Q&A with Haley 6/15... Gretz update as well

[Coogs]

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/06...dd_haley__615/


Q&A with TODD HALEY - 6/15
Jun 15, 2009, 2:08:15 PM


OTA #11

TODD HALEY: “We had an OTA this morning as you guys saw. We had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red area (Red Zone) periods, as well. Friday we changed it up a bit. We came out, we walked through and then I thought since we had worked very hard as a group we went and had a little team-building work at the bowling alley. It was well attended and went over well. That is what you missed on Friday. That is where we are at right now”

Q: How is the progress of the defensive line?

HALEY: “I think any time you talk about the D-line or offensive lineman you are wasting your breath a little bit because there are no pads on. So much can change when the pads are on, but I think athletically and physically having (DE Glenn) Dorsey back out there has been a help. We had (DT) Ron Edwards back today. I think that the guys are starting to get it because this is a whole new ball game for them obviously. I think we are coming close to passing the ‘look test’ and until we get pads on and get to training camp, we won’t really know but I think we have made progress in that area.”

Q: Now that you have had quite a few practices with DE Tyson Jackson, how has he adjusted?

HALEY: “Mentally, I think they are all doing pretty good. Like I said, they are learning where to line up. There are some subtle changes in alignments, major technique changes at times and mentally I think the entire group is doing a good job. We are all excited to get to training camp and put the pads on. Quite frankly, defense and offensive linemen can get into bad habits without pads on because you can play high and not pay for it like you would with the pads on. Mentally, I would say they are all getting it right now.”

Q: Are the defense and offensive linemen the biggest question mark at this point because of that reason?

HALEY: “Yeah, and I think that is just being straight up. Once we get those pads on, we will get a true evaluation of that. We can see mentally how they are doing.”

Q: Do you feel like you have established a good baseline with these OTAs?

HALEY: “I think we have made tremendous progress in a lot of areas. What is critical now, once we finish the week, is what these guys do. We will keep the rookies here and they will be here working out for a few weeks and that will help them. Some of these other guys that have worked really hard now, how they handle this time off will be critical. We don’t want to give anything back. Our goal is to come to training camp in condition and not have to play or practice our way into condition. That will be a critical time period and we are pushing for guys who can, to stay around here. I think we will have a fairly good group that is here working through training camp.”

Q: Since this is the last week of OTAs, has anything changed with the way practice is going?

HALEY: “I think it is like any other week. You continue to lay out there what is expected. I don’t think it is different than last week or the week before that. We have pretty much installed everything that we are going to install so now we are just getting a chance to go back through some things and review. We expect the guys to have it down a little cleaner overall and if you didn’t then we would worry a little bit. I would say just to continue doing what we are doing but do it a little better.”

Q: Are the players having trouble staying focused in practice as OTAs wind down?

HALEY: “That is one of the reasons I am encouraged. The guys have done a really good job of being focused. That is why I did what I did last Friday, because they have been focused and working. They have been doing everything that has been asked of them so I thought doing something like that would help us in another area. Anytime you get down towards the end guys get a little antsy but I think overall they are doing a very good job of staying focused.”

Q: Is (G) Mike Goff similar to (LB) Zach Thomas in terms of his work ethic and commitment?

HALEY: “It’s very similar. In all the guys we have brought in here, it has been a big item for us. These are guys who know how to prepare and play in the NFL. Mike has been an excellent off-season guy for us. We actually recognized him this morning in the meeting just for that. He is a guy that has been around long enough that he could slack off if he wanted to. He has been full bore. He has run every gasser that we have run. He has done everything exactly the way we want. I am very encouraged by Mike and what he has brought to us.”

Q: Is Goff one of those veteran guys you don’t have to worry about staying in shape?

HALEY: “No. Most of the guys who have been around that long, know what it takes. That is something we are stressing hard to everybody that we don’t want to take a step backwards physically for sure. We want to come into training camp in shape and ready to rock and roll.”

Q: Now that CB Donald Washington is here, are the next several weeks critical for him to catch up?

HALEY: “Conditioning, mentally and all of those things. We will have somebody hanging with him to work and get him up to speed. We are going to catch him up in all areas. Cedric Smith will be working with him in the weight area and out on the field. We will have coaches working with him mentally.”

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by petegz28

the lack of performance at QB has me concerned ever so slightly. But since it seems that both QB's are struggling it makes one wonder of the defense is really stepping it up a notch?

I wouldn't worry about it:

– QB Matt Cassel ran the two-minute drill with the No. 1 offense. The situation was 1st-and-10 at their 45-yard line, with 50 seconds to play, one timeout and they needed a touchdown to win. Cassel hit his first two throws, going to WRs Devard Darling and Dwayne Bowe, picking up about 30 yards. But the next three throws included a downed pass to stop the clock and two incompletions. Finally on fourth down with five seconds to play, Cassel’s pass into the end zone was picked off by S Bernard Pollard.

