Chiefs Coach Talks About Winning With 22 Guys Off the Street Quote
by Joel Thorman on Nov 17, 2009 9:00 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintEight and a half months ago, Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star reported that Brian Waters attempted to meet with head coach Todd Haley and GM Scott Pioli. Per Whitlock, Haley declined the meeting and told Waters, "22 guys off the street could win two games."
The Chiefs won their second game yesterday.....their second in nine games. The Chiefs will likely win more than two games season, but probably not much more. At first, it seemed that some used that quote as a rallying cry for keeping the players accountable. Over a half-a-season later, the results aren't there so those words have been held against him (by the fans and media).
Haley was asked about the quote that he reportedly said nine months ago.
"Whether I did or didn’t it’s private conversation," he said declining to confirm nor deny the report once again, "whether it did take place or didn’t take place."
I believe that he said it and Whitlock's report was correct and I would guess that Haley is happy to at least match that win total. It would have been open season on the head coach if he didn't win two games with that quote hanging over his head.
Haley was prodded further on the words and declined to comment because it was a hypothetical question.
He was also asked, by 610 Sports Nick Wright, whether he felt the new regime was carrying itself with a bit of arrogance that hadn't been earned.
"I’ve never been characterized as being arrogant," he said, "at least to my face that I know about. I try not to appear arrogant in any way because I don’t feel arrogant."
Haley said he feels like he's apologized when he's done something wrong or inappropriate and has not carried himself in an arrogant fashion.
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Coach Haley
Showing that Bull Durham style ! With a politician flair !
by 65tosspowertrap on Nov 17, 2009 9:09 AM CST reply actions
“I’ve never been characterized as being arrogant,” he said, “at least to my face that I know about. I try not to appear arrogant in any way because I don’t feel arrogant.”
Pretty sure he knows Whitlock calls him arrogant every week in the papers. Looks like he’s calling out Whitlock for always calling him names from the safety of the newspaper, but never to his face.
Don't feel sorry for him
This is the job he has worked his butt off to get. He deserves the good and bad that come with it. If he becomes the great coach we all hope he will become he will enjoy the accolades that come with that.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Nov 17, 2009 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs
Absolutely
It all comes with the position and I’m sure Haley’s got thick skin, especially after working under Parcells. I think he handles the media pretty well, considering he’s learning that aspect of the job on the fly. And there is nothing about his demeanor that suggests arrogance. Nothing. As for “ego, ego, ego,” well I sure hope he has a healthy one.
Absolutely.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Nov 17, 2009 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
As I said once before
I would rather the team face the losing season and problems we are having now, then to regress after two mediocre seasons later.
Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!
I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.
Over Analyzing
Media needs to chill out… let the guy focus on coaching and not focusing on comments made in the past that are irrelevant to the present.
Cue the Mob. Get 'em!
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
by Patrick Allen on Nov 17, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
Who would trademark that picture?
…and furthermore Patrick, did you send him/her royalties?
Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
by craig in calgary on Nov 17, 2009 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
Who would want
a coach who didn’t think they could win 2 games with 22 guys off the street? Wasn’t that one of the 1st steps of changing the losing atmosphere that has encompassed the Chiefs in the last few years?
Developing the mind set from the top on down that winning was what this organization was going to be building for. Maybe not htis year or even next but the foundation is being laid that winning championships is the goal that the entire organization is striving for & losing is not Okay!
Long time kool-aid drinker & too old to learn a new trick! No flip-flopping allowed!
by ttownmikey on Nov 17, 2009 9:25 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
The point isn’t the fact that Todd Haley WANTED 22 guys off the street. He basically meant 22 guys off the street was better than what we had last year. And guess what Kansas City? The Chiefs have matched their win total from last year and it only took them 9 games. If that isn’t some kind of improvement, I don’t know what is. This year is definitely lost as far as competing goes, but it doesnt mean we are going to be devoid of progress. Chiefs fans need to be a bit more patient. The cupboard was bare when Haley and Pioli got here, they’re trying their best right now to fix it, and it seems as if they are making some progress.
by kcdynasty on Nov 17, 2009 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
scary isnt it? just how bad the previous regime was....
good news is…I see a different team, not yet in terms of this year, but for the future
a lot of hope if they can come in, dump a bunch o f early draft picks, and win just as many games in 9 attempts with a tough tough schedule.
The last 25 games of the Edwards era,
there were 2 wins and 23 losses. The first 9 games of the Haley era there are 2 wins and 7 losses. In many ways, our roster is composed of “guys off the street” or at least “off other people’s rosters”. Pioli and Haley have had one off season and one draft to try to repair the disastrous ineptitude of the Peterson/Edwards duo. That is a tall order to fill in one off season. We have already matched Herm’s win total over his last 25 games in only 9 games. Yes, it has been difficult, and a rough road. Haley will be here next season as will Pioli. We are making progress. Next season could be very interesting in terms of getting the team on the right track. We still have 7 games to play this season, and I think we will not go 2-14. Patience, Chiefs fans, the stew is still cooking.
What?
So the coach don’t want to be held accountable for his words. So much for leading by example. And since he is not playing 22 guys off the street, shouldn’t he held to a higher standard and win more than 2 games.
vajazz24
yep, and chances are, he will...since...even with the off the street...2 wins...9 ganes,,,7 left to beat the two win total
including denver twice, cinci, and the browns….
You know ...
Whether Denver’s had a few bad weeks or not, I think it’s time to take both them and Cincinatti out of the “winnable games” column. Denver’s beaten the Patriots. Cincinatti has beaten both Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice. If we do win any of those three, it’ll be because we stole them.
