Chiefs Players on Haley: 'We definitely believed in him' - Page 3

**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.”

Sofa King · 12-13-2011, 11:28 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

Well here we go. Crennel will be the new inept head coach, our defense will take a huge step back, and the offense will never get fixed.

Fan****ingtastic.

FAX · 12-13-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOCOChief

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.

I fear that our defense will backslide. Although, there's no guarantee that Crennel would stay here beyond next year, anyhow. As DC, I mean.

FAX

FAX · 12-13-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sofa King

Well here we go. Crennel will be the new inept head coach, our defense will take a huge step back, and the offense will never get fixed.

Fan****ingtastic.

Crennel would be a comfortable hire for Pioli, that's for sure.

FAX

Sofa King · 12-13-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Crennel would be a comfortable hire for Pioli, that's for sure.

FAX

No doubt. And he's got to be a top 2 favorite with him and Ferentz.

Frosty · 12-13-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Crennel would be a comfortable hire for Pioli, that's for sure.

FAX

Crennel as HC, McHoodie as OC and Mangini as DC. All of the nuts from The Tree.

LOCOChief · 12-13-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

Crennel as HC, McHoodie as OC and Mangini as DC. All of the nuts from The Tree.

Mcdaniels has completely ****ed up Bradford. I don't even like that guy being in the same state as the Chiefs.

FAX · 12-13-2011, 11:40 AM

McDaniels is fan-toxic.

Surely, even Pioli knows this as he prepares his latest plans for world domination through the use of submarines and rocketry and yachts that convert into speed boats for a super-fast getaway just in case.

FAX

Frosty · 12-13-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOCOChief

Mcdaniels has completely ****ed up Bradford. I don't even like that guy being in the same state as the Chiefs.

I hope you didn't take my post as something I wanted. I'm getting older but I don't think senility has set in yet.

WhiteWhale · 12-13-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I fear that our defense will backslide. Although, there's no guarantee that Crennel would stay here beyond next year, anyhow. As DC, I mean.

FAX

He's a perfect fit for us, since coaches over 55 never win anything.

It's a young man's game. Old man coach won't hack it. That's what the precedent says.

vailpass · 12-13-2011, 12:32 PM

Guys on Phoenix sports talk radio saying they would like to see Haley come back as an assistant with the Cards. Said Haley is a great practice coach. tough, in your face but if a player is tough enough to take it he makes them better i.e. Fitz.
Said they can't see him as a HC anywhere though.

InChiefsHeaven · 12-13-2011, 12:37 PM

Dungy and Manning FTW!

...some dude called in to 610 this morning with that little nugget...

BoneKrusher · 12-13-2011, 12:52 PM

i bet Palko definitely believed in him.

**Rausch** · 12-13-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Dungy and Manning FTW!

...some dude called in to 610 this morning with that little nugget...

I hope he died in traffic...

**Dave Lane** · 12-13-2011, 12:54 PM

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

Be afraid be VERY afraid.

Between Crennel and McDaniels I say its a meh.

Johnny Vegas · 12-13-2011, 12:56 PM

one thing to prepare a team. I mean you can make a team watch all the tape in the world. Ultimately they must execute the play. There were a lot of times if the play was executed right it would've made Haley look like a genius. Just way too many mistakes.

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, 11:40 AM	#37
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	McDaniels is fan-toxic. Surely, even Pioli knows this as he prepares his latest plans for world domination through the use of submarines and rocketry and yachts that convert into speed boats for a super-fast getaway just in case. FAX
Posts: 44,492

12-13-2011, 12:32 PM	#40
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Guys on Phoenix sports talk radio saying they would like to see Haley come back as an assistant with the Cards. Said Haley is a great practice coach. tough, in your face but if a player is tough enough to take it he makes them better i.e. Fitz. Said they can't see him as a HC anywhere though. __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

12-13-2011, 12:37 PM	#41
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $595437	Dungy and Manning FTW! ...some dude called in to 610 this morning with that little nugget... __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 27,258

12-13-2011, 12:52 PM	#42
BoneKrusher That's Right Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bluefield, Virginia Casino cash: $9976645	i bet Palko definitely believed in him. __________________ "MaHomes/MaAuto"
Posts: 7,333

12-13-2011, 12:56 PM	#45
Johnny Vegas MVP Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $3184814	one thing to prepare a team. I mean you can make a team watch all the tape in the world. Ultimately they must execute the play. There were a lot of times if the play was executed right it would've made Haley look like a genius. Just way too many mistakes.
Posts: 5,098