Chiefs A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock - Page 12

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 [email protected]. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.

**Iowanian** · 11-24-2009, 11:25 AM

Hurry up and post about zone coverage Pootie.

Brock · 11-24-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Keep on thinking that one game gives you license to pound your chest like a reeruned ****ing gorilla; it just makes what's coming all the sweeter.

What's coming? There's a pretty good chance that Sanchez will be just another Jets washout. You have more invested in this than anyone else, for some weird reason.

Mr. Plow · 11-24-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

Notice how ROR has been so quiet lately?

Ignore feature is wonderful, you should try it.

COchief · 11-24-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I don't think it's a coincidence that Haley had his best coaching effort and breakthrough game while his father was in town.

And before you jump to conclusions, I'm talking about his actual mother and father.

Many people perform at their highest level in front of their parents and Haley appears to be no exception.

I know this is four pages late, but this is just flat out ridiculous. Haley is a 40+ grown man, I highly doubt he pissed his pants because daddy was watching, plus I am pretty sure his dad watches on tv every week. He isn't five years old you know?

**The Bad Guy** · 11-24-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Okay, let's try this again:

They ARE thrilled with Mark Sanchez; they know he's capable of winning.

They are NOT thrilled with the O-Coord.

Any other questions?

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

I have several Jet fan friends, and they are all not thrilled with Sanchez. He really has tools to work with and he keeps regressing each week.
When you have a great run game like the Jets, he should be much better than he is despite being a rookie.

I was a huge Sanchez fan, but NY could be the worst place on earth for him. Mike Francesa is all over him. The NY media is all over him. His honeymoon period is over.

4 and 5 interception games just aren't acceptable even for a rookie.

I have serious doubts about him surviving in NY. The worst thing that happened to him was the early success because the Jets fans and media raised their expectations. Now, he is facing an uphill climb every week.

**The Bad Guy** · 11-24-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Keep on thinking that one game gives you license to pound your chest like a reeruned ****ing gorilla; it just makes what's coming all the sweeter.

I'm failing to understand why you are fighting this fight.

Do you want Sanchez to outplay Cassel to fill some type of agenda? Do not go all Whitlock.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-24-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COchief

I know this is four pages late, but this is just flat out ridiculous. Haley is a 40+ grown man, I highly doubt he pissed his pants because daddy was watching, plus I am pretty sure his dad watches on tv every week. He isn't five years old you know?

Sorry, I fully disagree.

It's not like his dad is a "nobody". Haley clearly needed someone to tell him to settle down and I think it's no coincidence that when his father was town, he controlled his emotions.

stevieray · 11-24-2009, 12:34 PM

Haley's dad won the game111

Thanks Mr. Haley!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-24-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'm failing to understand why you are fighting this fight.

Do you want Sanchez to outplay Cassel to fill some type of agenda? Do not go all Whitlock.

In regards to your first post; I'm going on consensus from the Jets board I post at, but I'm sure there ARE more than a few fans who are disappointed.

In regards to your second, I've got a bet to win and I'm going to win it. And If I don't, then I'll be gone and denied the wonderful experience that is Chiefs Planet.
I've yet to decide if that's a good or bad thing. How would I ever cope without Hootie, SAUTO, Buster's Pussy, The Talking Chlamydia, The Tardian, Just Washing Ball, and the other assorted/random **** nuts that bring such joy to my daily existence?

CoMoChief · 11-24-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COchief

I know this is four pages late, but this is just flat out ridiculous. Haley is a 40+ grown man, I highly doubt he pissed his pants because daddy was watching, plus I am pretty sure his dad watches on tv every week. He isn't five years old you know?

this.

Having that said it was a big win for Haley.

**The Bad Guy** · 11-24-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

In regards to your first post; I'm going on consensus from the Jets board I post at, but I'm sure there ARE more than a few fans who are disappointed.

In regards to your second, I've got a bet to win and I'm going to win it. And If I don't, then I'll be gone and denied the wonderful experience that is Chiefs Planet.
I've yet to decide if that's a good or bad thing. How would I ever cope without Hootie, SAUTO, Buster's Pussy, The Talking Chlamydia, The Tardian, Just Washing Ball, and the other assorted/random **** nuts that bring such joy to my daily existence?

What's the bet?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-24-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

What's the bet?

He'll confirm or correct me, but IIRC, it was total yards.

Right now, it's basically a dead heat.

Sanchez: 1853

Cassel: 1845

EDIT: Unless for some reason sack yardage was included, in which Sanchez' lead would be around 50 yards.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-24-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

He'll confirm or correct me, but IIRC, it was total yards.

Right now, it's basically a dead heat.

Sanchez: 1853

Cassel: 1845

EDIT: Unless for some reason sack yardage was included, in which Sanchez' lead would be around 50 yards.

Did you add in rushing?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-24-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Did you add in rushing?

Yes.

Sanchez - 1791 Passing, 62 Rushing, 1853 Total

Cassel - 1720 Passing, 125 Rushing, 1845 Total

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-24-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Yes.

Sanchez - 1791 Passing, 62 Rushing, 1853 Total

Cassel - 1720 Passing, 125 Rushing, 1845 Total

Excellent. I've been meaning to update my counter. Thanks!

11-22-2009, 11:22 PM
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $-1805503	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 [email protected]. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.
Posts: 51,679

11-24-2009, 11:25 AM	#166
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1658454	Hurry up and post about zone coverage Pootie.
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11-24-2009, 12:34 PM	#173
stevieray Most things I worry about… Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $-1364727	Haley's dad won the game111 Thanks Mr. Haley!
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