Chiefs Q&A with TODD HALEY - 8/2

aturnis · 08-02-2009, 05:22 PM

Q&A with TODD HALEY - 8/2 (<-- link)
Aug 02, 2009, 6:06:18 PM

Q: Branden Albert said it was nice to have, ‘the two wise men’ back: Waters and Goff. How did they look out there in pads?

TODD HALEY: “I thought they looked very good. I was excited to see them. They’re both potential difference makers for us, I believe.”

Q: Did they have to test their way back, or how did you make a determination they were ready?

HALEY: “Again, I’m going to leave details out. As I’ve said, we’ve had a number of guys that were on the PUP out of the gate and in various different ways they became active again. They were ready to go. As I said, it didn’t appear it was going to be a long term thing for either one of them. We also got Ron Edwards back and Dion Gales, the defensive end.”

Q: Was fatigue a little bit of a factor today? I heard one of the assistant coaches yell, ‘concentrate’ when guys were getting tired as today’s session went a little bit longer.

HALEY: “Yeah, the one-a-days are going to be longer. That was all part of the thought process, two-a-days then we come back to a longer one-a-day. It’s a little bit more of a conditioning deal. That’s why at the end you saw us running those two drills. That’s the name of the game. As you get tired you must be able to focus and concentrate and do your job. It’s something we can’t stress enough as coaches and we educate the players on how important that is that you’re not making mistakes when you’re tired. When you’re tired it’s usually late in games or late in drives after a long drive either way. That’s when stuff like that generally occurs and ends up costing you points or wins.”

Q: Dwayne Bowe has had some problems in the past dropping balls. Is it a concentration issue?

HALEY: “To play receiver in the NFL I think you must catch most of the footballs. If you don’t catch most of them – and there’s always going to be some balls that end up on the ground for one reason or the other – to be an NFL receiver you must be able to catch the football. That’s the top prerequisite for wide receiver. It’s not just Dwayne, it’s any wide receiver who is out there. They must concentrate and catch the football whether they’re going to take a hit, or whether they’re on the sideline and they have to get their feet in, or it’s an easy ball over the middle that they’ve got to concentrate, or it’s a deep ball, that’s the job description.”

Q: Is Tanner Purdum giving you the consistency that you’re looking for out of the deep snapper?

HALEY: “No, not yet. I saw a high one today; I believe it was him. He’s got to continue to hone his skills as are the other guys who are working at it pretty hard to try to compete for the job.”

Q: Last year’s team had trouble getting to the quarterback. How important will it be this year to get pressure and what about this defense makes you think you can get more pressure?

HALEY: “Getting to the quarterback is obviously critical to success on defense. You must be able to create pressure and havoc in the backfield one way or the other whether you’re getting sacks or not. We’ve added some players that should help us, whether it’s a Mike Vrabel or some young guys that should be developing a little bit to become better pass rushers. We’re coaching them hard on technique to improve. Scheme-wise if we can’t get to him with a four man rush then we’re going to have to do some things to create some pressure schematically. We’ll continue to work and see if we’re making progress. They got some pressure today on the offense, I know that.”

Q: Along those lines what kind of progress is a guy like Tamba Hali making and Turk McBride too?

HALEY: “I think they’re making good progress. We’ve got some guys to help them – guys who have been through the same type deal. One of our summer intern coaches is a guy named Anthony Pleasant who has played in a defense similar to this and who was a great technique guy for14 years in the league. These guys are hungry and they want to learn; they’re paying attention.”

Q: Can you give us an update on your number one draft pick?

HALEY: “Talking only about the players that are on the football field actually practicing.”

Q: Can you describe some of the footwork and agility drills you are doing that are specific?

HALEY: “The way we are going to coach is the details, the little things, the fundamental basics. As I’ve said, it’s not rocket science. You can do it a number of different ways but there are some basics that have to be done all the time. One of those is fundamentals and if we feel like there is any slip in fundamentals then it’s our problem and we haven’t done a good job. We have to coach fundamentals and the basics all the time. You cannot assume that these guys have it.”

