Chiefs Coach Will Not Get Into Specifics of the Bowe Suspension

by Joel Thorman on Nov 18, 2009 5:00 PM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

No surprise here.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley said today he will not get into specifics of when, where and by whom he learned of Dwayne Bowe's suspension. It's been reported that Bowe and the Chiefs were aware of it earlier this month.

I was thinking about it today and wondering how many times in recent weeks he's had to tell reporters he will not talk about a certain issue. First, it was the Larry Johnson issue which lasted about two weeks. He did a pretty good job of staying on topic despite repeated questions that involved LJ.

Now, it's the Dwayne Bowe suspension. Check out all the times Haley had to say he wouldn't talk about it and think how frustrating his job can be at times.

"Afternoon everyone," Haley began. "As you know, Dwayne Bowe is suspended for four games. Appreciate that you all are curious about it, but this is now officially a league matter and there’s nothing I can speak out on."

He was asked about it a few more times after the jump.

Can you talk about when you first learned Bowe could be facing a suspension?

"No I can’t. Now it is an official league matter and I can’t talk about any of the specifics of it.

For you personally, do you feel disappointment, anger, your feelings on the issue?

"Again, I’m not going into any feeling as far as Dwayne goes.

Who gets those snaps? Wade, Bradley?

"The details of who is where I won’t get into.

Is Dwayne supposed to do stuff on his own?

"Again, I can’t get into any specifics of his deal."

Is there any fear that Dwayne might not be the only one?

"I’ll only comment on what’s fact and right now we have a player suspended for four games."

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The fact they had prior knowledge

is that a reflection Haley/Pioli aren’t that concerned about it? I mean, I know its not nearly the same circumstance, but Edwards last season was pro-active with his punishment of LJ. If Haley & Pioli were already aware of the pending “charges” and continued to let Bowe start, is that any indication one way or another that they care?

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by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 18, 2009 5:04 PM CST reply actions

No I think it's a league matter

And the league issues the suspension, not the team. Bowe had the opportunity to appeal it and chose not to. I’m sure this was an agreed upon start date.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 18, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

I'm guessing they probably aimed for the suspension to start now

That way they had him for the Raider game and back for the Cleveland game. That’s two winnable games they have him for.

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by KCporkchop on Nov 18, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think they have a whole lot of say

But I do think the team and the league kinda work together on this.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 18, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

So could Bowe have started serving his suspension a month ago when he heard the news? Or did he have to wait until now?

by T-Rich on Nov 18, 2009 10:21 PM CST up reply actions

Is that Todd doing...

Blue steel?

by Sam D on Nov 18, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions

haha

my first thought too!

by Bra on Nov 18, 2009 5:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I think after about the third time that he says he's not gonna discuss Bowe

someone would have gotten the hint.

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by mistamic on Nov 18, 2009 5:51 PM CST reply actions

Seriously?

Reporters? LMAO! They’ll “re-phrase it”…and ask the same damn question 10 times. After they’ve been told the question won’t be answered. Has this ever, ever worked? And then they seem to wonder why coaches and players get annoyed…and generally don’t think much of the media.

by Scott B. on Nov 18, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Actually...it works more than you realize

When LJ was cut, Haley said he wasn’t going to go into details of the decision. So the reporters tried several times to get him to hint around about what parts of the controversy were considered the most important. No dice. But finally someone brought up the rushing record, and Haley said flatly that the potential for LJ breaking the record did not enter into the decision.

So they didn’t get an insight into exactly what drove the decision… but with repeated questions, the reporters did manage to shed a little bit of light on it.

It’s just human nature. No matter how determined you are to simply say “no comment” when you step behind the podium, sooner or later you’re bound to crack just a little.

John

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"

by RDOGuy on Nov 18, 2009 7:11 PM CST up reply actions

Of course it works.

Not very often, but even if it doesn’t, there’s always a possibility you’ll aggravate the interviewee enough the he or she will have a ‘reaction,’ which can often be better than the answer you were looking for.

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by Justin Bopp on Nov 19, 2009 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

Anyone catch the Charlie Coles post-game interview the other night? He was really brutal towards the reporter! haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnilJdwyPRs

by worc on Nov 18, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions

There's a list of things he has been trained to never speak about:

1. Off the field issues
2. League Issues
3. Private conversations
4. Disciplinary actions
5. Contract negotiations

I’m sure I missed a couple, but that leaves little he can speak to:

1. Practice, and only if the player practices
2. Game Situations, on game day.

Everything else that falls between Practice and Game Day he can not and will not speak about. The reporters are just doing their job, but they know this as well.

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by Justin Bopp on Nov 19, 2009 12:40 AM CST reply actions