A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock

[chiefzilla1501]

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.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by jwhit

Thank you. Someone who watched the game. Cassel was a joke until after the fumble. Haley had plenty of opportunity to meltdown.

You need to take a look at the "Haley Goes Off - A history" thread.

Of course it's nothing you probably haven't already seen. I just think it's borderline comical.

I think players need an ass chewing every so often whether it be in practice or on game day. Haley does it more than others obviously. Somewhere there has to be a medium. Being a hardass coach is one thing, but if that coach can recognize when a player works his ass off and plays well, it can pay huge dividends. Having that said there are players that can't take that kind of critizism.

I just think it will take Cassel a year to get in time with his WR's learn the offense, and everything to get in sync. Look at Trent Green with his first season here. He was TrINT Green. Give Cassel an Oline and another offseason and we could be competitive next season. Rolling on the win high wave right now, but if this team can beat the Super Bowl Champs, we can beat a number of teams as well. And as the season goes on I see this team getting better.

[Iowanian]

When he yells all of the time, it loses its effect because people become numb to it. If he would hold it back a little bit for when it's really needed, he'd get more effect.

If Haley acts like Sam Kinison, players will eventually get tired of the joke.


AAAAAAAAAAAH AAAAAAH!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by jwhit

Thank you. Someone who watched the game. Cassel was a joke until after the fumble. Haley had plenty of opportunity to meltdown.

Agreed. jwhit since you sit up in the press box and can see the whole field are the WR's getting open? I am curious if that is one of the reasons why Cassel hangs on the ball for so long.

[Warrior5]

Originally Posted by jwhit

Thank you. Someone who watched the game. Cassel was a joke until after the fumble. Haley had plenty of opportunity to meltdown. But then he pulled all of the articles I had written about him out of his pocket, re-read them on the sidelines, and had an epiphany. "That Jason Whitlock not only knows his football, he also knows me! Son-of-a, uh... gosh darnit, I'm gonna keep my cool, not drop any F-bombs, smile at the guys, and pat 'em on the ass. I'm turning over a new leaf, and we're gonna win this one for Whitlock!

FYP.

[stevieray]

I think yesterdays game was a critical point of this season, and Haley's chances of survival as a Head Coach.

...another blowout at home(sitting @ 0-4) could've really been the nail in the coffin...as far as feeling that it was just the same ol same ol at One Arrowhead Drive...meaning that another round of STH dropping tickets with a completed stadium looming over the 2010 season...more apathy..less interest.

Haley came out strong, almost too strong, understandable, like achild learning to walk..the first steps aren't too pretty, but you strart to get momentum and learn. Personally, i think the team needed an intervention with a loud voice of accountability permeating through the ranks...I've likened it to give and take..he's obviously very passionate and his prasie comes as intensley as the call outs, he'll be fine. i thnk the meltdown with carthon might've opened his eyers. or someone made him see that he was going overboard, and in risk of losing it all. he knows this is his only chance.

What impresses me is he has backed up a lot of what he said..they woul;d purge the slackers, and find the right people for to acheive the goal. The roster has been fluid since day one..new fullback anyone? Players like Alleman, Studebaker, Long stepping up from out of nowhere. Chambers fitting in nicely?...and beat Pittsburg without Bowe and LJ?

...huge mental gain for the team down the road...the last quarter of the season will guage where 2010 is headed...sans first draft with own scouts.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I think yesterdays game was a critical point of this season, and Haley's chances of survival as a Head Coach.

...another blowout at home(sitting @ 0-4) could've really been the nail in the coffin...as far as feeling that it was just the same ol same ol at One Arrowhead Drive...meaning that another round of STH dropping tickets with a completed stadium looming over the 2010 season...more apathy..less interest.

Haley came out strong, almost too strong, understandable, like achild learning to walk..the first steps aren't too pretty, but you strart to get momentum and learn. Personally, i think the team needed an intervention with a loud voice of accountability permeating through the ranks...I've likened it to give and take..he's obviously very passionate and his prasie comes as intensley as the call outs, he'll be fine. i thnk the meltdown with carthon might've opened his eyers. or someone made him see that he was going overboard, and in risk of losing it all. he knows this is his only chance.

