From the Mouth of Todd
From the Truman Sports Complex
Todd Haley had looked at all the tape of Sunday’s loss to Denver. He wasn’t smiling when he met with the media horde for his weekly session of parry and thrust.
The score remained the same – 44-13 – as it was on Sunday, so there wasn’t much to highlight or enjoy from this one, although the ever-optimistic coach did find some good things.
“I thought we did a lot of good things early offensively,” Haley said. “In the third quarter we unraveled a bit. The defense made a play on the first possession (interception), but allowed too many 10-yard plus runs. We had a couple outstanding performances, specifically Tamba Hali. I thought he played outstanding from start to finish. He made a bunch of plays for us. Overall we were at least a tie on special teams. Every week, we need to win on special teams.
“There was some good to find in the loss. One of those things was our pass protection. It was one of our better games against a team that has produced a bunch of sacks.”
Here are some of the highlights of what Haley had to say during his 24 minutes on the griddle.
Does removing the starting quarterback from the game like what was done on Sunday with Matt Cassel hurt his ability to be a team leader?
“Not in my opinion. Others may have different opinions. That’s the head coach’s decision to make based on where the game is at and the circumstances surrounding it. Yesterday at the time, I thought the best thing for us as a team was to put Brodie in the game and let him play a little bit.”
Was that sending a message, saying everyone has to perform?
“That was in no way trying to single out any one person. That was a collective effort offensively.”
You mentioned improved protection, there were many times against Denver where Cassel had extra time to throw, he would look one way, get ready to pull the trigger and then turn to the other side before letting the ball go. Was this great coverage by the Broncos, or did the receivers not get things done?
“Receivers have to get open. We’re playing without one of our better receivers which I think hurts us. The receivers that are playing have to get open; that’s their job, whether its receivers, backs or tight ends. As a whole, we did a pretty good job protection-wise, but that doesn’t mean that somebody is open or there’s a guaranteed completion out there.”
Why is Tamba Hali able to be more productive as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 than he was as a defensive end in the 4-3?
“That’s a difficult transition and there have been some guys that have done it. What I’m encouraged about you are seeing progress from Tamba. There’s been a lot of progress from where he started out to where he is now. When you make that transition it’s difficult and you are asked to do a lot of different things. As long as you are working like Tamba works and you have the desire to be a great player then he’ll continue to improve. He’s continued to make progress and improve. Tamba played his heart out yesterday, no doubt about it.”
You say there is progress being made. Where do you see that?
We are making great progress in the practice area. I think we’ve made great strides. Guys know what’s expected of them. They are pushed hard. They practice hard. They prepare hard. They are meeting extra. They are doing the things necessary to be a good team. Without those things you can’t be a good team. Right now, for whatever reason it’s not translating to Sundays.
For whatever reason it’s not translating to sunday …… boy howde I guess not. What does that say A …Haley doesnt have a clue or B…. Haley sending up smoke screens to cover his teams poor play. What has happen to the ……tell it like it is coach . To me he has been beat down by the loss or the players are not responding. PnS
First who ever said Haley was qualified to rebuild a team? Pioli and a few of you guys. Second, how long will it take? Anyones guess is as good as another. Bases on the last 12 games, he does not have 10 guys who he can build on the future for. He has some of his guys, Long or Vrabel, but none of them are going to be here in three years so they are not building blocks. So….. just when can we expect to see some positives to the chiefs other than “good practices”?
Haley’s press conference and Bob’s Tuesday post were effective “calm downs” for me. Haley’s right–at this point in the season, it’s about toughness. Matt Cassel has shown that toughness. We also should recall other teams that had very, very difficult 1st seasons under a rookie head coach, then ascended to the place where the Chiefs would like to be.
Make no mistake; Scott Pioli wouldn’t have hired Todd Haley if he wasn’t absolutely sure Haley could rebuild a team. In two consecutive losses like the Chiefs just had, it’s easy to get discouraged. Perpective is what’s needed here. The same naysayers who bitterly complain now are the same ones who will be the rowdiest in a few years when the Chiefs are contenders.
Hope you are correct. We may be headed for the promised land or to a new rebuild with the next rookie HC who “knows” what it takes. Of course, by then the tickets may be out of my ability to pruchase or I may just be dead but obviously the future is bright based on what we have from the past because anything is better than carl/herm even a guy who is in over his head.
Cassel’s stats didn’t look good but Haley did say it, the WR’s need to get open. I’m glad Haley is looking at the positives, he understands he can’t be too competitive yet. For him to move forward as a HC, he needs to hire coaches he can be comfortable working with players and let him have less responsibilities. I’m sure it’s tough for Haley being the HC, OC and QB coach. People can rip Haley for calling that play with Croyle, but if it worked, noone would give him any crap about it.
I got really drunk during the third quarter and cannot remember the end of the game.
Wow, the chiefs are a great practice squad team, lol. So maybe during the week the chiefs should practice with other teams to show the NFL what they’re made of…
Wow a whole 84 yards from the franchise QB, hmm… Last season did Thigpen have a game with only 84 yards? Im sure it is tough being the HC, OC and QB coach, he should have thought about that before he cut off his nose to spite his face with the firing of Gailey. His offense sure does look good in the Red and Gold and the hiring of another Cardinals coach makes for a good defense… How many blowouts did the chiefs suffer through last year? I can remember one off-hand against Buffalo, it seems this year it’s every other week. Not a sign of a ship in the right direction.