Chiefs Q&A with Haley 6/15... Gretz update as well

Coogs · 06-15-2009, 01:34 PM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/06...dd_haley__615/

Q&A with TODD HALEY - 6/15
Jun 15, 2009, 2:08:15 PM

OTA #11

TODD HALEY: “We had an OTA this morning as you guys saw. We had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red area (Red Zone) periods, as well. Friday we changed it up a bit. We came out, we walked through and then I thought since we had worked very hard as a group we went and had a little team-building work at the bowling alley. It was well attended and went over well. That is what you missed on Friday. That is where we are at right now”

Q: How is the progress of the defensive line?

HALEY: “I think any time you talk about the D-line or offensive lineman you are wasting your breath a little bit because there are no pads on. So much can change when the pads are on, but I think athletically and physically having (DE Glenn) Dorsey back out there has been a help. We had (DT) Ron Edwards back today. I think that the guys are starting to get it because this is a whole new ball game for them obviously. I think we are coming close to passing the ‘look test’ and until we get pads on and get to training camp, we won’t really know but I think we have made progress in that area.”

Q: Now that you have had quite a few practices with DE Tyson Jackson, how has he adjusted?

HALEY: “Mentally, I think they are all doing pretty good. Like I said, they are learning where to line up. There are some subtle changes in alignments, major technique changes at times and mentally I think the entire group is doing a good job. We are all excited to get to training camp and put the pads on. Quite frankly, defense and offensive linemen can get into bad habits without pads on because you can play high and not pay for it like you would with the pads on. Mentally, I would say they are all getting it right now.”

Q: Are the defense and offensive linemen the biggest question mark at this point because of that reason?

HALEY: “Yeah, and I think that is just being straight up. Once we get those pads on, we will get a true evaluation of that. We can see mentally how they are doing.”

Q: Do you feel like you have established a good baseline with these OTAs?

HALEY: “I think we have made tremendous progress in a lot of areas. What is critical now, once we finish the week, is what these guys do. We will keep the rookies here and they will be here working out for a few weeks and that will help them. Some of these other guys that have worked really hard now, how they handle this time off will be critical. We don’t want to give anything back. Our goal is to come to training camp in condition and not have to play or practice our way into condition. That will be a critical time period and we are pushing for guys who can, to stay around here. I think we will have a fairly good group that is here working through training camp.”

Q: Since this is the last week of OTAs, has anything changed with the way practice is going?

HALEY: “I think it is like any other week. You continue to lay out there what is expected. I don’t think it is different than last week or the week before that. We have pretty much installed everything that we are going to install so now we are just getting a chance to go back through some things and review. We expect the guys to have it down a little cleaner overall and if you didn’t then we would worry a little bit. I would say just to continue doing what we are doing but do it a little better.”

Q: Are the players having trouble staying focused in practice as OTAs wind down?

HALEY: “That is one of the reasons I am encouraged. The guys have done a really good job of being focused. That is why I did what I did last Friday, because they have been focused and working. They have been doing everything that has been asked of them so I thought doing something like that would help us in another area. Anytime you get down towards the end guys get a little antsy but I think overall they are doing a very good job of staying focused.”

Q: Is (G) Mike Goff similar to (LB) Zach Thomas in terms of his work ethic and commitment?

HALEY: “It’s very similar. In all the guys we have brought in here, it has been a big item for us. These are guys who know how to prepare and play in the NFL. Mike has been an excellent off-season guy for us. We actually recognized him this morning in the meeting just for that. He is a guy that has been around long enough that he could slack off if he wanted to. He has been full bore. He has run every gasser that we have run. He has done everything exactly the way we want. I am very encouraged by Mike and what he has brought to us.”

Q: Is Goff one of those veteran guys you don’t have to worry about staying in shape?

HALEY: “No. Most of the guys who have been around that long, know what it takes. That is something we are stressing hard to everybody that we don’t want to take a step backwards physically for sure. We want to come into training camp in shape and ready to rock and roll.”

Q: Now that CB Donald Washington is here, are the next several weeks critical for him to catch up?

HALEY: “Conditioning, mentally and all of those things. We will have somebody hanging with him to work and get him up to speed. We are going to catch him up in all areas. Cedric Smith will be working with him in the weight area and out on the field. We will have coaches working with him mentally.”

Coogs · 06-15-2009, 01:36 PM

from Gretz...

http://www.bobgretz.com/

OTA Update 6/15
June 15, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

From the Truman Sports Complex

Well, the Chiefs didn’t have as much fun Monday morning in their OTA session as they did last Friday.

That’s when they went through a walk-through session and then head coach Todd Haley took the team bowling.

