Q&A with TODD HALEY - 9/9

[C-Mac]

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Q&A with TODD HALEY - 9/9
Sep 09, 2009, 3:04:04 PM

TODD HALEY: “Good afternoon everybody. We got to our real Wednesday (practice) after our bonus Wednesday on Monday. I think there’s a chance of some weather there (Baltimore) this weekend so I was kind of actually happy we got some rain because it always forces the guys to concentrate.

“Overall, I thought it was a practice that as the day went on started to get better. This is the first official first-time through as a Wednesday so there was a bit of a feeling-out process but I thought overall it was a productive day.”

Q: Matt Cassel was out there again. Did he come back okay after his work on Monday and his day off?

HALEY: “Again, he was out there which was good. That’s better than not being out there and he was able to get through some. That’s going to be the situation that we’re going to evaluate as the week goes on and don’t know that we’ll have an answer right up to until we play.”

Q: Are you pleased with what the offense is doing?

HALEY: “We’re asking them to do a lot here. We’re putting the pressure on them to catch up, so to speak, but overall the guys going back (and up to) the last week of the pre-season have responded. They’re into it; they’re studying; they’re preparing, they’re doing the things that will give them a chance to know what’s going on. I’m glad we got a couple more days of practice. There’s no doubt about that. But I think they’ve shown a good response.”

Q: You’ve got some fairly new faces on the offensive line, so how do you see those guys doing now that you’re in the regular groove?

HALEY: “That’s going to be a fact of life at one position or another where guys are going to be coming in. That’s the way we’re going to operate. We had Ryan (O’Callaghan) in there for a second practice really but it’s going to be a case of the guys helping assimilate those (new) guys into what we’re doing and the way we’re doing it.

“Again, when you get a guy who comes from New England or Miami that’s generally an advantage because I think there are a lot of similarities how we do things.”

Q: Are you excited about this first week of the regular season?

HALEY: “You know that it’s real now and we’ve got to be ready to go. Everything counts. Every minute counts. Every meeting counts. Everything you do obviously will help to determine whether you win or lose.”

Q: Do you feel better because you’ve got your hands on the offense and you’re out there doing what you wanted to do as opposed to being a step away?

HALEY: “I don’t know if better is the term. I’m comfortable doing that; I’ve done it the last few years. It’s something I understand and obviously enjoy. But I don’t know if better is the term. I felt that the offense needed support right now and that’s what I’m doing. Again, I’m still the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and I cannot forget that whether it’s in practice, meetings or whatever I’m doing.”

Q: How much have you changed your offense?


HALEY: “None, exactly what we ran in the third pre-season game is what you’ll see.”

Q: As far as the injury report, how will Matt be listed?

HALEY: “Questionable I think. This is new to me but a guy who participates some but not all.”

Q: Tamba Hali was impressive to (Baltimore) coach Harbaugh from what he’s seen on film. Where is he in your thoughts?

HALEY: “I think Tamba has been a bright spot without a doubt. He was a guy five months ago that a lot of people were kind of wondering what would happen to Tamba and how he would respond. But once (Kansas City Star reporter) Adam (Teicher) got it out there officially how we were going to play defense there was going to be some adjustment period for him. I think he’s done a very good job to this point of adjusting to this new role. Again, it’s a work in progress. We can’t put him in the Hall of Fame yet but I think he’s made progress in a tough situation.”

Q: Was he one of those guys you weren’t really sure how he was going to respond?

HALEY: “I go by what I see, Kent, and that’s why I didn’t want to speculate on any of that early on. That’s the way I coach: I go by what I see. So, if a guy knows what to do and he’s doing it at a high level then I’ve got no problem.”

Q: What is Baltimore’s strength in your view?

HALEY: “The whole team is a strength. I think they are obviously one of the great defenses over the last decade. Year-in and year-out even though they’ve had to plug different players into different roles each year they’ve come in and played defense. “It’s easy to talk about defense when you talk about Baltimore but I think what’s changed with Baltimore is now the offense is an offense that gives you something to deal with. They’ve got a very good quarterback; they’ve got three tremendous runners; they’ve got one of the top tight ends in the league and they’ve got three receivers that are very good receivers. They probably would be ones on most teams. They have a very physical offensive line. It’s easy to talk about the defense but the offense is now here without a doubt.

“Special teams, they’re one of the better special teams groups in the league. It’s obvious with coach Harbaugh it is his area of expertise and it shows with this team.

“I think (Baltimore’s) a three-headed monster as far as I’m concerned.”

Q: Coach Harbaugh told us that as a first year head coach last year there was a slight advantage for a whole new regime coming in. Do you feel there is a little element of surprise for you?

HALEY: “I can’t speculate on what people think. Again, we’re just trying to get better every single day. We’re still trying to find an identity as a team and that’s going to be a work in progress. That’s really where we’re at.”
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/09...odd_haley__99/

[LiL stumppy]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

So Tamba has been the guy that has stood out already to coaches watching the new defense.

