Chiefs A message of Positivity, from Mr. Jason Whitlock - Page 11

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.

kcxiv · 11-23-2009, 07:40 PM

wtf is knowwhatever talking about. the fumble was because of a good play. The chiefs made the play. The 2 interceptions were tipped. Ben didnt throw it right at the Chiefs player.

He also forgot that Cassel fumbled as well. I guess we gave them a gift as well huh?

Did the ****ing guy watch the game at least?

kcxiv · 11-23-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

I enjoy the temper tantrums and F-Bombs as much as any red-blooded American, but if Haley can keep it under control then I think this team will respond. Good article J, and btw dont even bother arguing with jasonauto, the dude is like one step from licking windows...

lol, rep for the licking windows comment.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-23-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

T

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.

If you must know, they're universally pissed at Kurt Schottenheimer.

And can you blame them?

"Schottenheimer": the brand name for mediocre suck in the NFL.

Hootie · 11-23-2009, 09:15 PM

yeah...I bet they are just thrilled with Mark Sanchez...

I thought he had the "it" factor, too...and he might still have it...

But man...I'm starting to think his confidence is going to shatter and he's going to be DONEZO.

We'll see...the fact he has all world talent around him makes me worry for his future.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-23-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

yeah...I bet they are just thrilled with Mark Sanchez...

I thought he had the "it" factor, too...and he might still have it...

But man...I'm starting to think his confidence is going to shatter and he's going to be DONEZO.

We'll see...the fact he has all world talent around him makes me worry for his future.

Not to start a pissing match about this, because I really don't care, but...

Who is this "all-world" talent you're speaking of?

If I were a young QB, I'd much rather throw to Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew over Braylon Edwards, Jerrico Cotchery and Dustin Keller.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-23-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Got Grbac

yeah...I bet they are just thrilled with Mark Sanchez...

I thought he had the "it" factor, too...and he might still have it...

But man...I'm starting to think his confidence is going to shatter and he's going to be DONEZO.

We'll see...the fact he has all world talent around him makes me worry for his future.

Okay, let's try this again:

They ARE thrilled with Mark Sanchez; they know he's capable of winning.

They are NOT thrilled with the O-Coord.

Any other questions?

Mosbonian · 11-23-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwhit

haley's problems in oakland (not kicking the field goal, f-bombing carthon) led to his new approach on sunday. he's been trying to control himself all year. the raiders game was a wake-up call. i'd bet either pioli or carthon or dick haley had an intervention with haley last week.

So....when you first got into Journalism you were perfect in how you approached writing your articles? No one came to you and told you that they were boring or disinteresting? Or that they didn't really appeal to anyone?

I'm willing to give Haley the benefit of the doubt in developing his approach to being a Head Coach. Will he make mistakes...undoubtedly! Will he sometimes look like a rookie Head Coach and other times like "he's getting a clue"?

There's a whole world of difference in being a successful Offensive/Defensive Coordinator and being a successful Head Coach...and it's telling in the number of guys who have tried and failed.

Your articles over the last few weeks left little doubt where you stood with your misplaced anger. Trying to do an "about-face" with one article seems a little disingenuous.

mmaddog
*******

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-23-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Okay, let's try this again:

They ARE thrilled with Mark Sanchez; they know he's capable of winning.

They are NOT thrilled with the O-Coord.

Any other questions?

They're not happy with Schottenheimer?

Wow, good thing they didn't hire him as the head coach.

Pablo · 11-24-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

If I were a young QB, I'd much rather throw to Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew over Braylon Edwards, Jerrico Cotchery and Dustin Keller.

Any QB would, but to suggest the corps Sanchez is throwing to is anything less than an above-average line-up would be dishonest. Not to mention he has a pretty decent line and a respectable run game, and what looked to be a solid defense on the other side of the ball.

Hootie · 11-24-2009, 06:54 AM

great line, great running game, good enough receivers...

the problem is a young, inexperienced QB that is in over his head right now...

but I guess blaming it on the offensive coordinator is a good cop out for ROR, pseudo Jets fan

**SAUTO** · 11-24-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Okay, let's try this again:

They ARE thrilled with Mark Sanchez; they know he's capable of winning.

They are NOT thrilled with the O-Coord.

Any other questions?

did coordinator make him throw 4 more ints and lose a fumble last week?

Chiefnj2 · 11-24-2009, 08:31 AM

The New York Post ripping on the OC. Oh no, wait, they rip on Sanchez:

The Jets have gone from clinging to playoff hopes to leaving you to wonder how many games they'll lose in this rookie year for Ryan and Mark Sanchez -- who was horrendous, throwing four INTs, all of them head-scratchers, and three of them to cornerback Leigh Bodden.

"I didn't know today was December 25th; I mean three fair catches," Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas crowed afterward about the three Sanchez gifts left under Bodden's tree.

The turnover-prone Sanchez (16 INTs, nine fumbles and three lost this season) completed as many passes to his own receivers (two) as he did to Bodden in the first half.

His first pick was a telegraphed pass into traffic in the direction of Jerricho Cotchery, but it landed right in the waiting arms of Bodden, who returned it 53 yards for a 7-0 New England lead with 5:47 remaining in the first quarter.

On Sanchez's second INT, he led Braylon Edwards too far, and it again was picked off by Bodden. The Patriots turned that INT into a 26-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal and a 24-0 lead with 4:14 remaining in the first half.

Sanchez, who's now thrown three or more in a game three times, finished the first half 2-of-9 for 15 yards, the two INTs and a 0.0 passer rating.

In between the first-half Sanchez picks, Patriots QB Tom Brady (28-41, 310 yards, 1 TD) connected with Randy Moss on a four-yard scoring pass, and Laurence Maroney scored on a two-yard run.

When the Jets actually climbed back into the game with a blocked punt for a TD and a Sanchez TD pass to Cotchery, Sanchez gave it right back with two crushing INTs in the second half, the last of which led to the Patriots' final TD.

This was way too easy for 7-3 New England. NFL games are not supposed to be this easy to win.

The lifeless Jets looked like a beaten team long before halftime.

Now they're a foundering team with virtually no hope of making the playoffs and wondering when -- if? -- they'll win another game.

"We're a desperate football team now," linebacker Bart Scott said.

The Jets should have played like one yesterday -- then maybe their plight and mood would be a lot different today.

Hootie · 11-24-2009, 08:35 AM

Notice how ROR has been so quiet lately?

You know...with Cassel clearly outplaying Sanchez this year...and Cassel has been mediocre.

Now...I didn't expect Sanchez to be great...he is a rookie...but lets be honest...Sanchez has every bit as much talent as Flacco had last year (if not more) and Ryan had last year...

So I think we got pretty good value out of our 2nd round pick...especially if Cassel and the Chiefs can build on this last game and keep improving...they might have a little swagger heading into San Diego this weekend...

I don't expect a win...but perhaps a competitive game? We'll see...

Hootie · 11-24-2009, 08:37 AM

It's just hilarious how a message board can turn a supposed Chiefs fan (ROR) into a Jets fan JUST so he/she (not sure what ROR's gender is) can be right and tell everyone how dumb the Chiefs are for choosing Cassel over Sanchez...

It's just hilarious that he's deflecting the fail of making Sanchez start when he's so raw on the offensive coordinator over there...

Yikes dude, yikes.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-24-2009, 11:24 AM

No, you see I gotta' be the guy that takes all of Mecca and Hamas' lumps when they disappear because I'm not afraid to man up, come in to your little ****ing romper room, and put my foot to your ass.

The day I believe ANYTHING related to football coming from Hootie, SAUTO, or Buster's Pussy, is the day I become a Soccer fan.

Which will NEVER happen.

Keep on thinking that one game gives you license to pound your chest like a reeruned ****ing gorilla; it just makes what's coming all the sweeter.

11-22-2009, 11:22 PM
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $-1825503	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: 51,691

11-23-2009, 07:40 PM	#151
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	wtf is knowwhatever talking about. the fumble was because of a good play. The chiefs made the play. The 2 interceptions were tipped. Ben didnt throw it right at the Chiefs player. He also forgot that Cassel fumbled as well. I guess we gave them a gift as well huh? Did the ****ing guy watch the game at least?
Posts: 29,111

11-23-2009, 09:15 PM	#154
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	yeah...I bet they are just thrilled with Mark Sanchez... I thought he had the "it" factor, too...and he might still have it... But man...I'm starting to think his confidence is going to shatter and he's going to be DONEZO. We'll see...the fact he has all world talent around him makes me worry for his future.
Posts: 56,356

11-24-2009, 06:54 AM	#160
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	great line, great running game, good enough receivers... the problem is a young, inexperienced QB that is in over his head right now... but I guess blaming it on the offensive coordinator is a good cop out for ROR, pseudo Jets fan
Posts: 56,356

11-24-2009, 08:31 AM	#162
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6654388	The New York Post ripping on the OC. Oh no, wait, they rip on Sanchez: The Jets have gone from clinging to playoff hopes to leaving you to wonder how many games they'll lose in this rookie year for Ryan and Mark Sanchez -- who was horrendous, throwing four INTs, all of them head-scratchers, and three of them to cornerback Leigh Bodden. "I didn't know today was December 25th; I mean three fair catches," Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas crowed afterward about the three Sanchez gifts left under Bodden's tree. The turnover-prone Sanchez (16 INTs, nine fumbles and three lost this season) completed as many passes to his own receivers (two) as he did to Bodden in the first half. His first pick was a telegraphed pass into traffic in the direction of Jerricho Cotchery, but it landed right in the waiting arms of Bodden, who returned it 53 yards for a 7-0 New England lead with 5:47 remaining in the first quarter. On Sanchez's second INT, he led Braylon Edwards too far, and it again was picked off by Bodden. The Patriots turned that INT into a 26-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal and a 24-0 lead with 4:14 remaining in the first half. Sanchez, who's now thrown three or more in a game three times, finished the first half 2-of-9 for 15 yards, the two INTs and a 0.0 passer rating. In between the first-half Sanchez picks, Patriots QB Tom Brady (28-41, 310 yards, 1 TD) connected with Randy Moss on a four-yard scoring pass, and Laurence Maroney scored on a two-yard run. When the Jets actually climbed back into the game with a blocked punt for a TD and a Sanchez TD pass to Cotchery, Sanchez gave it right back with two crushing INTs in the second half, the last of which led to the Patriots' final TD. This was way too easy for 7-3 New England. NFL games are not supposed to be this easy to win. The lifeless Jets looked like a beaten team long before halftime. Now they're a foundering team with virtually no hope of making the playoffs and wondering when -- if? -- they'll win another game. "We're a desperate football team now," linebacker Bart Scott said. The Jets should have played like one yesterday -- then maybe their plight and mood would be a lot different today. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,541

11-24-2009, 08:35 AM	#163
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Notice how ROR has been so quiet lately? You know...with Cassel clearly outplaying Sanchez this year...and Cassel has been mediocre. Now...I didn't expect Sanchez to be great...he is a rookie...but lets be honest...Sanchez has every bit as much talent as Flacco had last year (if not more) and Ryan had last year... So I think we got pretty good value out of our 2nd round pick...especially if Cassel and the Chiefs can build on this last game and keep improving...they might have a little swagger heading into San Diego this weekend... I don't expect a win...but perhaps a competitive game? We'll see...
Posts: 56,356

11-24-2009, 08:37 AM	#164
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	It's just hilarious how a message board can turn a supposed Chiefs fan (ROR) into a Jets fan JUST so he/she (not sure what ROR's gender is) can be right and tell everyone how dumb the Chiefs are for choosing Cassel over Sanchez... It's just hilarious that he's deflecting the fail of making Sanchez start when he's so raw on the offensive coordinator over there... Yikes dude, yikes.
Posts: 56,356

11-24-2009, 11:24 AM	#165
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	No, you see I gotta' be the guy that takes all of Mecca and Hamas' lumps when they disappear because I'm not afraid to man up, come in to your little **ing romper room, and put my foot to your ass. The day I believe ANYTHING related to football coming from Hootie, SAUTO, or Buster's Pussy, is the day I become a Soccer fan. Which will NEVER happen. Keep on thinking that one game gives you license to pound your chest like a reeruned ing gorilla; it just makes what's coming all the sweeter. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135