Report Card; Todd Haley
by Special K on Dec 11, 2009 8:03 PM CST
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PrintTodd Haley; Should he stay…should he go?
Our team is performing dismally; perhaps worse than last year’s team. We have a new coach this year. It is time to evaluate his performance.
As a Head coach, what are the skills required for success? First, “People Skills”. The HC must have the respect and support of his staff and players. How has Haley done here? I’d give him an “F”. Starting with the infamous “22 players off the street…” comment, through his tirades in camp and treatment of various players, to his poor decisions in games, he has done precious little to garner the respect of his players. I taught elementary school for 35 years, and coached sports for 25 years. I can absolutely tell you that yelling at a person does not produce the desired effect, whether you’re yelling at a child on an adult (cursing isn‘t especially productive, either). Treating adults like children also won’t endear you to your peers. Finally, sabotaging your players’ efforts with ludicrous calls (like fake punts when you’re only down by 8 points) won’t earn the coach the respect he needs. This is why I have give Haley an “F” in the “People Skills” area.
A coach must be able to evaluate talent objectively. Haley decided Pollard’s cover skills and pursuit angles were not up to par, and choose to go with Brown at safety. Brown has proven to be no better than Pollard. The position didn’t improve, and I’ll bet more than a couple of players wondered at the reasoning behind this move. Toomer, Ingram, and Wade were brought in to improve the WR corps. None of these players proved to be markedly better than Bradley. Haley likely had little to do with Cassel’s contract. However, with the offense floundering, and Cassel not playing well. Haley seems reticent to make a change at QB. The team struggled through the first half of the season with LJ as the primary (only?) RB. Finally, LJ removed himself from the picture. Given the opportunity, Charles has given the running game a spark. Haley’s grade in this area? I’ll be lenient…”D-”.
A coach must be able to motivate his players to play at least at their best level, if not exceed the level. This will be short and sweet. Take a look at our last two games. The two terms that come to mind are “unfocused” and “unmotivated”. We all thought the team had turned the corner against Pittsburg. Maybe not, considering the Oakland and Cleveland both beat the Steelers. “D-”, pure & simple.
Finally, we come to “game management”. This would encompass such items as judicious use of trick plays, functional game plans, and overseeing all aspects of team preparation. Judicious use of “trick plays” could be construed as not running fake punts when you are only down by one score, especially deep in your own territory, or going on 4th and 2 in your own end of the field. A functional game plan could mean not running Herm Edward’s favorite offense with LJ, when he’s averaging 2.7 yds. per carry. It could mean focusing on positive gains on first down, so as to minimize the number of 3rd & longs. Overseeing all aspects of team preparation, could include not allowing your DC to call for a safety blitz late in a game in which your team is still competitive (& thereby getting burned by a long pass for a TD). It might also include the HC watching his D on the field, rather than sitting on the bench consoling his QB after a pick. Of course, that’s the OC’s job. “D”, & I’m being very lenient.
For Haley to be allowed another year to get things together, he needs to show some positives, somewhere (besides being a good interview). I just haven’t seen it. Everything I’ve seen this year says Haley should be a “one-year wonder”.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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I haven't seen anything that says...
the players have no respect for him. People keep saying that he has lost the team, but there has not been a single report that confirms this.
Not only that but the infamous “22 guys off the street” line has been abused, and yet the only merit it has was a quote in passing from Waters to Whitlock. So we don’t even know if it was actually said, maybe it was. But you know what that team was awful, completely devoid of talent, and wasn’t much better than “22 guys off the street.” If he did say that comment I have no problem with it, these guys are paid an awful lot of money and some harsh words shouldn’t hurt their fragile psyche… And if it does, replace them with guys who aren’t such fucking pansies.
Fact of the matter is, never in the history of the NFL could you fairly judge the performance of a Head Coach in year one, if you ask me he is already a hell of a lot better now than he was week 1.
The Original member of the Ndamukong Suh bandwagon
if you ask me he is already a hell of a lot better now than he was week 1.
I would have said the same thing before the denver game. The fake punt with the game in hand from the chiefs 30 shows me he thinks calling an NFL game is the same as playing Madden.
Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
by craig in calgary on Dec 11, 2009 8:24 PM CST up reply actions
Meh...
I will agree that it wasn’t the smartest move… But it almost worked. That play aside though he has seemed more composed on the sideline, and his playcalling has been pretty good.
The Original member of the Ndamukong Suh bandwagon
by averagegatsby on Dec 11, 2009 8:51 PM CST up reply actions
lol
good one craig
okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule
so the teams worse than last year but with a better record.
So how can they really be worse but have better record?
We may have 5 wins by the end of the season.
…so yea…how is this group worse than last year?
When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.
by NJChieffan16 on Dec 11, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
In my opinion I said before the season started last year.