Goes to show you why a bunch of blowhards on a message board don't know SHIT about evaluating NFL players, and should sometimes shut their pie holes.

The same people that are talking shit about Dorsey should take note in this lesson.

exacccctly

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I'm not complaining, I just noted that a handful of people became a bunch of whining bitches ever since Cassel was signed.

Come on, there's much more to it than that.

Everyone, and I mean everyone was expecting the Pioli to make earth-shattering moves with this roster. Cassel appears to be a very good start and Vrabel's shown he's got another solid season in him.

But outside of those two, there's been virtually nothing to get excited about. It's as if the problems with the offensive line, wide receivers and linebacking corp didn't exist. Sure, Mays looks to be fine addition but he was initially added as a backup to of all people, 37 year-old Zach Thomas.

It's as if they lay all the blame on coaching, believing that the talent on the roster was sufficient. Just like someone else who said the roster was "85% there".

It's rather shocking to most people that closely follow the Chiefs, isn't it?

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But outside of those two, there's been virtually nothing to get excited about.

Bowe seems to be giving a greater effort to take it to the next step.
T. Jackson has been looking pretty darn good for a rookie.
Dorsey (who many thought would be a complete bust in the 34) seems to be making progress.
Hali (who many thought would be a complete bust in the 34) seems to be making progress.
Mays seems to be an excellent find.
The kicker seems to be reliable.
The running back situation seems to be pretty good.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Come on, there's much more to it than that.

Everyone, and I mean everyone was expecting the Pioli to make earth-shattering moves with this roster. Cassel appears to be a very good start and Vrabel's shown he's got another solid season in him.

But outside of those two, there's been virtually nothing to get excited about. It's as if the problems with the offensive line, wide receivers and linebacking corp didn't exist. Sure, Mays looks to be fine addition but he was initially added as a backup to of all people, 37 year-old Zach Thomas.

It's as if they lay all the blame on coaching, believing that the talent on the roster was sufficient. Just like someone else who said the roster was "85% there".

It's rather shocking to most people that closely follow the Chiefs, isn't it?

The potential problem I see here is Haley having to take a fall for a lot of this shit in the eyes of the average fan, and I think that would be a HUGE long-term mistake.
As it stands right now, there's one half of the "Dynamic Duo" that in my opinion stands head and shoulders above the other.
I'll let you guess which one.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Come on, there's much more to it than that.

Everyone, and I mean everyone was expecting the Pioli to make earth-shattering moves with this roster. it?

actually, that's not true...it's a straw man


any perceptive person realized the most he could in the short term with a roster he knew nothing about first hand was to cut losers and clean out the shit...which he has done a lot of....

if trading Gonzo and acquiring Cassel, a franchise QB, aren't big enough moves...well, sorry...

this season is about evaluation, always has been, and ive said so since the beginning...major repairs happen next year, when they no exactly what the need, and who is worth keeping, and when hopefully Clark will let them hit FA harder too...

it still boils down to people whining the sake of whining....there is no way they could remake this team in a few ****ing months...sorry they prioritized positions differently than the smart guys here wanted them too...


but the persistence, the repetition, the obsessiveness of the whining taking place about a regime that hasn't played a god damned snap of one real game is so out of proportion to merit...

i can only assume pioli had anal sex with all your mothers, sisters, wives, and girlfriends....

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Bowe seems to be giving a greater effort to take it to the next step.
T. Jackson has been looking pretty darn good for a rookie.
Dorsey (who many thought would be a complete bust in the 34) seems to be making progress.
Hali (who many thought would be a complete bust in the 34) seems to be making progress.
Mays seems to be an excellent find.
The kicker seems to be reliable.
The running back situation seems to be pretty good.

While those are all valid points, I was referring to new additions to the roster that would at least bring average play to positions that have been sore spots for the Chiefs for nearly 4 years, not existing players.

Center, right guard, right tackle, second WR, etc. I mentioned earlier that Mays was a nice find but he was intended to be a special teams player only. It's like Vermeil stating that Priest Holmes was a 3rd down back while Tony Richardson was the primary running back.

They quite possibly "backed into" a fine player, though that is truly yet to be determined.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

actually, that's not true...it's a straw man


any perceptive person realized the most he could in the short term with a roster he knew nothing about first hand was to cut losers and clean out the shit...which he has done a lot of....

if trading Gonzo and acquiring Cassel, a franchise QB, aren't big enough moves...well, sorry...

this season is about evaluation, always has been, and ive said so since the beginning...major repairs happen next year, when they no exactly what the need, and who is worth keeping, and when hopefully Clark will let them hit FA harder too...

it still boils down to people whining the sake of whining....there is no way they could remake this team in a few ****ing months...sorry they prioritized positions differently than the smart guys here wanted them too...


but the persistence, the repetition, the obsessiveness of the whining taking place about a regime that hasn't played a god damned snap of one real game is so out of proportion to merit...

i can only assume pioli had anal sex with all your mothers, sisters, wives, and girlfriends....

Really? This is your opinion? Have you watched or seen the Chiefs offensive line since 2006? How many QB's need be injured and put on IR before it's adequately addressed?

Are you telling me that it takes a "Genius" nearly 6 months after he's been hired to cut Damion McIntosh? Really?

All I can say is "Wow".

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I think people went from "lets wait and see... it's fair to give him some time" to being overly critical once he signed Cassel.

I'd be bitching about not protecting our franchise QB had we drafted Sanchez, just like I am now.

This isn't a Cassel-Sanchez debate. It's about taking steps to protect your investment at the most important position.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'd be bitching about not protecting our franchise QB had we drafted Sanchez, just like I am now.

This isn't a Cassel-Sanchez debate. It's about taking steps to protect your investment at the most important position.

It's okay, we've got a GREAT crop of QB's to choose from this year if Cassel dies.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I mentioned earlier that Mays was a nice find but he was intended to be a special teams player only. It's like Vermeil stating that Priest Holmes was a 3rd down back while Tony Richardson was the primary running back.

They quite possibly "backed into" a fine player, though that is truly yet to be determined.

This is funny. When the team finds a player it becomes "luck" and they never intended for the player to succeed. When a player doesn't make the team, people like OTWP say that Pioli has failed in finding starting talent. The team can't win either way. If they find someone it's because they accidentally tripped over them. If they cut out some waste, they suck because they shouldn't have even bothered.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

This is funny. When the team finds a player it becomes "luck" and they never intended for the player to succeed. When a player doesn't make the team, people like OTWP say that Pioli has failed in finding starting talent. The team can't win either way. If they find someone it's because they accidentally tripped over them. If they cut out some waste, they suck because they shouldn't have even bothered.

C'mon man, it's not like Pioli "found" him out of the blue. Like most of the FA wreckage we picked up this off season, there was history between the two.

I put Mays success and improvement from his prior stops SQUARELY on the shoulders of Corey Mays.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Come on, there's much more to it than that.

Everyone, and I mean everyone was expecting the Pioli to make earth-shattering moves with this roster. Cassel appears to be a very good start and Vrabel's shown he's got another solid season in him.

But outside of those two, there's been virtually nothing to get excited about. It's as if the problems with the offensive line, wide receivers and linebacking corp didn't exist. Sure, Mays looks to be fine addition but he was initially added as a backup to of all people, 37 year-old Zach Thomas.

It's as if they lay all the blame on coaching, believing that the talent on the roster was sufficient. Just like someone else who said the roster was "85% there".

It's rather shocking to most people that closely follow the Chiefs, isn't it?

Apparently, not everyone had your take. Here are just a couple of examples......

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Chiefs in FA:

Petro: Quality or quantity?

Hunt: When Scott joined NE, they signed a high number of FA's.
Expects something similar, it sounds.

And

If Pioli and company repeat the Patriots model, you can look for the team to be flooded with veterans, especially those with the right mentality....I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chiefs and the Broncos in competition for those types of players this offseason.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...0&postcount=90

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Well, I'd suggest to you that you look for a high character player who's demonstrated powerful leadership if you're thinking the Chiefs will pony up the big bucks. My guess would be that leadership will be as important as talent when it comes to Chiefs signings this season and next.

Cassel
Vrabel
Brown
Engram
Goff
O'Callaghan
Ndukwe
Alleman
Gutierrez
Beisel
Mays

And those are just the veterans that made the team. This was talked at least as far back as February.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Cassel
Vrabel
Brown
Engram
Goff
O'Callaghan
Ndukwe
Alleman
Gutierrez
Beisel
Mays

And those are just the veterans that made the team. This was talked at least as far back as February.

And outside of Cassel and maybe Vrabel, none of those guys would start for any other NFL team and in many cases, might not even make the roster.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

This is funny. When the team finds a player it becomes "luck" and they never intended for the player to succeed.

Gimme a break.

Pioli didn't "find" 25 year-old Corey Mays. He bounced around the league for years like a hot potato between teams. The Chiefs signed him to be a special teams player. They had absolutely no faith in his ability to play ILB, which is why 37 year-old Zach Thomas was signed - a guy who couldn't even make it on the field in training camp.

If they had signed him and said "We project Mays to be the starting ILB", I'd be impressed.

But they didn't.

He was signed to be a special teamer. Nothing more.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Gimme a break.

Pioli didn't "find" 25 year-old Corey Mays. He bounced around the league for years like a hot potato between teams. The Chiefs signed him to be a special teams player. They had absolutely no faith in his ability to play ILB, which is why 37 year-old Zach Thomas was signed - a guy who couldn't even make it on the field in training camp.

If they had signed him and said "We project Mays to be the starting ILB", I'd be impressed.

But they didn't.

He was signed to be a special teamer. Nothing more.

So?

Tom Brady wasn't drafted to be a franchise quarterback.