Babb: Hali a player opponents notice
 

Hali a player opponents notice
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

They know the stranger by number and not always by name, but they have learned to remember the new outside linebacker for the Chiefs.

Weeks pass. Opposing players who study the Chiefs always leave with the same impression.

“The guy we’ve been looking for is 91,” Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said before his team’s regular-season opener against Kansas City.

He’s not the only quarterback who noticed Tamba Hali, whose jersey number is 91, while studying film.

“Ninety-one,” Dallas quarterback Tony Romo said last week, “is a good player.”

Coaches, too.

“Ninety-one is as good a player as you’re going to see,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He just goes and goes and goes so hard.”

Months ago, the Chiefs weren’t sure about Hali. They didn’t know how he’d react to the change. Hali was a defensive end for his first three seasons, and he had once played that position well enough to be the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2006. He was terrific alongside Jared Allen his first two seasons; Hali never minded taking advantage of an opportunity when teams double-teamed Allen, the Chiefs’ former right defensive end.

Then Allen was gone — traded in an infamous deal before the NFL draft in 2008. That shifted the attention toward Hali last season, and he slid to the right side to take Allen’s spot. Without the help and stuck in a defense that accumulated 10 sacks, the lowest number in NFL history for a team playing a 16-game regular season, Hali set career lows in tackles and sacks.

Was Hali like the others? Another first-round defensive lineman, another bust? The questions followed him, and they wouldn’t let up.

The Chiefs needed a change. Hali did, too. But first-year coach Todd Haley was talking about something drastic. Haley wanted to shift the Chiefs’ defense to the 3-4 scheme, and that meant Hali and other linemen would move to outside linebacker.

“Not easy,” said Andy Studebaker, another longtime end who moved to linebacker to accommodate the new defense. “Not everybody is going to make it.”

Pass rushing had never been Hali’s problem. He was quick, determined and skilled. But now the Chiefs were asking him to cover receivers, something that looked peculiar considering his proximity to 300 pounds and that Hali had been a lineman for years.

Hali, 25, kept working, but he stopped talking. He had always been so affable and chatty, and then he went silent. Hali told reporters during training camp that he wouldn’t speak publicly until the team returned to Kansas City. Then, after an outstanding preseason, he declared that he was extending his vow of silence through the regular season, too.

The questions were back. Was he uncomfortable in his new position? Angry for being moved? Unhappy with all the changes the Chiefs had made, some of which were, in effect, putting his career at risk?

“I just want to do my job,” Hali told The Star on Wednesday, during a rare but revealing discussion.

He wouldn’t agree to be interviewed, but he said there were two reasons for the quiet. He said he hates to discuss losing, which the Chiefs have done plenty of in his time and is the finish line for most conversations about the team. Hali said his other reason was that he doesn’t need additional distractions as he continues to adjust to his new position. He said he preferred to streamline his focus, and any outside discussion could only slow his progress.

Hali said he preferred to let Haley do the talking for him, and the coach did that Wednesday. Hali, one of the most glaring questions entering this season, has emerged as one of the Chiefs’ most reliable defenders.

“He knew this was going to be a difficult transition,” Haley said. “He took it with open arms. He’s worked his butt off. It’s hard to find anybody who’s worked harder than him in all areas, physically and in the film room.

“He’s the type of guy we’re looking for around here. The more of those (players) that we can get around here, the better off we’ll be.”

Haley said he likes that Hali’s energy level and approach never seem weakened. Hali never requires the threats or public jabs that so many other defenders have provoked from Haley, and Haley said Wednesday that Hali’s work ethic leaves an impression on not only the Chiefs’ staff but also his teammates.

“Tamba does everything a hundred miles an hour,” defensive end Glenn Dorsey said. “If you ain’t giving it in practice, he’s going to tell you.”

Haley said it doesn’t matter that Hali’s statistics aren’t overwhelming. His coverage skills have improved, and Haley said Hali’s pass-rushing ability forces offenses to adjust — or do “things that don’t look so legal to get him stopped,” Haley said.

Still, Hali has two sacks, one fewer than last year’s season total. He has become the cornerstone of what is right with the Chiefs’ defense, even during a season in which so much seems unsettled. Others have noticed. Some outsiders have even begun to know the stranger by more than just his number.

