Chiefs Haley Q&A... talks about the effects of the weight loss on Albert - Page 3

Coogs · 10-14-2009, 05:08 PM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/10...d_haley__1014/

Q&A with TODD HALEY - 10/14
Oct 14, 2009, 3:20:22 PM

TODD HALEY: “This week we have our final NFC East opponent. By this time we should know what that division and those teams are all about. This is another very physical team in all areas that we are playing. They run the ball very well. They’ve got a couple of really good receivers – Moss in particular who is up there in yards per catch (and) a couple of really good running backs, one in particular that I’m very familiar with in Portis that looks like he gets better and better every year.

“Defensively, they are a well coached group that plays with high energy. I know their defensive coordinator, Greg Blache, very well and he generally has those guys ready to play and they play with great energy and enthusiasm. It’ll be another great test for us on top of being at their place.

Q: What do you like about what Tamba Hali has done moving to linebacker?

HALEY: “I think Tamba has taken what he knew would be a difficult transition when we came in here and said what we were going to do defensively. He took it with open arms, worked his butt off and it’s hard to find anyone who’s worked harder than him in all areas physically and in the film room. He’s taken on a leadership role with this team on top of it. Tamba Hali to me is the type of guy we’re looking for around here. The more of those that we can get around here the better off we’ll be. I don’t think his statistics reflect how well he’s played for us.”

Q: Why do think that is?

HALEY: “For playing a new position and having to do the coverage things that he hasn’t done a bunch of he’s doing a very good job in a lot of those areas. Teams know that he’s around and they tend to put a tight end over there or an extra back and that helps us in other areas. But that’s why you can’t necessarily go off his individual statistics.”

Q: How much of a gamble is it or risk to move a guy to a new position like that?

HALEY: “I think it’s tough and again that makes it all the more encouraging for us as a staff and organization that a guy embraced a new role and embraced it 100%. I think it’s going to pay off for him and I think it’ll pay off for us.”

Q: It seems like everybody on the opposition knows about him. What is it that he does that gets everybody’s attention?

HALEY: “I think he’s got an extremely high motor. He plays every down with the same intensity. It’s hard to find him taking any kind of rest out there. The off-season and the conditioning aspect that he put his body through to get ready for this season I can see why and how important that is to him. He plays with a high effort every single snap start to finish. He’s got very good balance, very good quickness, explosion and I think excellent core strength to get to the edge to do some things that good pass rushers have to do.

“On the stat thing there was at least one holding (call) last week and there probably could be a lot called because you see him a lot on the edge and the offensive tackle having to do things not so legal to get him stopped.”

Q: Did you see today if there was any kind of hangover from Sunday’s loss?

HALEY: “No really, I was encouraged. We know what we’re facing this weekend and the players need to understand that. This is as physical a team as we’ve played and a very difficult place to play – one of the bigger stadiums in the league and it’s loud. I was very encouraged with how the guys operated today.”

Q: Who’s your new linebacker?

HALEY: “We had to injure reserve Jackie Battle and then added Justin Rogers, an outside linebacker most recently with the Dallas Cowboys.”

Q: What about him?

HALEY: “He’s a guy that’s got some experience. I think last year he had 18 special teams tackles for Dallas. So, he’s been a pretty productive special teamer and that’s been his role here early in his career. He passes the look test 100%.”

Q: What’s Battle’s injury?

HALEY: “Shoulder and so he’ll probably have to have surgery.”

Q: There was some talk that last Friday at practice the players had to run it because the coaches walked off. Is that something you can talk about?

HALEY: “I will plead the 5th on that. That’s between me and our players.”

Q: Glenn Dorsey, where is he right now and what kind of path is he taking?

HALEY: “Glenn is a guy that it’s pretty well documented came into the off-season program extremely out of shape, probably so poor that his body and his frame just wasn’t able to handle that weight and allow him to do the things to necessarily get in shape.

“It’s been a long road and Glenn has got himself in condition now. He’s at the weight we assigned to him which probably looked like an impossibility back in the spring. I think that’s starting to pay dividends for him. His overall stamina is much better where he can play like that motor I’ve been talking about in Tamba. Those defensive linemen and linebackers have to be in better condition than everybody else so they can play at that high level of intensity every single snap.

“Even early on in the season, you could see Glenn fight to get to that weight. He wasn’t really there yet so there was some up and down play. It might be one play on and one play off. We can’t have that. But two out of the last three weeks he’s been more like what you’d envision him being. I think this week is critical for him to build on last week which was probably his best game over all.”

Q: What encourages you to think that he can be a solid defensive end?

