Chiefs Q&A with Haley 4/22 (Week 1 OTA wrap)

Coogs · 05-22-2009, 04:15 PM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/05...odd_haley_522/

Q&A with TODD HALEY - 5/22
May 22, 2009, 1:42:03 PM

TODD HALEY: “We finished our first week of OTAs, we got four of them in so we are making progress in a lot of areas. There is still a lot of work to do, but there were some encouraging signs. Next week we will just go back to regular lifting and running for three days and pick the OTAs up the following week leading into the mandatory mini-camp.”

Q: Do you spread out the practices so they can pick up more?

HALEY: “I’d like to say that. This is a little different schedule this off-season with the schedule being moved back. It was just more of an effort to get it spaced out accordingly. If we just ran OTAs all the way through, we would be done pretty quickly.”

Q: What do you see that is encouraging?

HALEY: “I think that the tempo of our practice picked up considerably. Even today, it was fairly hot, but I thought the tempo of practice was good. We ran each day after the OTA, a pretty hard run that got better and better as the week went on. Again I think it is about letting them know what we expect and them understanding it. There is more scheme put in on each side and guys seem to have figured it out a little better as the week went on.”

Q: How is the passing game?

HALEY: “It is going to take some time, there is no doubt. That is what’s good about this time of year and the fact that we have these OTAs. They are getting to know each other and the receivers, tight ends, backs or whoever is running the route is understanding the coverage. The defense is putting stuff in too, so they are throwing a bunch of different looks at them which makes it difficult. It’s not like running routes on air. When they run routes on air they look pretty good but if you throw the defense in there then it changes things quite a bit. I am trying to have patience with it, understanding that it is early. It is really the first football work we have done and the passing game is an intricate deal. It takes time.”

Q: Are you improving as the week goes?

HALEY: “Yeah, I think you get into that rhythm and mode. Again, we let them know what we expect and as time goes on, you improve. If it looked worse than on Monday that I would be concerned but that is part of the encouraging bit to me.”

Q: Do you have the team you were hoping for?

HALEY: “I’m still figuring these guys out but I think as I get comfortable and get a feel for these guys, there are some signs of life. To me, if they are doing everything right, right now, if everything looked perfect, I’d be worried. It looks like some guys have some skill, it is just a matter of getting them to do it the right way all the time and then getting in sync with the passer. We have some work to do and I think there is a lot of room for improvement. It lets me know there is a chance to get better.”

Q: What point in the season do you get worried if things are not flowing?

HALEY: “I think that is an obvious question. If there are a lot of Ls (losses). I don’t really care what it looks like or what the statistics are even though I came from an offensive background that was pretty prolific at times in Arizona. It’s was what we felt gave us the best chance to win. If it doesn’t look pretty, it is not going to matter to me if it’s a W (win). We are going to do what we have to, to give us the best chance to win. If that is three yards and a cloud of dust, we don’t turn the football over and we play great defense, I’ll be the happiest guy sitting here after games.”

Q: How does Larry Johnson fit in?

HALEY: “I think Larry is working hard. He has made some runs in the last few practices that I thought were pretty special and showed signs of somebody who can run the football. I was very encouraged and a couple of those flashed at me and the coaches to where you say, ‘that was pretty good.’ If Larry continues to work, stay on point and do the things asked of him, I think he will definitely have a chance to help us.”

Q: Because this is your first head coaching opportunity, is there a learning curve for you?

HALEY: “Yeah, without a doubt. I don’t have all the answers. This is my first go round. I am very aware of that and that is why I am happy with the staff. I have a handful of guys that have done this before (being a head coach) at some level. I lean on a bunch of people all the time, in the building and out of the building to try and make sure I get it right, knowing that it is not going to be perfect, but trying to learn from our mistakes and get it right one way or another. Make it work is the bottom line. That is my job, to make it work on offense, defense and special teams one way or another.”

Q: Do you feel like you are making good use of your practice times?

HALEY: “Yeah. I think they are starting to figure out what we want. When you are practicing fast like that when it is pretty hot, that is a good sign. I thought we were efficient; we are on the field then off the field. We are not out there for two hours, we are out there an hour. Today we had a little fun after practice. We caught some punts to try and save themselves a gasser or two. They were into it but the defense wasn’t very good I have to say.”

Q: Do you see the type of skill-set in TE Brad Cottam that you need at the tight end position?

HALEY: “I think he has most of the tools. For him it is going to be about putting in the work and understanding both aspect whether it is run or pass protection and what is required and then using the technique required. I think the tools are there for Brad to be a solid tight end in the league. It’s just a matter of us getting it out of him and him getting it out of himself.”

Q: Is LB Mike Vrabel committed to being a part of what you’re doing?

HALEY: “I would say that Mike is excited to get here and I’m excited to see him in action and see where he is at. We have been giving him the information and he has been working, calling and checking in. We will see when he gets here where we stand just like any of the guys who haven’t been here.

Q: Do you expect him to be here for the mandatory mini-camp?

