Chiefs Haley 12/30 presser - Page 2

**Baby Lee** · 12-30-2009, 05:00 PM

TODD HALEY: “Started our preparations today for Denver, a division opponent that’s a very good team. Hasn’t been too long ago that they took it to us pretty good. So, it’s a chance to kind of correct some of the things that went on in that game. It’s a great opportunity on the road to take another step as a team.

“Offensively, they have two backs, one that’s close to a 1,000 (yards) and who is a rookie (Knowshon Moreno) and looks like he’s going to be real good back and (Correll) Buckhalter who has over 600 (yards), so two guys who can really run the football. They’ve got a bunch of talented receivers starting with (Brandon) Marshall and (Eddie) Royal, (Brandon) Stokely. They’ve got a tight end who hurt us in the last game. They’ve got a very good offensive line that the last time we played them clearly won the line of scrimmage.

“Defensively, they’re a well-coached group that creates a bunch of problems with multiple looks, multiple fronts and not strictly a three-four (alignment). They play some even fronts, over, under, bunch of different pressures from both sides, very good corners. It’s going to take our best to compete with these guys.

“Special teams: another opportunity for us to get clicking a game in all three phases and beat a division opponent on the road.”

Q: How important is this game for Matt Cassel and his development? The last time these two teams played it was one of his worst games.

HALEY: “I’ll reiterate again, that as far as quarterbacks go this is still a guy who is getting close to getting two years under his belt. Every game is an opportunity for him to grow and this just happens to be a very good defense and a very difficult atmosphere. It is an opportunity but each week Matt is excited and works hard. He’s into it and is super competitive. I feel like we’ve made some progress here of late and it’s another chance for us to take another step for us as an offense and for him to take a step as our quarterback.”

Q: What area or player this year has made the greatest progress?

HALEY: “I think one of them is pretty obvious: Jamaal [Charles] has really made big steps. When you talk about that since November only one guy has had more rushing yards than him and that’s Chris Johnson that’s pretty good. Now, we can’t put him in Canton yet. It’s only been a handful of games. Part of being a good player in this league is doing it consistently over a period of time. That’s just where Jamaal is at.

“That said, there are a bunch of guys without going into detail that I feel like have made big strides. But if you pin me down I’d say Jamaal is the more obvious.”

Q: What is the one phase that hasn’t progressed the way you had hoped it would?

HALEY: “I think there’s been progress in all areas. But the next step for us as a team – and a team never stays the same adding and subtracting players here before too long – is we’ve got to start playing complete games in all three phases before too long. When we do that we’ll be in more games and the more games we’re in the more we’ll win because we’re going to continue to work on being a smart team and one that makes good decisions. That would be my main point: getting all three phases working together.”

Q: Has there been one game this year that all three phases worked together?

HALEY: “I think the Steelers game. I think we played real well together as a team. It wasn’t perfect and there were things we could have done better or more efficiently. I would say that in that game we played at a pretty high level in all areas.”

Q: How has your defensive line progressed or has it not progressed as much as you would have liked?

HALEY: “It has been up and down and that’s what we have to eliminate. We need to get a group there that can hang in there week-in and week-out and when they’re a little off then have some guys that make up for them. We’ve had some games where they’ve really played solid, even last game [vs. Cincinnati] where the front seven did a really good job throughout the game. They had only two or three plays they’d like to have back. The smaller that number gets the better. That’s really where we’re at as a whole.”

Q: Should it be further along than it is?

HALEY: “There again we need to be further along in general. That’s what we’re working at. We have another game to take a step and see where we’re at and then we’re quickly going to be into the off-season and working at it again and trying to do all the things you need to do to be a good team.

“Like I said, the team won’t stay the same. We’ll have some additions and subtractions and we just have to keep adding to the competition. All the same things we said a year ago are really going to have to be said. To be further along at this point would be the idea.”

Q: Would you see adding to the defensive line as a next step?

