Chiefs Whitlock: This feud between Haley and Bowe must end - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-15-2009, 10:44 PM

This feud between Haley and Bowe must end
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

Congrats. Todd Haley put a clown suit on Dwayne Bowe, and Dwayne Bowe put a clown suit on Matt Cassel.

Unfortunately, no one inside Arrowhead Stadium was laughing Saturday night.

We were fighting tears. The preseason debut of the Kansas City Chiefs’ new leadership was painful to behold.

The Houston Texans pushed and shoved the Chiefs all around Arrowhead. Most troubling, Kansas City’s Cassel-led offense couldn’t sustain anything.

Randy Moss’ BFF completed just two of five passes for 15 yards. At least two of his throws were dropped. With Cassel at QB, the Chiefs failed to cross the 50 and recorded just two first downs in five series.

KC’s first-unit offense made me long for the good-old days: when the Herm Edwards-coached Chiefs routinely accumulated four or five first downs in a half.

I felt sorry for Cassel. Lobbing balls to Terrance Copper, Brad Cottam, Sean Ryan and Devard Darling is a lot different from playing catch with Moss and Wes Welker.

Haley’s feud with Bowe cost Cassel the luxury of throwing to Kansas City’s most talented receiver. Haley demoted Bowe to third string for Saturday’s exhibition. Bowe’s lackadaisical practice attitude won’t be tolerated by KC’s get-tough coach.

I’m all for discipline. And I’m all for embarrassing Bowe into carrying himself like a professional.

But you have to discipline Bowe in a way that makes sense for everyone, including KC’s new and unproven $60-million quarterback.

When the Bowe Show took the field late in the second quarter along with backup quarterback Brodie Croyle, Kansas City’s offense was magically energized. Croyle took full advantage of Bowe’s physical gifts.

Bowe caught two passes for 28 yards on his first series, a nine-play, 49-yard drive that led to a 47-yard field goal just before halftime. In the third quarter, Bowe tacked on three more receptions for 42 yards. In two quarters, he caught five passes for 70 yards.

The Chiefs didn’t score in the third, but their offense looked far more effective. Suddenly there were running lanes for Dantrell Savage.

Yes, Bowe and Croyle worked against Houston’s second-team defense. But there was no denying Bowe’s impact. He’s a difference maker. He stretches a defense. He’s a big target. He’s the only legitimate playmaker on Kansas City’s offense.

Without him, Cassel has no chance at success.

The Bowe-Haley feud has to end. We don’t have to declare a winner. Haley can take credit for inspiring Bowe to play hard. Bowe can satisfy himself with the knowledge that the Chiefs’ offense can’t move forward without him.

Haley wants to establish himself as a young Bill Parcells. That’s an admirable goal. Someone better remind Haley that Parcells made his no-nonsense bones in the era before players received multimillion-dollar signing bonuses.

Parcells had far more leverage. Players have plenty of leverage now. Bowe can hold this offense hostage. Cassel’s success is dependent on Bowe.

Bowe may never be a great practice player. He may never duplicate Jerry Rice’s hands.

Until the Chiefs find someone better, Haley is going to have to learn to co-exist with Bowe. Haley came up as a receivers coach. He’s known for clashing with receivers. We’ve seen him battle Terrell Owens and Anquan Boldin.

When Haley was an assistant, there was always a head coach to mediate his dispute with receivers. Now Haley is the mediator. He might be a bit heavy-handed. He might not fully appreciate the ramifications of his Joe “Lean on Me” Clark disciplinary strategy.

Cassel is still in the infancy of building the kind of confidence it takes to excel as a starting quarterback. He’s been a starting quarterback once in his last eight seasons. He had a pretty good season leading one of the NFL’s best teams.

He won’t have the luxury of quarterbacking a great team this season. He’s been elected the captain of the Titanic. Bowe is the lone working engine of the Titanic offense.

It’s not wise to clown around with Bowe.

chiefzilla1501 · 08-16-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Whitlock is just creating controversy

I agree with the premise. The #1 priority is to get Cassel comfortable and ready. Discipline Bowe, but don't do it at the expense of the QB.

Cassel just lost one game to gain a repoire with Bowe and to make himself feel more comfortable in this offense. Was it worth it? I don't think so.

milkman · 08-16-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I agree with the premise. The #1 priority is to get Cassel comfortable and ready. Discipline Bowe, but don't do it at the expense of the QB.

Cassel just lost one game to gain a repoire with Bowe and to make himself feel more comfortable in this offense. Was it worth it? I don't think so.

Yes it was worth it.

This is about long term rewards, not short term gratification.

Cassel and Bowe have been working together all offseason, and will be working together throughout this season, and in the seasons to come.

The firsr building block in creating rapport between a QB and WR is the QB's confidence in the WR's pass catching.

Deberg_1990 · 08-16-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I agree with the premise. The #1 priority is to get Cassel comfortable and ready. Discipline Bowe, but don't do it at the expense of the QB.

Cassel just lost one game to gain a repoire with Bowe and to make himself feel more comfortable in this offense. Was it worth it? I don't think so.

Wow, thats laughable.....sorry.

Cassel played 3 series. He didnt lose anything.

I think alot of you guys read too much into preseason games. Honestly.

