Todd Haley is the "Mystery of Pittsburgh"

[Hammock Parties]

Interesting read.



http://triblive.com/sports/2195481-8...p-nfl-ben-didn

Summer is the perfect time for a good read, yet nobody seems to be getting one on new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

A Bill Parcells protégé known for adapting his play-calling to his personnel and being an innovative play caller, he is also a volatile sideline presence who inspires loyalty from some players but irritates others.

He is certainly not Bruce Arians, who was not-so-gently shoved out the door in January despite quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s unwavering support. But, according to those who know Haley best, he also isn’t a control freak who implements change just to show he’s the boss.

While the Steelers generally shy away from coaches with colorful pasts, Haley has that and more, as evidenced by his well-publicized clashes with players and an abrupt departure as the Kansas City Chiefs’ coach last year in which he reportedly suspected team offices and his cell phone were bugged.

Now, Haley’s assimilation into the Steelers’ way of life is the latest Mystery of Pittsburgh, a shadowy yet intriguing riddle that will begin to be solved when the Steelers — coming off successive 12-4 seasons — open camp Wednesday in Latrobe. It figures to be a can’t-miss page turner.

“I’ve heard a lot of Todd stories — some good, some bad,” said former Steelers star guard Alan Faneca, who played in Arizona after Haley was the offensive coordinator there. “He’s definitely a hard worker and demands a lot. He can be very excitable during practice. But sometimes change is good, to get people out of their comfort zone.”

That’s already happened with Roethlisberger, who thrived in a Ben-friendly Arians offense that permitted him to improvise at will. Upon first glance at Haley’s playbook, Roethlisberger jokingly called it a Rosetta Stone course in a brand new language.

“That (change) has a way of keeping guys on their toes and keeping their focus, understanding what their goal is, and that’s to win Super Bowls,” Haley said during minicamp last month. “Win one this year — that’s our goal.”

Haley, 45, is the first outsider in 13 years to run the offense. But he’s no stranger to Pittsburgh or the Steelers; as a youngster in Upper St. Clair, he broke down game film with father Dick Haley, the former Steelers personnel chief who played a major role in some of the best drafts in NFL history in the 1970s.

FOOTBALL NOT FIRST LOVE

Todd Haley’s story isn’t the sit-on-dad’s-knee-and-become-a-football genius tale of Patriots coach Bill Belichick. In his teens, Haley shifted his emphasis to golf, playing in high school and at Florida and Miami in college.

The PGA, not the NFL, appeared to be his calling.

“But there never was a time he wasn’t into football,” said Dick Haley, who at 75 remains plugged into the NFL. “Because of some back problems, he got diverted into golf, but he always wanted to know about the players, about football. How many kids wouldn’t want to after rooming next to Joe Greene at training camp?”

The elder Haley left the Steelers to become the Jets’ personnel director in 1991 and, four years later, Todd was hired in the scouting department. Within two years, he was on Parcells’ coaching staff.

“Todd is bright, demanding, persistent, and he came along pretty well,” Parcells said.

Parcells didn’t care Haley hadn’t played football.

“I know guys who didn’t play and did very well in coaching, and others who played that don’t have a clue what to do,” Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, said.

Haley was promoted to wide receivers coach in 1999 before switching to the Bears in 2001, only to rejoin Parcells in Dallas in 2004.

Haley’s profile rose with his next job as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator from 2007-08. With quarterback Kurt Warner headlining an imaginative offense highlighted by former Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s big plays, the Cardinals were second in passing and third in scoring in 2008. They went 9-7 during the season, but scored at least 30 points during three consecutive playoff wins and rallied from a 13-point deficit to nearly upset the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

That deep throw to Fitz-gerald that nearly sent the Steelers home a loser from Tampa? Haley’s play call.

Haley was subsequently hired as the Chiefs coach by general manager Scott Pioli, the former Patriots executive who worked for the Jets when Haley did. But while Haley went from 4-12 in his first season in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010, finishing third in the coach of the year voting, he was fired with his injury-ruined team reeling with a 5-8 record on Dec. 12.

STORMY DAYS IN K.C.

Haley is derecho-like — always going straight ahead, in full-go mode, and in Kansas City, storm clouds often loomed on the horizon.

Chan Gailey, retained from Herm Edwards’ staff to be the offensive coordinator, didn’t make it through training camp. Larry Johnson, the two-time former 1,700-yard rusher, questioned Haley’s coaching credentials in a Twitter message and was cut in 2009. And tight end Tony Moeaki was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the final 2011 exhibition game, when many NFL regulars rest.