HALEY: “No different for all spots. If we’ve got a chance to improve or improve competition we’re going to do it. I know Scott [Pioli] is going to do it. I think that’s when you’re a good team, when nobody feels satisfied or comfortable and right now we’re 15 games through that process. I’d like to be sitting here with more wins because I definitely think there are some games there – seven games [that were lost] of seven points or less – that could have been… They’re not 20 plays, they’re two or three plays in each phase that if we do execute something a little cleaner we may get wins. But we’re still not happy. We wouldn’t be happy sitting here with six wins. I’d feel the same exact way that I feel right now because the idea of that is to have the chance to play in the Super Bowl and right now we don’t.”

Q: Have you figured out why the inability to score in the first quarter?

HALEY: “I think this has been a difficult task again, and I’m not making excuses for these guys because they don’t want any excuses made for them. But we made major changes; we’ve done a lot of things. What I think is important now is we’re making progress. Even these last few games we’ve started more positive than we did earlier. Is it good enough? No, clearly not. But I don’t have any regrets about the things we’ve done. I think it’s all happened for a reason. As I said, it’s going to get better and we’re going to be a good team. But you’re got to take your lumps sometimes. The [teams] that haven’t taken their lumps are few and far between that I know of. The teams that have started with everything’s golden and everybody’s happy I don’t know when you’re starting from ground zero. I know there have been growing pains for a lot of different teams and a lot of different staffs, a lot of organizations in general. We’re in that process right now. They’re going to be character builders for us and be what makes us a great team.”

Q: One of your goals was to establish a new mindset or attitude for this organization. Do you feel that’s been done?

HALEY: “Again, it comes down to wins and losses. I know it’s gets old when you say we’re making progress, but I’m the one out there and I’m the one that sees them. We just lined up today in the 16th week of the season and ran gassers and they’re running hard and they practiced hard today, they’re communicating, they’re here on time regardless of the weather conditions and working together to do the things necessary to be a good team. That’s progress from the inside.”

TheGuardian · 12-31-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

My Lord, it's his first season taking a team that totaled 15 wins in 3 seasons under Herm. I think it's going to take some time, REGARDLESS of who the head coach is.

No some of the dipshits here think that Cowher could come in next year and we'd go .500 and that just isn't going to fuggin happen. Not with Cowher or Shanahan or anyone else.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-31-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

No some of the dipshits here think that Cowher could come in next year and we'd go .500 and that just isn't going to fuggin happen. Not with Cowher or Shanahan or anyone else.

It's never been about the record to the people bitching the most.

It's been about seeing progress.

Most of us expected 3-4 wins. But we wanted to see the team, and some individuals get better as the season goes on - including the coach and his decision making.

That hasn't happened.

We've learned something positive about two players this year. One was the placekicker, and the other sat the bench or was inactive until LJ ran his mouth.

We're very literally starting over, yet again.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-31-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Both those are both truths. Cassel does have experience in the league, but as a starter just two seasons basically. And let's not forget that he's in a new system.

Look I'm not making excuses for the guy, his deep ball accuracy is the worst I've seen in a long time. But he's also had what looks to be an NFL record in terms of number of drops too. So while his long ball accuracy his been shit, I'm sure we have a few more wins and he's got a better QB rating and looks better if you just cut the drops IN HALF.

I think cutting the drops would make a difference but I don't necessarily believe that it would lead to more wins.

It's going to be difficult to win many games with a defense that consistently gives up 500 yards per outing.

**DeezNutz** · 12-31-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

No some of the dipshits here think that Cowher could come in next year and we'd go .500 and that just isn't going to fuggin happen. Not with Cowher or Shanahan or anyone else.

Because of the progress we've made under Haley. Duh.

TheGuardian · 12-31-2009, 02:11 PM

Two coaching staffs and pretty similar results tell me it's more about talent right now than coaching.

AS far as improvements, the O-line has improved the last 5-6 weeks, Dorsey has had a really good season, as has Tamba. You're not going to see improvements everywhere on a team devoid of this much talent.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-31-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Two coaching staffs and pretty similar results tell me it's more about talent right now than coaching.

I'd agree with this statement if the talent was exactly the same. It wasn't. A few new defensive linemen, a few new linebackers, and a few new safeties. The end result was a defense worse than last year's version.