HALEY: “Some of those things I just talked about: attitude and trying to show he wants to be a part of this. That’s number one. Like I’ve said, we’re looking for players that are the right kind of guys and we didn’t know any of these guys. But now we’ve spent a significant amount of time with them. I think that’s what we’re in the process of doing: finding those guys who truly want to be a part of something special here. Glenn, to me, has bought in with how he’s worked and fought to get to where he needs to be. The guy obviously has skill to play in the NFL or he wouldn’t have been taken where he was taken. I think that skill is starting to show itself now.”

Q: What is his potential?

HALEY: “He can be a very disruptive player up front. He’s got very good quickness and explosion where he needs to be and he can play with the intensity he needs to play with. That’s the biggest thing. He’s very strong. He’s not necessarily the dimensions when you think of defensive linemen, particularly the technique he’s playing.”

Q: When you look at the Cowboys they’re like immovable objects. Our guys have lost weight, so do they need to re-adjust from using what they’ve always used by being that big to better technique now?

HALEY: “Great point. That is part of the process. That’s an excellent question. Branden Albert, for instance, when he’s at 340 pounds you play a completely different game. You’re not going to be able to use your athletic ability so you’re going to get away with a lot of poor technique, in my opinion, when you’re heavy like that. You can lean on defenders; you’re not going to move your feet. Now, he’s at 305 or 308 today and he can’t cheat like he was able to cheat.

“So, it is a process of relearning or being coached to use your feet like you’re supposed to use your feet, use proper technique. Once you’re doing that then you can utilize the better condition. I do think that it is part of the process. When someone changes size that significantly it changes how they play and eventually it’ll be to the better and why we want to be in a certain condition and size.

“There are different sizes for different folks. In Dallas, obviously they always loved big defensive linemen. Going all the way back to my roots of growing up and watching the Steelers linemen who were always the smallest in the league but the quickest, fastest, pullers, trappers.“

Q: What’s the injury status of Branden Albert?

HALEY: “His mindset is right and he wants to make it back. He’s doing everything in his power to be back and I wouldn’t bet against him.“

Q: How do you feel about your line if he’s not there?

HALEY: “Encouraged from the standpoint of that final drive Sunday with Wade (Smith) out at left tackle. We had a little bit of a patchwork deal there in the game and were probably able to have one of our best drives of the game. I’m encouraged that we’ll find a way and if Branden can’t make it back. Goff fully participated so I expect he’s fine. We’ll have to figure out a way.“

Q: Is Wade sort of your backup option now?

HALEY: “We’ve got multiple options. Since he was in there and did it he’s probably at the top of the list if Branden can’t go. We’ve really made progress offensive line-wise from the depth standpoint as we go forward. I think that’s an area you have to be very good at to be a good team. It’s a work in progress but at least I feel like we have some options.”

Q: Wade Smith, a guard and center is now at left tackle.

HALEY: “I just think that Wade knows his role. He knows he’s across the board back-up in a lot of these games we’ve gone into. So, he puts excellent preparation into all spots understanding that at any time he could be playing any one of those positions.”

Q: Tank Tyler is still listed as a backup. Are you waiting for him to get nastier?

HALEY: “Defensively across the board we have to be better everywhere. Ron Edwards stepped it up going back three weeks ago and right now I feel that Ron in there gives us the best chance to win right now. Obviously, Tank can change that by improving his game.”

Chiefnj2 · 10-15-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Actually, it's an interesting point about Albert. That last year, he might have thrown his weight around as a way of getting in the way of pass rushers instead of using the right technique.

It begs the question... is he really raw at left tackle? Or is he just never going to be good enough?

Of course he's raw, he played guard in college.

dtrain · 10-15-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

No shit. Albert's game is crap this year and you can blame Haley for that. Sometimes a player is better off being big and fat, especially on the OL.

I'm losing respect for Haley as a coach more and more every week.

I agree if he is getting the job done at 340 why not leave it alone. If it aint broke don't fix it! With that said i'm still with holding judgement on Haley/Pioli until next year.

**kysirsoze** · 10-15-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

No shit. Albert's game is crap this year and you can blame Haley for that. Sometimes a player is better off being big and fat, especially on the OL.

I'm losing respect for Haley as a coach more and more every week.

