Whitlock: Why should the Chiefs bring Haley back?

[Tribal Warfare]

Why should the Chiefs bring Haley back?
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

I’m not arguing that Todd Haley should be fired. I’m wondering what’s the justification for bringing him back.

Loyalty? Fairness?

You throw them overboard with the waiting list for season-ticket holders. Anyone arguing the Chiefs have made progress this season hasn’t heard about what happened inside Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns visited.

On a day when Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn threw for 66 yards and two interceptions, the Browns rumbled for 351 yards on the ground and surpassed the 40-point barrier in a 41-34 victory over Haley’s Chiefs.

Keep in mind, the Browns are in the process of wooing Mike Holmgren to take over their organization and can embattled head coach Eric “Dead Man Coaching” Mangini. The Browns are bad. The Chiefs are worse.

It took a total team effort to give Cleveland a road victory.

“When you allow two returns for touchdowns, that’s generally not going to end up being a good thing,” Haley said, scolding the special-teams unit that allowed Josh Cribbs to find the end zone twice on kickoff returns.

“When you drop nine balls, and we had 39 to 40 by the NFL’s count going into this game — 50-plus by my count — it’s going to be very difficult,” Haley said, scolding his receivers for their inability to catch.

“When you allow a team to run the football the way they were able to run the football, you’re not going to have much of a chance to win,” Haley said, scolding a defensive unit that has surrendered 800-plus rushing yards in its last three games at Arrowhead Stadium.

That’s all three units, folks. Special teams. Offense. And defense.

It’s Christmas, and all three phases of Haley’s team are in disarray.

We’ve spent so much time focusing on the shortcomings within Kansas City’s roster, we’ve failed to mention that it’s likely Haley will overhaul his entire coaching staff, too.

You think Clancy Pendergast is coming back as defensive coordinator after some kid named Jerome Harrison gained 286 yards and finished 10 yards shy of the NFL’s all-time rushing record? We know Haley is a hothead. He booted his most qualified assistant (Chan Gailey) before the season. He’s already demoted a receivers coach. He benches receivers when his mood dictates.

Come on, you know Haley’s instincts will tell him to fire everyone except his wingman, Maurice Carthon. Haley can argue that he got this head-coaching position so late last offseason that he was unable to lure top-flight assistants.

Will top assistants want to come work for Haley this offseason? Let’s don’t even deal with the damage Haley has done to his reputation with his wild-man coaching routine and his handling of Gailey. Why would a top assistant come to KC when Haley is going to enter next season on the hot seat?

You know who would come? A coach with ties to Scott Pioli; a coach who thinks he could be the interim head coach if Haley gets fired six weeks into the season. Charlie Weis. Romeo Crennel.

Yes, more of the Patriots Way. A continuation of the flawed philosophy that you can export a winning culture from one city to another. Winning produces its own unique culture wherever it lands.

Let me get back on topic. I’m not saying Todd Haley should be fired. I’m wondering what’s the justification for bringing him back.

Mike Shanahan appears to be headed to Washington. Mike Holmgren apparently is going to take over Cleveland’s front office. Bill Cowher might rejoin the coaching ranks. The Chiefs are going to stand pat with Haley?

What has he shown us that gives us confidence he’ll hire a competent coaching staff? And if the Chiefs are going to be starting over with a new assistant-coaching staff, why not just start all the way over with a new head coach?

I did not say fire Todd Haley. I’m searching for reasons to bring him back. Right now, loyalty and fairness come to mind.

Scott Pioli stuck Haley with a craptastic roster. The stupidity of playing all season with special-team players masquerading as starting linebackers and safeties has caught up with the Chiefs the last month. And so has playing musical waiver wire at receiver.

Haley’s defenders can argue quite persuasively that he hasn’t been given a fair shot. Haley’s critics could argue that Haley has made a bad situation worse.

I’m not arguing anything. And I’m cool with Haley coming back ... as long as he realizes he has to make a boatload of fundamental changes to his coaching approach.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

There is no reason to retain Haley other than the fact he's under contract for 4 more seasons.

I hope that's not a good enough reason.

Sadly that seems to be the MO with the chiefs. **** they do that with asst coaches let alone head coaches.

[thebrad84]

Originally Posted by Dayze

I wonder if Clark k nows we lost the game.

Surely he's read the New York Times sports section by now..

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by RedThat

I personally don't agree with how Haley calls a game, or how he manages and handles his team.

But I will say this, he's a rookie head coach, and was given a crappy roster from the start. Im not trying to stick up for the guy, all Im trying to say is, it would be hard for most coaches to thrive under those circumstances.

BULLSHIT.

Haley has made mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake. There is absolutely NO reason to believe that he will magically "improve" as a head coach.

For ****'S SAKE, it took him 14 GODDAMN WEEKS to put the best offensive lineman on this roster on field! Did you SEE how much time Cassel had yesterday? Did you SEE his protection?

And ****, it took 14 WEEKS to get Cottam INVOLVED? Bradley INVOLVED? How many weeks did it take to get Charles INVOLVED?

He's a ****ing ASS CLOWN. He's clueless as to personnel and he continually calls STUPID ****ING PLAYS.

And to THINK that there were people around here bitching about AL SAUNDERS playcalling?

FIRE THAT MOTHER****ER.

Fire him NOW.

[burt]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Did you SEE how much time Cassel had yesterday? Did you SEE his protection?

no.....I was blacked out........

[Fish]

I'm taking the "Maybe" approach along with Dane....

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

BULLSHIT.

Haley has made mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake. There is absolutely NO reason to believe that he will magically "improve" as a head coach.

For ****'S SAKE, it took him 14 GODDAMN WEEKS to put the best offensive lineman on this roster on field! Did you SEE how much time Cassel had yesterday? Did you SEE his protection?

And ****, it took 14 WEEKS to get Cottam INVOLVED? Bradley INVOLVED? How many weeks did it take to get Charles INVOLVED?

He's a ****ing ASS CLOWN. He's clueless as to personnel and he continually calls STUPID ****ING PLAYS.

And to THINK that there were people around here bitching about AL SAUNDERS playcalling?

FIRE THAT MOTHER****ER.

Fire him NOW.

Damn dude, calm your ass down.

14 weeks to get Bradley Involved? Are you ****ing kidding me? Do you not watch him drop the ball every week? Who the hell wants Bradley involved?

And who is this magical offensive lineman that instantly gave Cassel time? I know you're not saying Barry Richardson right? because he looked like ass when he played with the first unit early in the season. And the O-Line has been improving every week, thanks to the improved play of Albert. To chalk it up to Richardson is a bit premature.

And lets not forget, these O-Linemen were playing the browns here.

What you fail to mention is that his play calling is improving every week. He has found things that work for this team. The hurry up O is pretty cool, the motion is a nice wrinkle. He knows how to run Jamal Charles.....The O looked way better with Bowe in there taking pressure off of Chambers. This O made strides, have been making strides.

[Ralphy Boy]

Originally Posted by KCDC

I think JW put his finger on it. Blame the assistant coaches. If you bring back Haley, you need to show blood to the fans in order to prove that you are sincere about changing losing ways. You start with the assistants. If the failure continues, then you can make a change at the top.

Purely speculation on my part, but I'd say he's more inclined to keep those that he hired, replace the ones he didn't and demote Clancy but keep him on staff. He and Pioli could care less if the fans are out for blood.

Personally I think you grade each unit individually and those who are worthy keep their job. At some point, you have to be realistic and acknowledge that certain position coaches are better than others even though a good DB coach can't make up for a horrible DL coach. Clancy peaked as a DB coach; he's been coaching past his skill level ever since.

Though we don't actually have a DB coach, Ronnie Bradford is a defensive assistant who's worked with them this season. He's never been given the title of DB coach, but that could be because Clancy is going to move into the role, like he did in Dallas in 01 & 02.

Not sure which of these idiots thought that getting rid of Pollard was a good idea, and they should lose a testical for it, but all in all that group has been pretty well coached. I haven't looked at how many deep passes we've given up, we're ranked #19 in total passing yards yet we've only got 19 sacks. That makes me think that if we had some QB pressure, the passing game would improve pretty easily. Those 19 sacks happen to be the 2nd lowest total in the league and 28 teams have 25 or more this season.

We are tied for the #22 spot in interceptions, with 11, but teams are completing 59.1% of their passes against us and have a 89.6 QB rating. Having all day to throw obviously results in higher stats in those areas. Slow safeties play a factor too. Then again, when you are playing a team that's ranked #31 in rushing yards allowed, why pass?

Bill Muir probably deserves some credit for coaching the crap he inherited and showing progress as the season has gone on. Cassel was sacked 24 times in the first 7 games compared to 17 times in the last 7.

Fire the WR coach (Dedric Ward and Richie Anderson). There is no way you lead the league in dropped passes and don't fire the WR coach.

Just saying that when you are as bad as we are, you take baby steps and you don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

BULLSHIT.

Haley has made mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake. There is absolutely NO reason to believe that he will magically "improve" as a head coach.

For ****'S SAKE, it took him 14 GODDAMN WEEKS to put the best offensive lineman on this roster on field! Did you SEE how much time Cassel had yesterday? Did you SEE his protection?

And ****, it took 14 WEEKS to get Cottam INVOLVED? Bradley INVOLVED? How many weeks did it take to get Charles INVOLVED?

He's a ****ing ASS CLOWN. He's clueless as to personnel and he continually calls STUPID ****ING PLAYS.

And to THINK that there were people around here bitching about AL SAUNDERS playcalling?

FIRE THAT MOTHER****ER.

Fire him NOW.

7 more drinks for a Monday afternoon.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Ralphy Boy

Purely speculation on my part, but I'd say he's more inclined to keep those that he hired, replace the ones he didn't and demote Clancy but keep him on staff. He and Pioli could care less if the fans are out for blood.

Personally I think you grade each unit individually and those who are worthy keep their job. At some point, you have to be realistic and acknowledge that certain position coaches are better than others even though a good DB coach can't make up for a horrible DL coach. Clancy peaked as a DB coach; he's been coaching past his skill level ever since.

Though we don't actually have a DB coach, Ronnie Bradford is a defensive assistant who's worked with them this season. He's never been given the title of DB coach, but that could be because Clancy is going to move into the role, like he did in Dallas in 01 & 02.

Not sure which of these idiots thought that getting rid of Pollard was a good idea, and they should lose a testical for it, but all in all that group has been pretty well coached. I haven't looked at how many deep passes we've given up, we're ranked #19 in total passing yards yet we've only got 19 sacks. That makes me think that if we had some QB pressure, the passing game would improve pretty easily. Those 19 sacks happen to be the 2nd lowest total in the league and 28 teams have 25 or more this season.

We are tied for the #22 spot in interceptions, with 11, but teams are completing 59.1% of their passes against us and have a 89.6 QB rating. Having all day to throw obviously results in higher stats in those areas. Slow safeties play a factor too. Then again, when you are playing a team that's ranked #31 in rushing yards allowed, why pass?

Bill Muir probably deserves some credit for coaching the crap he inherited and showing progress as the season has gone on. Cassel was sacked 24 times in the first 7 games compared to 17 times in the last 7.

Fire the WR coach (Dedric Ward and Richie Anderson). There is no way you lead the league in dropped passes and don't fire the WR coach.

Just saying that when you are as bad as we are, you take baby steps and you don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

I think Dedric ward gets the AX, but not Richie Anderson. Anderson is one of Haley's boys, more so than Ward. At least that's the way it seems to me. I like the idea of demoting Pendergast to DB coach. Bring in Crennel to run the D. At that point, we would have a defensive coaching staff with some good credentials. A superbowl wining DC, a DB coach with DC experience and a defensive assistant with DC experience.

Offensivly, bring in either Wiess or some young, innovative hot shot from the college ranks. (God, please don't promote a current assistant to OC, please, please).

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Damn dude, calm your ass down.

14 weeks to get Bradley Involved? Are you ****ing kidding me? Do you not watch him drop the ball every week? Who the hell wants Bradley involved?

And who is this magical offensive lineman that instantly gave Cassel time? I know you're not saying Barry Richardson right? because he looked like ass when he played with the first unit early in the season. And the O-Line has been improving every week, thanks to the improved play of Albert. To chalk it up to Richardson is a bit premature.

And lets not forget, these O-Linemen were playing the browns here.

What you fail to mention is that his play calling is improving every week. He has found things that work for this team. The hurry up O is pretty cool, the motion is a nice wrinkle. He knows how to run Jamal Charles.....The O looked way better with Bowe in there taking pressure off of Chambers. This O made strides, have been making strides.

Wow, you REALLY don't get it, do you?

First off, Barry Richardson is a second year player. He started 40 games at Clemson at left tackle. The Chiefs moved him to right tackle. He has IDEAL SIZE for a right tackle at 6'6, 325 pounds. I don't give a FLYING **** if he wasn't the the "best" right tackle when training camp broke. He has the most UPSIDE and clearly the most potential out of all the broke-dick ****S they stuck out there. The Chiefs weren't going ANYWHERE this season, which is why you put your best and youngest players on the field and let them GROW TOGETHER.

Instead, it took Haley 14 WEEKS to put the best offensive line on the field. That's ABSURD.

As to Bradley, SO ****ING WHAT? He dropped some passes. Big ****ing DEAL. The guy has been used so sparingly, what did you expect? He is the second most talented receiver on the Chiefs squad. To SIT him for 10 weeks for not getting a first down is, once again, ABSURD. The guy SHOULD HAVE BEEN on the field each and every week. Why? Because his presence gives the Chiefs the BEST CHANCE TO WIN. Regardless of drops.

[Mecca]

Barry Richardson is exactly the kind of late Oline pick that usually succeeds. A guy who starts 40 games at a top 25 school at LT will generally make it.

[MahiMike]

"Scott Pioli stuck Haley with a craptastic roster. The stupidity of playing all season with special-team players masquerading as starting linebackers and safeties has caught up with the Chiefs the last month. And so has playing musical waiver wire at receiver."

This pretty much sums it up. Other than Jamaal Charles, who's a stud on this team? You can't blame Haley for the players and you certainly can't blame him for trying to find a WR that can catch a freakin' ball. I'd much rather he played MORE musical chairs with WR's until he finds a couple that stick. Bowe went thru all of training camp, has 4 weeks to get healthy while practicing with the gun machine and he still can't catch. Haley called the plays to win, Cassel threw them on target and they lose scoring 34 points. This is just one game but a great example of how devoid of talent teams like Chiefs, Rams and Lions are. Coaching just isn't that important with that talent. About the only shortcoming I see of Haley is the defense - particularly the play of the d-line. I'd fire the D-line coach and the DC, draft Suh, a center and a LB or 2, trade for Boldin and kick some butt next year.

[Mecca]

And guess what, Todd Haley kept running LJ out there over Charles. Charles still wouldn't be seeing the field if LJ hadn't opened his mouth.

This team has little talent but that doesn't excuse him being a dipshit.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

"Scott Pioli stuck Haley with a craptastic roster. The stupidity of playing all season with special-team players masquerading as starting linebackers and safeties has caught up with the Chiefs the last month. And so has playing musical waiver wire at receiver."

This pretty much sums it up. Other than Jamaal Charles, who's a stud on this team? You can't blame Haley for the players and you certainly can't blame him for trying to find a WR that can catch a freakin' ball. I'd much rather he played MORE musical chairs with WR's until he finds a couple that stick. Bowe went thru all of training camp, has 4 weeks to get healthy while practicing with the gun machine and he still can't catch. Haley called the plays to win, Cassel threw them on target and they lose scoring 34 points. This is just one game but a great example of how devoid of talent teams like Chiefs, Rams and Lions are. Coaching just isn't that important with that talent. About the only shortcoming I see of Haley is the defense - particularly the play of the d-line. I'd fire the D-line coach and the DC, draft Suh, a center and a LB or 2, trade for Boldin and kick some butt next year.

[Mecca]

He must just turn off his TV when he watches Haley make 4th down decisions.