HALEY: “Yes.”

05-22-2009, 04:15 PM	Topic Starter
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1634349	Q&A with Haley 4/22 (Week 1 OTA wrap) http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/05...odd_haley_522/ Q&A with TODD HALEY - 5/22 May 22, 2009, 1:42:03 PM TODD HALEY: “We finished our first week of OTAs, we got four of them in so we are making progress in a lot of areas. There is still a lot of work to do, but there were some encouraging signs. Next week we will just go back to regular lifting and running for three days and pick the OTAs up the following week leading into the mandatory mini-camp.” Q: Do you spread out the practices so they can pick up more? HALEY: “I’d like to say that. This is a little different schedule this off-season with the schedule being moved back. It was just more of an effort to get it spaced out accordingly. If we just ran OTAs all the way through, we would be done pretty quickly.” Q: What do you see that is encouraging? HALEY: “I think that the tempo of our practice picked up considerably. Even today, it was fairly hot, but I thought the tempo of practice was good. We ran each day after the OTA, a pretty hard run that got better and better as the week went on. Again I think it is about letting them know what we expect and them understanding it. There is more scheme put in on each side and guys seem to have figured it out a little better as the week went on.” Q: How is the passing game? HALEY: “It is going to take some time, there is no doubt. That is what’s good about this time of year and the fact that we have these OTAs. They are getting to know each other and the receivers, tight ends, backs or whoever is running the route is understanding the coverage. The defense is putting stuff in too, so they are throwing a bunch of different looks at them which makes it difficult. It’s not like running routes on air. When they run routes on air they look pretty good but if you throw the defense in there then it changes things quite a bit. I am trying to have patience with it, understanding that it is early. It is really the first football work we have done and the passing game is an intricate deal. It takes time.” Q: Are you improving as the week goes? HALEY: “Yeah, I think you get into that rhythm and mode. Again, we let them know what we expect and as time goes on, you improve. If it looked worse than on Monday that I would be concerned but that is part of the encouraging bit to me.” Q: Do you have the team you were hoping for? HALEY: “I’m still figuring these guys out but I think as I get comfortable and get a feel for these guys, there are some signs of life. To me, if they are doing everything right, right now, if everything looked perfect, I’d be worried. It looks like some guys have some skill, it is just a matter of getting them to do it the right way all the time and then getting in sync with the passer. We have some work to do and I think there is a lot of room for improvement. It lets me know there is a chance to get better.” Q: What point in the season do you get worried if things are not flowing? HALEY: “I think that is an obvious question. If there are a lot of Ls (losses). I don’t really care what it looks like or what the statistics are even though I came from an offensive background that was pretty prolific at times in Arizona. It’s was what we felt gave us the best chance to win. If it doesn’t look pretty, it is not going to matter to me if it’s a W (win). We are going to do what we have to, to give us the best chance to win. If that is three yards and a cloud of dust, we don’t turn the football over and we play great defense, I’ll be the happiest guy sitting here after games.” Q: How does Larry Johnson fit in? HALEY: “I think Larry is working hard. He has made some runs in the last few practices that I thought were pretty special and showed signs of somebody who can run the football. I was very encouraged and a couple of those flashed at me and the coaches to where you say, ‘that was pretty good.’ If Larry continues to work, stay on point and do the things asked of him, I think he will definitely have a chance to help us.” Q: Because this is your first head coaching opportunity, is there a learning curve for you? HALEY: “Yeah, without a doubt. I don’t have all the answers. This is my first go round. I am very aware of that and that is why I am happy with the staff. I have a handful of guys that have done this before (being a head coach) at some level. I lean on a bunch of people all the time, in the building and out of the building to try and make sure I get it right, knowing that it is not going to be perfect, but trying to learn from our mistakes and get it right one way or another. Make it work is the bottom line. That is my job, to make it work on offense, defense and special teams one way or another.” Q: Do you feel like you are making good use of your practice times? HALEY: “Yeah. I think they are starting to figure out what we want. When you are practicing fast like that when it is pretty hot, that is a good sign. I thought we were efficient; we are on the field then off the field. We are not out there for two hours, we are out there an hour. Today we had a little fun after practice. We caught some punts to try and save themselves a gasser or two. They were into it but the defense wasn’t very good I have to say.” Q: Do you see the type of skill-set in TE Brad Cottam that you need at the tight end position? HALEY: “I think he has most of the tools. For him it is going to be about putting in the work and understanding both aspect whether it is run or pass protection and what is required and then using the technique required. I think the tools are there for Brad to be a solid tight end in the league. It’s just a matter of us getting it out of him and him getting it out of himself.” Q: Is LB Mike Vrabel committed to being a part of what you’re doing? HALEY: “I would say that Mike is excited to get here and I’m excited to see him in action and see where he is at. We have been giving him the information and he has been working, calling and checking in. We will see when he gets here where we stand just like any of the guys who haven’t been here. Q: Do you expect him to be here for the mandatory mini-camp? HALEY: “Yes.”
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