– In the team work portion of practice, Cassel and Tyler Thigpen were a combined four of nine throwing the ball, and they were one of four in the red zone with no scores.

– So in the key team portions of practice, the quarterbacks were six of 15, with no scores, one interception. Five of those incompletions were throw aways or downing the ball to stop the clock.

2 for 4 on the 2 minute drill drive in throws that mattered (removing clock stopper and desperation pass). Totaling everything up, assuming the info in the story is correct, and you've got

6 completions
5 Throwaways/clock stoppers
1 last play of the game/half desperation pick
3 incompletes on targeted passes

It's not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination, but it's not the end of the world either, although knowing more about the throwaways would help in making evaluations.

[BigChiefFan]

Pioli's on the practice field. It's his job to EVALUATE the talent and assess our needs. He's there every day.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Pioli's on the practice field. It's his job to EVALUATE the talent and assess our needs. He's there every day.

Good to know, right there. That makes me feel tons better.

I have a lot of confidence in Pioli's judgment.

FAX

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Pioli's on the practice field. It's his job to EVALUATE the talent and assess our needs. He's there every day.

good point....Chiefs fans have been used to Carl P taking some vacation and leaving the decision up to Herm....or Dick....

[Sully]

Originally Posted by FAX

I'm sure somebody here knows the answer to this ...

Do they tape OTA workouts? If so, does Pioli watch the tape?

I'm wondering whether or not Pioli is giving Haley daily advice or the benefit of his observations.

FAX

They tape everything. Even at the low-level college I "played" at, we taped everything and spent hours going over every rep.

That said, I doubt Pioli is poring over the tapes.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by petegz28

the lack of performance at QB has me concerned ever so slightly. But since it seems that both QB's are struggling it makes one wonder of the defense is really stepping it up a notch?

Our secondary will never realize it's full potential if they have to keep mopping up for the line and LB's.
Two rookies at DE and a square peg at NT, and two direct from a Cracker Jack/Fruity ****ing Pebbles box OLB's; SUPERBOWL!!!

"Keep throwin' it at the wall, boys"!!!!

[BarrySPAMAID]

I think once Brodie gets back, he'll push Cassel and Tyler. I mean that. lol

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by BarrysKOOLAID

I think once Brodie gets back, he'll push Cassel and Tyler. I mean that. lol

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Oh Wennnnnnnndlerrrrrrrrrrrr...

QB Matt Cassel ran the two-minute drill with the No. 1 offense. The situation was 1st-and-10 at their 45-yard line, with 50 seconds to play, one timeout and they needed a touchdown to win. Cassel hit his first two throws, going to WRs Devard Darling and Dwayne Bowe, picking up about 30 yards. But the next three throws included a downed pass to stop the clock and two incompletions. Finally on fourth down with five seconds to play, Cassel’s pass into the end zone was picked off by S Bernard Pollard.

Taste of the Pollard Meat-Stick AGAIN, TRAMP!

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by BarrysKOOLAID

I think once Brodie gets back, he'll push Cassel and Tyler. I mean that. lol

[Halfcan]

how is Edwards still on this team??

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by BarrysKOOLAID

I think once Brodie gets back, he'll push Cassel and Tyler. I mean that. lol

trade bait

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by BarrysKOOLAID

I think once Brodie gets back, he'll push Cassel and Tyler. I mean that. lol

So, you're saying that Croyle's heading to the PUP list with a sprained wrist?

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Missing were DE Alfonso Boone and the usual suspects, LB Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel.

JFC....when is this team going to stop moving people to the LB position?!?!?!?!

[BarrySPAMAID]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

LAUGHING OUT LOUD!! Nice RoR!! Brodie's good bro, dont worry.

Originally Posted by Buehler445

That's right!LOL. Tyler needs to worry about the 2 as far as I'm concerned. If there is one thing that Brodie does much better than Tyler, it's operate under center. Now, I dont how much of that we will see in this offense, but Arm versus arm, I will take CROYLE all the way. And I look forward to seeing what the kid does in camp this year. He is facing some pretty long odds, and I am curious to see how he does. It may seem funny, hell I'm even laughing. But lets remember that when Brodie went down in week one of the 2008 season, that was the THIRD time he had been crushed into the turf due to lack of blocking. Brodie does need to stay healthy, but him being traded will not happen, and BRODIE WILL BE on the opening day roster. Jot that down.

Originally Posted by Halfcan

trade bait

See above. He isnt getting traded.

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

So, you're saying that Croyle's heading to the PUP list with a sprained wrist?

We'll see. The protection will be much better this year, and I still think Croyle has an NFL arm. What he has to prove is weather or not he has an NFL body, which sadly hasn't done so well. Who's would with that kind of protection last season? That Mickey mouse offense he was being forced to run....many factors, many factors.