“The quarterback (Matt Cassel) was real average. … It didn’t surprise me what happened in Kansas City. I didn’t have any real confidence in the whole thing,” Dick Haley said.

After Todd Haley departed, the Kansas City Star published a devastating article in which a number of former team employees revealed what they called an intimidating, secretive and stifling work environment. According to the Star, Haley himself suspected bugging at the practice complex.

“I don’t know what happened in Kansas City. I don’t think it’s relevant in Pittsburgh,” Parcells said. “But he probably learned a lot there.”

TUTORING BIG BEN

Given Haley’s sideline spats with Warner, Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens and Cassel, his relationship with Roethlisberger should prove intriguing. Haley once said, “If you’re sensitive, (the NFL) is not the best place to be.”

“You accept people for what they are and get past the sensitivity level, if there is any,” Parcells said. “Both guys are smart enough to say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to make it work.’ ”

Torry Holt, a NFL Network analyst and former Rams star receiver, can’t wait to see how this plays out.

“Coach Haley has a strong personality. Ben has a strong personality. I’m sure Todd wants him to hone in on this or hone in on that, and Ben will try,” Holt said. “But out there on the football field, your instincts kick in and your competitive nature kicks in, and you kind of resort back to what you’ve always done.”

Haley’s take on Roethlisberger? “He’s a guy that’s been a really good player, and we’re going to try to keep that going and get even better,” he said.

Haley believes an offense must be physical, smart and disciplined, and his system resembles that of his former boss, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, a Steelers assistant from 2001-06.

“Todd Haley represents the best of both worlds,” NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes said. “With Kurt Warner, he threw it 45 times a game and didn’t blink. In Kansas City, he ran it 45 times a game. He’s got those three young wide receivers there in Pittsburgh, and Ben knows how to put the ball in the air. Todd will make the adjustments, and rather quickly.”

While Haley is an assistant again after being a head coach, his father insists he has never been happier now that he’s back home in Pittsburgh with his wife Chrissy and five children.

“He’s loving every second of this,” the elder Haley said. “He couldn’t be more excited.”

Dad Haley also realizes there is intense pressure to succeed as a high-profile coach in your hometown, even if former head coach Bill Cowher made it work.

“I don’t question he’ll do well. (But) there’s a lot of pressure to live up to what’s gone on there for a long time,” Dick Haley said. “And he’d better be good because there’s a lot of pressure on him right now.”

[Hammock Parties]

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.UAziJrTbBj0

But Chiefs GM Scott Pioli said Friday that Orton and the team have mutual interest in reuniting.

"We've talked to Kyle's people. It sounds like Kyle would like to be with us. We've told Kyle we'd like to continue to work with him. Now it's just a matter of seeing if things arrive at the right place," said Pioli,

They flat out lowballed him.

http://m.govolsxtra.com/news/2012/ma...un-at-manning/

"We made it abundantly clear to Kyle before he left for the offseason — and when the offseason started — that we would like to have him back and have him in this situation," Pioli said.

Instead, Orton agreed to a three-year deal with the Cowboys.

"I can't speak for Kyle in saying why he chose that situation," Pioli said, "but I know it was one heck of a contract he received. A very, very generous contract, which he earned."

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Toad King

Because we didn't adjust to the way Oakland was attacking FGs.

And where is Steve Hoffman these days?

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Todd Haley was the worst game day coach I can recall seeing in my years as a Chiefs fan. He made idiotic decisions week in and week out, whether it was playcalling, personnel groups, calling out his players, etc.

The only thing that Todd Haley did well in Kansas City was to get the players in shape and for that, I think he'd make a fine Strength and Conditioning coach.



Father covering for his son, who by the way, pulled the strings to get the son hired in Pittsburgh.

Touche.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Toad King

The flat out lowballed him.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/...llas-tony-romo

You didn’t want to go somewhere where you had a chance of competing to be the starter?

"Well I’ve kind of been in that situation the last three or four years just going into camp and competing. To be honest with you I don’t think that situation has worked for me. I don’t think it’s worked out for the club. I think you need to know who your guy is going to be going right into the season and backing that guy. I don’t think that’s been the situation that I have been in and I really didn’t want to get into that situation again. I’m fine with knowing my role as the backup on this team. I am going to be the best backup I can and support Tony [Romo] any way that I can."