Q: Is that what you were doing with the wide receivers: body control on routes?

HALEY: “Yeah, we’ve had guys on the ground and a receiver is no good to anyone if he’s on the ground. Whether it’s the right shoes, improper technique, whatever it is, a wide receiver cannot be on the ground and help you win in any way, shape or form. If they’re slipping and falling out there we’ve got to do something about it and that’s why you saw a little attention to that.”

Q: When you were coaching in this game did you pay much attention to Derrick Thomas, who is going into the Hall of Fame this year?

HALEY: “Derrick Thomas is one of the all-time greats. As I was starting my scouting career with the Jets we had to play the Chiefs a couple of times. I was actually at the Hula Bowl, the college all-star game, when Derrick was out there. Saw him around the whole week. I was in college at that time but I obviously paid attention to those guys.

“The great story about Derrick Thomas to me is I was out there with my father who was actually scouting the game. But I went to the practices and the game and Derrick Thomas had a passport issue and they told him he was not going to be able to play. So, the night before the game he didn’t prepare as if he was going to play and I think he went out and had a good time. At 6 AM they came in and said, ‘you’re playing,’ and I think it was seven sacks later. That’s all you needed to see. One or the greats of all time rushing the passer, playing defense.”

aturnis · 08-02-2009, 05:26 PM

Still having trouble getting the video to embed. Sorry.

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-02-2009, 06:49 PM

Passport issue?

W
T
F
?
Posted via Mobile Device

**Bwana** · 08-02-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Passport issue?

W
T
F
?
Posted via Mobile Device

This

chiefzilla1501 · 08-02-2009, 07:08 PM

I wonder how, once you take away the coachspeak, Haley really feels about Turk and Tamba. I have a feeling that neither of them are going to do well in a 3-4. And if they're not options... I don't know who we have opposite Vrabel.

milkman · 08-02-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I wonder how, once you take away the coachspeak, Haley really feels about Turk and Tamba. I have a feeling that neither of them are going to do well in a 3-4. And if they're not options... I don't know who we have opposite Vrabel.

Monty Biesel!

To the ship!

Crush · 08-02-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Monty Biesel!

To the ship!

Print 'em

booger · 08-02-2009, 08:34 PM

In addition to Anthony Pleasant being an intern coach for the D, Haley mentioned Ritchie Anderson for the O. He was a former Parcells FB with the jets and cowboys. Pleasant was a longtime DL for Belichick.

Heard the part about Anderson from the video portion of this q/a.

dj56dt58 · 08-02-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I wonder how, once you take away the coachspeak, Haley really feels about Turk and Tamba. I have a feeling that neither of them are going to do well in a 3-4. And if they're not options... I don't know who we have opposite Vrabel.

This isn't Herm..if Haley didn't like Tamba/Turk he would have no problem saying so

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-02-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

This isn't Herm..if Haley didn't like Tamba/Turk he would have no problem saying so

I don't buy that.

It's not like he has much of a choice.

There were no impact (or even decent) outside linebackers available in free-agency and they chose not to draft and develop one or more this year (and it's a good thing - this year was weak).

Please, let's not act like everything the coach says is ****ing a magic salve.

booger · 08-02-2009, 09:23 PM

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1251743

2nd year OLB/DE Vince Redd cut by pats. One of the 34 teams will take a look. Maybe KC. Looks to be about the same size as this years rookie FA Pierre Walters.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/transactions

**Rain Man** · 08-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Passport issue?

W
T
F
?
Posted via Mobile Device

Either DT was Cuban, or he did really well in the 1958 Hula Bowl.

TRR · 08-02-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I wonder how, once you take away the coachspeak, Haley really feels about Turk and Tamba. I have a feeling that neither of them are going to do well in a 3-4. And if they're not options... I don't know who we have opposite Vrabel.