Last year's offense, after switching to the spread, was far more effective than this year's offense. Only one holdover receiver, new players on the right side of the line and a new starting QB.

Yet, the offense took a step backwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

AS far as improvements, the O-line has improved the last 5-6 weeks, Dorsey has had a really good season, as has Tamba. You're not going to see improvements everywhere on a team devoid of this much talent.

The offensive line has "improved" not through continuity and consistency but through better players. Wade Smith should have been starting somewhere all year, Alleman is better than Waters and Richardson is better than O'Callaghan and Ndukwe (yet Alleman and Richardson are on the bench. Again).

Dorsey was good last year but most people wouldn't or couldn't see it. Hali has been the same: Decent in pass rushing situations, horrific in the run game.

Pioli has brought in somewhere around 47 new players now. Wouldn't you think we'd some improvements somewhere?

Anywhere?

TheGuardian · 12-31-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'd agree with this statement if the talent was exactly the same. It wasn't. A few new defensive linemen, a few new linebackers, and a few new safeties. The end result was a defense worse than last year's version.

Last year's offense, after switching to the spread, was far more effective than this year's offense. Only one holdover receiver, new players on the right side of the line and a new starting QB.

Yet, the offense took a step backwards.

The offensive line has "improved" not through continuity and consistency but through better players. Wade Smith should have been starting somewhere all year, Alleman is better than Waters and Richardson is better than O'Callaghan and Ndukwe (yet Alleman and Richardson are on the bench. Again).

Dorsey was good last year but most people wouldn't or couldn't see it. Hali has been the same: Decent in pass rushing situations, horrific in the run game.

Pioli has brought in somewhere around 47 new players now. Wouldn't you think we'd some improvements somewhere?

Anywhere?

Not really. He was hired late and the FA pool was shit to say the least. Again I have always believed every first year guy gets a mulligan. If shit starts repeating itself, then we have a problem.

kcxiv · 12-31-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Both those are both truths. Cassel does have experience in the league, but as a starter just two seasons basically. And let's not forget that he's in a new system.

Look I'm not making excuses for the guy, his deep ball accuracy is the worst I've seen in a long time. But he's also had what looks to be an NFL record in terms of number of drops too. So while his long ball accuracy his been shit, I'm sure we have a few more wins and he's got a better QB rating and looks better if you just cut the drops IN HALF.

half of them drops were caught we would have another 2 wins or so. Chambers cost us a game with just 1 drop, but i am not going to crucify the dude, he's been rock sold since we got him, but how many timely drops have we had? Alot were easy easy catches that the WR just was not focused on.

I am all for getting rid of Cassel. I dont think he's a starting qb in the NFL. see what happens this offseason. He may be fired he may not. I doubt it though. I think Pioli will give him another year.

kcxiv · 12-31-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Not really. He was hired late and the FA pool was shit to say the least. Again I have always believed every first year guy gets a mulligan. If shit starts repeating itself, then we have a problem.

lets not forget to mention that the coaching staff was peiced together cause everyone else worthy of anything had been hired. Lets not forget the fact that Clancy was a fallback to the DC if they couldnt get who they wanted which i assume its safe to say it was Crennel.

Again, like i said in the post above. lets see what the offseason brings. Whatever direction they go, i am ok with it, cause well, i dont have a choice. lol

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-31-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Not really. He was hired late and the FA pool was shit to say the least. Again I have always believed every first year guy gets a mulligan. If shit starts repeating itself, then we have a problem.

I don't really buy the "hired late" excuse.

Do you really think that if he'd been hired a couple of weeks sooner, he'd have put together a more competent staff?

I don't. Those guys had all worked together in various places. They're his boys.

As for free agency, the Chiefs really didn't make an effort. And their draft proved that they either were willing to ignore their glaring needs or were unaware of their glaring needs.

We as fans don't have a choice as to whether or not Haley deserves a mulligan but I for one hope that if he's given a chance to return, it's not Frank Gansz circa 1988 all over again.

TheGuardian · 12-31-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I don't really buy the "hired late" excuse.

Do you really think that if he'd been hired a couple of weeks sooner, he'd have put together a more competent staff? I don't.

