Chiefs Whitlock:Haley shows some courage - Page 33

**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 · 09-24-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Bill Simmons knows absolutely nothing except for the NBA. His football and baseball takes are just awful.

That is completely irrelevant to the point that I was refuting.

MCF said that no one mentions Whitlock. That's clearly false, as evidenced by Simmons mentioning him just this week.

**The Bad Guy** · 09-24-2009, 10:46 AM

I hate how pussified the NFL has become. I'm sorry, but if you're making millions of dollars, you should be chewed out for mistakes. If I screw up at my job, I have a supervisor that tears me a new one.

This soft mentality is getting out of control.

I don't care that people yell at these guys since high school. You know why they are successful? Because they had someone yelling at them for the screwups they made.

Haley just coordinated a team to the SB. He was as fiery then as he is now. Larry Fitzgerald credits Todd Haley for why he's a better player. The best receiver in the NFL credits Todd Haley for why he's on the top.

Yet, we want this guy to be a teddy bear? I don't understand it for one minute.

The reason the Chiefs lost 2 games isn't because of Todd Haley. It's because this roster sucks so bad that it's going to take a while before the complete turn around happens.

I just hope he's not laying on the sword for the mistakes Herm and Carl made.

Otter · 09-24-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I hate how pussified the NFL has become. I'm sorry, but if you're making millions of dollars, you should be chewed out for mistakes. If I screw up at my job, I have a supervisor that tears me a new one.

This soft mentality is getting out of control.

I don't care that people yell at these guys since high school. You know why they are successful? Because they had someone yelling at them for the screwups they made.

Haley just coordinated a team to the SB. He was as fiery then as he is now. Larry Fitzgerald credits Todd Haley for why he's a better player. The best receiver in the NFL credits Todd Haley for why he's on the top.

Yet, we want this guy to be a teddy bear? I don't understand it for one minute.

The reason the Chiefs lost 2 games isn't because of Todd Haley. It's because this roster sucks so bad that it's going to take a while before the complete turn around happens.

I just hope he's not laying on the sword for the mistakes Herm and Carl made.

People are generally stupid. It's really that simple.

htismaqe · 09-24-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

That is completely irrelevant to the point that I was refuting.

MCF said that no one mentions Whitlock. That's clearly false, as evidenced by Simmons mentioning him just this week.

Ah. I misunderstood your point.

Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan · 09-24-2009, 11:12 AM

I believe my quote was "seldom, if ever".

Please use the whole quote if you're going to refer to something I said rather than twisting my words.

Thank you.

Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan · 09-24-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

People are generally stupid. It's really that simple.

100% in agreement here.

Plus, people tend to hear/read what they want to based on their preconceptions. That tends to skew discussions since a partial truth can be more deceiving than a complete lie.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-24-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan

I believe my quote was "seldom, if ever".

Please use the whole quote if you're going to refer to something I said rather than twisting my words.

Thank you.

Simmons mentions Whitlock all the time. IF you'd like, I can also give you a link to an hour-long podcast they did with one another.

Raptor · 09-24-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Not possible. Whitlock is fat.

LOL!!!

chiefsfan1963 · 09-24-2009, 11:36 AM

The die is cast. If we win more than 2 games this season it will be something to build on for 2010. Bottomline Haley/Pioli have big a steep mountain to climb.

As I have said in other threads I am more optimistic about next season. I am expecting that these guys can produce a very competitive team next season which means a 10-6 team. This will reduce the negativity around here tremendously. Winning 5 games this season would be a huge boost for the team and go a long way for fans that we on the right course.

Fish · 09-24-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfan1963

The die is cast. If we win more than 2 games this season it will be something to build on for 2010. Bottomline Haley/Pioli have big a steep mountain to climb.

As I have said in other threads I am more optimistic about next season. I am expecting that these guys can produce a very competitive team next season which means a 10-6 team. This will reduce the negativity around here tremendously. Winning 5 games this season would be a huge boost for the team and go a long way for fans that we on the right course.

Win 2 games? Hell, they could win 2 games with 22 guys off the street....

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-24-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfan1963

The die is cast. If we win more than 2 games this season it will be something to build on for 2010. Bottomline Haley/Pioli have big a steep mountain to climb.

As I have said in other threads I am more optimistic about next season. I am expecting that these guys can produce a very competitive team next season which means a 10-6 team. This will reduce the negativity around here tremendously. Winning 5 games this season would be a huge boost for the team and go a long way for fans that we on the right course.

As usual, you're out of your ****ing mind.

How in the hell did your rep turn green?

WTF?

Raptor · 09-24-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildTurkey

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

+1

Raptor · 09-24-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

The team sucks did anyone expect Cassel to play great coming of a knee injury throwing to a WR they just signed 5 days before the game?

I agree, but if this pass is being given to Cassel, then Brodie should get the same pass for his 0-8 record. Those teams sucked too. Maybe more.

I don't really care which QB starts. I'm rooting for both of them to emerge as the leader of this team. I just want to win.

htismaqe · 09-24-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

I agree, but if this pass is being given to Cassel, then Brodie should get the same pass for his 0-8 record. Those teams sucked too. Maybe more.

I don't really care which QB starts. I'm rooting for both of them to emerge as the leader of this team. I just want to win.

The difference is that you can't give Brodie a pass for his injury history.

Raptor · 09-24-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The difference is that you can't give Brodie a pass for his injury history.

I feel a bit differently. It's a wonder he's still alive with the line he has had to play behind (Cassel too), let alone blame him for injuries.

I do find his durability suspect and he has to prove otherwise. I am not necessarily suggesting that he should play over Cassel, but I think him being knocked for the injury thing is a bit unfair. It didn't Take Cassel long to get hurt playing behind this talent (or lack thereof).

Just my opinion.

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

09-24-2009, 10:46 AM	#482
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9283645	I hate how pussified the NFL has become. I'm sorry, but if you're making millions of dollars, you should be chewed out for mistakes. If I screw up at my job, I have a supervisor that tears me a new one. This soft mentality is getting out of control. I don't care that people yell at these guys since high school. You know why they are successful? Because they had someone yelling at them for the screwups they made. Haley just coordinated a team to the SB. He was as fiery then as he is now. Larry Fitzgerald credits Todd Haley for why he's a better player. The best receiver in the NFL credits Todd Haley for why he's on the top. Yet, we want this guy to be a teddy bear? I don't understand it for one minute. The reason the Chiefs lost 2 games isn't because of Todd Haley. It's because this roster sucks so bad that it's going to take a while before the complete turn around happens. I just hope he's not laying on the sword for the mistakes Herm and Carl made. __________________
Posts: 23,216

09-24-2009, 11:12 AM	#485
Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan I am Number Six Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Columbia, MD, USA Casino cash: $-1350000	I believe my quote was "seldom, if ever". Please use the whole quote if you're going to refer to something I said rather than twisting my words. Thank you. __________________ One of the lowest PPD of any of the original members of the Planet . . . and proud of it. My web site My writer's page
Posts: 6,716

09-24-2009, 11:36 AM	#489
chiefsfan1963 Veteran Join Date: Oct 2001 Casino cash: $10005060	The die is cast. If we win more than 2 games this season it will be something to build on for 2010. Bottomline Haley/Pioli have big a steep mountain to climb. As I have said in other threads I am more optimistic about next season. I am expecting that these guys can produce a very competitive team next season which means a 10-6 team. This will reduce the negativity around here tremendously. Winning 5 games this season would be a huge boost for the team and go a long way for fans that we on the right course.
Posts: 1,948