Chiefs Whitlock:Haley shows some courage - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-22-2009, 10:05 PM

Haley shows some courage
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

Rookie head coach Todd Haley has a big pair.

You could see that Tuesday afternoon when he opened his news conference with a brief apology to the media for a postgame inconvenience orchestrated by Chiefs general manager Scott Egoli.

“Apologize for after the game, being out there late,” Haley said. “Rookie head coach here, rookie mistake. Unaware of the time limit and how that makes it harder for you guys to do your job after the game.”

And you could really see Haley’s courage when he talked about the play of his quarterbacks, The Sixty Million Dollar Man and Brokie Croyle.

Despite Matt Cassel’s hefty price tag and the stake Egoli has in Cassel’s success, Haley appears quite determined to make Cassel earn untouchable-franchise-QB status.

“You gotta ultimately do what you think gives your team the best chance to win,” Haley responded to a question about his QB philosophy. “If that means another quarterback being in there other than Matt Cassel, then sign me up.”

That was the money quote. Haley set it up by reminding reporters that as an NFL assistant in New York, Dallas and Arizona, he participated in the process of Glenn Foley, Drew Bledsoe and Matt Leinart getting demoted in favor of Vinny Testaverde, Tony Romo and Kurt Warner.

Haley’s Tuesday news conference was absolutely fascinating. It was Bill Parcells-esque, not Bill Belichick-esque.

You understand the difference? In dealing with the media, Parcells is real, honest, straightforward. Belichick is intentionally bland, mysterious and worthless. Haley was groomed by Parcells. Egoli was groomed by Belichick.

Parcells has been successful everywhere he’s coached. Belichick built a dynasty in New England after flopping in Cleveland.

We’re two weeks into the Haley-Egoli regular-season marriage, and I believe we’ve just seen our first public sign these guys might be unequally yoked. There are definite signals they disagree about Egoli’s Sixty Million Dollar Man.

Monday afternoon, I was mesmerized listening to 610 Sports as former Chiefs player and NFL broadcaster Bill Maas explained his opinion that Haley wanted to start Brodie Croyle against the Raiders and that Egoli objected.

I thought Maas was crazy, but he sounded very convincing.

Tuesday, as I listened to Haley discuss his QBs, I had to admit Billy Bob knew something.

Haley was asked if he could envision Cassel not being the starting quarterback this season.

“I wouldn’t speculate on that,” Haley said. “There were a lot of positives in Matt’s performance.”

Haley then added that in a typical football game, there are seven critical plays a quarterback can make that will be the difference between winning and losing.

“There were clearly seven in (the Raiders) game where we’d probably like to do something different,” Haley said.

In case you missed the connection, dude just said Cassel went zero for seven on game-deciding plays. That pretty much answers how Haley feels about the end-of-half debacle, the sack Cassel took on third and 1 at the end of the game and an assortment of other offensive calamities.

As for Croyle, Herm Edwards’ quarterback of the future, Haley had nothing but good things to say about Kansas City’s opening-day starter.

“I’m excited about Brodie’s progress,” Haley said. “I think Brodie getting to play in the first game, got his feet under him a little bit, started to gain some confidence, and I think that was clear in last week’s practices.”

Haley later relived Kansas City’s close loss at Baltimore: “I thought Brodie Croyle went into a very difficult situation, hostile environment, against a very good defense, and he looked like an NFL quarterback. He gave us a legitimate chance to win. He executed the game plan the way he was asked to execute it.”

So what do I think?

Croyle’s too injury-prone to be my starter. And Cassel was way too unproven to be anybody’s Sixty Million Dollar Man. Haley is in a tough position. I’m impressed with the way he’s handling it. He’s attempting to be true to the message he’s delivered to his players — every position is open to competition.

I haven’t made up my mind about Haley. I’ve had only one opportunity to really talk with him, and that sitdown was ruined by Egoli. He talked over the top of Haley the whole night (a three-hour dinner). Seriously, questions were asked directly to Haley, and Egoli drowned out the rookie head coach with fury, arrogance and rants about championship teams being built by playing secrecy games with the local media.

I was embarrassed for Haley and in awe of Pioli’s ego. I’ve covered professional sports for 16 years, wrestled with King Carl Peterson, stood toe to toe with drunken, delusional, hostile millionaire athletes, battled Mike Lupica and irritated billionaire owners.

None of them can touch Scott Egoli.

I like the fact Kansas City has a football coach with a pair big enough to try.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-22-2009, 11:00 PM

These responses are hilarious.

You guys don't believe Whitlock because you don't want to believe Whitlock.

I'm sorry but that's not a good enough reason to doubt him.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-22-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

it's something a 9 yr old would write, and something a 9 yr old would like....

