Chiefs Players on Haley: 'We definitely believed in him' - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-12-2011, 11:07 PM

Players on Haley: 'We definitely believed in him'
By TOD PALMER
The Kansas City Star

Sports talk radio and internet chat boards have buzzed for months about the possible dismissal of Chiefs coach Todd Haley, but when the ax fell Monday, his players insisted the move came as a surprise.

“It was a little bit of a shocker,” running back Jackie Battle said. “Todd is a very passionate coach and wants to win. It caught me off guard a little bit. We went to the playoffs last year and won the AFC West, but I guess the team's moving on.”

Less than a year after Haley led the Chiefs to an unexpected division title, his third season with the organization has been marred by spectacular inconsistency and lopsided losses.

Still, there wasn't a sense in the locker room that Haley's firing was inevitable.

“Like I said, we went to the playoffs last year,” Battle said. “That has to mean something. The season didn't go the way we wanted this year, but he's proven that he can win in the league.”

Most Chiefs players made themselves scarce as news filtered through the Arrowhead Stadium practice facility, but Battle and linebacker Derrick Johnson spoke about Haley's dismissal.

Both players stressed that Haley had not lost the locker room.

“We definitely believed in him,” Johnson said. “We believed in his system and believed in what he was telling us. ... He was a guy that was very passionate about what he does on the field and in the meeting room. My best wishes are for him, and I hope he does well in the future.”

Johnson's relationship with Haley got off to a rocky start as the injured linebacker lost his starting spot and was used primarily in passing situations in 2009, Haley's first with the Chiefs.

“Me and Todd have grown closer in the time he's been here,” Johnson said. “We've had our ups and downs, of course, but my hat's off to him for sticking with me and being passionate about what he believes in. We've shared some good times. He's a fun guy to be around. He'll definitely be well-missed.”

Still, Haley's well-documented passion wasn't enough to spare his job.

“I don't know if it's fair or not, but that's part of the business,” Battle said. “We're judged and it all comes down to wins. We just weren't winning this year.”

Key injuries to safety Eric Berry, running back Jamaal Charles and quarterback Matt Cassel have played a role in the Chiefs' uneven 5-8 campaign, but that also apparently wasn't enough to offset the perceived lack of preparation in too many games this season.

“This is the NFL, and when you're losing, that's the nature of the beast,” Johnson said. “It goes on in the NFL all the time, every year.”

But Johnson, for one, would never pin the season's struggles on Haley or his staff.

“I'm a player, so I never blame a coordinator or a head coach,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, it's the players out there playing, and we have to make the plays.”

KC_Lee · 12-13-2011, 08:55 AM

Has anyone heard if the players passed the hat and collected money so Haley could buy Christmas presents for his kids?

SenselessChiefsFan · 12-13-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Lee

Has anyone heard if the players passed the hat and collected money so Haley could buy Christmas presents for his kids?

If so, that is ridiculous. For crying out loud, Haley made millions. And, is due another year....of millions.

I know he has five kids...but give me a break.

htismaqe · 12-13-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Good.

Be shocked.

SUCKING @$$ IS NOT OK...

Haley isn't the biggest reason they suck ass.

htismaqe · 12-13-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

If so, that is ridiculous. For crying out loud, Haley made millions. And, is due another year....of millions.

I know he has five kids...but give me a break.

The Iron Chief · 12-13-2011, 09:38 AM

What nothing from Bowe yet?!
I believe what Bowe comes out and says will be important.
Even more so than DJ we all know Haley rode Bowes a$$ like no other player then last yr Bowe magicly started saying how Haley is only on my a$$ for all the right reasons hes making me a better WR etc.
Most players will go the safe route like Cassel.

**bevischief** · 12-13-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Iron Chief

What nothing from Bowe yet?!
I believe what Bowe comes out and says will be important.
Even more so than DJ we all know Haley rode Bowes a$$ like no other player then last yr Bowe magicly started saying how Haley is only on my a$$ for all the right reasons hes making me a better WR etc.
Most players will go the safe route like Cassel.

Bowe wants to get paid so he shouldn't say anything... yet.

The Iron Chief · 12-13-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevischief

Bowe wants to get paid so he shouldn't say anything... yet.

VERY good point I believe your spot on.
I shouldve thought better on that.
He doesnt dare air any dirty laundry as you said.. Yet.

htismaqe · 12-13-2011, 09:57 AM

Bowe is gonna get paid, by the Chiefs or somebody else.

He has no real financial reason to stay quiet.

boogblaster · 12-13-2011, 10:46 AM

think most players like their coaches .. and it wasnt all haleys fault .. he was forced to start some large turds .....

whosyou · 12-13-2011, 11:05 AM

All Bowe had to say about the firing is that he'd like to thank the Clarks

FAX · 12-13-2011, 11:17 AM

Looks like Crennel might have been pushing a little from the other side?