To my brother we are going to throw the season he said no we wouldn’t. After week 6 last year he agreed we were throwing games. I thought Carl and Herm would finish the plan but Carl bailed on Herm.
I do think this team would have been much better if Herm would of controlled the offseason, stayed in the 4/3, kept our 2nd rd pick and used it. Not gotten rid of Pollard witch was almost as stupid as getting rid of Allen. Except we got absolutly nothing for him! I could run down what the lin up would look like but we already know.
This team is definatly not better than where Herm would of had this team now. We are ALOT worse.
This would disagree...
http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/12/8/1191495/worst-burned-rate-out-of-the
Pollard is not good, getting rid of him was not a mistake.
The Original member of the Ndamukong Suh bandwagon
by averagegatsby on Dec 11, 2009 11:02 PM CST up reply actions
did you just compare bernard pollard's impact to jared allen?
you are delusional
The only players I hurt with my words are the ones who have an inflated opinion of their ability. I can't worry about that.
Bill Parcells
Knowledge is confidence. And confidence lets you play fast.
Bill Parcells
i'll ask 'em if they'd rather have jared allen. no i won't. i already know the answer
bernard pollard is not good. your love for him is unfounded. he’s never done anything that makes me think he’ll ever be a great safety. unless safeties are supposed to get beat in coverage repeatedly and go for big hits but miss tackles all over the field.
The only players I hurt with my words are the ones who have an inflated opinion of their ability. I can't worry about that.
Bill Parcells
Knowledge is confidence. And confidence lets you play fast.
Bill Parcells
My take...
You cant blame Haley for this! You have to place the blame on Pioli. Pioli was the one who put all his faith into Haley. Of course Haley would take an awesome HC job when offered. Its not like Haley forced himself on our team. Haley is doing the best he knows how…..and that my friend is the problem.
You dont take a struggling franchise that is in bad need of turning things around and hire a guy who has never played a down of football, never been a hc, and has horrible motivational tactics.
Pioli had his choice of Gruden, Shannahan, Cowher, and other guys with good track records.(not saying he didnt try) But come on…..with all the available guys with Head Coaching experience you pick a guy like Haley. This was bound for bad things.
We needed a guy who knew how to Head Coach an NFL team. A guy who knows how to handle young players, a guy who knows talent, a guy who knows how to deligate responsibility. Instead we got the complete opposite.
Todd Haley might be a good HC one day, but I dont see it happening in KC. Haley is a guy who should have been OC for a couple more years with some Ast HC duties….THEN go out and get a HC job. He is in this way too soon and could end up ruining his career.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
I agree that Haley isn't ready....
However I don’t think that Pioli had his choice. Of the three coaches you listed I think only Chucky was a real option, and personally I’m glad he didn’t hire him. If he would have waited this year out, I think more experienced options would have been available.
I don’t think was enough money in the world to get Cowher or Shanny last year.
Did Dallas need to bring in a guy with previous Head Coaching experience...
when they hired Jimmy?
Just because he hasn’t done it doesn’t mean he can’t do it.
This team was a trainwreck when Pioli took over, and its not that big of a stretch to think that it is better than last years… Baby Steps.
The Original member of the Ndamukong Suh bandwagon
by averagegatsby on Dec 11, 2009 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
I guess head coaching in college doesn't count!?
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Dec 12, 2009 6:50 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
completely different
In college you are only allowed to practice 20 hours a week.
The Original member of the Ndamukong Suh bandwagon
by averagegatsby on Dec 12, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions
I give up
Fine, let’s fire Haley and Pioli and start over again from scratch next year. Let’s cut Matt Cassel and just eat his contract and start Croyle until someone snaps him in half and then we’ll draft a QB and start all over at that position. Let’s trade away whatever draft picks it takes to bring back Pollard, Tank, and Turk because them being gone is what is keeping our D from being any good. When we hire a new coach the number one requirement is that he promise to play DJ on every single down, offense too. He can never come off the field because “all he does is make plays”. The number two requirement is that he can’t ever yell at players. The number three requirement is that he can’t be too nice to players like Herm was. Maybe we should be cutting edge and hire a robot to be our coach so that it is incapable of having emotions. We could have NASA program it so that it could calculate the play with the highest probability of success so that we can never question play calling again. When we hire a new GM they will have to sign a contract that promises they will only sign players that are part of the “wrong 53” because clearly the “right 53” isn’t working. Also they are at no point allowed to have a “process”. “Processes” are for losers. The new GM may only fly by the seat of his pants and make rash decisions with no concern for the long term goal of the team.
I’ve seen the light. I’m trading in my Kool Aid for a torch and pitchfork. I’m sure we’ll be the hap hap happiest bunch of chiefs fans since Hank Stram had his team matriculating down the field. HALLELUJA!!!!! Where’s the tylenol?
Feeling "The Love" and "Drinking the Kool AId"
by KCporkchop on Dec 11, 2009 11:04 PM CST reply actions 6 recs
I think someone has been mixing their Kool-Aid with Drano.
The Original member of the Ndamukong Suh bandwagon
by averagegatsby on Dec 11, 2009 11:08 PM CST up reply actions
(takes a big drink out of a moose head shaped glass)
(mumbles to self) “It’s good, it’s good”
Feeling "The Love" and "Drinking the Kool AId"
what's the Flavor of the Week now ... last week was Casselberry Splash
Haleyjuice Sunshine?
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
We're working on a "holiday" special
but so far the attempts to make an eggnog Kool Aid have not been very tasty.
Feeling "The Love" and "Drinking the Kool AId"
ROFL porkchop!
we may disagree on some things, but DAMN how I love ya
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
KCPC, I'm with ya man - time to board the Fire Haley bandwagon
We need to go back to having a coach who’s afraid to take chances and treats his players like fine China dolls. They shouldn’t wear pads during practice except for maybe the first week of training camp. He should be an expert at building self-esteem and making sure players are happy. Because everyone knows players play their best when their happy. I’ve finally seen the light – Haley is a bad coach.
Once I had this epiphany I began to look for the answer. Unfortunately the best two candidates are dead, so we may have to settle for Zombies or hope they’ve been frozen and be resuscitated. Because the best choice is Mr. Rogers and give him whatever it takes to coach our team. The other clear candidate is the guy who did those “happy tree” paintings on PBS. His love for beauty and soothing demeanor could really turn this team around. But their selfishness in dying forced me to look more outside the box. Then I got it.
The next Head Coach of the KC Chiefs is — Richard Simmons – yeah! He could cajole the players into great physical condition, not scare them so they take diuretics. And he’d cry when players make a mistake which would motivate the team to play a perfect game. I’m not sure we should even wait for the season to end. Mr. Pioli make the change now – give us RICHARD!!!!
-"A man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is married." - H.L. Mencken
by Big Chief on Dec 12, 2009 12:13 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I was thinking "Happy Cows.....
Then Zombies :(
Then Richard Simmons!
Where’s that Drano to flush my Mind :)
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 12, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
Wow...no patience.
We gave Edwards some time to prove nothing. Let’s hope we give Haley some time to prove otherwise.
Hali, Johnson, Vrable, Mays, Williams, Studebaker, Belcher
-Come Get Some-
At least Haley is better to look at on the sidelines than Hermrroid with his blank stares. Haley shows emotion, he wants to win, the players want to win. Last couple of years the whole team just sat on the bench, and no one was 20 feet of Herm. I actually enjoy watching the games now and seeing a coach who is passionate about coaching his first NFL team.
Im only 25 years old, and have been a fan since i can remember ever sitting in front of the tv. Give Haley some more time, let him and Pioli build their staff and draft some talent and pick up some free agents, and then if it isnt working we will see. Bottom line is it is just to early yet for the canning Haley stuff again.
Im not happy with the progress...
Ive seen some ugly,ugly shit happen this yr. Bad decisions,bad play,. But,I dont know the first thing about running a team,what decisions HAVE to be made that none of us are privledged to know about or the reasons behind them. I DO know that Pioli is regarded as the BEST front office man in the league. He knows how to build a powerhouse team. He has proven it in NE.
This team was in shambles before Pioli and Haley took over. There was not a whole lot of FA talent on the market last yr to be had. The price was either too high,or, they didnt fit in with our scheme,or, they simply did not want to come to a team that was re-building. Lets not forget C Hunt in all this….he is the one that controls the money. No owner just hands over his checkbook to the GM and says spend whatever you want. Thats whats wrong with teams like Washington and even Dallas. They sign the big name FAs but, those guys sign because they want the money, not because they want to WIN.
I have bitched,complained,whined, and cried just as much as anybody on AP. Ive questioned just what the HELL are they doing….but at no time have I ever said it was time for these guys to leave KC. They get a pass from me this yr due to what they had to start with….which was pretty much nothing. I will say though, that at this point in the yr, I thought that this team would at least be showing some improvement. After the last two weeks of getting blown out by division opponents, I am a little less optimistic about the direction this team is going….But its still too soon to pull the plug. Even if I dont have a lot of faith in Haley, I have enough faith in Pioli that if things dont progress better next yr, that he will not let it continue any longer. He is too good for that.
I actually like Haley.
This season has been a disaster but, he has made this team a more fundamentally sound group. Penalties and turnovers will support that. With these players, that’s about all we can expect.
However, I will agree about the fake punt and some of the times he has chosen to go for it in opponent’s territory. Those have been some boneheaded gambles but, desperate times call for desperate measures. I just wish his timing was better.
Overall, I think Haley is going to be a good Head Coach in time. He needs to get some better assistants in place who can help him out.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 12, 2009 11:37 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
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