Chiefs Whitlock:Haley shows some courage - Page 7

**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** · 09-23-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

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

I think he's going to struggle mightily against the Giants, Cowboys, Redskins, Chargers, Eagles and Steelers.

I hope he'll play better but quiet honestly, I'm not counting on it.

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

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

It won't matter that much when they're getting on top of the QB in 2 seconds and beating the shit out of him.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

This is true in the best partnerships that are creative be they sports, music, whatever. You show me a band where everyone shares the same opinion and gets along like the Mickey Mouse Club, and I'll play you the dullest music you've ever heard.

I don't think Haley was given ANY control over who the Quarterback of this team was going to be, and I think he's pissed about being sold a sub-par bill of goods in Matt Cassel, and rightfully so.

That's right mother****ers; I said it. What?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

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

Philly's is close, and their front seven is better. Dallas and NYG's front lines will massacre us. I'm not too worried about the Shitskins (no, I don't mean this in the racial way), they look horrible, but Cincy and Pittsburgh...yikes. Plus Dumervil is looking like a BAMF in Denver.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

This is true in the best partnerships that are creative be they sports, music, whatever. You show me a band where everyone shares the same opinion and gets along like the Mickey Mouse Club, and I'll play you the dullest music you've ever heard.

I don't think Haley was given ANY control over who the Quarterback of this team was going to be, and I think he's pissed about being sold a sub-par bill of goods in Matt Cassel, and rightfully so.

That's right mother****ers; I said it. What?

Scott Pioli, being interviewed by the KC press, is interrupted by Todd Haley at the next PC:

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Something no one realizes they see Cincy and think win...they finished 12 in total D last year...their defense has gotten alot better.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Philly's is close, and their front seven is better. Dallas and NYG's front lines will massacre us. I'm not too worried about the Shitskins (no, I don't mean this in the racial way), they look horrible, but Cincy and Pittsburgh...yikes. Plus Dumervil is looking like a BAMF in Denver.

But Denver and McDaniels suck.

I know that because there have been thousands upon thousands of posts on Chiefsplanet telling me so.

Hammock Parties · 09-23-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

It won't matter that much when they're getting on top of the QB in 2 seconds and beating the shit out of him.

Haley's gonna gameplan around our shitty line all year.

Just like he did Sunday.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But Denver and McDaniels suck.

I know that because there have been thousands upon thousands of posts on Chiefsplanet telling me so.

Just like how I ****ed Phoenix Marie the other day because I thought about her when I beat off.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Something no one realizes they see Cincy and think win...they finished 12 in total D last year...their defense has gotten alot better.

The Bengals beat the Chiefs last year in Cincy with Ryan ****ing Fitzgerald at QB.

Yet the geniuses around here think the Chiefs go to Cincy this year and win with Carson Palmer at QB.

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Haley's gonna gameplan around our shitty line all year.

Just like he did Sunday.

So he'll gameplan to score 13 points while those teams are jacking up 30?

Hammock Parties · 09-23-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Philly's is close, and their front seven is better. Dallas and NYG's front lines will massacre us. I'm not too worried about the Shitskins (no, I don't mean this in the racial way), they look horrible, but Cincy and Pittsburgh...yikes. Plus Dumervil is looking like a BAMF in Denver.

I agree with all of this.

I'm literally just hoping for some mediocre production and a healthy Cassel.

If he is injured it's gonna look real bad for P&H.

Hammock Parties · 09-23-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

So he'll gameplan to score 13 points while those teams are jacking up 30?

Don't be a fool. We were in a position to score a lot more than 13 points.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Just like how I ****ed Phoenix Marie the other day because I thought about her when I beat off.

I saw Belladonna at Katsu-ya Sushi tonight.

I wish I hadn't.

Goddamn, she is one ugly ass chick. And her husband looks like a fat, ****ing, balding fan boy.

Truly weird.

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-23-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I agree with all of this.

I'm literally just hoping for some mediocre production and a healthy Cassel.

If he is injured it's gonna look real bad for P&H.

"Stay Down Bitch" hex is on though

09-22-2009, 10:05 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2847187	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: 43,436

09-23-2009, 12:12 AM	#96
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-572950	Something no one realizes they see Cincy and think win...they finished 12 in total D last year...their defense has gotten alot better.
Posts: 115,299