaps more than that, this team needs players who are willing to do things the Chiefs' way, won't question authority, and will play through pain. Even severe pain.

It's doubtful the Chiefs will let him get away, but the longer this negotiation plays out, the future becomes murkier for a player that seems to exemplify precisely what this team is looking for.

http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/1652

**pr_capone** · 01-24-2011, 12:12 PM

If Clark, Pioli, and Haley let Tamba walk... I will personally burn Arrowhead down.

CaliforniaChief · 01-24-2011, 12:13 PM

What a puss @JayCavacutler

**the Talking Can** · 01-24-2011, 12:18 PM

dude is a animal....thank god (in hindsight) we switched to a 3-4...

FAX · 01-24-2011, 12:19 PM

Dang. Maybe they do it differently in Gbanga, but I'm not sure it's the greatest strategy in the world to discuss your many and varied injuries during contract negotiations. He might not even pass the physical.

It seems as though Hali has played injured since the very beginning. I blame Herm.

FAX

BigCatDaddy · 01-24-2011, 12:26 PM

Didn't Peterson tweet something about Hali not being an outside LB?

Skyy God · 01-24-2011, 12:34 PM

Might want to skip Hawaii, Tamba.

DTLB58 · 01-24-2011, 12:39 PM

Was there any doubt we need this guy?

I didn't even need to read the article.....

Halfcan · 01-24-2011, 12:43 PM

I am very surprised they let his contract expire. They extended DJ's?

I bet a team like the pats would love to have Hali. He could break the bank as a FA.

Imon Yourside · 01-24-2011, 12:46 PM

Definitely a keeper, dude is nails.

Pushead2 · 01-24-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

Definitely a keeper, dude is nails.

yessur

Chiefnj2 · 01-24-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I am very surprised they let his contract expire. They extended DJ's?

I bet a team like the pats would love to have Hali. He could break the bank as a FA.

DeMarcus Ware - 6 years 78 million, 40 mil guaranteed.
Peppers - 6 years, 91.5 million. 42 mil guaranteed.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 01-24-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I am very surprised they let his contract expire. They extended DJ's?

I bet a team like the pats would love to have Hali. He could break the bank as a FA.

no idea, but it does take 2 sides to sign a contract....maybe he's being greedy?

**penguinz** · 01-24-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

no idea, but it does take 2 sides to sign a contract....maybe he's being greedy?

His agent has said that everyone agreed to wait until after the season was over to start negotiations.

ElGringo · 01-24-2011, 01:11 PM

For Tamba, waiting til the season was over is probably a good move. Increase value with total sacks on the season, plus a probowl appearance. I imagine he will require a lot of money to stay in KC, but also hope and pray that the team is willing to give him the money he deserves.

01-24-2011, 12:11 PM
malachi47000 Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $9834937	Here's another big reason why the Chiefs should re-sign Tamba Hali Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali asked me not to repeat it. Not yet, anyway. It was early December, and I was interviewing Hali for a Sunday story about his background, contract situation and ability to stay quiet through adverse conditions. Toward the end of the conversation, he mentioned that he had been injured all season. How badly? He pointed to his right shoulder, which he said had a tear in it. Then to his left shoulder, which he said had a partial tear in it, too. Then to a foot, which also had a torn muscle in it. Hali led the AFC with 14 1/2 sacks with two torn shoulders and a tear in a foot. He was named to his first Pro Bowl last night and will replace one of two Pittsburgh linebackers. On that Friday afternoon, he asked me to withhold the specifics of his injuries so that opponents wouldn't target those body parts during games. But that says an awful lot about Hali, the Chiefs' only legitimate pass-rusher and a player who has been a model citizen in the organization since Scott Pioli and Todd Haley took over. Hali doesn't complain or question coaches; he does his work mostly in silence and in a way that tends to inspire his teammates. Now, it's also clear that was playing through several severe injuries because he realized his value to the team. “People are pointing their fingers to me,” he said that day. “ 'You're the rusher. You're the rusher.' ” Hali's contract, which he signed after being a first-round pick in 2006, expired after the 2010 season. He is, in effect a free agent, and as of recently, the team and Hali's agent weren't close to a new deal. That can, of course, change quickly, but Hali's side wouldn't be surprised if he is tagged as Kansas City's franchise player, assuming that survives a new collective bargaining agreement. That would essentially extend Hali for one year and pay him the average of the league's top-five salaries at his position. It would be a short-term fix, but players aren't typically satisfied with being franchised. Hali said that day in December that he wants to remain in Kansas City; that he likes the defense, enjoys his teammates, and respects Haley. The Chiefs might draft another pass rusher in April's draft, but the team has to realize that today's NFL teams need at least two players who can pressure the quarterback, and perhaps more than that, this team needs players who are willing to do things the Chiefs' way, won't question authority, and will play through pain. Even severe pain. It's doubtful the Chiefs will let him get away, but the longer this negotiation plays out, the future becomes murkier for a player that seems to exemplify precisely what this team is looking for. http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/1652
Posts: 355

01-24-2011, 12:12 PM	#2
pr_capone THREEPEAT!!! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NWMO Casino cash: $9948214	If Clark, Pioli, and Haley let Tamba walk... I will personally burn Arrowhead down.
Posts: 19,897

01-24-2011, 12:13 PM	#3
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10705899	What a puss @JayCavacutler
Posts: 17,443

01-24-2011, 12:18 PM	#4
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9382208	dude is a animal....thank god (in hindsight) we switched to a 3-4... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

01-24-2011, 12:19 PM	#5
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Dang. Maybe they do it differently in Gbanga, but I'm not sure it's the greatest strategy in the world to discuss your many and varied injuries during contract negotiations. He might not even pass the physical. It seems as though Hali has played injured since the very beginning. I blame Herm. FAX
Posts: 44,492

01-24-2011, 12:26 PM	#6
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-1570878	Didn't Peterson tweet something about Hali not being an outside LB?
Posts: 26,245

01-24-2011, 12:34 PM	#7
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	Might want to skip Hawaii, Tamba.
Posts: 22,416

01-24-2011, 12:39 PM	#8
DTLB58 DT CARD COLLECTOR Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: ManCave Casino cash: $10005837	Was there any doubt we need this guy? I didn't even need to read the article..... __________________ 667 Different DT cards and counting
Posts: 7,574

01-24-2011, 12:43 PM	#9
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	I am very surprised they let his contract expire. They extended DJ's? I bet a team like the pats would love to have Hali. He could break the bank as a FA.
Posts: 43,200

01-24-2011, 12:46 PM	#10
Imon Yourside WhatUneed2Hear Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: AllSoulsMatter Casino cash: $-816819	Definitely a keeper, dude is nails. __________________ "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" Peter 5:8 "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay" Isaiah 29:16 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
Posts: 47,446

01-24-2011, 01:11 PM	#15
ElGringo Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Shreveport, La Casino cash: $9975100	For Tamba, waiting til the season was over is probably a good move. Increase value with total sacks on the season, plus a probowl appearance. I imagine he will require a lot of money to stay in KC, but also hope and pray that the team is willing to give him the money he deserves.
Posts: 1,196