As for free agency, the Chiefs really didn't make an effort. And their draft proved that they either were willing to ignore their glaring needs or were unaware of their glaring needs.

We as fans don't have a choice as to whether or not Haley deserves a mulligan but I for one hope that if he's given a chance to return, it's not Frank Gansz circa 1988 all over again.

I think you'll see a big turnover in coaching staff and a OC hired. I think that alone will help a lot. Add in some WR's in FA and linebackers/safety and this team could easily go .500 next season or better.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-31-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I think you'll see a big turnover in coaching staff and a OC hired. I think that alone will help a lot.

It could. His actions in regards to his coaching staff will be a telltale sign.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Add in some WR's in FA and linebackers/safety and this team could easily go .500 next season or better.

I don't think there will be any "real" help available through free agency due to the uncapped year.

So Pioli will need a draft like the 2007 New York Giants to even have a chance to improve on their 2009 record.

RyFo18 · 12-31-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Two coaching staffs and pretty similar results tell me it's more about talent right now than coaching.

The Chiefs now have several players that would be on the practice squad for other teams. There is a significant void in talent. I'm excited for free agency/drafting this year as I'm hoping some of the gaping holes at LB, S, and OL are addressed (Oline in my opinion is the least important of those 3). Throw in some a couple fresh WRs that can hopefully catch a ball (I'm a fan of A. Bryant who is an impending free agent) and we'll have some progress.

If you really think Cowher would have came in this year and won 6 or more games, I think you're mistaken. Maybe some of us are blind since we're all Chiefs fans, let's use the Lions or Rams as an example. Would Cowher have miraculously turned those teams around too? Remember, it took Cowher 14 years to win a Super Bowl...

**DeezNutz** · 12-31-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I don't really buy the "hired late" excuse.

He's the most expensive GM in the league, assuming the reports are true.

Thus, why shouldn't he live up to his contract, just as some have expressed regarding Cassel?

Why should the Executive of the Century need a mulligan?

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-31-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Why should the Executive of the Century need a mulligan?

Because he hired the local golf pro to be his head coach?