As of right now, both Hali and McBride will do fine in their new roles because Pendergast isn't asking them to do too much. Hali is consistently getting after the passer, and only drops when the O is in a four WR set. Same goes for McBride. Either way, I believe Beisel can play all four LB spots in this defense (he is currently working for DJ inside while he is out). Plus, Demorrio Williams should be a versatile backup as well. As long as Zack Thomas and Mike Vrabel can stay healthy...I REALLY like our LB corp in this scheme.
Posted via Mobile Device

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-02-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

As of right now, both Hali and McBride will do fine in their new roles because Pendergast isn't asking them to do too much. Hali is consistently getting after the passer, and only drops when the O is in a four WR set. Same goes for McBride. Either way, I believe Beisel can play all four LB spots in this defense (he is currently working for DJ inside while he is out). Plus, Demorrio Williams should be a versatile backup as well. As long as Zack Thomas and Mike Vrabel can stay healthy...I REALLY like our LB corp in this scheme.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'd LOVE them if this were 1999.

2009? No so much.

chiefzilla1501 · 08-02-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

This isn't Herm..if Haley didn't like Tamba/Turk he would have no problem saying so

I don't think it's that easy. That's the kind of question that I don't see many coaches answering candidly this early in the season. I'm sure that would be a comment that drives Pioli nuts--why tell your fans this early in the season that they should expect another season with a poor pass rush?

Haley probably won't sugarcoat things like Vermeil and Herm do, but don't doubt for a second that a big part of his job is to sell the team to the fans. Haley's been pretty consistent in pushing this idea that he's pushing players to get better and that they need to improve. I don't think he would send fans the message that there are some players who just don't have much room for improvement.

08-02-2009, 05:22 PM
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	Q&A with TODD HALEY - 8/2 Q&A with TODD HALEY - 8/2 (<-- link) Aug 02, 2009, 6:06:18 PM Q: Branden Albert said it was nice to have, ‘the two wise men’ back: Waters and Goff. How did they look out there in pads? TODD HALEY: “I thought they looked very good. I was excited to see them. They’re both potential difference makers for us, I believe.” Q: Did they have to test their way back, or how did you make a determination they were ready? HALEY: “Again, I’m going to leave details out. As I’ve said, we’ve had a number of guys that were on the PUP out of the gate and in various different ways they became active again. They were ready to go. As I said, it didn’t appear it was going to be a long term thing for either one of them. We also got Ron Edwards back and Dion Gales, the defensive end.” Q: Was fatigue a little bit of a factor today? I heard one of the assistant coaches yell, ‘concentrate’ when guys were getting tired as today’s session went a little bit longer. HALEY: “Yeah, the one-a-days are going to be longer. That was all part of the thought process, two-a-days then we come back to a longer one-a-day. It’s a little bit more of a conditioning deal. That’s why at the end you saw us running those two drills. That’s the name of the game. As you get tired you must be able to focus and concentrate and do your job. It’s something we can’t stress enough as coaches and we educate the players on how important that is that you’re not making mistakes when you’re tired. When you’re tired it’s usually late in games or late in drives after a long drive either way. That’s when stuff like that generally occurs and ends up costing you points or wins.” Q: Dwayne Bowe has had some problems in the past dropping balls. Is it a concentration issue? HALEY: “To play receiver in the NFL I think you must catch most of the footballs. If you don’t catch most of them – and there’s always going to be some balls that end up on the ground for one reason or the other – to be an NFL receiver you must be able to catch the football. That’s the top prerequisite for wide receiver. It’s not just Dwayne, it’s any wide receiver who is out there. They must concentrate and catch the football whether they’re going to take a hit, or whether they’re on the sideline and they have to get their feet in, or it’s an easy ball over the middle that they’ve got to concentrate, or it’s a deep ball, that’s the job description.” Q: Is Tanner Purdum giving you the consistency that you’re looking for out of the deep snapper? HALEY: “No, not yet. I saw a high one today; I believe it was him. He’s got to continue to hone his skills as are the other guys who are working at it pretty hard to try to compete for the job.” Q: Last year’s team had trouble getting to the quarterback. How important will it be this year to get pressure and what about this defense makes you think you can get more pressure? HALEY: “Getting to the quarterback is obviously critical to success on defense. You must be able to create pressure and havoc in the backfield one way or the other whether you’re getting sacks or not. We’ve added some players that should help us, whether it’s a Mike Vrabel or some young guys that should be developing a little bit to become better pass rushers. We’re coaching them hard on technique to improve. Scheme-wise if we can’t get to him with a four man rush then we’re going to have to do some things to create some pressure schematically. We’ll continue to work and see if we’re making progress. They got some pressure today on the offense, I know that.” Q: Along those lines what kind of progress is a guy like Tamba Hali making and Turk McBride too? HALEY: “I think they’re making good progress. We’ve got some guys to help them – guys who have been through the same type deal. One of our summer intern coaches is a guy named Anthony Pleasant who has played in a defense similar to this and who was a great technique guy for14 years in the league. These guys are hungry and they want to learn; they’re paying attention.” Q: Can you give us an update on your number one draft pick? HALEY: “Talking only about the players that are on the football field actually practicing.” Q: Can you describe some of the footwork and agility drills you are doing that are specific? HALEY: “The way we are going to coach is the details, the little things, the fundamental basics. As I’ve said, it’s not rocket science. You can do it a number of different ways but there are some basics that have to be done all the time. One of those is fundamentals and if we feel like there is any slip in fundamentals then it’s our problem and we haven’t done a good job. We have to coach fundamentals and the basics all the time. You cannot assume that these guys have it.” Q: Is that what you were doing with the wide receivers: body control on routes? HALEY: “Yeah, we’ve had guys on the ground and a receiver is no good to anyone if he’s on the ground. Whether it’s the right shoes, improper technique, whatever it is, a wide receiver cannot be on the ground and help you win in any way, shape or form. If they’re slipping and falling out there we’ve got to do something about it and that’s why you saw a little attention to that.” Q: When you were coaching in this game did you pay much attention to Derrick Thomas, who is going into the Hall of Fame this year? HALEY: “Derrick Thomas is one of the all-time greats. As I was starting my scouting career with the Jets we had to play the Chiefs a couple of times. I was actually at the Hula Bowl, the college all-star game, when Derrick was out there. Saw him around the whole week. I was in college at that time but I obviously paid attention to those guys. “The great story about Derrick Thomas to me is I was out there with my father who was actually scouting the game. But I went to the practices and the game and Derrick Thomas had a passport issue and they told him he was not going to be able to play. So, the night before the game he didn’t prepare as if he was going to play and I think he went out and had a good time. At 6 AM they came in and said, ‘you’re playing,’ and I think it was seven sacks later. That’s all you needed to see. One or the greats of all time rushing the passer, playing defense.”
Posts: 13,873

08-02-2009, 05:26 PM	#2
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	Still having trouble getting the video to embed. Sorry.
Posts: 13,873

08-02-2009, 06:49 PM	#3
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Passport issue? W T F ? Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 88,960

08-02-2009, 07:08 PM	#5
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $2044497	I wonder how, once you take away the coachspeak, Haley really feels about Turk and Tamba. I have a feeling that neither of them are going to do well in a 3-4. And if they're not options... I don't know who we have opposite Vrabel.
Posts: 48,155

08-02-2009, 08:34 PM	#8
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $1448550	In addition to Anthony Pleasant being an intern coach for the D, Haley mentioned Ritchie Anderson for the O. He was a former Parcells FB with the jets and cowboys. Pleasant was a longtime DL for Belichick. Heard the part about Anderson from the video portion of this q/a. __________________ 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Posts: 12,500

08-02-2009, 09:23 PM	#11
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $1448550	http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1251743 2nd year OLB/DE Vince Redd cut by pats. One of the 34 teams will take a look. Maybe KC. Looks to be about the same size as this years rookie FA Pierre Walters. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/transactions __________________ 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Posts: 12,500