Q&A with Todd Haley - 9/1

[aturnis]

www.kcchiefs.com



TODD HALEY: “Afternoon everyone. It was a Friday practice today, really our final preparation for St. Louis. It was my second day with some new (offensive coordinator) duties.

“When I get offensive-minded I think up-tempo. Practice should pick up. We should be fast from the huddle up to the line. The ball should get snapped very quickly. The guys running around. That’s what I expect.

“Was it there today like I wanted? No, I don’t think. But between yesterday and today I was encouraged because there are some new things for the guys to learn. You saw me run a period over again with the defense. This is just a Friday polish where we expect everything to be pretty perfect and it wasn’t there today.

“We’ve got to get back to work, come in tomorrow and get our final walk-through and be ready to go.”

Q: How long do you think it’ll take guys to adapt to things like the change of pace of practice?

HALEY: “If you stay after them it shouldn’t take too long. It shouldn’t take too long. Again, all people are different and I’m going to be different than the next guy in meetings and all those things. I like to meet a lot more together as a group than a lot of people, so offensively we’ll be in there with the offensive line, receivers, everybody, communicating and learning how to communicate. We’ll push the process as fast as we can but, again, we’ve got to be ready to go one way or another.”

Q: How much talk in these meetings goes into the depth chart and its arrangement and getting that message across?

HALEY: “Every day as a staff we raise the curtain and look at it and talk about it and just massage it a little bit. Who’s paying attention and who’s not and if that correlates into bad practices or not practicing then we’ve got to put guys we can count in there and up there? Again, we’re going to be playing here in not too long for real and we need guys we can count on.”

Q: What kind of message are you trying to send when you manipulate the depth chart?

HALEY: “A consistent message, that’s what I try to send: consistent. Not always the same but consistent. Again, the thing I’ve been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53. We’re going to do it at all costs. Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you? It’s coaching and letting them know and being consistent with your response. We treat each player differently, or how he needs or deserves to be treated.”

Q: Are they aware of that? Are they responding to where they’re at on the depth chart?

HALEY: “If they’re not then I’d be worried about them for not caring or paying attention. It is what it is. Again, we’re going to play the guys we can depend on.”

Q: Do you enjoy that part, in creating or sending a message?


HALEY: “No, because my job is for us to win and if there is somebody who’s not practicing or playing the way they need to and I think they can potentially be a good player, I’ve got to go by what I see and not go by what I hope. I would never have fun with somebody not playing that I think can be a pretty good player or is kind of wasting our time and his. That would never be fun for me. I want us to be good and everything I do has to be thinking about that.”

Q: Do you believe there may be some veterans on the team who are waiting for you to take your foot off the gas, so to speak, figuring that you can’t keep this up?

HALEY: “Again, I’m not going to speculate on how people feel. I have on occasion said that I’m not going away. This is me and you’re going to get me every day; you’re not going to wear me out. That’s been tried before. That’s just my personality. It’s just being me and letting them know how I’m going to be.”

Q: How are these new responsibilities going to change your week?

HALEY: “It’s going to be busier for sure. I’ve got to be very efficient with my time obviously. I’d like someone to take over my media duties. (laughs) That would make a lot more time available. I’m just trying to be efficient.”

Q: How will you do it when the game is going on and the defense is on the field and you’re thinking about the next offensive possession? Are you going to be able to focus on the game in its totality?

HALEY: “That’s a very good question and something that I had to put a lot of thought into. I’m grateful that I’ve got some former coordinators, multiple coordinators in and around me all the time. In a game, that’s where we’re going to have to be efficient. As I said yesterday, I think for us to be successful I have to be the head coach of the team: offense, defense, special teams, staff. I have to be able to manage the game. That’s my number one job.

“As I said, the offense needs help right now and that’s what I’m doing. I have to be efficient and need to rely on guys I can count on and trust and be prepared to do it. I wouldn’t be the only one doing it. There are obviously some guys who have done it and are doing it and I’ve got to be one of the successful ones.”

