Q&A with TODD HALEY - 9/9

[C-Mac]

Features
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/

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by YayMike

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I live in Baltimore, and have been a Chief's fan for many years. I will be going to the game Sunday wearing my red and gold, but i figured i would throw my few cents into our chances Sunday after reading some comments in this thread.

Homerism aside, we have a slim chance.

Ravens D versus Chiefs O - Advantage Ravens. The Ravens have a new DC but the scheme remains largely the game. They will blitz early and often. Their only real weak spot is their CB's. They are vulnerable to the double moves (if we even have time to run them) and always go for the big play (Pick-6) instead of making the tackle. If we are smart we will try to take advantage of this. We should pass to run, quick screens, bubbles and slants are how Pittsburgh beats Baltimore. When we run, have to hit the A gap. Counters won't work as their LBs are too quick.

Ravens O verus Chiefs O - Push. The Ravens are exploring passing the ball much more this pre-season and season. Its everywhere in the local papers. They can run with McGahee, Rice and McClain (in short yard situations). However, they want to make Flacco the next Roethlisburger. Flacco does not read zone coverage well. If we are smart we will throw a lot of different looks at him.

In the end, we cannot beat them, but I just hope we make it competitive. The Ravens are a good team, but they struggle with passing teams and IF we don't make any mistakes with the ball on offense, we will stay in the game. Here's hoping!

welcome to the planet

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Just watch it, you two.

[TheGuardian]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Apparently, he played at least JuCo football.

The guys I know that played at Coffeyville & Butler in the 80's did pretty well after moving up to Division I and in some cases, the NFL. I don't know how well he did on the field but all of my friends are pretty sharp when it comes to the NFL.

But regardless, the guy acts like a jackass, 24-7.

It's too bad. We could certainly use more knowledgeable members around here.

I played beyond JUCO. Just an FYI. I'll leave it at that.

Yeah I can be a jackass at times. And guys like Mecca and Hamas aren't? Yet the majority of the crap they post is baseless and uneducated. At least my insight has merit.

And no it's not out of the question for Hali to have 10 sacks. I mean for the love of God the guy had 8 as a rookie with his hand in the dirt.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

And now the implicit comparison to DT...

You need to learn to put things in context.

This board lacks a lot of that ability. A comparison to a player, a great player, merely to emphasize a point, in no way equates the two players.

But, the point is that it is moronic to keep bringing up Hali's deficiency in something that he WON'T be freaking asked to do very often!

It's like slighting Joe Montana because he doesn't tackle well.

Hali will most likely put up more sacks this season by himself than the entire team had last year.

And, it's not like he isn't used to dropping into zone coverage already. Many zone blitzes drop the DE into the flat in coverage.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I played beyond JUCO. Just an FYI. I'll leave it at that.

Good for you. And BTW, I've just been teasing you. My initial impression was that you had a sense of humor and would play along. Why so serious?

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Yeah I can be a jackass at times.

That's not the issue. You really come across as angry and mean spirited. I mean really angry. We're all just here to have fun and sure, we bust each other's chops. But I'd have a beer with any of these guys (and have).

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

And guys like Mecca and Hamas aren't?

This is the problem with being new. Mecca isn't an asshole. He rarely, if ever, uses expletives to get his point across. He's a guy that spends most of his free watching college football, reading and scouting players and so on. He's opinionated but that's because he's studied. He's actually a really cool guy and very passionate about football.

Hamas is a genius. Literally. Genius. He's extremely funny and sarcastic and most of the time, new people don't "get" him (much like they don't get me at first, either). He's a totally cool dude and extremely sharp.

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Yet the majority of the crap they post is baseless and uneducated. At least my insight has merit.

Well, this is where you'll have a difficult time in this forum unless you change your viewpoint. Everyone's insight has merit from time to time. You don't have a monopoly on "insight". People may have differing opinions based on their experience but that doesn't mean that their viewpoints are baseless.

You'll find that there are some pretty sharp minds around here.

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

And no it's not out of the question for Hali to have 10 sacks. I mean for the love of God the guy had 8 as a rookie with his hand in the dirt.

It's possible, though unlikely, IMO. It's a different defense and he doesn't have a consistent, game-changing, sack machine on the opposite side.

[PunkinDrublic]

I think the major difference with Pioli managing the franchise is that we'll do much better in free agency. One of his strengths that you heard about over and over again in NE was his ability to find players that fit well into Bill Belicheks system. I think that will serve the team well because then you're not as much under pressure to hit a home run in the draft when there isn't as much talent coming out of college.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

I think the major difference with Pioli managing the franchise is that we'll do much better in free agency. One of his strengths that you heard about over and over again in NE was his ability to find players that fit well into Bill Belicheks system. I think that will serve the team well because then you're not as much under pressure to hit a home run in the draft when there isn't as much talent coming out of college.

He's off to a rousing start so far.

[PunkinDrublic]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

He's off to a rousing start so far.

It's way too early to cast any judgement.

[TheGuardian]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Good for you. And BTW, I've just been teasing you. My initial impression was that you had a sense of humor and would play along. Why so serious?





That's not the issue. You really come across as angry and mean spirited. I mean really angry. We're all just here to have fun and sure, we bust each other's chops. But I'd have a beer with any of these guys (and have).

Cool. My bad then.

This is the problem with being new. Mecca isn't an asshole. He rarely, if ever, uses expletives to get his point across. He's a guy that spends most of his free watching college football, reading and scouting players and so on. He's opinionated but that's because he's studied. He's actually a really cool guy and very passionate about football.

Hamas is a genius. Literally. Genius. He's extremely funny and sarcastic and most of the time, new people don't "get" him (much like they don't get me at first, either). He's a totally cool dude and extremely sharp.



Well, this is where you'll have a difficult time in this forum unless you change your viewpoint. Everyone's insight has merit from time to time. You don't have a monopoly on "insight". People may have differing opinions based on their experience but that doesn't mean that their viewpoints are baseless.

Some viewpoints certainly have more merit than others. Would you ask a guy who has never driven or even seen a car to diagnose why yours won't start or a certified mechanic?

You'll find that there are some pretty sharp minds around here.



It's possible, though unlikely, IMO. It's a different defense and he doesn't have a consistent, game-changing, sack machine on the opposite side.

We'll see. I don't think that 10 sacks, if he can stay healthy, is out of reach.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

It's way too early to cast any judgement.

So when exactly does he "go on the job" then? When does the time clock kick in?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

So when exactly does he "go on the job" then? When does the time clock kick in?

That's what I was wondering.

I guess Mike Goff, Eric Ghiaciuc, Amani Toomer, Ashlie Lelie, Vince Redd, Zach Thomas and the re-signing of Rudy Niswanger doesn't count?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

That's what I was wondering.

I guess Mike Goff, Eric Ghiaciuc, Amani Toomer, Ashlie Lelie, Vince Redd, Zach Thomas and the re-signing of Rudy Niswanger doesn't count?

Apparently so.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

That's what I was wondering.

I guess Mike Goff, Eric Ghiaciuc, Amani Toomer, Ashlie Lelie, Vince Redd, Zach Thomas and the re-signing of Rudy Niswanger doesn't count?

Why focus on the negative? Why not say Cassel, Mays, Brown, possibly being able to make something of Dorsey and Hali in a 34?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Why focus on the negative? Why not say Cassel, Mays, Brown, possibly being able to make something of Dorsey and Hali in a 34?

The original comment was focusing specifically on how we will do better in FA.

On that note, I think Mays was an excellent find, and that Mike Brown will not perform any better than his predecessor, provided he can even stay healthy enough to play regularly.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The original comment was focusing specifically on how we will do better in FA.

On that note, I think Mays was an excellent find, and that Mike Brown will not perform any better than his predecessor, provided he can even stay healthy enough to play regularly.

Yep. One out of a dozen for the first year isn't bad I suppose.