“Hay-lee is playing pretty good,” Washington running back Clinton Portis said Wednesday. “Hah-lee, however you pronounce his name.”

In the Chiefs’ locker room Wednesday, Studebaker laughed when he heard that. If they don’t know Hali now, Studebaker said, they will soon.

“They’re looking at Tamba’s explosiveness and quickness and his ability to use his hands well,” Studebaker said. “He’s making that change pretty nicely.

“They know his name. Don’t let them fool you. They know his name. They know who he is.”

Unfortunately, he's the only one...

I think the header's hilarious.

Not "fear," or "respect"....

"Notice."

I suppose it's nice to be noticed.

We'd win a lot of games with 53 Tamba Halis. /Buddy Haley/

ROFL

I have to hand it to Hali I thought he would look like total garbage at linebacker. He has not at all. He has not been an all pro but he has been good enough

"I gotta be honest, when I play against the Chiefs, I acknowledge the existence of Tamba Hali!"

We all have to take a shit, sometime.

EASY THERE BILLY MAYS. JFC!

Hes always been one of those guys who looks good doing very little. That's not an insult to him, but watching his burst off the line and motor it's hard to fathom how a guy like that could be so ineffective statswise for almost 4 years, but the numbers don't lie. Some guys just don't have it. Other guys look almost nonchalant and lazy off the ball but always seem to put up big number year in and year out. I've always thought Greg Ellis was that type of player. You watch him play and nothing jumps out at you whatsoever, but the games over and he has 2 sacks.

Hali is ideally suited as a LDE in a 4-3, but the guy is a gamer and a hustler and it's nice to have a guy like that on the team - somebody who is, at the very least, trying his ass off. His forced fumbles numbers attest to this. I know that the guy is out of position, but I'll take a guy who is at least busting his ass all game over a talented but lazy ass all day long.

The ****ing Johnson boys should take a cue from Mr. Hali.

Hali has a lot of near misses. It seems like almost five times a game he is 2 feet away from getting a sack and either whiffs or falls down or the QB scrambles away.

I would call him "no cigar" Hali

Well if we can get another pass rusher to help him out i think he could be pretty good for us.

On a play on Sunday, Troy Aikman said something like "Tamba Hali was just a step short of the sack", which sounded like an excellent title for his autobiography one day.

One Step Short: The Tamba Hali Story

strike 59 for the drafturbators

It is funny to read the justifications for continuing to dismiss Hali as a quality player.

Whatever you have to tell yourself. Funny how NFL scouts, coaches and players take notice..... but the all knowing Chiefs planet board is just sure he sucks.

This coming from a group of guys that would jiz to just step foot on an NFL field.... priceless.

1st and 52. . .

Pretty much. I give some guys credit for admitting they were wrong, but a lot of the same people just keep going on and on about how he sucks yet every week his name is the first to come up from opposing offensive players. The comeback to that is "well of course he's the best of 11 turds" or something of that nature but it's just deflection. Hali has been very solid and has even looked fine in pass coverage situations.

I stand by my statement that if he were rushing against the right tackle every week he'd be a 10+ sack guy. Even coming across from the left tackle he still looks like he's going to be in that 7-9 sack range this season.

I think he hits double digits this year. The Chiefs have played the strongest part of their schedule, and I think game situations will improve his chances.

Of course, then, he will just be a below average double digit sack guy.

Yeah. I know everyone here is an expert, and would be an NFL GM if they could take the pay cut, but this isn't some ESPN sportswriter who knows nothing, these are players and coaches in the league saying he's becoming someone they look out for.

I can handle people who will admit when they are wrong but the asswhipes around here refuse to admit they are wrong even when it is right in front of them.


Hypocrisy Planet.

He's basically the only pass rush threat...even if he is a marginal one.

Vrabel is sad.

Speaking of Vrabel...

The sports radio station that I listen to here in Dallas has a segment on Tuesdays called the Marty B Show featuring Martellus Bennett (he's the backup tight end for the Cowboys). He was talking about having to block Vrabel (he kept calling him Verbal). Bennett explained that before almost every play Vrabel would be screaming out loud to the defense what play the Cowboys were going to run. Bennet said that Vrabel was right about 80% of the time, but the Chiefs just couldn't do anything about it and Vrabel was too old to do anything about it. While trash talking he told Vrabel "Man you are so old....you are stealing money by trying to play at your age. Go home old man." ROFL

/end pointless story

Maybe Vrabel could be our next DC?

