Pioli, Haley Speak On Draft
From the Truman Sports Complex
Scott Pioli and Todd Haley came out of the draft bunker and spoke to the Kansas City media Thursday afternoon about next weekend’s NFL Draft and this weekend’s veteran mini-camp that begins on Friday.
It should come as no surprise that this duo let no secrets slip out in their comments, specifically when talking about the player who could be their selection at No. 3 in the first round next Saturday. In fact, in nearly 45 minutes of conversation, they did not speak the name of a single player who is available in this draft.
But they did have things to say. Here are the highlights.
Pioli, on what part of the roster the Chiefs hope to improve in the draft: “I wouldn’t say there is a specific focus on one part of the team. There are a lot of places where we need to improve, roster spots one through 53 and a lot of different positions. One of the things that we want to consistently do is upgrade the team and upgrade positions across the board.”
Pioli, on developing a team with the right 53 players, not necessarily the best 53 players: “This is something Todd and I have spent a lot of time on and something that we both believe based on our histories. It’s the right 53 players. The best 53 players does not necessarily mean the most skilled, the most athletic, the most talented. It’s something we tried to address this off-season in terms of the veteran players that we’ve brought in; guys that we know are proven winners, guys that have a certain work ethic. When we get player we want to get the right type of players that fit Todd’s leadership style and our collective belief in work ethic and the overall makeup of the player.”
Pioli, on whether the Chiefs will be drafting on need, or for the best player available: “Some teams do it on need, some do it on best player available. I think it’s a combination of those two things. You have to take into account who is the best player available, and you have to take into account what your needs are. I really believe it is a combination of those two things.”
Haley, on where returning players are going to play in the Chiefs new defensive scheme in this weekend’s mini-camp: “We’ve got them lined up right now, but every discussion we have as a coaching staff is let’s see what this weekend looks like. This weekend is more about teaching, so it’s unfair to think we’ll come out of it that we’ll have any idea about evaluations. We want this camp to be about the players learning a little bit about the terminology, the system and a little bit about us as a coaching staff and how we are going to act out there. “
Pioli, on the relationship with Haley as they go through the evaluation process: “Disagreement is good, disagreement is healthy. It’s how you handle that disagreement, how respectful you are, the relationship when you go through that process. I want Todd to have a difference of opinion on players. He wants me to have a difference of opinion because that forces discussion, healthy discussion. It forces us to watch more tape … this isn’t about Todd being right, this isn’t about me being right, this is about us being right and making the right decisions.”
Pioli, on whether he wants to trade the third pick in the first round: “I don’t know if we want someone to make us an offer. Here’s what I know: when it’s our turn to pick, whenever that is, we are going to know who we are picking off that board. If there’s an opportunity to make a trade, we will listen. You have to take your time, be patient, not reactive and think things through to make the best decision.”
presser was a waste, but thanks anyway for the update.
Any one hear what 610 is reporting on what happened with Franklin and Haley?
Don’t know that I’m buyin the whole story but it makes some sense.
Probably half true, would love to hear the question put to Haley, but no one in the media in KC has nutts enough to ask it.
Didn’t hear the report on 610. Anyone care to elaborate on it?
honestly, the vets that are fresh coming in, all seem to love Haley, and he is the head coach, people didnt like Parcells all the time either..hes a head football coach, some of these guys need nice college coaches like June Jones, that works, in college…
Franklin looked good in the preseason last year, but hey, like bob said, no special teams contribution…and honestly, with Haley reciever coach resume, I trust the guy. I put it this way, 6 wins in the last 2 years…they dont have a lot of room to complain about a change.
610 is reporting that Franklin was told in a private meeting with Haley that he, Franklin was a Herm guy and that that made him a marked man.
And then proceeded to ride Franklin all through the Off season conditioning program, in front of every one on the team, to the point that Franklin asked for his release, as opposed to being cut.
Supposedly Franklin was only five pounds heavier than last season.
That’s it.
Like I said, sounds about half true but…
Naturally, it was from some unnamed person that both Chris and Cowboy “trust”
I don’t care why Franklin was cut…as long as we get the right guy to replace him. I believe the Chiefs know what they are doing. If Franklin was not perceived to be good enough for the team…..I’m glad he’s gone. If Franklin couldn’t take what the Chiefs dealt to him and wanted out…..I’m glad he’s gone. He obviously was not part of the “Right 53″.
i really hope that not true about franklin u cant blame the guy for wanting his releas i hope he does well and turns in 2 the next randy moss
We need to get rid of all the Herm guys/soft players, or at least turn them into hard nosed winners, notr whiners. Herm let players get away with less than their best, and now that they are being forced to work, some like Franklin can’t take the lack of coddling. Good riddance if that’s the reason.
Doubt we ever know the “truth” but there will be threads of truth coming out. We need to face it the Franklin was not a star nor did he show anything special his first year with the team. We needed every young player to add something to the team sometime during the year, Franklin never did.
I’m not liking this crap at all
For some reason at least one wide receiver for all teams that haley has played with has had a fight with him.. it was terrell owens in san fran, it was boldin in arizona, and now it was franklin… this guy was picked up so fast that the only reason the lions got him is cuz they were the worst of the teams trying to get him on the waiver wire..
I have a feeling that franklin will be catching a lot of passes next season
Franklin has potential which is why he was picked up so fast. It is up to him to turn that into something. I think that he will. Who knows what the real truth is, but it really doesn’t matter. Pioli/Haley will sink or swim based on these kind of moves. If Franklin is a star they will take a hit for it. If Cassel is a bust and Sanchez is a star they will take a hit for that too.
I am soooooooooooooooooooooo sick of hearing about the “Right 53″ that is nothing but pep talk and many of you took it hook, line, & sinker.
Interesting comments by Pioli. He didn’t come out and say it, but he let the other teams know that he is listening if they want the pick at #3. Very subtle, but well done. I think they would like to trade down very much. Like he said, they need to upgrade across the board.
If Franklin did ask for his release then that’s pretty pathetic. I wasn’t very impressed with the guy anyway, but he if he did this, then it shows he’s soft and the sooner he’s gone the better.
As for him being within 3 zip codes of “Moss” talent, bwahahaha, that’s a joke.
Club Arrowhead is obviously closed, Chiefs boot camp has taken it’s place and it’s about damned time!
The right 53….the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……
“True” Red and Gold (or is it REALLY Orange and Blue?),
Is the pot calling the kettle black? When Herm was here, people like you went on and on about the “youth movement”. That wasn’t highly successful, was it? Before you down someone else for chomping on the lurer, take the hook out of your own mouth.
Franklin didn’t do anything last year but drop a few important passes…
I have a feeling that people are too attached to him because he was a Mizzou Grad…
Take a look at the numbers: Even though the Chiefs were in a spread, pass happy system, he still never saw the field. On top of that he never made even ONE special teams tackle.
4th round pick that was a gamble and lost, not big deal. We wont miss him. He is likely an even worse example of Sammie Parker, and we saw what happened after we let him go. And Parker was alot better player, and he could block well…
No real loss here…
Yep….I don’t miss Franklin. I wont even remember his name come August. Does anybody REALLY think he was our answer to WR?
Anybody want to fly a kite?
The HC gets things done. He is not here for a popularity contest. So some or many of the things he does will not be popular. So lets all understand that now. The organization is moving to the end we all want, more W’s than L’s. The best thing for our blood pressure is to sit back and see how this all plays out. I like what I see happening and look forward to the season. It is going to be exciting, and full of surprises.
Time check 0934 and it is still……….
All about the TEAM……….and……….
THE RIGHT 53 2009 (TR22)
In Pioli I trust
We had a player named Franklin?
That’s about right….I don’t even remember him setting foot on the field. What an impact he made!!!
thank you red and gold thank you thought i was the only 1 that thought that right 53 crap was lame
The right 53….the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……the right 53……