Chiefs A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock - Page 4

chiefzilla1501 · 11-22-2009, 11:22 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1587222.html
The victory was just icing. The progress could be seen long before Matt Cassel shook off a critical fumble and began the process of rehabilitating his image.

The progress started with Kansas City’s rookie head coach, Todd Haley, who may have finally figured out what to do with his game-day emotions.

Rather than castigate his players, F-bomb his assistants and bicker with the refs, Haley spent his most productive Sunday as an NFL head coach fueling his players with positive energy. They responded with their most promising performance in two years.

Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 24 in OT!

Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of five of their last 30 games, knocked off the defending Super Bowl champions at Arrowhead Stadium.

It wasn’t a fluke. The Steelers tried to win the game. They didn’t stumble into Arrowhead hung over from a night of being denied entrance into P&L nightclubs. The Chiefs played a good football game and took advantage of the Steelers’ errors.

Jamaal Charles returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Tamba Hali led a Kansas City pass rush that harassed Big Ben Roethlisberger and eventually sidelined him with a knee to the head. Brandon Flowers manufactured the first of four Pittsburgh turnovers, poking the ball out of the arm of receiver Mike Wallace. KC safeties Mike Brown and Jon McGraw accepted the challenge of being physical against Pittsburgh’s running game. Linebacker Andy Studebaker intercepted Big Ben twice, returning one 94 yards, setting up a Kansas City field goal.

And, most important, the Chiefs’ $63 million acquisition, Cassel, showed some real courage down the stretch. I thought he was going to fold after his inexcusable 360-spin, I’m-afraid-of-a-pass-rush fumble that basically handed the Steelers a 24-17 advantage in the fourth quarter.

Cassel had been dreadful to that point, completing eight of 18 passes for 95 yards through a little more than three quarters of play.

“He was really down when he turned the ball over, but he bounced back and made some great plays,” Haley said of his quarterback.

Cassel may have saved his Kansas City career. He certainly bought himself some time.

On KC’s next possession, facing third and 9 from the Chiefs’ 10, Cassel laced a strike down the middle of the Pittsburgh defense to Lance Long for 30 yards. Cassel followed it up with a 47-yard bomb to Chris Chambers. Cassel drove the Chiefs 91 yards in eight plays, hitting Charles with a 2-yard TD pass.

In overtime, Cassel set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal with a 61-yard, third-and-5 connection to Chambers.

If you would like, you can crawl into the statistics — which were dominated by the Steelers — and craft an argument that the Chiefs got lucky.

Nope. This was Kansas City-created good fortune. No doubt the Steelers are the better team and would likely beat the Chiefs eight out of 10 games. But Haley’s Chiefs followed a proven blueprint on how to beat a superior football team: 1. win the turnover battle; 2. score on special teams; 3. get after the opposing quarterback; 4. make big plays that dramatically change field position.

Did Haley mismanage the clock at the end of both halves? Yes, he was too conservative before halftime. But that’s nitpicking.

Haley coached an excellent football game. He concentrated on play-calling and encouraging his players. He left the refs alone. He didn’t overreact to the mistakes made by his players.

Had the Chiefs lost the game, I would be writing the exact same thing. Haley is learning how to be a head coach. His players are noticing and appreciative of his change in demeanor.

“I’m a rookie head coach and am passionate about what I do,” Haley said. “I live and die every day on how it goes with this team — not just game day. When you care about something, there is going to be some emotion. It’s easy to be positive when good things are happening.”

Good things happen when you expect positive results, when you put your mind in a positive place, when you treat the people fighting with you like they have as much invested in the outcome as you do.

Haley’s transformation from coaching mad man to competent leader has been going on for several weeks. Sunday, he finally struck the right balance. His team reflected his new spirit. The players wanted to shock the Steelers as much as their coach, whose father played and worked for the Steelers.

Are things perfect between Haley and his players? No. But there’s been a lot of progress.

To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to jwhitlock@kcstar.com. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.

penchief · 11-23-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunit

That fat mother****er such a ****ing joke.

Whitlock is laying the groundwork for a graceful retreat from his character attacks against Haley. After being exposed for behaving petty and unprofessional he can't allow himself to be boxed in. That said, I applaud his attempt to be more objective, although he's more likely trying to give himself future wiggle room rather than acknowledge that his personal attacks were over the top and vindictive.

It struck me how those players standing next to Haley on the sidelines when the final whistle blew were giving him a lot of love. It doesn't appear to me that he's lost this team or that his players hate him. I think that reality is beginning to sink in with Whitlock forcing him to reevaluate his media campaign against Haley's character.

