Whitlock:Haley shows some courage

[Tribal Warfare]

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.

[tk13]

It's probably most overblown because it's not like these guys are going to agree on everything. I don't think the premise is so far fetched... the idea that Haley would want to demote someone to teach them their job is not secure is not really a shocker. People disagree in the workplace on a daily basis. As long as they can be civil and keep working on the same goal that's all that matters... that's probably the sensational part of it. There's not a person on here who hasn't been told to do something by their boss they didn't want to do.

[soundmind]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

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...

Whitlock, Herm, and Millen should get their own post-game effort and call it, "You Play, to Draft, a Cheeseburger".

[O.city]

I just don't think you can be that upset with Cassel's performance sunday. Lets give hime atleast 2 starts first

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by soundmind

Whitlock, Herm, and Millen should get their own post-game effort and call it, "You Play, to Draft, a Cheeseburger".

I could go for a finely drafted cheeseburger about now. Mmm...

[soundmind]

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.

Thank you for your sanity.

I'm as heartbroken as the rest of the pack, but come on people. You knew overnight was NOT going to happen, and we're still entertaining all this negative banter and knee-jerk crap???

C'mon folks, you can't make ice cream out of water, I don't care how hard you stir. Haley is the best coach the Chiefs have had in a while, and he's someone who displays a lot of emotion and wears a lot on his sleeve. Does he yell? You bet. You know why? Cause he gives a shit. And you know...so do I. If the players showed up with half of the passion he coaches with, we'd have a chance.

We made dumb mistakes last week. We're a young, vastly short on talent team in more positions than not, so show some fortitude, this was going to happen. Sucks that it had to happen against the Faid.

Lead by example Todd, godspeed.

[chiefsfan1963]

I'm little concerned that Pioli might be an issue much like CP was. I do believe in having both a strong personality for each role, HC and GM. It's healthy and good for the team in the long run.

Charger fans are learning the hard way about a strong personality in the GM position but not in the HC position. AJ Smith got rid of Marty and replaced him with Norv who is a push over among other things. It not working out.

You frequently need stress, strain, and disagreement. You also need each person to stay out of each other's way so they can do their jobs.

Let's hope Pioli gives Haley some room.
Posted via Mobile Device

['Hamas' Jenkins]

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

And therein is the crux of the issue.

Brodie Croyle, even if he isn't a better quarterback than Matt Cassel right now, is a very talented player, and you could argue he has more raw talent than Cassel.

Whether or not he can get past his shortcomings, both mental (checking down too much, and the previous coaching staff) and physical (injuries) should be the only factors that limit his ability to contribute and succeed with this franchise. Someone else's contract should not hold back the best player for the team from playing if "The Right 53" is to be believed.

The fact of the matter is that those who were so quick to dismiss Croyle's performance in Baltimore are in most cases the same to praise Cassel's against Oakland, when, if they were transposed, so would be their opinions of the superior performance.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by soundmind

Thank you for your sanity.

I'm as heartbroken as the rest of the pack, but come on people. You knew overnight was NOT going to happen, and we're still entertaining all this negative banter and knee-jerk crap???

C'mon folks, you can't make ice cream out of water, I don't care how hard you stir. Haley is the best coach the Chiefs have had in a while, and he's someone who displays a lot of emotion and wears a lot on his sleeve. Does he yell? You bet. You know why? Cause he gives a shit. And you know...so do I. If the players showed up with half of the passion he coaches with, we'd have a chance.

We made dumb mistakes last week. We're a young, vastly short on talent team in more positions than not, so show some fortitude, this was going to happen. Sucks that it had to happen against the Faid.

Lead by example Todd, godspeed.

I love Haley. Haley is a good coach. His boss is kind of a wanker though.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Let's also remember something else. Pioli turned down other jobs, such as the one in Cleveland, because he wanted "Total Control". Such a desire could portend to disagreements, particularly with an opinionated coach.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

And therein is the crux of the issue.

Brodie Croyle, even if he isn't a better quarterback than Matt Cassel right now, is a very talented player, and you could argue he has more raw talent than Cassel.

Whether or not he can get past his shortcomings, both mental (checking down too much, and the previous coaching staff) and physical (injuries) should be the only factors that limit his ability to contribute and succeed with this franchise. Someone else's contract should not hold back the best player for the team from playing if "The Right 53" is to be believed.

The fact of the matter is that those who were so quick to dismiss Croyle's performance in Baltimore are in most cases the same to praise Cassel's against Oakland, when, if they were transposed, so would be their opinions of the superior performance.

Unpossible.

Fearless leader Pioli told us that Cassel is king.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unpossible.

Fearless leader Pioli told us that Cassel is king.

Do you think Cassel is going to play like he did Sunday all year long?

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Do you think Cassel is going to play like he did Sunday all year long?

Well these next what 6 games are far more difficult than the Raiders....

I still have the same view of Cassel I did before he was on the Chiefs.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Do you think Cassel is going to play like he did Sunday all year long?

I don't know. I think he'll play similarly or worse when facing the meat of our schedule. I think he may have some good games against some of the almost non-existent patsies on our schedule, like Cleveland.

All I know is that we're going to play some really ****ing good defenses this year.

[DrRyan]

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.

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

...he did no research, contacted no one, checked no sources, characterized a dinner with two other people without giving them an opportunity to respond, and listened to the radio and decided it "sounded convincing"...and repeated the same childish name calling against pioli....


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

Originally Posted by FAX

I don't buy this limp, skinny, "division" argument Whittles is trying to flop out on the table.

Another double serving of meritless speculation with extra fries.

FAX

This pretty much sums it up Dane. Whitlock does not back up any of this article with facts, purely speculation. That is why I do not believe Whitlock.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well these next what 6 games are far more difficult than the Raiders....

Agreed. But I don't think every time has a secondary like Oakland's, do you?