Q: So you’ll have to lean on some of your assistants quite a bit?

HALEY: “Which last year, even as a coordinator, I leaned heavily on. I will lean heavily on Coach Muir – a guy with so much experience and game experience to fill this room.

“No different than last year when I leaned on people. I’ll lean on people this year and I don’t think that part will be significantly different. Even as a head coach I’m leaning on guys on defense, on offense helping me make a decision. That’s where staff continuity comes into play. We have to be together and that’s why we meet together, watch tape together, which a lot of staffs don’t do; they break up ‘cause it’s faster. We watch it together because we’re going to be together.”

Q: Will you send someone up in the booth to handle some of these duties?

HALEY: “Yeah, we already had two coaches on offense up there and we may add another one.”

Q: Who’s your starting quarterback Thursday night?

HALEY: “Brodie (Croyle) will open.”

Q: How much is he going to play?

HALEY: “We’re going to play it by ear. Like I’ve said, there are no sacred cows. I just actually told Brodie and Tyler that. We need to get better and this is a chance to get better. We’re going to have to see how it goes.”

Q: Is that going to depend on how well he does?

HALEY: “In this game, yeah, I would say that could be a part of it.”

Q: Do you base a lot of your decision for Baltimore on what you see Thursday night or is it just a small piece of the puzzle?

HALEY: “A small piece, but all the pieces are pretty big right now as we get down to the wire. Every day is an evaluation and we’ve got to lean on everything we know and here in these next couple of days we’ll learn some more.”

Q: How challenging will it be coordinating this offense this year compared to last year when you had so many weapons?

HALEY: “Running an offense is a great challenge. Defense seems to get better and better. It’s a great challenge regardless of the situation. Those were some nice guys to learn on last year. Again, it was year two of a system and we got pretty efficient at time. I feel like in Arizona we did what we had to do to give us the best chance to win games. I’m proud of how we handled ourselves there and we were two minutes and 38 seconds short. Here will be a totally new challenge but it’ll be the same philosophy of doing whatever we have to give us the best chance to win. If that means winning 3-to-nothing or six-to-three, that’s what we have to do.”

Q: Cut-down date today for a handful of guys. Was it tough?

HALEY: “They’re all tough but again those names will be released. I’ll stay out of that until it comes out officially so there is no confusion.”

Q: Will the next round of cuts be tougher?

HALEY: “The harder it is the better your team is. I hope it’s hard.”

Q: Are there generally guys from this first cut you’re going to look at to bring in?

HALEY: “I won’t speculate on what’s going on other than to say, that Scott and I have made a promise – and the Hunts have – that we’re going to do whatever we have to do to get the best guys in here. If there is somebody who helps us then we’ll definitely look into it.”

Q: You haven’t won a game this pre-season. Does this put more pressure on you this week or is it just another opportunity to get better?

HALEY: “Every week is pressure. I’ve learned that through the years. You might have the greatest win you’ve ever felt on the Sunday before and the next Sunday you feel how the heck are we ever going to pull this off. Every week feels that way to me. That feeling hasn’t changed and that’s just how you’re made up. Some people get comfortable, some people don’t. I’ve never been comfortable.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Donald Washington?

HALEY: “I think Donald is making progress. I think that he’s a guy who was behind the eight-ball a little bit with his graduation stuff. That set him back early but I think he’s a pretty bright kid that cares and it appears to me he’s studying and trying to do the things to give himself a chance. That doesn’t mean that it happens instantly with those (rookies) and the speed of the game is faster and there is a lot going on. I think he’s shown flashes enough and he’s kind of moved himself up the depth chart a little bit. We’re starting to think we maybe got something.”

Q: You maybe had some better options in free agency to fill that spot. Did you like him better than those options?

