Chiefs A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock - Page 3

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.

Quesadilla Joe · 11-23-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

you know what's funny?

When it counted...especially defensively...WE looked like the defending Super Bowl Champs...not them.

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

Pioli Zombie · 11-23-2009, 06:42 AM

Picture this. How pumped would Chiefs Nation be if the Chiefs ever went into San Diego and won their 3rd straight and 4th out of 6? People might cream.
Posted via Mobile Device

Pioli Zombie · 11-23-2009, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

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

Broncos are collapsing like a Twin Tower
Posted via Mobile Device

TheGuardian · 11-23-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

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

Only two teams have ever started off 6-0 and then lost four straight. Can you name me one of those two teams?

KCUnited · 11-23-2009, 06:55 AM

The White Power & Light dig made me chuckle, but ultimately I agree with Can.

beach tribe · 11-23-2009, 06:57 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

This.

Whitlock is nothing but 2 faced bitch. Always has been always will be.

beach tribe · 11-23-2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

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

Actually Ben was on the field 95% of the time it counted. He only missed half of 1 drive.

beach tribe · 11-23-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

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

Chiefs 3-2

Donkeys 1-4

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY??

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 07:05 AM

Good article. No sense in nitpicking on anything today. This is a feel good week for everybody connected with the Chiefs. Orginazation, team, fans, and even the media. Well deserved for all of us too!

Hammock Parties · 11-23-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Chiefs 3-2

Donkeys 1-4

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY??

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

I can only speak for myself. It's not that the Chiefs won, it's that the Chiefs won against a legitimate team.
Now maybe the Steelers were a bit lacking in the mojo department due to the losses or because TP is such a massive player that makes said mojo happen( I'll take Eric Berry in the 1st please

), but the Chiefs did what was considered by everyone under the sun to be impossible.

Hell, not only impossible, but unthinkable. That DOES count.

I know what this game means in the big picture; a fabulous win by a team that has MILES of work ahead. But God damn; if you're going to throw down the gauntlet as a team and say "I've had enough of this shit, and today you're going to hear about it", it was about as perfect and poetic a win as one could ask for.

Quesadilla Joe · 11-23-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Actually Ben was on the field 95% of the time it counted. He only missed half of 1 drive.

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

Quote:

Chiefs 3-2

Donkeys 1-4

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY??

The Steelers beat themselves, KC didn't win.

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 07:15 AM

I was watching the local sports at 10 PM last night on either Fox4 or NBC41. They had a bit of the press conference with Haley after the game, and it sure appeared/sounded like the members of the media gave Haley an ovation when he walked into the room. And Haley seemed very humbled and pleased with their welcome.

Hammock Parties · 11-23-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

I was watching the local sports at 10 PM last night on either Fox4 or NBC41. They had a bit of the press conference with Haley after the game, and it sure appeared/sounded like the members of the media gave Haley an ovation when he walked into the room. And Haley seemed very humbled and pleased with their welcome.

God, this town is so full of homers.

KCUnited · 11-23-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

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

Because we knocked him out.

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, 06:42 AM	#32
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	Picture this. How pumped would Chiefs Nation be if the Chiefs ever went into San Diego and won their 3rd straight and 4th out of 6? People might cream. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 11,077

11-23-2009, 06:55 AM	#35
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1561756	The White Power & Light dig made me chuckle, but ultimately I agree with Can.
Posts: 36,963

11-23-2009, 07:05 AM	#39
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $-2205651	Good article. No sense in nitpicking on anything today. This is a feel good week for everybody connected with the Chiefs. Orginazation, team, fans, and even the media. Well deserved for all of us too!
Posts: 21,902

11-23-2009, 07:15 AM	#43
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $-2205651	I was watching the local sports at 10 PM last night on either Fox4 or NBC41. They had a bit of the press conference with Haley after the game, and it sure appeared/sounded like the members of the media gave Haley an ovation when he walked into the room. And Haley seemed very humbled and pleased with their welcome.
Posts: 21,902