Seems to me Vrabel had 1 more TD and 1 more catch than Bennet did.

:shake:

Vrabel's earning $3.5 million dollars per year. He's made more than $20 million in his career. He's 34 and has no ties to this area.

Why in the world would a 34 year-old multi-millionaire who's at the end of his career even considering working 70 hours a week for less than $1 million dollars per year?

This is just as bad as the people who clamored for Trent Green (he of $50 million dollars) to be the quarterback coach.

LMAO

Well, that alone means he's worth having around.

Gawd....I wish we could put Vrabel's brain in DJ's body.

Don't forget the heart. DJ is like the tin man.

If DJ is the tin man, Cassel is the scarecrow and LJ is the cowardly lion? :D

Actually the show host brought that up and Martellus then laughed and made fun of himself. BTW this was all done in a funny sort of way - Bennet is quite a clown. Look up MartyBTV on youtube.

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Yeah, add Tamba's nonstop motor for Heart.

Does that mean Haley is Dorothy?

And Pioli is the Wizard of OZ.

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE GM BEHIND THE CURTAIN!

Pederast is Toto?

"Toto...I don't think we're in Arizona anymore!"

Peterson is the Wicked Witch of the east that got crushed by the house...

You don't get the fact that some guys love the game that much. Not everything is always about the money.

Actually, DJ strikes me as all three rolled into one.

But, if I were to have to pick a scarecrow.... it would have to be LJ. Even after he said that he had to be better about picking up the blitz, he missed it badly on a couple of occaisions. On one in particular, it was about as bad of a read as I have seen an NFL player make.... so, clearly a lack of brains.

Lack of courage? I don't reall see a player that stands out to me. Maybe Mike Brown... he seemed to be scared of Austin on Sunday.....

Yes it is.

But go ahead and live in a fantasy world where all your favorite players become coaches and Hali is a Pro Bowler.

LMAO

You're a such a dumbass.

Hali has improved

weight loss helped his speed
natural position for him
Vrabel mentorship
all of the above?

LOL. When a pass rush is as dismal as ours, Tamba is definitely the only person they're going to be looking at.

Who else are they going to focus on blocking?

This is hilarious.

Improved? Over what, last season?

JFC. The guy has 2 sacks.

When opposing coaches and players are asked about the Chiefs defense, of course they're going to mention Hali because he's the best of a shit bunch.

They have to respond with something.

Okay, lets clear a few things up.

#1) I don't like players as coaches as a general rule. NFL players, especially star players have a ton of trouble transferring to that role. They don't understand why guys can't do what they are asking, or why certain guys just don't love the game as much or work as hard as they do. And, the ones with a ton of talent struggle to understand the ability of guys with less talent.

#2) You are mistaken to believe that everyone is as shallow as you are. Money plays a huge part in many decisions.... but not all. Do you think clergy are motivated by money? Police officers? Firemen? Do you think that teachers are motivated by money?

I make really good money running my own business. I am going back to school to do something that will earn me less money because I think I will enjoy it more.

I am a die hard capitalist and I know that money is a huge part, but it isn't the 'only' part.

And, when you have more money, it frees you up to pursue your desires over the most money you can get.

That is why guys at the tail end of their careers take less money often to go try to win a ring.

Hali has improved because he has gotten off the line of scrimage and the LT has a harder time getting his hands on him.

Hey Assface, I don't give a flying **** about you or what you do in life, okay?

Secondly, name me a football player that's made in excess of $25 million dollars that later became an NFL football coach.

And then, go back to ****ing yourself.

I had the chance to talk to Hali at the KO Luncheon and I asked about the whole emphasis on weight loss thing.

He told me he actually weighs more this year at LB than he did last year at DE.

When they moved him to the right side last year they wanted him lighter and faster to take on the LT.

Take it for what its worth but that's what he said.

Either people are too naive to see through the coach-speak, or are just flat out too ignorant to do so.

Opposing coaches aren't going to say the guy is a bum, but it's pretty ****ing obvious that they are fluffing the guy because there's no one else to fluff when they say shit like the Dallas staff said.

Paraphrasing, "He's (Hali) the best pass rusher we've seen yet this year."