Yes, the hard-edged head coach gave his team a little sugar.

“Because we have worked very hard as a group, we went and had a little team building work at the bowling alley, which was well attended and went over well,” Haley said.

“Today, we had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red (zone) area works which I thought was good.”

The Chiefs began their last week of OTAs working indoors because of morning showers at the Sports Complex. There were 82 bodies in the house, including fourth-round draft choice CB Donald Washington, who was making his first on-field appearance since the team’s rookie-mini-camp in early May.

Missing were DE Alfonso Boone and the usual suspects, LB Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel.

DT Ron Edwards returned to practice, leaving just QB Brodie Croyle and RB Kolby Smith in the rehab work.

Some observations from the workout:

– Edwards and RCB Brandon Carr were back running with the No. 1 defense.

– QB Matt Cassel ran the two-minute drill with the No. 1 offense. The situation was 1st-and-10 at their 45-yard line, with 50 seconds to play, one timeout and they needed a touchdown to win. Cassel hit his first two throws, going to WRs Devard Darling and Dwayne Bowe, picking up about 30 yards. But the next three throws included a downed pass to stop the clock and two incompletions. Finally on fourth down with five seconds to play, Cassel’s pass into the end zone was picked off by S Bernard Pollard.

– In the team work portion of practice, Cassel and Tyler Thigpen were a combined four of nine throwing the ball, and they were one of four in the red zone with no scores.

– So in the key team portions of practice, the quarterbacks were six of 15, with no scores, one interception. Five of those incompletions were throw aways or downing the ball to stop the clock.

– Good pass defense was turned in on several plays by CB Brandon Flowers, rookie OLB Pierre Walters and S DaJuan Morgan, who knocked a completion out of the hands of TE Jake O’Connell. CB Maurice Leggett had his hands on two different passes, but couldn’t grab the interceptions. DE Wallace Gilberry showed a pass rush in team work, flushing Thigpen out of the pocket.

– Life on the corner, just ask Travis Daniels. On one play he did a nice job of breaking up a pass in the end zone for WR Mark Bradley. On the very next play, he shaded too far inside and let WR Jeff Webb get away from him for a catch in the end zone.

– On the offensive side, TE Sean Ryan had a great catch in the corner of the end zone in the seven-on-seven portion of practice. Also in the seven-on-seven, Bowe had a nice one-handed catch on the right side. Webb and WR Bobby Engram dropped passes they should have caught.

**Reaper16** · 06-15-2009, 01:40 PM

Looks like there's a story on Goff in tomorrow's paper.

FAX · 06-15-2009, 01:44 PM

I'm sure somebody here knows the answer to this ...

Do they tape OTA workouts? If so, does Pioli watch the tape?

I'm wondering whether or not Pioli is giving Haley daily advice or the benefit of his observations.

FAX

Micjones · 06-15-2009, 01:52 PM

I love the way Haley's handling this team.
He seems to have a clear vision of where this team is headed.

**petegz28** · 06-15-2009, 01:54 PM

the lack of performance at QB has me concerned ever so slightly. But since it seems that both QB's are struggling it makes one wonder of the defense is really stepping it up a notch?

DaWolf · 06-15-2009, 01:54 PM

Unless our receivers step it up, we better have a helluva field goal kicker this year until Pioli brings in more offensive talent...

FAX · 06-15-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

the lack of performance at QB has me concerned ever so slightly. But since it seems that both QB's are struggling it makes one wonder of the defense is really stepping it up a notch?

It might seem that way, but we were tricked up a few years ago, remember?

Everybody thought that, because the offense couldn't move the ball against the D that we were improving. The fact was that both sides of the ball sucked.

One of the big problems in OTAs is that the offense doesn't run much, Mr. petegz28. Just pass.

FAX

InChiefsHeaven · 06-15-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I'm sure somebody here knows the answer to this ...

Do they tape OTA workouts? If so, does Pioli watch the tape?

I'm wondering whether or not Pioli is giving Haley daily advice or the benefit of his observations.

FAX

Heck, how do we know he's not out there watching?

**petegz28** · 06-15-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

It might seem that way, but we were tricked up a few years ago, remember?

Everybody thought that, because the offense couldn't move the ball against the D that we were improving. The fact was that both sides of the ball sucked.

One of the big problems in OTAs is that the offense doesn't run much, Mr. petegz28. Just pass.

FAX

I am free to dream of a better defense until September. Don't take away my dream, Mr. Fax. Please don't take away my dream.

svuba · 06-15-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I'm sure somebody here knows the answer to this ...

Do they tape OTA workouts? If so, does Pioli watch the tape?