Passive-aggressive much?

Oh, and you type like a ****ing 9 year-old.

**KcMizzou** · 09-22-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

What if he wrote columns about not liking the moves they make and such because if I was writing them they'd look like that..

Well, I don't know... he hasn't. That'd be a first.

Instead we get a manufactured QB controversy, and some dreamed up "rift" between the GM and HC two games into the goddamned season.

It's tabloid level BS.

keg in kc · 09-22-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Well, I don't know... he hasn't. That'd be a first.

Instead we get a manufactured QB controversy, and some dreamed up "rift" between the GM and HC two games into the goddamned season.

It's tabloid level BS.

I think we should call it the Weekly Whitlock News.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-22-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think we should call it the Weekly Whitlock News.

Well, I can guarantee you that he knows more about the the inner workings of the Chiefs organization than ANY of the 11,000 ****tards that post on Chiefsplanet.

**DeezNutz** · 09-22-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, I can guarantee you that he knows more about the the inner workings of the Chiefs organization than ANY of the 11,000 ****tards that post on Chiefsplanet.

Not possible. Whitlock is fat.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-22-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, I can guarantee you that he knows more about the the inner workings of the Chiefs organization than ANY of the 11,000 ****tards that post on Chiefsplanet.

"Rebuilding/Get over it".

keg in kc · 09-22-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, I can guarantee you that he knows more about the the inner workings of the Chiefs organization than ANY of the 11,000 ****tards that post on Chiefsplanet.

I'm sure that he does. Maybe someday he'll stop writing columns like this and share some of it with the rest of us ****tards.

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-22-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

These responses are hilarious.

You guys don't believe Whitlock because you don't want to believe Whitlock.

I'm sorry but that's not a good enough reason to doubt him.

I believe the Croyle/ Cassel issue, Haley is finally realizing that Brodie has some talent. Hence the possible tension between him and Pioli. I said this before, I wouldn't be surprised if Cassel is pulled and Brodie becomes the number 1

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-22-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

I believe the Croyle/ Cassel issue, Haley is finally realizing that Brodie has some talent. Hence the possible tension between him and Pioli. I said this before, I wouldn't be surprised if Cassel is pulled and Brodie becomes the number 1

Haley should have complete and total control over offensive talent; it's what he knows.
Conversely, Scott(I'm told, by such illustrious minds as JPB)comes from a system that builds defenses, so let him do it.

Hammock Parties · 09-22-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmos

Whitlock has moved on to his "Divide and Conquer" strategy.

"Pioli and Haley are both morons, and they can't even agree on what moronic plan of action to follow. Hunt should axe both today. The Chiefs are going nowhere."

Hammock Parties · 09-22-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Why is Whitlock burning bridges with this regime 2 games in??

There is obviously something personal going on.

He's bitter as ****. They probably moved his seat in the press box, too.

And we know access to the players is at an all-time low.

Meanwhile he treated Herm like his best buddy most of the time...gee, wonder why...

O.city · 09-22-2009, 11:39 PM

Man you guys.... What did you expect Cassel to go do 30-34 for 400 and 3 tds. After two games (1 with our starting quarter back) some are calling for Brody and Complaining about management. The guy was hurt for 3 weeks and still didn't look that bad. Give the new regime a chance before we revolt.

I think he might be reading into what Haley said a little too much. Cassel is the guy.

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-22-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Man you guys.... What did you expect Cassel to go do 30-34 for 400 and 3 tds. After two games (1 with our starting quarter back) some are calling for Brody and Complaining about management. The guy was hurt for 3 weeks and still didn't look that bad. Give the new regime a chance before we revolt.

I think he might be reading into what Haley said a little too much. Cassel is the guy.

This is going on the assumption based on that if Whitlock is telling the truth, and Haley's prior experience in Arizona.

soundmind · 09-22-2009, 11:43 PM

HACK.

Your agenda is cheap and tawdry. Whitlock, your column should just be called Orca-Fat Black Whiny Bitch, and run once a month like the rest of the menstrual cycles out there. I can't take this twice a week entitlement tantrum.

