Why I support Todd Haley

[JD10367]

You all keep mentioning "the Patriot Way". Even as a Patriot fan, I don't know what the **** you're all talking about. "The Patriot Way" has been simple: 1) don't be a selfish teammate, and 2) try to snag value by picking up second-tier players and make them stars by letting them do what they do best (e.g. Vrabel, Welker). But it's also involved 3) having a future HOF QB and 4) not firing your coach after a rocky start. Those are two key pieces. The Chiefs were missing #3, and they just broke #4.

I really can't fault Haley. Sure, he's a bit immature. He needs more seasoning. He could probably use some coordinator help (and, by that, I mean a coordinator he won't want to kill, a la Weis). Some of his decisions are a bit questionable. But I think he has potential, and I think he's going to be a very good HC in the NFL. And I'm not sure there's anyone waiting in the wings who would do better. Gruden, perhaps, or Cowher, but I'm not even sure a Fisher is going to do any better... and you can do a lot worse (McDaniels, Norv Turner, etc.,.). For the Chiefs, it's all going to depend on who they bring in: if it's a Gruden, then firing Haley won't hurt them, but if it's a McDaniel's, you're screwed.