HALEY: “I don’t feel bad about saying that he’s a guy making progress. We can’t put him in Canton yet but I think he’s definitely shown a steady improvement and with a young guy like that, that’s what you’re looking for. Then you get a guy that’s 6'2" and can run and has the physical attributes you’re looking for, then you’re hopeful.”

Q: Is it fair to say he’s earned this as opposed to just you giving him a look?

HALEY: “Oh yeah, I think that Donald has worked hard.”

Q: There are three defensive guys getting treatment. Do you have any real fears for your defensive backfield that any of those guys who are healing from injuries won’t be ready for Baltimore? Just in general terms?

HALEY: “I’m going to soak up these last couple of days that I don’t have to let anything out. I’m not talking about anybody that’s not on the field. Mike Brown had two interceptions today which I thought was encouraging. It’s about time he got his hands on the football. I thought DaJuan Morgan is making progress – real progress. He was another guy who was over in that (recovery) area for an extended period of time. I think he’s come on and I was kind of encouraged by his play in this last game. That’s positive.”

Q: Any comments about rumors that Zach Thomas is retiring?

HALEY: “I won’t ever comment on speculation and rumors. I don’t think that’s right.”

[Tribal Warfare]

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by rambleonthruthefog

mods?

?

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Thanks, I'll add it to the header. Still can't find out where you go the embed code though.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Thanks, I'll add it to the header. Still can't find out where you go the embed code though.

it's next to the fullscreen option, it looks like bubbles or white dots click on that then the embeddable code will be given

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

it's next to the fullscreen option, it looks like bubbles or white dots click on that then the embeddable code will be given

I know that, I meant that I can't find the video posted anywhere but on the front page, and that video doesn't seem to have ANY options.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by aturnis

I know that, I meant that I can't find the video posted anywhere but on the front page, and that video doesn't seem to have ANY options.

just go any Q& A transcript page the video player will be updated nomatter which interview your reading.

[HemiEd]

I just love this guys commitment and intelligence. It is such a contrast to the dumbassery we heard the last 3 years.

EGBAR!!!!! (everything is going to be all right)

[Coach]

Transcript

TODD HALEY: “Afternoon everyone. It was a Friday practice today, really our final preparation for St. Louis. It was my second day with some new (offensive coordinator) duties.

“When I get offensive-minded I think up-tempo. Practice should pick up. We should be fast from the huddle up to the line. The ball should get snapped very quickly. The guys running around. That’s what I expect.

“Was it there today like I wanted? No, I don’t think. But between yesterday and today I was encouraged because there are some new things for the guys to learn. You saw me run a period over again with the defense. This is just a Friday polish where we expect everything to be pretty perfect and it wasn’t there today.

“We’ve got to get back to work, come in tomorrow and get our final walk-through and be ready to go.”

Q: How long do you think it’ll take guys to adapt to things like the change of pace of practice?

HALEY: “If you stay after them it shouldn’t take too long. It shouldn’t take too long. Again, all people are different and I’m going to be different than the next guy in meetings and all those things. I like to meet a lot more together as a group than a lot of people, so offensively we’ll be in there with the offensive line, receivers, everybody, communicating and learning how to communicate. We’ll push the process as fast as we can but, again, we’ve got to be ready to go one way or another.”

Q: How much talk in these meetings goes into the depth chart and its arrangement and getting that message across?

HALEY: “Every day as a staff we raise the curtain and look at it and talk about it and just massage it a little bit. Who’s paying attention and who’s not and if that correlates into bad practices or not practicing then we’ve got to put guys we can count in there and up there? Again, we’re going to be playing here in not too long for real and we need guys we can count on.”

Q: What kind of message are you trying to send when you manipulate the depth chart?

HALEY: “A consistent message, that’s what I try to send: consistent. Not always the same but consistent. Again, the thing I’ve been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53. We’re going to do it at all costs. Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you? It’s coaching and letting them know and being consistent with your response. We treat each player differently, or how he needs or deserves to be treated.”