09-22-2009, 10:05 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2877187	Whitlock:Haley shows some courage Haley shows some courage JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY Rookie head coach Todd Haley has a big pair. You could see that Tuesday afternoon when he opened his news conference with a brief apology to the media for a postgame inconvenience orchestrated by Chiefs general manager Scott Egoli. “Apologize for after the game, being out there late,” Haley said. “Rookie head coach here, rookie mistake. Unaware of the time limit and how that makes it harder for you guys to do your job after the game.” And you could really see Haley’s courage when he talked about the play of his quarterbacks, The Sixty Million Dollar Man and Brokie Croyle. Despite Matt Cassel’s hefty price tag and the stake Egoli has in Cassel’s success, Haley appears quite determined to make Cassel earn untouchable-franchise-QB status. “You gotta ultimately do what you think gives your team the best chance to win,” Haley responded to a question about his QB philosophy. “If that means another quarterback being in there other than Matt Cassel, then sign me up.” That was the money quote. Haley set it up by reminding reporters that as an NFL assistant in New York, Dallas and Arizona, he participated in the process of Glenn Foley, Drew Bledsoe and Matt Leinart getting demoted in favor of Vinny Testaverde, Tony Romo and Kurt Warner. Haley’s Tuesday news conference was absolutely fascinating. It was Bill Parcells-esque, not Bill Belichick-esque. You understand the difference? In dealing with the media, Parcells is real, honest, straightforward. Belichick is intentionally bland, mysterious and worthless. Haley was groomed by Parcells. Egoli was groomed by Belichick. Parcells has been successful everywhere he’s coached. Belichick built a dynasty in New England after flopping in Cleveland. We’re two weeks into the Haley-Egoli regular-season marriage, and I believe we’ve just seen our first public sign these guys might be unequally yoked. There are definite signals they disagree about Egoli’s Sixty Million Dollar Man. Monday afternoon, I was mesmerized listening to 610 Sports as former Chiefs player and NFL broadcaster Bill Maas explained his opinion that Haley wanted to start Brodie Croyle against the Raiders and that Egoli objected. I thought Maas was crazy, but he sounded very convincing. Tuesday, as I listened to Haley discuss his QBs, I had to admit Billy Bob knew something. Haley was asked if he could envision Cassel not being the starting quarterback this season. “I wouldn’t speculate on that,” Haley said. “There were a lot of positives in Matt’s performance.” Haley then added that in a typical football game, there are seven critical plays a quarterback can make that will be the difference between winning and losing. “There were clearly seven in (the Raiders) game where we’d probably like to do something different,” Haley said. In case you missed the connection, dude just said Cassel went zero for seven on game-deciding plays. That pretty much answers how Haley feels about the end-of-half debacle, the sack Cassel took on third and 1 at the end of the game and an assortment of other offensive calamities. As for Croyle, Herm Edwards’ quarterback of the future, Haley had nothing but good things to say about Kansas City’s opening-day starter. “I’m excited about Brodie’s progress,” Haley said. “I think Brodie getting to play in the first game, got his feet under him a little bit, started to gain some confidence, and I think that was clear in last week’s practices.” Haley later relived Kansas City’s close loss at Baltimore: “I thought Brodie Croyle went into a very difficult situation, hostile environment, against a very good defense, and he looked like an NFL quarterback. He gave us a legitimate chance to win. He executed the game plan the way he was asked to execute it.” So what do I think? Croyle’s too injury-prone to be my starter. And Cassel was way too unproven to be anybody’s Sixty Million Dollar Man. Haley is in a tough position. I’m impressed with the way he’s handling it. He’s attempting to be true to the message he’s delivered to his players — every position is open to competition. I haven’t made up my mind about Haley. I’ve had only one opportunity to really talk with him, and that sitdown was ruined by Egoli. He talked over the top of Haley the whole night (a three-hour dinner). Seriously, questions were asked directly to Haley, and Egoli drowned out the rookie head coach with fury, arrogance and rants about championship teams being built by playing secrecy games with the local media. I was embarrassed for Haley and in awe of Pioli’s ego. I’ve covered professional sports for 16 years, wrestled with King Carl Peterson, stood toe to toe with drunken, delusional, hostile millionaire athletes, battled Mike Lupica and irritated billionaire owners. None of them can touch Scott Egoli. I like the fact Kansas City has a football coach with a pair big enough to try.
Posts: 43,439

09-22-2009, 11:00 PM	#61
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	These responses are hilarious. You guys don't believe Whitlock because you don't want to believe Whitlock. I'm sorry but that's not a good enough reason to doubt him.
Posts: 88,960

09-22-2009, 11:39 PM	#73
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-615936	Man you guys.... What did you expect Cassel to go do 30-34 for 400 and 3 tds. After two games (1 with our starting quarter back) some are calling for Brody and Complaining about management. The guy was hurt for 3 weeks and still didn't look that bad. Give the new regime a chance before we revolt. I think he might be reading into what Haley said a little too much. Cassel is the guy.
Posts: 84,191

09-22-2009, 11:43 PM	#75
soundmind EB:29 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10004900	HACK. Your agenda is cheap and tawdry. Whitlock, your column should just be called Orca-Fat Black Whiny Bitch, and run once a month like the rest of the menstrual cycles out there. I can't take this twice a week entitlement tantrum.
Posts: 1,042