Chiefs Whitlock:Haley shows some courage - Page 8

**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.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

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

Just like he did Sunday.

Then expect to see a lot of rollouts, boots, and a WCO style attack. Of course, this should have been the plan anyway, because Cassel really isn't that good at stretching the field with the intermediate to deep ball.

Hammock Parties · 09-23-2009, 12:17 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.

Your knowledge of porn starlets is probably the most impressive thing about you.

Truly, Hamas, the Renassance Man.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

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.

Never really understood the appeal with her.

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:18 AM

Here's what gets me, Haley and Whisenhunt ended up playing Warner over Leinart because Leinart isn't a downfield passer...we hire Haley and trade for Cassel who is not a downfield passer.

How's that make any god damn sense?

WildTurkey · 09-23-2009, 12:18 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?

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

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Your knowledge of porn starlets is probably the most impressive thing about you.

Truly, Hamas, the Renassance Man.

The glory and the curse of working mostly opposite schedules of your significant other.

You become knee deep in your own hand.

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Never really understood the appeal with her.

Her appeal is that she does nasty shit that other girls wouldn't even think about doing.

Hammock Parties · 09-23-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Here's what gets me, Haley and Whisenhunt ended up playing Warner over Leinart because Leinart isn't a downfield passer...we hire Haley and trade for Cassel who is not a downfield passer.

How's that make any god damn sense?

Actually they played Warner over Leinart because Leinart was shitty as hell.

Warner just happened to be a better downfield passer.

And personally, I think Cassel's arm is much stronger than Leinart's.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Never really understood the appeal with her.

I guess it's because most guys (not me, of course) love to **** an ugly chick up the ass, just for spite.

The gap between her two front teeth dwarf Madonna's or Letterman's.

And I'm not an anti-tattoo guy at all, but hers were just nasty.

She's a ****ing trailer trash skank.

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:20 AM

That's really not true, Leinart was fine under Dennis Green. If you put him on say Minnesota he'd do a fine job.

When you ask him to throw the routes they want run down the field he's not gonna be able to do it and Cassel is a very blah downfield passer.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Here's what gets me, Haley and Whisenhunt ended up playing Warner over Leinart because Leinart isn't a downfield passer...we hire Haley and trade for Cassel who is not a downfield passer.

How's that make any god damn sense?

Well, Warner never had a huge arm, but he was accurate down the field. That's an important distinction.

ChiefsCountry · 09-23-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Here's what gets me, Haley and Whisenhunt ended up playing Warner over Leinart because Leinart isn't a downfield passer...we hire Haley and trade for Cassel who is not a downfield passer.

How's that make any god damn sense?

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

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-23-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Actually they played Warner over Leinart because Leinart was shitty as hell.

Warner just happened to be a better downfield passer.

And personally, I think Cassel's arm is much stronger than Leinart's.

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.

Mecca · 09-23-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Well, Warner never had a huge arm, but he was accurate down the field. That's an important distinction.

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.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-23-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

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

Again, unpossible.

Everyone knows that if Haley and Pioli were gay, they'd be married with kids from Thailand and Guam.

09-22-2009, 10:05 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2827187	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: 43,433

09-23-2009, 12:18 AM	#109
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-552950	Here's what gets me, Haley and Whisenhunt ended up playing Warner over Leinart because Leinart isn't a downfield passer...we hire Haley and trade for Cassel who is not a downfield passer. How's that make any god damn sense?
Posts: 115,285

09-23-2009, 12:20 AM	#115
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-552950	That's really not true, Leinart was fine under Dennis Green. If you put him on say Minnesota he'd do a fine job. When you ask him to throw the routes they want run down the field he's not gonna be able to do it and Cassel is a very blah downfield passer.
Posts: 115,285