Q: Are they aware of that? Are they responding to where they’re at on the depth chart?

HALEY: “If they’re not then I’d be worried about them for not caring or paying attention. It is what it is. Again, we’re going to play the guys we can depend on.”

Q: Do you enjoy that part, in creating or sending a message?



HALEY: “No, because my job is for us to win and if there is somebody who’s not practicing or playing the way they need to and I think they can potentially be a good player, I’ve got to go by what I see and not go by what I hope. I would never have fun with somebody not playing that I think can be a pretty good player or is kind of wasting our time and his. That would never be fun for me. I want us to be good and everything I do has to be thinking about that.”

Q: Do you believe there may be some veterans on the team who are waiting for you to take your foot off the gas, so to speak, figuring that you can’t keep this up?

HALEY: “Again, I’m not going to speculate on how people feel. I have on occasion said that I’m not going away. This is me and you’re going to get me every day; you’re not going to wear me out. That’s been tried before. That’s just my personality. It’s just being me and letting them know how I’m going to be.”

Q: How are these new responsibilities going to change your week?

HALEY: “It’s going to be busier for sure. I’ve got to be very efficient with my time obviously. I’d like someone to take over my media duties. (laughs) That would make a lot more time available. I’m just trying to be efficient.”

Q: How will you do it when the game is going on and the defense is on the field and you’re thinking about the next offensive possession? Are you going to be able to focus on the game in its totality?

HALEY: “That’s a very good question and something that I had to put a lot of thought into. I’m grateful that I’ve got some former coordinators, multiple coordinators in and around me all the time. In a game, that’s where we’re going to have to be efficient. As I said yesterday, I think for us to be successful I have to be the head coach of the team: offense, defense, special teams, staff. I have to be able to manage the game. That’s my number one job.

“As I said, the offense needs help right now and that’s what I’m doing. I have to be efficient and need to rely on guys I can count on and trust and be prepared to do it. I wouldn’t be the only one doing it. There are obviously some guys who have done it and are doing it and I’ve got to be one of the successful ones.”

Q: So you’ll have to lean on some of your assistants quite a bit?

HALEY: “Which last year, even as a coordinator, I leaned heavily on. I will lean heavily on Coach Muir – a guy with so much experience and game experience to fill this room.

“No different than last year when I leaned on people. I’ll lean on people this year and I don’t think that part will be significantly different. Even as a head coach I’m leaning on guys on defense, on offense helping me make a decision. That’s where staff continuity comes into play. We have to be together and that’s why we meet together, watch tape together, which a lot of staffs don’t do; they break up ‘cause it’s faster. We watch it together because we’re going to be together.”

Q: Will you send someone up in the booth to handle some of these duties?

HALEY: “Yeah, we already had two coaches on offense up there and we may add another one.”

Q: Who’s your starting quarterback Thursday night?

HALEY: “Brody (Croyle) will open.”

Q: How much is he going to play?

HALEY: “We’re going to play it by ear. Like I’ve said, there are no sacred cows. I just actually told Brody and Tyler that. We need to get better and this is a chance to get better. We’re going to have to see how it goes.”

Q: Is that going to depend on how well he does?

HALEY: “In this game, yeah, I would say that could be a part of it.”

Q: Do you base a lot of your decision for Baltimore on what you see Thursday night or is it just a small piece of the puzzle?

HALEY: “A small piece, but all the pieces are pretty big right now as we get down to the wire. Every day is an evaluation and we’ve got to lean on everything we know and here in these next couple of days we’ll learn some more.”

Q: How challenging will it be coordinating this offense this year compared to last year when you had so many weapons?