His point was that if Albert lost the weight he would be forced to learn the technique he had neglected. All we're seeing now are the weaknesses he already had. If he is really supposed to be a franchise LT he needs some quickness and good feet. We knew we were going to get worse before we got better. Albert is a microcosm of that.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-15-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrain

I agree if he is getting the job done at 340 why not leave it alone. If it aint broke don't fix it! With that said i'm still with holding judgement on Haley/Pioli until next year.

year 3 for me

BigChiefFan · 10-15-2009, 02:20 PM

These are the growing pains. Haley has had this team in every game this year. We've installed a new defense, new offense, and special teams. This is expected. The team is devoid of talent. Next year we should be improved. By year three, we should be an up and coming team putting all the pieces together. Have some patience.

dtrain · 10-15-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

year 3 for me

I won't judge wins and losses but, the moves to make us better.

Micjones · 10-15-2009, 02:57 PM

Is it just me or did he throw the previous Offensive Line coach under the bus by saying Albert had poor technique?

**Mr. Kotter** · 10-15-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Is it just me or did he throw the previous Offensive Line coach under the bus by saying Albert had poor technique?

Truth hurts sometimes, but yeah...

10-14-2009, 05:08 PM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $-2275651	Haley Q&A... talks about the effects of the weight loss on Albert http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/10...d_haley__1014/ Q&A with TODD HALEY - 10/14 Oct 14, 2009, 3:20:22 PM TODD HALEY: “This week we have our final NFC East opponent. By this time we should know what that division and those teams are all about. This is another very physical team in all areas that we are playing. They run the ball very well. They’ve got a couple of really good receivers – Moss in particular who is up there in yards per catch (and) a couple of really good running backs, one in particular that I’m very familiar with in Portis that looks like he gets better and better every year. “Defensively, they are a well coached group that plays with high energy. I know their defensive coordinator, Greg Blache, very well and he generally has those guys ready to play and they play with great energy and enthusiasm. It’ll be another great test for us on top of being at their place. Q: What do you like about what Tamba Hali has done moving to linebacker? HALEY: “I think Tamba has taken what he knew would be a difficult transition when we came in here and said what we were going to do defensively. He took it with open arms, worked his butt off and it’s hard to find anyone who’s worked harder than him in all areas physically and in the film room. He’s taken on a leadership role with this team on top of it. Tamba Hali to me is the type of guy we’re looking for around here. The more of those that we can get around here the better off we’ll be. I don’t think his statistics reflect how well he’s played for us.” Q: Why do think that is? HALEY: “For playing a new position and having to do the coverage things that he hasn’t done a bunch of he’s doing a very good job in a lot of those areas. Teams know that he’s around and they tend to put a tight end over there or an extra back and that helps us in other areas. But that’s why you can’t necessarily go off his individual statistics.” Q: How much of a gamble is it or risk to move a guy to a new position like that? HALEY: “I think it’s tough and again that makes it all the more encouraging for us as a staff and organization that a guy embraced a new role and embraced it 100%. I think it’s going to pay off for him and I think it’ll pay off for us.” Q: It seems like everybody on the opposition knows about him. What is it that he does that gets everybody’s attention? HALEY: “I think he’s got an extremely high motor. He plays every down with the same intensity. It’s hard to find him taking any kind of rest out there. The off-season and the conditioning aspect that he put his body through to get ready for this season I can see why and how important that is to him. He plays with a high effort every single snap start to finish. He’s got very good balance, very good quickness, explosion and I think excellent core strength to get to the edge to do some things that good pass rushers have to do. “On the stat thing there was at least one holding (call) last week and there probably could be a lot called because you see him a lot on the edge and the offensive tackle having to do things not so legal to get him stopped.” Q: Did you see today if there was any kind of hangover from Sunday’s loss? HALEY: “No really, I was encouraged. We know what we’re facing this weekend and the players need to understand that. This is as physical a team as we’ve played and a very difficult place to play – one of the bigger stadiums in the league and it’s loud. I was very encouraged with how the guys operated today.” Q: Who’s your new linebacker? HALEY: “We had to injure reserve Jackie Battle and then added Justin Rogers, an outside linebacker most recently with the Dallas Cowboys.” Q: What about him? HALEY: “He’s a guy that’s got some experience. I think last year he had 18 special teams tackles for Dallas. So, he’s been a pretty productive special teamer and that’s been his role here early in his career. He passes the look test 100%.” Q: What’s Battle’s injury? HALEY: “Shoulder and so he’ll probably have to have surgery.” Q: There was some talk that last Friday at practice the players had to run it because the coaches walked off. Is that something you can talk about? HALEY: “I will plead the 5th on that. That’s between me and our players.” Q: Glenn Dorsey, where is he right now and what kind of path is he taking? HALEY: “Glenn is a guy that it’s pretty well