The only two games out our schedule at this point that look moderately winnable are Buffalo and Cleveland and, as poorly as we play Sunday to Sunday, I’m not sure either of those are guarantees.
We have no business beating Denver
but they DID lose to the Redskins…
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
by PVChiefsfan on Nov 17, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
Stolen??
In the NFL, you win because you played better than the competition on any given day, simple as that. How many times does an inferior team beat a “better” team? Obviously it happens enough that it’s not a total surprise. I think everyone is trying too hard to feel good about beating the lowly raiders. I suggest everyone savor it! It won’t be as nice as beating the Steelers this weekend would be but we haven’t had enough to take any win for granted!
by Dallas Chief on Nov 17, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Good point.
Every team ( with a few exceptions both ways) is basically a .500 team, give or take. The best teams, historically, are barely over .500. History dictates that you should win half your games if you just compete! That’s why you expect your team to win every game, at least untill half-time…
There is still seven games to go...
…and as bad as we looked this past Sunday, remeber your level of play is sometimes dictated by who you are playing at any given time. I see at least two more wins this season.
I disagree
The coach is not accountable to the public for his private discussions. Waters had no business sharing details of that conversation. And that “2 games” comment wasn’t about winning football games, it was about putting Waters in his place. Waters hadn’t earned a shred of respect from Haley by that point.
by ChiefsDude on Nov 17, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
It just seems soft to think how he conducts himself as arrogance...
I never saw it like that at all. It reflects confidence and vision. Will it work? We don’t know yet. But I rather have that in a coach running the team than one who has no focus. At least he doesn’t go out into the spotlight like Rex Ryan to run his mouth and have nothing to show for it.
The “22 street” comment wasn’t meant to be taken literally, but more on a reflection on how bad the team was and it seemed dead on considering the standards this repsectable Chiefs franchise stands for. 6 wins and only 2 of those coming from last year is horrid. Thats Raider-like…
Besides this was said in the preseason, why bring up old dirt all the time and muddle in the past? Grudges are lame and pointless so just let it go.
So true about Ryan
and look who he’s reaching out to turn to in his hour of need:
“Jets reaching out for Tuna help”
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/reaching_out_for_tuna_help_0sP2uccrBPfk76kiCG55gO
So, are you guys saying...
that Herm couldnt have beaten the Redskins and the Raiders….onr thing I will say about Herm,and im not a supporter of his, is that when things went to shit last yr after Brodie and Huard went down, he found SOMETHING that worked for Thigpen. Im not so sure Haley has found anything that has WORKED yet…..He developed an opinion about Charles and refused to give him enough carries to prove himself until he was forced into it by LJs actions and release….And all the way up until before this last game he was still leaning towards Smith as the starter…Why?……EGO!
you give herm too much credit
chan gailey found something that worked for thigpen.
not herm.
by g00dn1ghtm4r3 on Nov 22, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
The only arrogant figure associated with KC sports is Whitlock
The guy is becoming almost delusional. I still think of the article where he seemed to take some sort of credit for Pioli’s hiring, or at least for “calling it”. Yeah – tremendous insight that the Chiefs would get the most desired GM candidate in the NFL.
I still think that either Haley didn’t say it or it was taken completely out of context. And frankly I’m pretty sick of the “arrogance” comments. It really hit home watching the talking heads discuss Belichek’s call to go for it on 4th down vs. Indy. That was arrogant and bad. But the same call against Atlanta a few games ago in a very similar situation somehow wasn’t. Calling a coach arrogant has become a cheap insult, just a half step above saying he sucks. It doesn’t do much for discussion purposes and frankly I’m tired of it.
"Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same." ~Oscar Wilde
The way I see it
He wont (and hasnt) won 2 games with 22 guys off the street. Atleast starters anyway
Its not like Bowe, Albert, Waters, Dorsey, Demarrio, Charles, Flowers, Carr, McGraw, and so on came off the street.
But I guess thats taking his quote a little to literally? Oh well..
I like Haley. I think Haley is going to be a very good, aggressive coach. But inheriting a terrible team is really not something alot of coaches want to do, especially first year coaches. The media these days will eat those guys alive. Unfortunately, theres atleast 1 ignorant douchebag in every city who wishes he could have played the game for a living, but since he couldnt, he decided to become a newspaper writer and write absurd stories about how much this guy sucks or that guy blows. Theres a Jason Whitlock in every city.
Whitlock has not only went out on a limb time and time again and opened his fatass mouth about shit, but hes eaten his words time and time again too. Sure, sometimes hes right. But thats only when hes only stating the obvious but decides to analyze and dissect it until theres nothing left to say.
send whitlock to oakland
and he can see how bad it really is in kansas city.
as far as haley’s quote and his arrogance, if a coach is good enough, he could basically take 22 guys off the street and win two games. the iowa hawkeyes have did it every year kirk ferentz has been their coach. they don’t look at the ratings next to high school prospects. he takes nobodys and puts them in the weight room and coaches them to play smart, physical football.
that is what haley is trying to do, but it takes awhile to break peoples’ old bad habits….
you’d have to be pretty delusional to be 2-7 and be an arrogant coach.
people have compared last season to this season stating we’ve already won as many games….yes, and with new systems, a new qb, (now) a new starting running back, offensive and defensive lines, linebackers, etc….
and all that playing the tough nfc east.
if herm was here, would the chiefs even have their first win yet?
"We're not losers, we just can't win!"
isn't there a quote that says
something along the lines of “The power of astute observation is often misinterpreted by those who do not possess it as cynicism, and confidence as arrogance” ?
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