**The Bad Guy** · 11-23-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

When it mattered most he wasn't on the field.

The Steelers beat themselves, KC didn't win.

God you are so predictable.

With the exception of the Charger road game, then I could say the exact same about the Bronco 5 wins.

You couldn't beat that Steeler team in your backyard.

Sucks to be you, loser.

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

God, this town is so full of homers.

I don't get this. What is wrong with the local media giving Haley an ovation for a job well done? IMO, the media likes Haley and wants him to succeed. JW has even said as much. That was a huge win yesterday, and everybody knows it. It does not mean we will win another game the rest of the year, but it does put the chance of more wins on a higher plane than before.

How does that make the town full of homers?

Hammock Parties · 11-23-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

I don't get this. What is wrong with the local media giving Haley an ovation for a job well done? IMO, the media likes Haley and wants him to succeed. JW has even said as much. That was a huge win yesterday, and everybody knows it. It does not mean we will win another game the rest of the year, but it does put the chance of more wins on a higher plane than before.

How does that make the town full of homers?

It's cute and all...but come on. That only happens in Kansas City. You think that would happen in New York or Chicago?

I actually like it. It's good sports drama. But...it's kinda silly.

penchief · 11-23-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

It's cute and all...but come on. That only happens in Kansas City. You think that would happen in New York or Chicago?

I actually like it. It's good sports drama. But...it's kinda silly.

I don't think Whitlock's being a homer. I think he's backpeddling for self-serving reasons.

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

It's cute and all...but come on. That only happens in Kansas City. You think that would happen in New York or Chicago?

I actually like it. It's good sports drama. But...it's kinda silly.

Don't know and don't care. But it makes me a bit proud of our media and coach. And yes I bash our media for their lack of creativitiy in asking questions of our HC, but I thought it was classy.

Reerun_KC · 11-23-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

I don't think Whitlock's being a homer. I think he's backpeddling for self-serving reasons.

I dont think that is possible without someone getting seriously injured....

**ChiTown** · 11-23-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

When it mattered most he wasn't on the field.

The Steelers beat themselves, KC didn't win.

Go **** your sister, again.

Mr. Plow · 11-23-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

The Steelers beat themselves, KC didn't win.

And San Diego dismantled the Broncos. They didn't lose the game, they got their ass kicked.

Hammock Parties · 11-23-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

I don't think Whitlock's being a homer. I think he's backpeddling for self-serving reasons.

He mailed that column in. It was a big yawn. He definitely got caught off guard. No way did he expect the Chiefs to beat the Steelers.

**dirk digler** · 11-23-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

"Haley’s transformation from coaching mad man to competent leader has been going on for several weeks"

Whitlock is an ass clown, and a liar.

one week ago, Whitlock wrote (after a win), that Haley has an out of control ego and no credibility as a coach...

two weeks ago, Whitlock wrote, that Haley was in over his head and "had no clue about leadership," he also claimed that Haley "stripped his players of emotion"...and wrote this of Haley ever becoming something but an egotistical, Brian Waters hating, failure:

"They [pioli/haley] remind me a little bit of legacy frat boys. Those guys never change."

then fat ass tries to jump on the bandwagon as if he has the first ****ing clue about anything Haley is doing....Clown Show

Double this. He never once gave Haley any kind of credit until they won yesterday.

Brock · 11-23-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Well Big Ben and Troy Polamlu weren't on the field.....

Sour grapes from a bitch who hasn't won in 4 weeks. Excuse me, 5 weeks counting the bye.

Warrior5 · 11-23-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

He mailed that column in. It was a big yawn. He definitely got caught off guard. No way did he expect the Chiefs to beat the Steelers.

Speaking of mail, Clayton: I eagerly anticipate a .gif extravaganza on yesterday's game.

**Easy 6** · 11-23-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior5

Speaking of mail, Clayton: I eagerly anticipate a .gif extravaganza on yesterday's game.

These & those.

Sully · 11-23-2009, 09:32 AM

noticed an interesting dynamic on the sideline yesterday that was either a first, or just something I had never seen before.
While the D was on the field, and after the O-groups had met, I saw Waters and Bradley going over to where the defensive subs were (also where Haley was standing). Waters said something to Haley, and Haley turned around and responded... And I thought they were about to get into it. But Waters stood with the D (as well as Bradley) for the better part of the rest of the game, ostensibly rooting them on. I think that's the first real leadership I've seen from Waters all year.