"Bob" Dobbs · 08-16-2009, 09:21 AM

Oh oh. Bowe (or ANY black man) + Clown suit = RACISM! (Just ask some of the folks in DC).

RINGLEADER · 08-16-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Good lord, its the first preseason game. People are acting as if this is week 8 and the Chiefs are tied for the division lead.....Unreal.

Yep.

Mr. Krab · 08-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Just goes to show how incredible ****ing stupid the media is around town. It's more important for Haley to set a tone than it is for Bowe to start and help win a stinking preseason game. You want Bowe to turn into a prima donna douche?

boogblaster · 08-16-2009, 10:07 AM

Bowe is our best WR weapon, period ... He has to be used if our passing game is going to be anything at all ....

Coogs · 08-16-2009, 10:11 AM

Has Whitlock had a good word to say about Haley since Waters got shut down in his quest to ask Pioli and Haley what the plan was back in March?

08-15-2009, 10:44 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $952813	Whitlock: This feud between Haley and Bowe must end This feud between Haley and Bowe must end JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY Congrats. Todd Haley put a clown suit on Dwayne Bowe, and Dwayne Bowe put a clown suit on Matt Cassel. Unfortunately, no one inside Arrowhead Stadium was laughing Saturday night. We were fighting tears. The preseason debut of the Kansas City Chiefs’ new leadership was painful to behold. The Houston Texans pushed and shoved the Chiefs all around Arrowhead. Most troubling, Kansas City’s Cassel-led offense couldn’t sustain anything. Randy Moss’ BFF completed just two of five passes for 15 yards. At least two of his throws were dropped. With Cassel at QB, the Chiefs failed to cross the 50 and recorded just two first downs in five series. KC’s first-unit offense made me long for the good-old days: when the Herm Edwards-coached Chiefs routinely accumulated four or five first downs in a half. I felt sorry for Cassel. Lobbing balls to Terrance Copper, Brad Cottam, Sean Ryan and Devard Darling is a lot different from playing catch with Moss and Wes Welker. Haley’s feud with Bowe cost Cassel the luxury of throwing to Kansas City’s most talented receiver. Haley demoted Bowe to third string for Saturday’s exhibition. Bowe’s lackadaisical practice attitude won’t be tolerated by KC’s get-tough coach. I’m all for discipline. And I’m all for embarrassing Bowe into carrying himself like a professional. But you have to discipline Bowe in a way that makes sense for everyone, including KC’s new and unproven $60-million quarterback. When the Bowe Show took the field late in the second quarter along with backup quarterback Brodie Croyle, Kansas City’s offense was magically energized. Croyle took full advantage of Bowe’s physical gifts. Bowe caught two passes for 28 yards on his first series, a nine-play, 49-yard drive that led to a 47-yard field goal just before halftime. In the third quarter, Bowe tacked on three more receptions for 42 yards. In two quarters, he caught five passes for 70 yards. The Chiefs didn’t score in the third, but their offense looked far more effective. Suddenly there were running lanes for Dantrell Savage. Yes, Bowe and Croyle worked against Houston’s second-team defense. But there was no denying Bowe’s impact. He’s a difference maker. He stretches a defense. He’s a big target. He’s the only legitimate playmaker on Kansas City’s offense. Without him, Cassel has no chance at success. The Bowe-Haley feud has to end. We don’t have to declare a winner. Haley can take credit for inspiring Bowe to play hard. Bowe can satisfy himself with the knowledge that the Chiefs’ offense can’t move forward without him. Haley wants to establish himself as a young Bill Parcells. That’s an admirable goal. Someone better remind Haley that Parcells made his no-nonsense bones in the era before players received multimillion-dollar signing bonuses. Parcells had far more leverage. Players have plenty of leverage now. Bowe can hold this offense hostage. Cassel’s success is dependent on Bowe. Bowe may never be a great practice player. He may never duplicate Jerry Rice’s hands. Until the Chiefs find someone better, Haley is going to have to learn to co-exist with Bowe. Haley came up as a receivers coach. He’s known for clashing with receivers. We’ve seen him battle Terrell Owens and Anquan Boldin. When Haley was an assistant, there was always a head coach to mediate his dispute with receivers. Now Haley is the mediator. He might be a bit heavy-handed. He might not fully appreciate the ramifications of his Joe “Lean on Me” Clark disciplinary strategy. Cassel is still in the infancy of building the kind of confidence it takes to excel as a starting quarterback. He’s been a starting quarterback once in his last eight seasons. He had a pretty good season leading one of the NFL’s best teams. He won’t have the luxury of quarterbacking a great team this season. He’s been elected the captain of the Titanic. Bowe is the lone working engine of the Titanic offense. It’s not wise to clown around with Bowe.
Posts: 42,032

08-16-2009, 09:21 AM	#49
"Bob" Dobbs Kickin' it in Dobbstown. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southeast Kansas Casino cash: $9824317	Oh oh. Bowe (or ANY black man) + Clown suit = RACISM! (Just ask some of the folks in DC).
Posts: 3,315

08-16-2009, 10:07 AM	#52
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Bowe is our best WR weapon, period ... He has to be used if our passing game is going to be anything at all .... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

08-16-2009, 10:11 AM	#53
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1644349	Has Whitlock had a good word to say about Haley since Waters got shut down in his quest to ask Pioli and Haley what the plan was back in March?
Posts: 21,603