Todd Haley is the "Mystery of Pittsburgh"

[Hammock Parties]

Interesting read.



http://triblive.com/sports/2195481-8...p-nfl-ben-didn

Summer is the perfect time for a good read, yet nobody seems to be getting one on new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

A Bill Parcells protégé known for adapting his play-calling to his personnel and being an innovative play caller, he is also a volatile sideline presence who inspires loyalty from some players but irritates others.

He is certainly not Bruce Arians, who was not-so-gently shoved out the door in January despite quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s unwavering support. But, according to those who know Haley best, he also isn’t a control freak who implements change just to show he’s the boss.

While the Steelers generally shy away from coaches with colorful pasts, Haley has that and more, as evidenced by his well-publicized clashes with players and an abrupt departure as the Kansas City Chiefs’ coach last year in which he reportedly suspected team offices and his cell phone were bugged.

Now, Haley’s assimilation into the Steelers’ way of life is the latest Mystery of Pittsburgh, a shadowy yet intriguing riddle that will begin to be solved when the Steelers — coming off successive 12-4 seasons — open camp Wednesday in Latrobe. It figures to be a can’t-miss page turner.

“I’ve heard a lot of Todd stories — some good, some bad,” said former Steelers star guard Alan Faneca, who played in Arizona after Haley was the offensive coordinator there. “He’s definitely a hard worker and demands a lot. He can be very excitable during practice. But sometimes change is good, to get people out of their comfort zone.”

That’s already happened with Roethlisberger, who thrived in a Ben-friendly Arians offense that permitted him to improvise at will. Upon first glance at Haley’s playbook, Roethlisberger jokingly called it a Rosetta Stone course in a brand new language.

“That (change) has a way of keeping guys on their toes and keeping their focus, understanding what their goal is, and that’s to win Super Bowls,” Haley said during minicamp last month. “Win one this year — that’s our goal.”

Haley, 45, is the first outsider in 13 years to run the offense. But he’s no stranger to Pittsburgh or the Steelers; as a youngster in Upper St. Clair, he broke down game film with father Dick Haley, the former Steelers personnel chief who played a major role in some of the best drafts in NFL history in the 1970s.

FOOTBALL NOT FIRST LOVE

Todd Haley’s story isn’t the sit-on-dad’s-knee-and-become-a-football genius tale of Patriots coach Bill Belichick. In his teens, Haley shifted his emphasis to golf, playing in high school and at Florida and Miami in college.

The PGA, not the NFL, appeared to be his calling.

“But there never was a time he wasn’t into football,” said Dick Haley, who at 75 remains plugged into the NFL. “Because of some back problems, he got diverted into golf, but he always wanted to know about the players, about football. How many kids wouldn’t want to after rooming next to Joe Greene at training camp?”

The elder Haley left the Steelers to become the Jets’ personnel director in 1991 and, four years later, Todd was hired in the scouting department. Within two years, he was on Parcells’ coaching staff.

“Todd is bright, demanding, persistent, and he came along pretty well,” Parcells said.

Parcells didn’t care Haley hadn’t played football.

“I know guys who didn’t play and did very well in coaching, and others who played that don’t have a clue what to do,” Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, said.

Haley was promoted to wide receivers coach in 1999 before switching to the Bears in 2001, only to rejoin Parcells in Dallas in 2004.

Haley’s profile rose with his next job as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator from 2007-08. With quarterback Kurt Warner headlining an imaginative offense highlighted by former Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s big plays, the Cardinals were second in passing and third in scoring in 2008. They went 9-7 during the season, but scored at least 30 points during three consecutive playoff wins and rallied from a 13-point deficit to nearly upset the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

That deep throw to Fitz-gerald that nearly sent the Steelers home a loser from Tampa? Haley’s play call.

Haley was subsequently hired as the Chiefs coach by general manager Scott Pioli, the former Patriots executive who worked for the Jets when Haley did. But while Haley went from 4-12 in his first season in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010, finishing third in the coach of the year voting, he was fired with his injury-ruined team reeling with a 5-8 record on Dec. 12.

STORMY DAYS IN K.C.

Haley is derecho-like — always going straight ahead, in full-go mode, and in Kansas City, storm clouds often loomed on the horizon.

Chan Gailey, retained from Herm Edwards’ staff to be the offensive coordinator, didn’t make it through training camp. Larry Johnson, the two-time former 1,700-yard rusher, questioned Haley’s coaching credentials in a Twitter message and was cut in 2009. And tight end Tony Moeaki was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the final 2011 exhibition game, when many NFL regulars rest.

“The quarterback (Matt Cassel) was real average. … It didn’t surprise me what happened in Kansas City. I didn’t have any real confidence in the whole thing,” Dick Haley said.

After Todd Haley departed, the Kansas City Star published a devastating article in which a number of former team employees revealed what they called an intimidating, secretive and stifling work environment. According to the Star, Haley himself suspected bugging at the practice complex.

“I don’t know what happened in Kansas City. I don’t think it’s relevant in Pittsburgh,” Parcells said. “But he probably learned a lot there.”

TUTORING BIG BEN

Given Haley’s sideline spats with Warner, Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens and Cassel, his relationship with Roethlisberger should prove intriguing. Haley once said, “If you’re sensitive, (the NFL) is not the best place to be.”

“You accept people for what they are and get past the sensitivity level, if there is any,” Parcells said. “Both guys are smart enough to say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to make it work.’ ”

Torry Holt, a NFL Network analyst and former Rams star receiver, can’t wait to see how this plays out.

“Coach Haley has a strong personality. Ben has a strong personality. I’m sure Todd wants him to hone in on this or hone in on that, and Ben will try,” Holt said. “But out there on the football field, your instincts kick in and your competitive nature kicks in, and you kind of resort back to what you’ve always done.”

Haley’s take on Roethlisberger? “He’s a guy that’s been a really good player, and we’re going to try to keep that going and get even better,” he said.

Haley believes an offense must be physical, smart and disciplined, and his system resembles that of his former boss, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, a Steelers assistant from 2001-06.

“Todd Haley represents the best of both worlds,” NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes said. “With Kurt Warner, he threw it 45 times a game and didn’t blink. In Kansas City, he ran it 45 times a game. He’s got those three young wide receivers there in Pittsburgh, and Ben knows how to put the ball in the air. Todd will make the adjustments, and rather quickly.”

While Haley is an assistant again after being a head coach, his father insists he has never been happier now that he’s back home in Pittsburgh with his wife Chrissy and five children.

“He’s loving every second of this,” the elder Haley said. “He couldn’t be more excited.”

Dad Haley also realizes there is intense pressure to succeed as a high-profile coach in your hometown, even if former head coach Bill Cowher made it work.

“I don’t question he’ll do well. (But) there’s a lot of pressure to live up to what’s gone on there for a long time,” Dick Haley said. “And he’d better be good because there’s a lot of pressure on him right now.”

[CaliforniaChief]

When Big Ben called Haley's offense "dink and dunk", Cassel said "Perfect!" and promptly sent an application to Pittsburgh for when his ass is sent out of KC.

[Woodchuck]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

When Big Ben called Haley's offense "dink and dunk", Cassel said "Perfect!" and promptly sent an application to Pittsburgh for when his ass is sent out of KC.

Haley isn't going to be there long enough for that to happen.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If we are 2-3 or worse and losing at halftime of the tb game, Cassel will get yanked.

Bet?

Originally Posted by -King-

Im sure this would have happened if Orton was here but I'm not jumping on the Stanzi bandwagon just yet.
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Originally Posted by BossChief

I didn't say he would get yanked for Stanzi.

I just know that Crennel and Zorn aren't fans of Cassels at all and if we are staring 2-4 down...that's the logical point to make a change.

Hey Dane...

Did you hear what Romeo had to say about Cassel at the scouting combine?

How about what Hali said about him after either the gb or oak game?

Dude is gonna be on a short leash.

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

I'll take that bet BossChief.

Originally Posted by BossChief

1 month avatar?

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Deal. So if he's not week before week 7 I win?

Originally Posted by BossChief

If the record is as I said it, yes.

The deal voids at a third win before the bye, basically.

Billay, you get to wear the Stanzi avatar for a month, too.

Come out, come out wherever you are...

[Brock]

Originally Posted by -King-

Ben Roethlisberger: Todd Haley’s offense is “dink-and-dunk”
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 21, 2012, 7:52 AM EDT


The questions about whether Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can get along with first-year offensive coordinator Todd Haley are continuing, and Roethlisberger has made some comments that suggest that he’s not altogether happy with the playcalling in Pittsburgh.

Asked if the Steelers can get more big plays offensively, Roethlisberger suggested that big plays are going to be hard to come by with the way Haley runs the show.

“Haley’s offense is not a big-play offense,” Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It’s kind of a dink-and-dunk offense.”

Roethlisberger noted that the Steelers got a big play in Tennessee when he threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, but that Haley didn’t call any more deep balls to Wallace after that.

“There’s a guy calling the plays. That’s on him,” Roethlisberger said.

If the quarterback and the guy calling the plays aren’t on the same page, that’s a problem for the Steelers.

Uh-oh.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Brock

Uh-oh.

That was written before yesterday's game. They won.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That was written before yesterday's game. They won.

Well, I guess that fixes the fact that Roethlisberger doesn't like his OC or his system.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Brock

Well, I guess that fixes the fact that Roethlisberger doesn't like his OC or his system.

I don't take much stock in what an outspoken guy thinks about a new offense 6 games after an OC he really liked got fired.

Bruce Arians revolved the Steelers offense around letting Big Ben freelance. That's what Big Ben wants. He's 30 now and his body is beaten the **** up. Despite having one of the worst offensive lines in his career, he's probably the least abused he's been in years. Whether Ben likes it or not, a new offensive approach was absolutely necessary for him.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't take much stock in what an outspoken guy thinks about a new offense 6 games after an OC he really liked got fired.

Bruce Arians revolved the Steelers offense around letting Big Ben freelance. That's what Big Ben wants. He's 30 now and his body is beaten the **** up. Despite having one of the worst offensive lines in his career, he's probably the least abused he's been in years. Whether Ben likes it or not, a new offensive approach was absolutely necessary for him.

That's funny, Arians seems to be doing just fine with a rookie QB. I'd like to see Todd Haley try that.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Brock

That's funny, Arians seems to be doing just fine with a rookie QB. I'd like to see Todd Haley try that.

I don't care what Arians is doing with a different QB. I didn't say he was a bad coordinator. Andrew Luck is not Big Ben. Big Ben is notorious for holding the ball way too long. The longest of any QB I've seen. He has been successful because he can stand in the pocket and get the crap beat out of him, and still deliver a successful pass. Arians took advantage of that and had Ben run shotgun spread sets that made him bait. Big Ben was getting killed in that offense. He regularly takes about 50 sacks and that doesn't count all the times he gets destroyed on a non-sack.

Arians' offense was fine for Big Ben then. It isn't good for Ben now. Steve Young went through the same change. You can't play the same way over 30, in many cases, as you did when you were 25.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Brock

Well, I guess that fixes the fact that Roethlisberger doesn't like his OC or his system.

Who cares what he likes or doesn't like?

He isn't taking a beating every game and his numbers across the board are up.

Kurt Warner didn't like Haley at first, either...but he has nothing but good things to say about him now because of his results.

So will Big Ben...just give it time to play out.

Haley is doing what should have been done a few years ago...he is balancing the offense and keeping Bens jersey clean while developing his short game to make him lethal while attacking anywhere on the field by years end.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Brock

That's funny, Arians seems to be doing just fine with a rookie QB. I'd like to see Todd Haley try that.

This is not meant as a knock on Arians...but ANYONE would have done the same job with a player like Luck.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Who cares what he likes or doesn't like?

He isn't taking a beating every game and his numbers across the board are up.

Kurt Warner didn't like Haley at first, either...but he has nothing but good things to say about him now because of his results.

So will Big Ben...just give it time to play out.

Haley is doing what should have been done a few years ago...he is balancing the offense and keeping Bens jersey clean while developing his short game to make him lethal while attacking anywhere on the field by years end.

he's already said that he took over playcalling himself at least once. he doesn't respect Haley, that much should be pretty clear.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by BossChief

This is not meant as a knock on Arians...but ANYONE would have done the same job with a player like Luck.

You're engaging in hyperbole.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Brock

he's already said that he took over playcalling himself at least once. he doesn't respect Haley, that much should be pretty clear.

Well, that doesn't surprise me.

Not the first time someone told him one thing and he did the exact opposite.

Was he right then, too?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Well, that doesn't surprise me.

Not the first time someone told him one thing and he did the exact opposite.

Was he right then, too?

Oh come on now...
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