JoshLooney Josh Looney
#Chiefs Romeo Crennel: "I would like to be a head coach again and show I can get it done."

FAX

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-13-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Looks like Crennel might have been pushing a little from the other side?

JoshLooney Josh Looney
#Chiefs Romeo Crennel: "I would like to be a head coach again and show I can get it done."

FAX

Welp...

LOCOChief · 12-13-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Looks like Crennel might have been pushing a little from the other side?

JoshLooney Josh Looney
#Chiefs Romeo Crennel: "I would like to be a head coach again and show I can get it done."

FAX

What the hell I'd say give him the chance next year as long as we bring in a stellar OC. I wonder who would replace him as DC?

He never had a reasonable shot at Cleveland, nobody has since Schottenheimer.

Frosty · 12-13-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Welp...

It's going to happen. You just know it.

lcarus · 12-13-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer me

So Jackie Battle doesn't realize he's a little part of the problem...

No he probably realizes, like everybody else, that the offensive line and QB are the problem.

12-12-2011, 11:07 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	Players on Haley: 'We definitely believed in him' Players on Haley: 'We definitely believed in him' By TOD PALMER The Kansas City Star Sports talk radio and internet chat boards have buzzed for months about the possible dismissal of Chiefs coach Todd Haley, but when the ax fell Monday, his players insisted the move came as a surprise. “It was a little bit of a shocker,” running back Jackie Battle said. “Todd is a very passionate coach and wants to win. It caught me off guard a little bit. We went to the playoffs last year and won the AFC West, but I guess the team's moving on.” Less than a year after Haley led the Chiefs to an unexpected division title, his third season with the organization has been marred by spectacular inconsistency and lopsided losses. Still, there wasn't a sense in the locker room that Haley's firing was inevitable. “Like I said, we went to the playoffs last year,” Battle said. “That has to mean something. The season didn't go the way we wanted this year, but he's proven that he can win in the league.” Most Chiefs players made themselves scarce as news filtered through the Arrowhead Stadium practice facility, but Battle and linebacker Derrick Johnson spoke about Haley's dismissal. Both players stressed that Haley had not lost the locker room. “We definitely believed in him,” Johnson said. “We believed in his system and believed in what he was telling us. ... He was a guy that was very passionate about what he does on the field and in the meeting room. My best wishes are for him, and I hope he does well in the future.” Johnson's relationship with Haley got off to a rocky start as the injured linebacker lost his starting spot and was used primarily in passing situations in 2009, Haley's first with the Chiefs. “Me and Todd have grown closer in the time he's been here,” Johnson said. “We've had our ups and downs, of course, but my hat's off to him for sticking with me and being passionate about what he believes in. We've shared some good times. He's a fun guy to be around. He'll definitely be well-missed.” Still, Haley's well-documented passion wasn't enough to spare his job. “I don't know if it's fair or not, but that's part of the business,” Battle said. “We're judged and it all comes down to wins. We just weren't winning this year.” Key injuries to safety Eric Berry, running back Jamaal Charles and quarterback Matt Cassel have played a role in the Chiefs' uneven 5-8 campaign, but that also apparently wasn't enough to offset the perceived lack of preparation in too many games this season. “This is the NFL, and when you're losing, that's the nature of the beast,” Johnson said. “It goes on in the NFL all the time, every year.” But Johnson, for one, would never pin the season's struggles on Haley or his staff. “I'm a player, so I never blame a coordinator or a head coach,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, it's the players out there playing, and we have to make the plays.”
Posts: 43,452

12-13-2011, 08:55 AM	#16
KC_Lee You're CARICATURES, ALL of you Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $-1899040	Has anyone heard if the players passed the hat and collected money so Haley could buy Christmas presents for his kids?
Posts: 12,188

12-13-2011, 09:38 AM	#20
The Iron Chief Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Binghamton NY Casino cash: $-1864331	What nothing from Bowe yet?! I believe what Bowe comes out and says will be important. Even more so than DJ we all know Haley rode Bowes a$$ like no other player then last yr Bowe magicly started saying how Haley is only on my a$$ for all the right reasons hes making me a better WR etc. Most players will go the safe route like Cassel.
Posts: 1,371

12-13-2011, 09:57 AM	#23
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8109900	Bowe is gonna get paid, by the Chiefs or somebody else. He has no real financial reason to stay quiet.
Posts: 104,421

12-13-2011, 10:46 AM	#24
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	think most players like their coaches .. and it wasnt all haleys fault .. he was forced to start some large turds ..... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

12-13-2011, 11:05 AM	#25
whosyou Banned Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Western world Casino cash: $10004900	All Bowe had to say about the firing is that he'd like to thank the Clarks
Posts: 263

12-13-2011, 11:17 AM	#26
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Looks like Crennel might have been pushing a little from the other side? JoshLooney Josh Looney #Chiefs Romeo Crennel: "I would like to be a head coach again and show I can get it done." FAX
Posts: 44,492