What impresses me is he has backed up a lot of what he said..they woul;d purge the slackers, and find the right people for to acheive the goal. The roster has been fluid since day one..new fullback anyone? Players like Alleman, Studebaker, Long stepping up from out of nowhere. Chambers fitting in nicely?...and beat Pittsburg without Bowe and LJ?

...huge mental gain for the team down the road...the last quarter of the season will guage where 2010 is headed...sans first draft with own scouts.

Nice take!

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Agreed. jwhit since you sit up in the press box and can see the whole field are the WR's getting open? I am curious if that is one of the reasons why Cassel hangs on the ball for so long.

I have upper deck seats that have a great view, the receivers are open by NFL standards. Cassel is just too cautious or doesn't trust his arm.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I think yesterdays game was a critical point of this season, and Haley's chances of survival as a Head Coach.

...another blowout at home(sitting @ 0-4) could've really been the nail in the coffin...as far as feeling that it was just the same ol same ol at One Arrowhead Drive...meaning that another round of STH dropping tickets with a completed stadium looming over the 2010 season...more apathy..less interest.

Haley came out strong, almost too strong, understandable, like achild learning to walk..the first steps aren't too pretty, but you strart to get momentum and learn. Personally, i think the team needed an intervention with a loud voice of accountability permeating through the ranks...I've likened it to give and take..he's obviously very passionate and his prasie comes as intensley as the call outs, he'll be fine. i thnk the meltdown with carthon might've opened his eyers. or someone made him see that he was going overboard, and in risk of losing it all. he knows this is his only chance.

What impresses me is he has backed up a lot of what he said..they woul;d purge the slackers, and find the right people for to acheive the goal. The roster has been fluid since day one..new fullback anyone? Players like Alleman, Studebaker, Long stepping up from out of nowhere. Chambers fitting in nicely?...and beat Pittsburg without Bowe and LJ?

...huge mental gain for the team down the road...the last quarter of the season will guage where 2010 is headed...sans first draft with own scouts.

I agree with it all, especially the bolded part.

[Iowanian]

Good analogy FDE....

I know as a fan, watching this season has been a lot like watching a child learn to walk. They've crapped their pants the first half of the season and they're often teetering near the corner of the coffee table, waiting for them to fall and break their head open.



I'd wager part of the issue with Cassel is that he's been told NO turnovers, and he's too cautious to prevent INTs.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I have upper deck seats that have a great view, the receivers are open by NFL standards. Cassel is just too cautious or doesn't trust his arm.

It's been said several times by several different people, but he needs to adjust his definition of "open."

These guys aren't going to be running free like Moss and Welker were. Most WR's aren't.

If a WR has even half-a-step on an NFL DB, he's open. Get him the ball.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I have upper deck seats that have a great view, the receivers are open by NFL standards. Cassel is just too cautious or doesn't trust his arm.

Thanks. Are they running deeper routes or in your mind what is the average route?

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I'd wager part of the issue with Cassel is that he's been told NO turnovers, and he's too cautious to prevent INTs.

I guarantee you that is part of it.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by jwhit

Waters has been leading all year.

Haley has made positive strides. I write what I see and hear.

And I'm definitely not backpedaling. I like Haley. Want him to succeed. Glad he's taking a different approach. The guy is willing to evolve. Great sign.

As I said, it's the first I've seen. Obviously I'm not at practice or in the room, but all we fans see is your columns about him whining and him moping into the huddle.
Prior to this year I thought he was a leader, but a local columnist convinced me he was a malcontent. The actions i've seen from him (prior to the Pitt game) led me to believe that was true. Maybe it's the columnist's fault for using him as a wedge issue in a personal vendetta against a team that doesn't coddle him as much as the previous one did. How would I know? I'm just a lowly reader and viewer...

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Thanks. Are they running deeper routes or in your mind what is the average route?

Pretty much average routes. They aren't running wide wide open but open enough to fling it in.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I agree with it all, especially the bolded part.

ya, I hope they put it to bed with the team. He can't be yelling at his coaches in front of the players...supposedly they are close, so they'll tend to push the envelope with each other...