Q&A with Head Coach Todd Haley
 

Q&A with Head Coach Todd Haley
Mar 02, 2009, 3:55:58 PM

Q: How long did it take to work out a deal for Matt Cassel?

TODD HALEY: “I won’t get into the specifics of the deal, but Matt’s a young player in the league with a good year under his belt starting. He was able to win 11 games last year and I think he’s the type of guy we would like to have on the Kansas City Chiefs as we go forward.”

Q: He looks like he could be a quarterback for a long time in this league.

HALEY: “Again, with one year of experience he’s coming from a very good system and a place where they’ve done a good job of winning games in the NFL. I think anytime you can get a player who’s been around winning it’s a good thing. He’s a player that I’ve watched a bunch this year just because it just so happened that the Arizona Cardinals and New England had many common opponents. We did a lot of study of their offense playing the defenses that we had to play. I would say we also played a similar style of offense as the year went on, so they were a team we enjoyed watching to try and get a feel for how defenses would play us.”

Q: How important is it to secure the quarterback position?

HALEY: “I think, as I’ve said, we’re trying to accumulate as many good players as we can – guys that we think can play and can be competitive. We’re for getting them in here. I don’t know if you can say that the quarterback position is secure. We’ve got another guy to come in and compete for the starting quarterback position.”

Q: Is Cassel in the competition or the starter on day one?

HALEY: “I just got off the phone with Tyler (Thigpen) and I told him that I’m a very selfish coach. I think that’s evidenced by Arizona and what we did. We’re going to play the guys that give us the best chance to win. I would say that Matt Cassel is coming in here to compete for the starting quarterback position.”

Q: But he wasn’t told officially that he was the starter?

HALEY: “No. We hadn’t any conversation like that.”

Q: What does having a year of experience mean as opposed to drafting a guy?

HALEY: “I think it’s the known versus the unknown. You’ve seen a guy who’s performed in the NFL, started 15 ½ games. That’s a big item. Scott (Pioli) has great familiarity with him, a lot more than I do. But like I said, I did a lot of studying of the New England Patriots this year so I got to watch him and was impressed from where he started to where he finished. Here’s a relatively unknown guy who didn’t play a lot in college and hadn’t played a lot in the NFL, and to come in and play like that is an impressive story and someone who earned my respect.”

Q: You can’t get the experience of the NFL in the draft can you?

HALEY: “I think anytime you can get a player who’s been around winning – and New England has done a lot of winning over the last few years – those are good players to get on your roster whenever you can.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the way Tyler Thigpen played?

HALEY: “I think Tyler’s an intriguing guy. I think he’s very athletic. He’s got, without spending a lot of time with him and having only a brief phone conversation with him, a little moxie and you can tell he played with passion. I would say he’s an intriguing guy who presents some problems for the defense when you’ve got a guy that athletic.

“He threw 21 touchdown passes and it’s hard to throw 21 touchdown passes in the NFL. I’m glad we have him on the roster.”

Q: How were you able to pull off what seems like a lopsided deal?

HALEY: “Again, I won’t get into specifics of that. I’m glad we’ve got both players on the team. Mike Vrabel is a guy I have great respect for. We played them late in the year last year and he was a guy who plays physical, is a true pro in every sense of the word, and a guy who’s used to winning and knows how to prepare to win. Around a young team like we have I think that’s a valuable asset. I’m excited about both guys.”

Q: Brian Waters is apparently offended by both you and Scott Pioli. Any reaction to that?

HALEY: “Conversations that happen between me and my players will stay private. I’m in the business of trying to win football games and it’s very early in the game and we’ve got a long way to go. Right now, along with Scott I’m trying to find some football players to add to this roster. We’re still in the process of finding coaches and I don’t have a lot of time to worry about a lot of those things right now.”

Q: I can’t recall a deal like this where the contract isn’t worked out already. Does it worry you that it might be hard to sign the quarterback?

HALEY: “Time is on our side. There will be plenty of time to get something done. I stay out of that business. The important thing is we’ve got a player who wants to be here, wants to be a part of this turnaround and I think when you have that type of motivation things tend to work themselves out.”

Q: Vrabel is on the tail end of his career, but what does he bring to this team?

HALEY: “Again, he’s a professional who knows how to prepare to win in the league. He’s been very successful as a player, as a linebacker, as a rusher, and even some offense. The important thing to me is you get a guy who’s won a lot of games in the NFL and knows how to win. I’m counting on Mike to bring a bunch of these young guys with him and let them know what it takes.”

Q: Does he give you more flexibility to go to maybe a three-four defense?

HALEY: “It’s something he’s played a bunch in and has been a successful player in it.”

Q: Did you draw up any pass plays for him yet?

HALEY: “We talked about it and I think it’s an area where he’d still like to contribute. You know once you taste the end zone a few times you like it. The more you can do and he’s shown he’s been pretty versatile and been able to help New England win in different ways.”

Q: How close are you to settling your defensive staff?

HALEY: “We still may add one or more pieces here. We’re working on it. We’re getting closer. Offense is pretty well set and defensive we may add one or two more pieces.”

Wow.

I really like Haley!

Reminds me of some Belicheck answers.

If Cassel isn't the starting quarterback next year and Tyler Thigpen is in the mix, I'd love to know where I can pre-order Tyler Thigpen jerseys on the Chiefs site.

http://www.chiefsproshoponline.com/c...&search=cassel

Why?

That's my point. All this talk about Thigpen is smoke. Cassel's the starting quarterback, period....and he's going to be the face of the franchise. The web site gives that away. I just think it's funny how Haley's pitching a QB competition when there clearly isn't one.

He's probably drumming up Thigpen's trade value for a desperate team at the end of camp. And let me say, I'm very happy to have Cassel...I just find it funny.

Okay, no love for Thigpen here.

Now, let's examine your take a little.

Why in the merry, happy **** would Haley even "smokescreen" something that no one in their right mind gives two ****s about, or would even support?
What's the debate? Who is there to offend? If he told Waters to pound sand, you think he's gonna' coddle or put up appearances for Tyler ****ing Thigpen?!
Or Thigpen's devoted, Heaven's Gate following?!

You're sensing the mystery all right; somethings a little off. What it truly is, I'm not gonna' say because I'm not 100% sure. I have my suspicions though.

This. I like it.

Yep, they're taking at QB @ #3 alright, DCS. :)

LOL

This guy is just a Bust. He is not going to be a good coach.

Watch when he starts yelling at Clark Hunts old ass :d

Anyone who thinks this isn't a good endorsement of TT is kidding themselves

how old are you? 15?

I'm sure there will be times when conversations between players and Haley will be discussed publicly, however... I think the message has been sent loud and clear for all employees of the Chiefs that there is a time and a place to voice things, and you better damn well know when that time and place is.

:spock:

You are just adorable.

He needs to start claiming thigpen should be the starter and then he will get the the verbal beatdown he is so desperately looking for.

That is just hilarious. How precious.

Bigger bust:

Jamarcus Russell or Todd Haley?

It's nice that they give you a little time on the computer while you're paying your debt to society. Now back to cell block D convict, you have some pole to smoke.

:spock: If Clark Hunt's old, what does that make Al Davis?

http://media.movieweb.com/news/10.2007/crypt.jpg

It's morons like you that make us appreciate RNR and Over-Head so much.

I'd be surprised if he is even a Raiders fan. He comes off like one of the idiots at OrangeMane impersonating a Raiders fan.

I hear that the mane is on fire right now.

Yeah, Clark is ancient!

You are a complete troll.

Kill yourself.

You know, that was a really informative interview.

I know exactly as much as I knew yesterday.

Haley reminds me of an actor. Adam Sandler?


PhilFree:arrow:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gDgdutjALd...davistroll.jpg

"Get me my Bag O' Dicks, or ELSE"! Yarrr...

Why is that a problem? The guy's job is to coach football. That's all.

Man Waters looks like more of a bitch now....

God this roster has some crybabies on it...

from the video of this transcript on the front page of kcchiefs.com, he wouldn't comment when asked about Crennel but did add that Ronnie Bradford formally of the donkeys was added as assistant db's and will also help with special teams.

It's not a problem.

It's just an observation.

You know, when I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time, which is one of the 7 wonders of the world, I was so awestruck, my very first word used to describe it was "interesting".

:doh!:

Gotcha.

It's certainly a problem if you're a KC journalist, I guess.

WOW! I can't believe that. Does this mean that he can change his name to Tyler Cuatro without having to pay for all of those leftover jerseys like Chad Ocho Cinco?

Let us Devil's Advocate for a moment, shall we?

Everybody knows that the acquisition of Cassel was a TRADE, but not everyone is processing it as such.

What has changed for the Chiefs in the 1st round of the 2009 Draft?

Nothing.

Yep, there's that pesky little 3rd overall still sitting firmly in our hands. Had that trade, minus Vrabel, been for 3rd overall? There's nothing to discuss, and "the deal is done"! :D

That's not the case.

Now prior to this trade, it had been discussed ad-nauseum how very difficult it would be to get a proper balance going on a trade-down. It was also surmised that finding a team willing to do this would be even harder.

Long story short; I believe that Matt Cassel is now the "Drew Bledsoe" on the roster of the Kansas City Chiefs.

As to what happens on the 25th of April, I'll let you draw your own conclusions. :)

So are you saying that we are going to draft a QB #3 overall, just to add them to the mix, and let them all compete for the spot? So, $15 million ap hit for MC, and probably a $12 million cap hit for the rookie?

Or, are you saying that we will draft our QB at #3, and then, having snatched up the last "franchise" QB in the draft (most likely), dangle MC out there to those teams looking for a starter, such as San Fran at the #10 spot, or maybe the Lions with there 20/21 (not sure what it is) cowboys pick?

If it is the latter, hmm.

You're both out of your friggin' minds.

Cassel's our QB now. Like it or not.

I don't think money is the issue here. There were four guys sent packing shortly before this trade, and more than enough in savings to acquire Cassel. You remove Gray and Martin, draft your third overall, let Croyle finish out the remainder of his contract on IR/PUP, and BOOM; you got a three man roster with your "QB in grooming" occupying the 3rd slot.

Make no mistake; I believe Cassel will be the starter. He and Thigpen will compete in camp, and Cassel will smoke his ass.

Prior to today, I believed that "the deal was done". But all these little nuances are starting to show up that point to something altogether different.
And one more thing I neglected to include in my original post:

Assuming the trade-down is a possibility from 3rd overall; do you wanna' be the guy from the other team that goes to the bargaining table with Scott Pioli after what he just pulled off?

There's mojo a' brewin' here.

I just hope that they are looking towards the future as well... If Cassel is the QB for the next few years, fine, but we better have a prospect on the bench to prepare for the future...

Cassel is not a long term solution at QB...

That remains to be seen...

I'm not saying he's a franchise QB either, but the guy's only (almost) 27.

Regardless, you have to have depth or a plan for the future... You should always try and get better at the QB position until you have that position at a consistent probowl level....

I wouldnt be pissed at all if our 3 is spent on a QB and that said QB sits the bench for a year or three....

Once Cassel glass slipper and carriage turns back into a pumpkin and flip flops, I hope our GM and HC had the vision to protect themselves.

I believe they are in fact doing that very thing. Never say never when it comes to Pioli, but I don't see any other team stepping up to take that pick, much less wanting to negotiate with the PHD Of Highway Robbery.

If you put every aspect of the last 72 hours in to focus, a case that was laughable on Saturday is all of a sudden not quite so funny.

Just sayin'...

I believe the acquisition was a perfect twist of fate; you've got a solid performer who is not too old and not too young.

He's EXACTLY what we need as a starter right now, and the deal was an absolute steal! Of course you're gonna' take it, especially when you can compensate the guy's first year salary by ditching a lot of dead weight that was out the door regardless.

Whom is young enough to drive a true QBOTF...

I think it would be sweet to have a legit QBoTF on the bench while Cassel takes the beating.

I say this with absolutely NO arrogance whatsoever; I feel in the very marrow of my bones that we are headed right to that very scenario.

At this particular moment in time, I feel like our initial instincts/hopes were dead-on, but we just happened to pick up a VERY nice Ace card to add to the deck at a bargain basement price.

And though not really related to the matter at hand, chew on this:

We haven't played one single game under the new regime, but when we throw a rock in to the pond these days; it creates a tidal wave throughout the rest of the league.

Dude; we matter again. :fire: