Chiefs A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock - Page 10

chiefzilla1501 · 11-22-2009, 11:22 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1587222.html
The victory was just icing. The progress could be seen long before Matt Cassel shook off a critical fumble and began the process of rehabilitating his image.

The progress started with Kansas City’s rookie head coach, Todd Haley, who may have finally figured out what to do with his game-day emotions.

Rather than castigate his players, F-bomb his assistants and bicker with the refs, Haley spent his most productive Sunday as an NFL head coach fueling his players with positive energy. They responded with their most promising performance in two years.

Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 24 in OT!

Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of five of their last 30 games, knocked off the defending Super Bowl champions at Arrowhead Stadium.

It wasn’t a fluke. The Steelers tried to win the game. They didn’t stumble into Arrowhead hung over from a night of being denied entrance into P&L nightclubs. The Chiefs played a good football game and took advantage of the Steelers’ errors.

Jamaal Charles returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Tamba Hali led a Kansas City pass rush that harassed Big Ben Roethlisberger and eventually sidelined him with a knee to the head. Brandon Flowers manufactured the first of four Pittsburgh turnovers, poking the ball out of the arm of receiver Mike Wallace. KC safeties Mike Brown and Jon McGraw accepted the challenge of being physical against Pittsburgh’s running game. Linebacker Andy Studebaker intercepted Big Ben twice, returning one 94 yards, setting up a Kansas City field goal.

And, most important, the Chiefs’ $63 million acquisition, Cassel, showed some real courage down the stretch. I thought he was going to fold after his inexcusable 360-spin, I’m-afraid-of-a-pass-rush fumble that basically handed the Steelers a 24-17 advantage in the fourth quarter.

Cassel had been dreadful to that point, completing eight of 18 passes for 95 yards through a little more than three quarters of play.

“He was really down when he turned the ball over, but he bounced back and made some great plays,” Haley said of his quarterback.

Cassel may have saved his Kansas City career. He certainly bought himself some time.

On KC’s next possession, facing third and 9 from the Chiefs’ 10, Cassel laced a strike down the middle of the Pittsburgh defense to Lance Long for 30 yards. Cassel followed it up with a 47-yard bomb to Chris Chambers. Cassel drove the Chiefs 91 yards in eight plays, hitting Charles with a 2-yard TD pass.

In overtime, Cassel set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal with a 61-yard, third-and-5 connection to Chambers.

If you would like, you can crawl into the statistics — which were dominated by the Steelers — and craft an argument that the Chiefs got lucky.

Nope. This was Kansas City-created good fortune. No doubt the Steelers are the better team and would likely beat the Chiefs eight out of 10 games. But Haley’s Chiefs followed a proven blueprint on how to beat a superior football team: 1. win the turnover battle; 2. score on special teams; 3. get after the opposing quarterback; 4. make big plays that dramatically change field position.

Did Haley mismanage the clock at the end of both halves? Yes, he was too conservative before halftime. But that’s nitpicking.

Haley coached an excellent football game. He concentrated on play-calling and encouraging his players. He left the refs alone. He didn’t overreact to the mistakes made by his players.

Had the Chiefs lost the game, I would be writing the exact same thing. Haley is learning how to be a head coach. His players are noticing and appreciative of his change in demeanor.

“I’m a rookie head coach and am passionate about what I do,” Haley said. “I live and die every day on how it goes with this team — not just game day. When you care about something, there is going to be some emotion. It’s easy to be positive when good things are happening.”

Good things happen when you expect positive results, when you put your mind in a positive place, when you treat the people fighting with you like they have as much invested in the outcome as you do.

Haley’s transformation from coaching mad man to competent leader has been going on for several weeks. Sunday, he finally struck the right balance. His team reflected his new spirit. The players wanted to shock the Steelers as much as their coach, whose father played and worked for the Steelers.

Are things perfect between Haley and his players? No. But there’s been a lot of progress.

To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to [email protected]. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.

Hootie · 11-23-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Are you fatter than Mangino?

you calling someone fat?

That's rich.

Fish · 11-23-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

wow what else would you want? that came from arrowhead pride AND jason la canfora BOTH. like i said IMO the contract was set up so that if it didnt work out we can go in a different direction after NEXT year. isnt that what you took offense to? i said that next year is his make or break year. whitlock said that yesterday saved his career here. you act like he could be gone after this season. that not right. also his 3rd year is mostly bonuses. we pay most of the guarantees in the forst 2 years.

How about some facts other than "This guys said that if this guy is right, it must add up that this is what he's making. Nevermind it's a diffferent value here, that's probably a typo."

That's not proof in the slightest. And I'm not seeing why the numbers you posted would support your claim anyway. Even if those numbers are right, I don't see how that proves a guaranteed second year?

He could be gone next year if he doesn't continue to improve on the field. Nothing about that contract says otherwise. Nothing the coach has said indicates otherwise.

PunkinDrublic · 11-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

The Steelers made mistakes that were do to mental errors more than anything KC did. Mike Wallace's fumble, the kick return TD, Roethlisburger throwing INT's right to your team. Those are mistakes the Steelers don't make. The Chiefs played horrible and had to get lucky to win. End of story.

I know you're bitter because slowly but surely your team and your coach are being exposed as frauds but please shut the **** up little boy. You're lack of football knowledge is glaringly obvious and you should come back and talk with the grown ups when you've learned about football.

Hootie · 11-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

The Steelers made mistakes that were do to mental errors more than anything KC did. Mike Wallace's fumble, the kick return TD, Roethlisburger throwing INT's right to your team. Those are mistakes the Steelers don't make. The Chiefs played horrible and had to get lucky to win. End of story.

not to mention leaving Leonard Pope wide open, not covering Charles on that TD shovel pass, not covering Chambers on that deep pass...not covering Chambers in OT...not scoring in OT...not scoring with plenty of time at the end of regulation...Big Ben taking sacks in regulation...Big Ben not completing 100% of his passes...Mendenhall not averaging 8 YPC...not sacking Cassel on every snap...not winning by 50+...

Pittsburgh just did nothing right and really bailed us out...what were they thinking?

Otter · 11-23-2009, 05:46 PM

Wow, Whitlock took the high road. That's different.

Haley is going to be a hell of a head coach. I'm happy we have him.

Hootie · 11-23-2009, 05:49 PM

he's improving...still don't know what the hell was going on at the end of the first half...

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

The Steelers made mistakes that were do to mental errors more than anything KC did. Mike Wallace's fumble, the kick return TD, Roethlisburger throwing INT's right to your team. Those are mistakes the Steelers don't make. The Chiefs played horrible and had to get lucky to win. End of story.

There are a few Bronco fans who come over here that have class. When you guys were 6-0 they were excited for their team... and rightfully so... but not gloating over that fact. Most of us here tipped our cap to those few.

I'll stop there.

Coogs · 11-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

he's improving...still don't know what the hell was going on at the end of the first half...

I believe he said he didn't really have faith in Cassel at that moment, and if he was going to error, he was going to error on the side of be conservative.

**SAUTO** · 11-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

How about some facts other than "This guys said that if this guy is right, it must add up that this is what he's making. Nevermind it's a diffferent value here, that's probably a typo."

That's not proof in the slightest. And I'm not seeing why the numbers you posted would support your claim anyway. Even if those numbers are right, I don't see how that proves a guaranteed second year?

He could be gone next year if he doesn't continue to improve on the field. Nothing about that contract says otherwise. Nothing the coach has said indicates otherwise.

where would you like for me to get those facts? everything published was in that quote. Do you HONESTLY think they would trade a 2nd round pick and then guarantee the guy 28 million dollars then cut him after ONE season especially considering the abortion of an offensive line we have marched out there this season? HONESTLY. Think about what you are saying here. we would have guaranteed him 28 million to franchise him for 2 years. right? common sense would say that is how long this will last if he plays worse NEXT YEAR.

Hootie · 11-23-2009, 05:56 PM

They were never going to cut Cassel...

But if he was totally, completely abysmal this season...

They surely would have brought in competition...

Sanchez makes a lot of money and I bet people in New York aren't too happy right now...no doubt in my mind he can be a great QB but that's a pretty tough place to play when you lose your confidence.

Titty Meat · 11-23-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

you calling someone fat?

That's rich.

Do you even know me? You are such a moron.

Hootie · 11-23-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Do you even know me? You are such a moron.

well...

Call me crazy but I assume your avatar is you, no?

WildTurkey · 11-23-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

I know you're bitter because slowly but surely your team and your coach are being exposed as frauds but please shut the **** up little boy. You're lack of football knowledge is glaringly obvious and you should come back and talk with the grown ups when you've learned about football.

Post of the year..... rep

Mr. Laz · 11-23-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwhit

I'd imagine ....

This is the only part that's true ... everything is based on your imagination.

CaliforniaChief · 11-23-2009, 07:38 PM

The Chiefs are classless because of that gimmick option play they ran to get a first down. Real teams don't run plays like that./KnowNothing

11-22-2009, 11:22 PM
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $-1745503	A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1587222.html The victory was just icing. The progress could be seen long before Matt Cassel shook off a critical fumble and began the process of rehabilitating his image. The progress started with Kansas City’s rookie head coach, Todd Haley, who may have finally figured out what to do with his game-day emotions. Rather than castigate his players, F-bomb his assistants and bicker with the refs, Haley spent his most productive Sunday as an NFL head coach fueling his players with positive energy. They responded with their most promising performance in two years. Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 24 in OT! Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of five of their last 30 games, knocked off the defending Super Bowl champions at Arrowhead Stadium. It wasn’t a fluke. The Steelers tried to win the game. They didn’t stumble into Arrowhead hung over from a night of being denied entrance into P&L nightclubs. The Chiefs played a good football game and took advantage of the Steelers’ errors. Jamaal Charles returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Tamba Hali led a Kansas City pass rush that harassed Big Ben Roethlisberger and eventually sidelined him with a knee to the head. Brandon Flowers manufactured the first of four Pittsburgh turnovers, poking the ball out of the arm of receiver Mike Wallace. KC safeties Mike Brown and Jon McGraw accepted the challenge of being physical against Pittsburgh’s running game. Linebacker Andy Studebaker intercepted Big Ben twice, returning one 94 yards, setting up a Kansas City field goal. And, most important, the Chiefs’ $63 million acquisition, Cassel, showed some real courage down the stretch. I thought he was going to fold after his inexcusable 360-spin, I’m-afraid-of-a-pass-rush fumble that basically handed the Steelers a 24-17 advantage in the fourth quarter. Cassel had been dreadful to that point, completing eight of 18 passes for 95 yards through a little more than three quarters of play. “He was really down when he turned the ball over, but he bounced back and made some great plays,” Haley said of his quarterback. Cassel may have saved his Kansas City career. He certainly bought himself some time. On KC’s next possession, facing third and 9 from the Chiefs’ 10, Cassel laced a strike down the middle of the Pittsburgh defense to Lance Long for 30 yards. Cassel followed it up with a 47-yard bomb to Chris Chambers. Cassel drove the Chiefs 91 yards in eight plays, hitting Charles with a 2-yard TD pass. In overtime, Cassel set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal with a 61-yard, third-and-5 connection to Chambers. If you would like, you can crawl into the statistics — which were dominated by the Steelers — and craft an argument that the Chiefs got lucky. Nope. This was Kansas City-created good fortune. No doubt the Steelers are the better team and would likely beat the Chiefs eight out of 10 games. But Haley’s Chiefs followed a proven blueprint on how to beat a superior football team: 1. win the turnover battle; 2. score on special teams; 3. get after the opposing quarterback; 4. make big plays that dramatically change field position. Did Haley mismanage the clock at the end of both halves? Yes, he was too conservative before halftime. But that’s nitpicking. Haley coached an excellent football game. He concentrated on play-calling and encouraging his players. He left the refs alone. He didn’t overreact to the mistakes made by his players. Had the Chiefs lost the game, I would be writing the exact same thing. Haley is learning how to be a head coach. His players are noticing and appreciative of his change in demeanor. “I’m a rookie head coach and am passionate about what I do,” Haley said. “I live and die every day on how it goes with this team — not just game day. When you care about something, there is going to be some emotion. It’s easy to be positive when good things are happening.” Good things happen when you expect positive results, when you put your mind in a positive place, when you treat the people fighting with you like they have as much invested in the outcome as you do. Haley’s transformation from coaching mad man to competent leader has been going on for several weeks. Sunday, he finally struck the right balance. His team reflected his new spirit. The players wanted to shock the Steelers as much as their coach, whose father played and worked for the Steelers. Are things perfect between Haley and his players? No. But there’s been a lot of progress. To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to [email protected]. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.
Posts: 51,663

11-23-2009, 05:49 PM	#141
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	he's improving...still don't know what the hell was going on at the end of the first half...
Posts: 56,356

11-23-2009, 05:56 PM	#145
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	They were never going to cut Cassel... But if he was totally, completely abysmal this season... They surely would have brought in competition... Sanchez makes a lot of money and I bet people in New York aren't too happy right now...no doubt in my mind he can be a great QB but that's a pretty tough place to play when you lose your confidence.
Posts: 56,356

11-23-2009, 07:38 PM	#150
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10555899	The Chiefs are classless because of that gimmick option play they ran to get a first down. Real teams don't run plays like that./KnowNothing
Posts: 17,459