I.

Call.

Bullshit.

Julius Peppers, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Elvis Dumerville would like to have a word with you...

Hali has 11 tackles, 3 assists and 2 sacks through 5 games.

I'm sure Kevin Gilbride, Andy Reid and Jason Garrett lost sleep preparing for Hali.

This.

But, he's the best pass rusher they faced?

According to SensibleButt**** and the living Ken Doll (Buster Hyman), he's an All-Pro, Hall of Famer.

In reality, he's just a "guy". If he went to a team with a great defense, he could probably make some noise because the offense would be concerned with the better players (like 2006 in KC).

But he's just a "guy".

Sacks don't tell the whole story. Like Haley said in his PC there was atleast 1 holding penalty called on the LT last week (would have been a sack for sure), and could have been called several other times. I don't see how anybody watched the past 5 games and ahsn't notice Hali consistently beating the LT? Also, he might have only had 2 sacks last season, but I'm almost 100% sure they said during one of this years games that he led the NFL in QB hurries in 08

11 tackles in 5 games tells a story.

And not a very good story I might add.

But Mr Juco football star The Guardian said Hali was going to be awesome.... ROFL

Hali has done enough to be consider in trade discusions-lol

What does that have to do with pass-rushing? He's a WLB though so his tackle totals are never going to be impressive. His job is simply to get to the QB, and he's done a good job of it. QB hurries and holding penatlies aren't sacks, but they count for something. He's also excellent at knocking the ball loose when he gets there, something he's always done fairly well and did on both his sacks this season.

Seriously? :shake:

It is soooo sad that anyone can even make the argument that Tamba Hali might be our best defensive player. Get some perspective, people. Tamba Hali is an NFL nobody. Even Jimmy Wilkerson is a superior player.

Seriously? :shake:

It is soooo sad that anyone can even make the argument that Tamba Hali might be our best defensive player. Get some perspective, people. Tamba Hali is an NFL nobody. Even Jimmy Wilkerson is a superior player.

Ha! Just looked at the stats on NFL.com.... Gilberry is better than Hali.

I hope it's more than 35 tackles a year! Which is what his totals to date project.

He's had two FF this season. And two sacks. That's just not very impressive.

Do I think he'd improve upon those numbers with a better front seven? Absolutely.

But it just doesn't appear that the guy will ever be a Joey Porter/John Abraham/James Harrison type of dominant player.

This is why I stop by the planet. I got totally side tracked and watched all his stupid videos, thanks.

Marty's a pretty funny dude actually and reminds me of someone I know.

Yeah...i just hate it when players give a f***, even as everyone screams 'F*** YOU' in his face.

The derision here, for this man, is PUKE sickening.

Unfortunately it is because a team looks at another team's depth chart and asks if there is anyone who is an impact kind of player, a player as they say, that has to be accounted for on ever play. In KC we've narrowed that down to 91. If Dorsey did now what he did in college, he would be that kind of player. Allen was that way. DT certainly was that way.

I call bullshit.

Bustre Hymen has never once offered up a football opinion.

What derision?

Hali is one of the few guys on this team I actually respect. He works his ass off, playing out of position, and he never quits. Love the guys motor and attitude.

That doesn't change the fact that he is what he is - a guy who works hard to try to overcome his lack of natural talent.

Put him opposite a decent DE in a 4-3 scheme, and I think you have a guy who has a 10 year career - nothing flashy, but he's not going to kill you.

In a 3-4 scheme at OLB?

Not so much, IMO. It is what it is.

I cant buy the 'lack of talent' argument...he's not the strawman 'OMFG ALL-PRO FRANCHISE!1', player...but given time, with his work ethic & motor...dont deny the guy his right to belong in the ranks of solid OLB's.

Other coaches have to praise something...the fact that they choose Hali shouldnt be held against him on this team.

I care about guys that care.

11 tackles.

3 assists.

2 sacks.

5 games.

No we don't need to get to excited about Hali playing ROLB. we need to draft one of the studs out of this draft to play that position.

PhilFree:arrow:

But Phil...

He's so talented!

LMAO

Hali and Gilberry are tied in tackles and sacks. I like Tamba Hali but let's not get carried away. You know we need to draft two OLBs this year and Hali is the ideal role model/back up for both positions.

PhilFree:arrow: