Chiefs Notebook | Haley deems player-coaches a success

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs Notebook | Haley deems player-coaches a success
By TEREZ PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star

When Chiefs coach Todd Haley decided to make several players — primarily veterans — honorary coaches this week, he did it so those players could rest during the bye week but still remain heavily involved in practice.

And after the Chiefs finished up their last day of practice Thursday before a three-day weekend, Haley deemed the experiment a success.

“All 14 guys have really surprised me,” Haley said of the honorary coaches. “There isn’t one that I wasn’t impressed with in some way or another. They took this and ran with it, took ownership over it and were into helping making our team better from a different perspective.”

However, the experiment also had a side effect: It showed players just how hard it is to coach.

“It gives you a different aspect of football,” said receiver Terrance Copper. “On the field, you constantly have to be into practice the whole time, talking, coaching (guys) up.”

Haley said linebacker Mike Vrabel learned all this the hard way. On Thursday, Vrabel was calling plays for the defense against the Brian Waters-led offense.

“He and coach Waters were going mano y mano in calling (plays), and it got down to crunch time, and I happened to be standing over by Mike,” Haley began.

“All of a sudden you heard Mike go, ‘Oh, you got any suggestions?’ ” Haley said in a meek whisper intended to mimic Vrabel.

He may have needed help, but Vrabel said the experience didn’t rule coaching out of his future.

Vrabel joked that he learned another valuable lesson.

“The one thing this taught me is that I’ll never coach with Todd,” Vrabel said with a laugh. “I (told him after) three days that I may want to coach, but I know I won’t coach on your staff.”

Weis returns

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis returned to the practice field Thursday.

Weis, who underwent gallbladder surgery Monday and missed two straight days of practice, never got out of his motorized cart.

However, it appears the toughness Weis showed in making a speedy return is just an example of the team-first mentality Haley and his staff have been trying to cultivate.

“The way we’re thinking is that we’re all going to do anything and everything for the cause,” said Haley, who reiterated that he stays out of his staff’s personal business. “And when you have 61-plus players and coaches in a building thinking that, you’re generally going to be in more games than not.”

Risk vs. reward

This may go without saying, but Haley acknowleged that all plays are not created equally.

“When you call certain plays,” Haley said, “you hold your breath.”

Haley said the key to knowing when to call a risky play is preparation.

“You’re trying to make an educated gamble that we can execute and there’s a weakness there that can be taken advantage of,” Haley said. “But those two things have to happen (for it to work).”

Medical updates

Defensive lineman Tyson Jackson, cornerback Javier Arenas and offensive lineman Ryan O’Callaghan spent their practice time conditioning. Arenas suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s game, while O’Callaghan has been dealing with a groin injury.

Jackson hasn’t played since he suffered a knee injury in the season opener against San Diego.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Lilja has been at right guard since his rookie year. And I thought he played right guard as KSU as well...

Dude, he was their left guard.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2010/3/8...-lg-ryan-lilja

This season is the first time he's ever played on the right.

And he's performing at a much higher level than I ever imagined.

Jake Scott was the Colts right guard until 2008, when he signed with the Titans.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

We need to draft a good RT next year. I'm not massively displeased with BRich, but I think we can do better. jmho

He's young, showed much improvement, let him continue to develop. I have no problem if they stick with Richardson going foward.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by PGM

He's young, showed much improvement, let him continue to develop. I have no problem if they stick with Richardson going foward.

The following post is not directed specifically to the quoted post.
The quoted post is simply a point of reference.

To that end.....



If you have been paying any attention, you would see Richardson's growth in the position even in just these 3 games.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by milkman

The following post is not directed specifically to the quoted post.
The quoted post is simply a point of reference.

To that end.....



If you have been paying any attention, you would see Richardson's growth in the position even in just these 3 games.

Absolutely.