Chiefs Whitlock:Haley shows some courage - Page 9

**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.

ChiefsCountry · 09-23-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Leinart was developing well under DG. People want to sweep this under the rug. He was a perfect fit for that system. If Philly were smart, they'd shitcan Kolb and McNabb and trade some trash for him from Arizona. He'd thrive in Reid's offense.

Minnesota would have been smart as well to get him, but they got Brett Favre to try to get a new stadium.

joesomebody · 09-23-2009, 12:26 AM

I thought it was a good article. I for one though think that being a first year GM deserves more slack than a first year head coach. Not attempting a field goal in the first half of the raiders game was purely coaching. As to draft picks, and other player/salary cap decisions, we haven't seen them bare fruit yet. Good article though,and I hope that Haley and Pioli were good choices at their respective jobs.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-23-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildTurkey

You're good, I figured I would give the guy more than one game.... but you are right he is sub par

Hey, that's just MY take. Believe what you please.

Hootie · 09-23-2009, 12:27 AM

I really wish the local media would stop trying to sabotage the confidence of our sixty million dollar QB...that's for sure. Now it's a national story? What? JFC

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:28 AM

If a media story sabotages is confidence that's all I need to know about him.

WildTurkey · 09-23-2009, 12:28 AM

agree to disagree... that's cool.. . Cassel wasn't my first choice either but I figured I would at least give him a chance to win me over

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

I really wish the local media would stop trying to sabotage the confidence of our sixty million dollar QB...that's for sure. Now it's a national story? What? JFC

Personally, if I were given a $60 million dollar plus contract, there's nothing that anyone could say in the press or public that would affect me.

I'd have so many hot chicks ready to massage my body and stroke my ego that I'd be the most confident mother****er to ever walk on a football field.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

I really wish the local media would stop trying to sabotage the confidence of our sixty million dollar QB...that's for sure. Now it's a national story? What? JFC

If his confidence is "sabotaged" this easily, he never had any to begin with.

Sure as shit is brown, I don't remember Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman, or Steve Young having their confidence crushed by questions over a QB controversy

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-23-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Sounding more and more like Haley didnt make the call for Cassel.

The first opinion Haley gave PUBLICLY on Cassel was, and I quote:

"He seems like a guy who has the right mental make-up, I hope that he can play".

Does that sound like the ringing endorsement of a Head Coach who is in love with his hand-picked Quarterback to you?

Hammock Parties · 09-23-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I think last weeks game shows how inconsistent Cassel is throwing down the field, asking him to be a downfield passer is just flirting with ****ups.

We're talking about two throws. Two.

Cassel has no deep threat so safeties are gonna hover in the 25-yard range all game long.

It's gonna be tough sledding, and throwing to midget doesn't make it easier.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

If his confidence is "sabotaged" this easily, he never had any to begin with.

Sure as shit is brown, I don't remember Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman, or Steve Young having their confidence crushed by questions over a QB controversy

No shit. And we're talking about Kansas City.

Just imagine Cassel in Chicago or ****ing New York City.

That boy had better nut the **** up, quick.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

We're talking about two throws. Two.

No, we're talking about his entire pro career.

WildTurkey · 09-23-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

The first opinion Haley gave PUBLICLY on Cassel was, and I quote:

"He seems like a guy who has the right mental make-up, I hope that he can play".

Does that sound like the ringing endorsement of a Head Coach who is in love with his hand-picked Quarterback to you?

I think Pioli had his QB picked before he even hired Haley... so Todd is just playing the hand that's been dealt....

ChiefsCountry · 09-23-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Sure as shit is brown, I don't remember Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman, or Steve Young having their confidence crushed by questions over a QB controversy

How would you liked to have been Troy Aikman in 1989, Cowboys suck ass and before you play a snap they take another QB giving up their first round pick next year for the new coach's old QB in college. No wonder they had a dyntasy.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

No, we're talking about his entire pro career.

All 16 games in four plus years.

09-22-2009, 10:05 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2797187	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: 43,424

09-23-2009, 12:26 AM	#122
joesomebody Waiting to be voted off Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Casino cash: $9994900	I thought it was a good article. I for one though think that being a first year GM deserves more slack than a first year head coach. Not attempting a field goal in the first half of the raiders game was purely coaching. As to draft picks, and other player/salary cap decisions, we haven't seen them bare fruit yet. Good article though,and I hope that Haley and Pioli were good choices at their respective jobs.
Posts: 2,584

09-23-2009, 12:27 AM	#124
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I really wish the local media would stop trying to sabotage the confidence of our sixty million dollar QB...that's for sure. Now it's a national story? What? JFC
Posts: 56,356

09-23-2009, 12:28 AM	#125
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-522950	If a media story sabotages is confidence that's all I need to know about him.
Posts: 115,257

09-23-2009, 12:28 AM	#126
WildTurkey I'm done Chiefs, Go Pack Go Join Date: May 2009 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $10004900	agree to disagree... that's cool.. . Cassel wasn't my first choice either but I figured I would at least give him a chance to win me over
Posts: 2,008