11-22-2009, 11:22 PM
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $-1705503	A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1587222.html The victory was just icing. The progress could be seen long before Matt Cassel shook off a critical fumble and began the process of rehabilitating his image. The progress started with Kansas City’s rookie head coach, Todd Haley, who may have finally figured out what to do with his game-day emotions. Rather than castigate his players, F-bomb his assistants and bicker with the refs, Haley spent his most productive Sunday as an NFL head coach fueling his players with positive energy. They responded with their most promising performance in two years. Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 24 in OT! Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of five of their last 30 games, knocked off the defending Super Bowl champions at Arrowhead Stadium. It wasn’t a fluke. The Steelers tried to win the game. They didn’t stumble into Arrowhead hung over from a night of being denied entrance into P&L nightclubs. The Chiefs played a good football game and took advantage of the Steelers’ errors. Jamaal Charles returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Tamba Hali led a Kansas City pass rush that harassed Big Ben Roethlisberger and eventually sidelined him with a knee to the head. Brandon Flowers manufactured the first of four Pittsburgh turnovers, poking the ball out of the arm of receiver Mike Wallace. KC safeties Mike Brown and Jon McGraw accepted the challenge of being physical against Pittsburgh’s running game. Linebacker Andy Studebaker intercepted Big Ben twice, returning one 94 yards, setting up a Kansas City field goal. And, most important, the Chiefs’ $63 million acquisition, Cassel, showed some real courage down the stretch. I thought he was going to fold after his inexcusable 360-spin, I’m-afraid-of-a-pass-rush fumble that basically handed the Steelers a 24-17 advantage in the fourth quarter. Cassel had been dreadful to that point, completing eight of 18 passes for 95 yards through a little more than three quarters of play. “He was really down when he turned the ball over, but he bounced back and made some great plays,” Haley said of his quarterback. Cassel may have saved his Kansas City career. He certainly bought himself some time. On KC’s next possession, facing third and 9 from the Chiefs’ 10, Cassel laced a strike down the middle of the Pittsburgh defense to Lance Long for 30 yards. Cassel followed it up with a 47-yard bomb to Chris Chambers. Cassel drove the Chiefs 91 yards in eight plays, hitting Charles with a 2-yard TD pass. In overtime, Cassel set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal with a 61-yard, third-and-5 connection to Chambers. If you would like, you can crawl into the statistics — which were dominated by the Steelers — and craft an argument that the Chiefs got lucky. Nope. This was Kansas City-created good fortune. No doubt the Steelers are the better team and would likely beat the Chiefs eight out of 10 games. But Haley’s Chiefs followed a proven blueprint on how to beat a superior football team: 1. win the turnover battle; 2. score on special teams; 3. get after the opposing quarterback; 4. make big plays that dramatically change field position. Did Haley mismanage the clock at the end of both halves? Yes, he was too conservative before halftime. But that’s nitpicking. Haley coached an excellent football game. He concentrated on play-calling and encouraging his players. He left the refs alone. He didn’t overreact to the mistakes made by his players. Had the Chiefs lost the game, I would be writing the exact same thing. Haley is learning how to be a head coach. His players are noticing and appreciative of his change in demeanor. “I’m a rookie head coach and am passionate about what I do,” Haley said. “I live and die every day on how it goes with this team — not just game day. When you care about something, there is going to be some emotion. It’s easy to be positive when good things are happening.” Good things happen when you expect positive results, when you put your mind in a positive place, when you treat the people fighting with you like they have as much invested in the outcome as you do. Haley’s transformation from coaching mad man to competent leader has been going on for several weeks. Sunday, he finally struck the right balance. His team reflected his new spirit. The players wanted to shock the Steelers as much as their coach, whose father played and worked for the Steelers. Are things perfect between Haley and his players? No. But there’s been a lot of progress. To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to jwhitlock@kcstar.com. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.
Posts: 51,630

11-23-2009, 09:32 AM	#60
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	noticed an interesting dynamic on the sideline yesterday that was either a first, or just something I had never seen before. While the D was on the field, and after the O-groups had met, I saw Waters and Bradley going over to where the defensive subs were (also where Haley was standing). Waters said something to Haley, and Haley turned around and responded... And I thought they were about to get into it. But Waters stood with the D (as well as Bradley) for the better part of the rest of the game, ostensibly rooting them on. I think that's the first real leadership I've seen from Waters all year. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295