documented came into the off-season program extremely out of shape, probably so poor that his body and his frame just wasn’t able to handle that weight and allow him to do the things to necessarily get in shape. “It’s been a long road and Glenn has got himself in condition now. He’s at the weight we assigned to him which probably looked like an impossibility back in the spring. I think that’s starting to pay dividends for him. His overall stamina is much better where he can play like that motor I’ve been talking about in Tamba. Those defensive linemen and linebackers have to be in better condition than everybody else so they can play at that high level of intensity every single snap. “Even early on in the season, you could see Glenn fight to get to that weight. He wasn’t really there yet so there was some up and down play. It might be one play on and one play off. We can’t have that. But two out of the last three weeks he’s been more like what you’d envision him being. I think this week is critical for him to build on last week which was probably his best game over all.” Q: What encourages you to think that he can be a solid defensive end? HALEY: “Some of those things I just talked about: attitude and trying to show he wants to be a part of this. That’s number one. Like I’ve said, we’re looking for players that are the right kind of guys and we didn’t know any of these guys. But now we’ve spent a significant amount of time with them. I think that’s what we’re in the process of doing: finding those guys who truly want to be a part of something special here. Glenn, to me, has bought in with how he’s worked and fought to get to where he needs to be. The guy obviously has skill to play in the NFL or he wouldn’t have been taken where he was taken. I think that skill is starting to show itself now.” Q: What is his potential? HALEY: “He can be a very disruptive player up front. He’s got very good quickness and explosion where he needs to be and he can play with the intensity he needs to play with. That’s the biggest thing. He’s very strong. He’s not necessarily the dimensions when you think of defensive linemen, particularly the technique he’s playing.” Q: When you look at the Cowboys they’re like immovable objects. Our guys have lost weight, so do they need to re-adjust from using what they’ve always used by being that big to better technique now? HALEY: “Great point. That is part of the process. That’s an excellent question. Branden Albert, for instance, when he’s at 340 pounds you play a completely different game. You’re not going to be able to use your athletic ability so you’re going to get away with a lot of poor technique, in my opinion, when you’re heavy like that. You can lean on defenders; you’re not going to move your feet. Now, he’s at 305 or 308 today and he can’t cheat like he was able to cheat. “So, it is a process of relearning or being coached to use your feet like you’re supposed to use your feet, use proper technique. Once you’re doing that then you can utilize the better condition. I do think that it is part of the process. When someone changes size that significantly it changes how they play and eventually it’ll be to the better and why we want to be in a certain condition and size. “There are different sizes for different folks. In Dallas, obviously they always loved big defensive linemen. Going all the way back to my roots of growing up and watching the Steelers linemen who were always the smallest in the league but the quickest, fastest, pullers, trappers.“ Q: What’s the injury status of Branden Albert? HALEY: “His mindset is right and he wants to make it back. He’s doing everything in his power to be back and I wouldn’t bet against him.“ Q: How do you feel about your line if he’s not there? HALEY: “Encouraged from the standpoint of that final drive Sunday with Wade (Smith) out at left tackle. We had a little bit of a patchwork deal there in the game and were probably able to have one of our best drives of the game. I’m encouraged that we’ll find a way and if Branden can’t make it back. Goff fully participated so I expect he’s fine. We’ll have to figure out a way.“ Q: Is Wade sort of your backup option now? HALEY: “We’ve got multiple options. Since he was in there and did it he’s probably at the top of the list if Branden can’t go. We’ve really made progress offensive line-wise from the depth standpoint as we go forward. I think that’s an area you have to be very good at to be a good team. It’s a work in progress but at least I feel like we have some options.” Q: Wade Smith, a guard and center is now at left tackle. HALEY: “I just think that Wade knows his role. He knows he’s across the board back-up in a lot of these games we’ve gone into. So, he puts excellent preparation into all spots understanding that at any time he could be playing any one of those positions.” Q: Tank Tyler is still listed as a backup. Are you waiting for him to get nastier? HALEY: “Defensively across the board we have to be better everywhere. Ron Edwards stepped it up going back three weeks ago and right now I feel that Ron in there gives us the best chance to win right now. Obviously, Tank can change that by improving his game.”
Posts: 21,910

10-15-2009, 02:20 PM	#35
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	These are the growing pains. Haley has had this team in every game this year. We've installed a new defense, new offense, and special teams. This is expected. The team is devoid of talent. Next year we should be improved. By year three, we should be an up and coming team putting all the pieces together. Have some patience. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

10-15-2009, 02:57 PM	#37
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	Is it just me or did he throw the previous Offensive Line coach under the bus by saying Albert had poor technique? __________________ It's like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I could been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong.
Posts: 15,344