12-30-2009, 05:00 PM
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $8028275	Haley 12/30 presser TODD HALEY: “Started our preparations today for Denver, a division opponent that’s a very good team. Hasn’t been too long ago that they took it to us pretty good. So, it’s a chance to kind of correct some of the things that went on in that game. It’s a great opportunity on the road to take another step as a team. “Offensively, they have two backs, one that’s close to a 1,000 (yards) and who is a rookie (Knowshon Moreno) and looks like he’s going to be real good back and (Correll) Buckhalter who has over 600 (yards), so two guys who can really run the football. They’ve got a bunch of talented receivers starting with (Brandon) Marshall and (Eddie) Royal, (Brandon) Stokely. They’ve got a tight end who hurt us in the last game. They’ve got a very good offensive line that the last time we played them clearly won the line of scrimmage. “Defensively, they’re a well-coached group that creates a bunch of problems with multiple looks, multiple fronts and not strictly a three-four (alignment). They play some even fronts, over, under, bunch of different pressures from both sides, very good corners. It’s going to take our best to compete with these guys. “Special teams: another opportunity for us to get clicking a game in all three phases and beat a division opponent on the road.” Q: How important is this game for Matt Cassel and his development? The last time these two teams played it was one of his worst games. HALEY: “I’ll reiterate again, that as far as quarterbacks go this is still a guy who is getting close to getting two years under his belt. Every game is an opportunity for him to grow and this just happens to be a very good defense and a very difficult atmosphere. It is an opportunity but each week Matt is excited and works hard. He’s into it and is super competitive. I feel like we’ve made some progress here of late and it’s another chance for us to take another step for us as an offense and for him to take a step as our quarterback.” Q: What area or player this year has made the greatest progress? HALEY: “I think one of them is pretty obvious: Jamaal [Charles] has really made big steps. When you talk about that since November only one guy has had more rushing yards than him and that’s Chris Johnson that’s pretty good. Now, we can’t put him in Canton yet. It’s only been a handful of games. Part of being a good player in this league is doing it consistently over a period of time. That’s just where Jamaal is at. “That said, there are a bunch of guys without going into detail that I feel like have made big strides. But if you pin me down I’d say Jamaal is the more obvious.” Q: What is the one phase that hasn’t progressed the way you had hoped it would? HALEY: “I think there’s been progress in all areas. But the next step for us as a team – and a team never stays the same adding and subtracting players here before too long – is we’ve got to start playing complete games in all three phases before too long. When we do that we’ll be in more games and the more games we’re in the more we’ll win because we’re going to continue to work on being a smart team and one that makes good decisions. That would be my main point: getting all three phases working together.” Q: Has there been one game this year that all three phases worked together? HALEY: “I think the Steelers game. I think we played real well together as a team. It wasn’t perfect and there were things we could have done better or more efficiently. I would say that in that game we played at a pretty high level in all areas.” Q: How has your defensive line progressed or has it not progressed as much as you would have liked? HALEY: “It has been up and down and that’s what we have to eliminate. We need to get a group there that can hang in there week-in and week-out and when they’re a little off then have some guys that make up for them. We’ve had some games where they’ve really played solid, even last game [vs. Cincinnati] where the front seven did a really good job throughout the game. They had only two or three plays they’d like to have back. The smaller that number gets the better. That’s really where we’re at as a whole.” Q: Should it be further along than it is? HALEY: “There again we need to be further along in general. That’s what we’re working at. We have another game to take a step and see where we’re at and then we’re quickly going to be into the off-season and working at it again and trying to do all the things you need to do to be a good team. “Like I said, the team won’t stay the same. We’ll have some additions and subtractions and we just have to keep adding to the competition. All the same things we said a year ago are really going to have to be said. To be further along at this point would be the idea.” Q: Would you see adding to the defensive line as a next step? HALEY: “No different for all spots. If we’ve got a chance to improve or improve competition we’re going to do it. I know Scott [Pioli] is going to do it. I think that’s when you’re a good team, when nobody feels satisfied or comfortable and right now we’re 15 games through that process. I’d like to be sitting here with more wins because I definitely think there are some games there – seven games [that were lost] of seven points or less – that could have been… They’re not 20 plays, they’re two or three plays in each phase that if we do execute something a little cleaner we may get wins. But we’re still not happy. We wouldn’t be happy sitting here with six wins. I’d feel the same exact way that I feel right now because the idea of that is to have the chance to play in the Super Bowl and right now we don’t.” Q: Have you figured out why the inability to score in the first quarter? HALEY: “I think this has been a difficult task again, and I’m not making excuses for these guys because they don’t want any excuses made for them. But we made major changes; we’ve done a lot of things. What I think is important now is we’re making progress. Even these last few games we’ve started more positive than we did earlier. Is it good enough? No, clearly not. But I don’t have any regrets about the things we’ve done. I think it’s all happened for a reason. As I said, it’s going to get better and we’re going to be a good team. But you’re got to take your lumps sometimes. The [teams] that haven’t taken their lumps are few and far between that I know of. The teams that have started with everything’s golden and everybody’s happy I don’t know when you’re starting from ground zero. I know there have been growing pains for a lot of different teams and a lot of different staffs, a lot of organizations in general. We’re in that process right now. They’re going to be character builders for us and be what makes us a great team.” Q: One of your goals was to establish a new mindset or attitude for this organization. Do you feel that’s been done? HALEY: “Again, it comes down to wins and losses. I know it’s gets old when you say we’re making progress, but I’m the one out there and I’m the one that sees them. We just lined up today in the 16th week of the season and ran gassers and they’re running hard and they practiced hard today, they’re communicating, they’re here on time regardless of the weather conditions and working together to do the things necessary to be a good team. That’s progress from the inside.”
Posts: 95,642

12-31-2009, 02:11 PM	#20
TheGuardian MVP Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $6305299	Two coaching staffs and pretty similar results tell me it's more about talent right now than coaching. AS far as improvements, the O-line has improved the last 5-6 weeks, Dorsey has had a really good season, as has Tamba. You're not going to see improvements everywhere on a team devoid of this much talent.
Posts: 9,564

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode