Chiefs Babb: Hali a player opponents notice - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-14-2009, 10:08 PM

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.”

**Easy 6** · 10-15-2009, 07:42 PM

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.

Color Red · 10-15-2009, 09:28 PM

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.

milkman · 10-15-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

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".

I call bullshit.

Bustre Hymen has never once offered up a football opinion.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-15-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

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.

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.

**Easy 6** · 10-15-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

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.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-15-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

I cant buy the 'lack of talent' argument...

11 tackles.

3 assists.

2 sacks.

5 games.

philfree · 10-15-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

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

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-15-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

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

But Phil...

He's so talented!

philfree · 10-15-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But Phil...

He's so talented!

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

10-14-2009, 10:08 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	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.”
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10-15-2009, 07:42 PM	#61
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $-192225	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. Last edited by Easy 6; 10-15-2009 at 09:31 PM.. Reason: EMPHASIS on PUKE
Posts: 98,509

10-15-2009, 09:28 PM	#62
Color Red Starter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $9975245	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.
Posts: 434