I'm wondering whether or not Pioli is giving Haley daily advice or the benefit of his observations.

FAX

I Pioli doesn't have the tape he could borrow a copy from Belichick

Micjones · 06-15-2009, 02:05 PM

Here's something else that might factor in...
The Receivers could just suck and have trouble getting separation.

RustShack · 06-15-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Heck, how do we know he's not out there watching?

Every picture I've seen so far hes been out on the field.

FAX · 06-15-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Heck, how do we know he's not out there watching?

Or that.

I'm just getting concerned about Haley's rookie status. NFL HC is a big job ... a huge step up from coordinator. Plus, Pioli knows what a championship team looks like in June. I guess I'm just hoping that Pioli is helping out behind the scenes.

FAX

FAX · 06-15-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

I am free to dream of a better defense until September. Don't take away my dream, Mr. Fax. Please don't take away my dream.

Sorry, mate. Didn't mean to do that.

I'm sure you're right. The defense is making enormous strides. By game 3 we'll be dominant and striking fear into the hearts of coordinators everywhere. By game 5 other teams will be forfeiting games just to protect their quarterback and receivers. By the end of the season, they'll be passing new laws preventing us from taking the field.

FAX

06-15-2009, 01:34 PM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1604349	Q&A with Haley 6/15... Gretz update as well http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/06...dd_haley__615/ Q&A with TODD HALEY - 6/15 Jun 15, 2009, 2:08:15 PM OTA #11 TODD HALEY: “We had an OTA this morning as you guys saw. We had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red area (Red Zone) periods, as well. Friday we changed it up a bit. We came out, we walked through and then I thought since we had worked very hard as a group we went and had a little team-building work at the bowling alley. It was well attended and went over well. That is what you missed on Friday. That is where we are at right now” Q: How is the progress of the defensive line? HALEY: “I think any time you talk about the D-line or offensive lineman you are wasting your breath a little bit because there are no pads on. So much can change when the pads are on, but I think athletically and physically having (DE Glenn) Dorsey back out there has been a help. We had (DT) Ron Edwards back today. I think that the guys are starting to get it because this is a whole new ball game for them obviously. I think we are coming close to passing the ‘look test’ and until we get pads on and get to training camp, we won’t really know but I think we have made progress in that area.” Q: Now that you have had quite a few practices with DE Tyson Jackson, how has he adjusted? HALEY: “Mentally, I think they are all doing pretty good. Like I said, they are learning where to line up. There are some subtle changes in alignments, major technique changes at times and mentally I think the entire group is doing a good job. We are all excited to get to training camp and put the pads on. Quite frankly, defense and offensive linemen can get into bad habits without pads on because you can play high and not pay for it like you would with the pads on. Mentally, I would say they are all getting it right now.” Q: Are the defense and offensive linemen the biggest question mark at this point because of that reason? HALEY: “Yeah, and I think that is just being straight up. Once we get those pads on, we will get a true evaluation of that. We can see mentally how they are doing.” Q: Do you feel like you have established a good baseline with these OTAs? HALEY: “I think we have made tremendous progress in a lot of areas. What is critical now, once we finish the week, is what these guys do. We will keep the rookies here and they will be here working out for a few weeks and that will help them. Some of these other guys that have worked really hard now, how they handle this time off will be critical. We don’t want to give anything back. Our goal is to come to training camp in condition and not have to play or practice our way into condition. That will be a critical time period and we are pushing for guys who can, to stay around here. I think we will have a fairly good group that is here working through training camp.” Q: Since this is the last week of OTAs, has anything changed with the way practice is going? HALEY: “I think it is like any other week. You continue to lay out there what is expected. I don’t think it is different than last week or the week before that. We have pretty much installed everything that we are going to install so now we are just getting a chance to go back through some things and review. We expect the guys to have it down a little cleaner overall and if you didn’t then we would worry a little bit. I would say just to continue doing what we are doing but do it a little better.” Q: Are the players having trouble staying focused in practice as OTAs wind down? HALEY: “That is one of the reasons I am encouraged. The guys have done a really good job of being focused. That is why I did what I did last Friday, because they have been focused and working. They have been doing everything that has been asked of them so I thought doing something like that would help us in another area. Anytime you get down towards the end guys get a little antsy but I think overall they are doing a very good job of staying focused.” Q: Is (G) Mike Goff similar to (LB) Zach Thomas in terms of his work ethic and commitment? HALEY: “It’s very similar. In all the guys we have brought in here, it has been a big item for us. These are guys who know how to prepare and play in the NFL. Mike has been an excellent off-season guy for us. We actually recognized him this morning in the meeting just for that. He is a guy that has been around long enough that he could slack off if he wanted to. He has been full bore. He has run every gasser that we have run. He has done everything exactly the way we want. I am very encouraged by Mike and what he has brought to us.” Q: Is Goff one of those veteran guys you don’t have to worry about staying in shape? HALEY: “No. Most of the guys who have been around that long, know what it takes. That is something we are stressing hard to everybody that we don’t want to take a step backwards physically for sure. We want to come into training camp in shape and ready to rock and roll.” Q: Now that CB Donald Washington is here, are the next several weeks critical for him to catch up? HALEY: “Conditioning, mentally and all of those things. We will have somebody hanging with him to work and get him up to speed. We are going to catch him up in all areas. Cedric Smith will be working with him in the weight area and out on the field. We will have coaches working with him mentally.”
Posts: 21,615

06-15-2009, 01:36 PM	#2
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1604349	from Gretz... http://www.bobgretz.com/ OTA Update 6/15 June 15, 2009 - Bob Gretz \| From the Truman Sports Complex Well, the Chiefs didn’t have as much fun Monday morning in their OTA session as they did last Friday. That’s when they went through a walk-through session and then head coach Todd Haley took the team bowling. Yes, the hard-edged head coach gave his team a little sugar. “Because we have worked very hard as a group, we went and had a little team building work at the bowling alley, which was well attended and went over well,” Haley said. “Today, we had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red (zone) area works which I thought was good.” The Chiefs began their last week of OTAs working indoors because of morning showers at the Sports Complex. There were 82 bodies in the house, including fourth-round draft choice CB Donald Washington, who was making his first on-field appearance since the team’s rookie-mini-camp in early May. Missing were DE Alfonso Boone and the usual suspects, LB Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel. DT Ron Edwards returned to practice, leaving just QB Brodie Croyle and RB Kolby Smith in the rehab work. Some observations from the workout: – Edwards and RCB Brandon Carr were back running with the No. 1 defense. – QB Matt Cassel ran the two-minute drill with the No. 1 offense. The situation was 1st-and-10 at their 45-yard line, with 50 seconds to play, one timeout and they needed a touchdown to win. Cassel hit his first two throws, going to WRs Devard Darling and Dwayne Bowe, picking up about 30 yards. But the next three throws included a downed pass to stop the clock and two incompletions. Finally on fourth down with five seconds to play, Cassel’s pass into the end zone was picked off by S Bernard Pollard. – In the team work portion of practice, Cassel and Tyler Thigpen were a combined four of nine throwing the ball, and they were one of four in the red zone with no scores. – So in the key team portions of practice, the quarterbacks were six of 15, with no scores, one interception. Five of those incompletions were throw aways or downing the ball to stop the clock. – Good pass defense was turned in on several plays by CB Brandon Flowers, rookie OLB Pierre Walters and S DaJuan Morgan, who knocked a completion out of the hands of TE Jake O’Connell. CB Maurice Leggett had his hands on two different passes, but couldn’t grab the interceptions. DE Wallace Gilberry showed a pass rush in team work, flushing Thigpen out of the pocket. – Life on the corner, just ask Travis Daniels. On one play he did a nice job of breaking up a pass in the end zone for WR Mark Bradley. On the very next play, he shaded too far inside and let WR Jeff Webb get away from him for a catch in the end zone. – On the offensive side, TE Sean Ryan had a great catch in the corner of the end zone in the seven-on-seven portion of practice. Also in the seven-on-seven, Bowe had a nice one-handed catch on the right side. Webb and WR Bobby Engram dropped passes they should have caught.
Posts: 21,615

06-15-2009, 01:44 PM	#4
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I'm sure somebody here knows the answer to this ... Do they tape OTA workouts? If so, does Pioli watch the tape? I'm wondering whether or not Pioli is giving Haley daily advice or the benefit of his observations. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-15-2009, 01:52 PM	#5
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	I love the way Haley's handling this team. He seems to have a clear vision of where this team is headed. __________________ It's like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I could been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong.
Posts: 15,344

06-15-2009, 01:54 PM	#6
petegz28 Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks Casino cash: $2794127	the lack of performance at QB has me concerned ever so slightly. But since it seems that both QB's are struggling it makes one wonder of the defense is really stepping it up a notch?
Posts: 128,000

06-15-2009, 01:54 PM	#7
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	Unless our receivers step it up, we better have a helluva field goal kicker this year until Pioli brings in more offensive talent...
Posts: 6,798

06-15-2009, 02:05 PM	#12
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	Here's something else that might factor in... The Receivers could just suck and have trouble getting separation. __________________ It's like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I could been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong.
Posts: 15,344