Chiefs Whitlock:Haley shows some courage - Page 2

**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.

**morphius** · 09-22-2009, 10:26 PM

I think Whitless needs to leave the nicknaming to Phobia.

Chiefnj2 · 09-22-2009, 10:26 PM

This article helps explain the underlying cause of Whitlock's dislike for Pioli.

I'm not sure what to think of Maas' report that Haley wanted to go with Croyle. That bothers me.

If people can put aside their hatred for Whitlock and stop making fat jokes for a minute, the article does an interesting analysis of Haley's press conference.

milkman · 09-22-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I just love how people that have absolutely no contact with Haley, Pioli or Whitlock are so quick to dismiss his stories.

IMO, that's ****ing stupid and just as bad as people who first doubted the stories I shared on Chiefsplanet.

I'll chalk it up to the saying that "Ignorance is Bliss".

I, for one, believe Whitlock.

You honestly believe that Pioli sat down for a three hour dinner with Whitlock?

Do you honestly believe, given what we know about Haley's personality that he would allow even his boss to talk over him like that without a reaction?

I don't.

Red Dawg · 09-22-2009, 10:28 PM

Why would Scott hire a head coach that doesn't see eye to eye on his own philosopjhy about players and winning? I don't buy it. I really doubt there is some kind of rift between them about the QB. If Cassel stinks it up so bad this year then we will hit the draft for another. I have no doubt that's what Scott would do.

Colt MCCoy in KC red.

Cosmos · 09-22-2009, 10:28 PM

Whitlock has moved on to his "Divide and Conquer" strategy.

SPchief · 09-22-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

Shit like this makes the departure of Joe Posnanski hurt that much more.

Honestly, has anything gone well for Kansas City professional sports in the last ten years?

Zack Grienke

BigChiefFan · 09-22-2009, 10:30 PM

I wonder if he's referring to the banquet or the Red Coaters pot luck dinner?I don't think Whitlock had a sit-down with just those 3. Sounds like he's embellishing some. He's also using Bill Maas as his source...

"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."

CaliforniaChief · 09-22-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

You honestly believe that Pioli sat down for a three hour dinner with Whitlock?

Do you honestly believe, given what we know about Haley's personality that he would allow even his boss to talk over him like that without a reaction?

I don't.

Not to mention the "fury" and "rants" that Pioli was alleged to use at this dinner? Where were they, in the back of an Italian restaurant? It just doesn't fit Pioli's tight-lipped, controlled, Patriot Way mentality.

milkman · 09-22-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

Why would Scott hire a head coach that doesn't see eye to eye on his own philosopjhy about players and winning? I don't buy it. I really doubt there is some kind of rift between them about the QB. If Cassel stinks it up so bad this year then we will hit the draft for another. I have no doubt that's what Scott would do.

Colt MCCoy in KC red.

**the Talking Can** · 09-22-2009, 10:32 PM

this is what pioli gets for giving whitlock time, even after the "waters is crying" and halioli are meenies articles whitlock wrote.....

more childish name calling...

**morphius** · 09-22-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

This article helps explain the underlying cause of Whitlock's dislike for Pioli.

I'm not sure what to think of Maas' report that Haley wanted to go with Croyle. That bothers me.

If people can put aside their hatred for Whitlock and stop making fat jokes for a minute, the article does an interesting analysis of Haley's press conference.

I'm going to have to watch it, because reading the interview made it seem like he was just saying that Brodie was doing okay, nothing to get excited about, but if he happened upon Joe Montana he would be willing to bench Cassel.

And we don't know if he the reason he wanted to start Brodie was because he was worried about whether Cassel could play on the injured leg, especially since a big part of his game is scrambling and moving around in the pocket.

Mecca · 09-22-2009, 10:33 PM

He said Colt McCoy.....lynch him.

**DeezNutz** · 09-22-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

You honestly believe that Pioli sat down for a three hour dinner with Whitlock?

Yes.

Because if this were fabricated, Whitlock would be fired. His entire profession depends upon personal integrity, like appropriately using and citing/attributing sources.

**the Talking Can** · 09-22-2009, 10:33 PM

haley didn't say anything he hasn't said since the day he arrived....just in the interest of honesty

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-22-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

You honestly believe that Pioli sat down for a three hour dinner with Whitlock?

Do you honestly believe, given what we know about Haley's personality that he would allow even his boss to talk over him like that without a reaction?

I don't.

Absolutely.

The guy is a national journalist/reporter.

He's got a deal with Fox. He's been a host on ESPN. He's employed by the Knight-Ridder corporation which owns many newspapers across the country.

I don't think there's any way he'd risk his career on a lie.

09-22-2009, 10:05 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $362813	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: 42,213

09-22-2009, 10:26 PM	#16
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6745027	I think Whitless needs to leave the nicknaming to Phobia.
Posts: 25,988

09-22-2009, 10:26 PM	#17
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7813688	This article helps explain the underlying cause of Whitlock's dislike for Pioli. I'm not sure what to think of Maas' report that Haley wanted to go with Croyle. That bothers me. If people can put aside their hatred for Whitlock and stop making fat jokes for a minute, the article does an interesting analysis of Haley's press conference. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,396

09-22-2009, 10:28 PM	#19
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $4442858	Why would Scott hire a head coach that doesn't see eye to eye on his own philosopjhy about players and winning? I don't buy it. I really doubt there is some kind of rift between them about the QB. If Cassel stinks it up so bad this year then we will hit the draft for another. I have no doubt that's what Scott would do. Colt MCCoy in KC red. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
Posts: 30,487

09-22-2009, 10:28 PM	#20
Cosmos Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Casino cash: $4364900	Whitlock has moved on to his "Divide and Conquer" strategy.
Posts: 3,627

09-22-2009, 10:30 PM	#22
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I wonder if he's referring to the banquet or the Red Coaters pot luck dinner?I don't think Whitlock had a sit-down with just those 3. Sounds like he's embellishing some. He's also using Bill Maas as his source... "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." __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

09-22-2009, 10:32 PM	#25
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	this is what pioli gets for giving whitlock time, even after the "waters is crying" and halioli are meenies articles whitlock wrote..... more childish name calling... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

09-22-2009, 10:33 PM	#27
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2087050	He said Colt McCoy.....lynch him.
Posts: 111,280