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Yeah, it really sounds like he wanted a starting job in the NFL.

[Hammock Parties]

Sounds to me like he wanted the Chiefs to pay him starter money to be the starter, and didn't want any part of competing with another piece of shit QB.

If the other option was Cassel, why not?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Toad King

Sounds to me like he wanted the Chiefs to pay him starter money to be the starter, and didn't want any part of competing with another piece of shit QB.

If the other option was Cassel, why not?

And it sounds to me like he either wanted the starting job handed to him or he'd go elsewhere to be a back up. Pioli likely told him he had to compete for the job and Orton said "Adios, Muchacho".

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And it sounds to me like he either wanted the starting job handed to him or he'd go elsewhere to be a back up. Pioli likely told him he had to compete for the job and Orton said "Adios, Muchacho".

And I don't blame him.

Pioli will regret the decision. But there's no doubt his ego couldn't take being told what was up by Kyle Orton.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Toad King

And I don't blame him.

Pioli will regret the decision. But there's no doubt his ego couldn't take being told what was up by Kyle Orton.

It's clear that Kyle Orton didn't want to compete for a starting NFL job. That being the case, I'm happy Pioli didn't sign him.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Why don't you point out the "bad" decisions instead of acting like nit-picky woman?

A nit-picky woman? Lame.

For starters 11 penalties for 88 yards for what all intents and purposes was a playoff game.

2 blocked field goals. The 2nd one we didn't adjust despite Seymor getting penetration all day IIRC he almost blocked another one.

Going for it on 4th down in our own territory on 4th down with plenty of time left in the game.

The overall game was just sloppy go back and read the game day thread. Some of the very knowledgeable posters said that was one of the sloppiest coached games they've ever seen.

You mentioned Orton threw for 300 yards and this important to point out: Cassel doesn't have the ability to throw for 300 yards in a game. Crennel barely won those 2 games and easily would have gone 0-3 with Cassel. He was hired not because he gives the team the best chance at winning a super bowl. He was hired because he's familiar with Scott Pioli who didn't want to take a chance because another losing season or 2 and he's canned.

The overall talent might be better but as far as the QB position it's just as bad if not worse than it was in Cleveland.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's clear that Kyle Orton didn't want to compete for a starting NFL job. That being the case, I'm happy Pioli didn't sign him.

Me too, to be honest.

Pioli has done a fine job of positioning a toaster next to his bathtub.

[mdchiefsfan]

Dane vs toad = batman vs joker. An unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

[Hammock Parties]

Some men just want to watch Chiefsplanet burn.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

For starters 11 penalties for 88 yards for what all intents and purposes was a playoff game.

First off, the team competed far more under Crennel than they did under Haley. That much was evident by the naked eye.

Secondly, I don't think that any reasonable person would expect immediate miracles, especially when the roster still consisted of Jackie Battle, Barry Richardson, Kyle Orton, Sabby Piscatelli, etc. and so on.

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

2 blocked field goals. The 2nd one we didn't adjust despite Seymor getting penetration all day IIRC he almost blocked another one.

If you want to blame someone, blame Steve Hoffman. BTW, he was fired.

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Going for it on 4th down in our own territory on 4th down with plenty of time left in the game.

So it's GREAT when Haley does it (oh, he's so daring) but when Crennel does it, it's a bad decision? Bullshit. When going for it on fourth down works, the coach is a genius. When it doesn't, he's an imbecile.

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

The overall game was just sloppy go back and read the game day thread.

Is that what you just did?

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

The overall talent might be better but as far as the QB position it's just as bad if not worse than it was in Cleveland.

Laughable. Just ****ing laughable.

Name ONE season in Cleveland where Crennel had a defense as talented as the Chiefs. Cleveland has NEVER had perimeter weapons like Bowe, Baldwin, Breaston, Moeaki and Boss simultaneously, along with a running back like Charles.

The Browns and Chiefs may be equal in terms of QB suckage during Crennel's tenure, but that's about the only parallel that should be drawn.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by Toad King

Some men just want to watch Chiefsplanet burn.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's clear that Kyle Orton didn't want to compete for a starting NFL job. That being the case, I'm happy Pioli didn't sign him.

It's kind of odd. Orton had to have known he could beat out Cassel for the starting job right? Unless he was led to believe Cassel would be the starter no matter what. In which case he'd rather backup a QB that actually deserved to be a starter.

Either that, or he doesn't give a shit about being a starter or competing for a starting gig, in which case, **** Kyle Orton.