HALEY: “Running an offense is a great challenge. Defense seems to get better and better. It’s a great challenge regardless of the situation. Those were some nice guys to learn on last year. Again, it was year two of a system and we got pretty efficient at time. I feel like in Arizona we did what we had to do to give us the best chance to win games. I’m proud of how we handled ourselves there and we were two minutes and 38 seconds short. Here will be a totally new challenge but it’ll be the same philosophy of doing whatever we have to give us the best chance to win. If that means winning 3-to-nothing or six-to-three, that’s what we have to do.”

Q: Cut-down date today for a handful of guys. Was it tough?

HALEY: “They’re all tough but again those names will be released. I’ll stay out of that until it comes out officially so there is no confusion.”

Q: Will the next round of cuts be tougher?

HALEY: “The harder it is the better your team is. I hope it’s hard.”

Q: Are there generally guys from this first cut you’re going to look at to bring in?

HALEY: “I won’t speculate on what’s going on other than to say, that Scott and I have made a promise – and the Hunts have – that we’re going to do whatever we have to do to get the best guys in here. If there is somebody who helps us then we’ll definitely look into it.”

Q: You haven’t won a game this pre-season. Does this put more pressure on you this week or is it just another opportunity to get better?

HALEY: “Every week is pressure. I’ve learned that through the years. You might have the greatest win you’ve ever felt on the Sunday before and the next Sunday you feel how the heck are we ever going to pull this off. Every week feels that way to me. That feeling hasn’t changed and that’s just how you’re made up. Some people get comfortable, some people don’t. I’ve never been comfortable.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Donald Washington?

HALEY: “I think Donald is making progress. I think that he’s a guy who was behind the eight-ball a little bit with his graduation stuff. That set him back early but I think he’s a pretty bright kid that cares and it appears to me he’s studying and trying to do the things to give himself a chance. That doesn’t mean that it happens instantly with those (rookies) and the speed of the game is faster and there is a lot going on. I think he’s shown flashes enough and he’s kind of moved himself up the depth chart a little bit. We’re starting to think we maybe got something.”

Q: You maybe had some better options in free agency to fill that spot. Did you like him better than those options?

HALEY: “I don’t feel bad about saying that he’s a guy making progress. We can’t put him in Canton yet but I think he’s definitely shown a steady improvement and with a young guy like that, that’s what you’re looking for. Then you get a guy that’s 6'2" and can run and has the physical attributes you’re looking for, then you’re hopeful.”

Q: Is it fair to say he’s earned this as opposed to just you giving him a look?

HALEY: “Oh yeah, I think that Donald has worked hard.”

Q: There are three defensive guys getting treatment. Do you have any real fears for your defensive backfield that any of those guys who are healing from injuries won’t be ready for Baltimore? Just in general terms?

HALEY: “I’m going to soak up these last couple of days that I don’t have to let anything out. I’m not talking about anybody that’s not on the field. Mike Brown had two interceptions today which I thought was encouraging. It’s about time he got his hands on the football. I thought DuJuan Morgan is making progress – real progress. He was another guy who was over in that (recovery) area for an extended period of time. I think he’s come on and I was kind of encouraged by his play in this last game. That’s positive.”

Q: Any comments about rumors that Zach Thomas is retiring?

HALEY: “I won’t ever comment on speculation and rumors. I don’t think that’s right.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by rambleonthruthefog

mods?

What?

[keg in kc]

I really like his press conferences for some reason.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I really like his press conferences for some reason.

Me too. For me, I think it's the barely concealed contempt he has for the media.

[boogblaster]

Haley handles the media well ...

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Haley is a badass mother ****er!

If we arent playoff caliber by next year I'll kiss your ass.

Well, not really, I,m just sayin.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by boogblaster

Haley handles the media well ...

I like his style to boog, you can definitely see he's from the Tuna/Bully Bill 'i will divulge exactly as much info as i want to & not a damn bit more' school, except he's not as gruff.

We'll really be able to see how far he fell from the tree when some reporter tries to cleverly reword a previous question that they didnt get a satisfactory answer to...thats when the claws should come out.