Scott Pioli and Todd Haley on the Tony Gonzalez Trade
by Chris Thorman on Apr 23, 2009 4:50 PM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason
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PrintA Q&A with Scott Pioli and Todd Haley is posted at the mothership and I for one found it very revealing about how they do business.
Here are some highlights:
On the front office's pre-trade discussions with Gonzalez...
Q: How much did Tony want out to play somewhere else?
PIOLI: “I have no idea. Tony and I never had conversations, nor did Todd and I, about that and I want to try to stay away from characterizing Tony’s thoughts or comments. We didn’t get the sense that he wanted that.”
On making the deal without talking to Tony Gonzalez beforehand....
Q: So, this was a case where neither you nor anyone else ever went to Tony and said, ‘are you okay with this – the trade?’ You just went ahead and made the trade.
PIOLI: “We did what was in the best interest of the Kansas City Chiefs in the short term and the long term.”
On Matt Cassel losing a weapon...
TODD HALEY: “I would say it’s never easy when you lose a popular player, especially one that has had a career like Tony to this point. That’s always difficult. But after a lot of discussions this was the direction we decided to go and was best for the Chiefs now and in the future.”
PIOLI: “We don’t believe in the rebuilding term. This is something we really feel is in the best short term and long term interest of the Kansas City Chiefs and the program we’re moving forward with right now.”
On Gonzalez's compensation in Atlanta....
Q: Can you tell me was it necessary for Tony to have a deal with Atlanta before this deal for Tony became final?
PIOLI: “For Tony to have an agreement? I’m not sure what your understanding is. I don’t know that to be true or not. Tony had three years left on his contract and I know the Falcons had not had conversations with Tony or his representatives. I think that’s a question more for the Atlanta Falcons.”
It sounds like this trade went down with absolutely no input from Tony Gonzalez or his agent. Total business. I freakin' love it. Man are Pioli and Haley a refreshing change of attitude and professionalism in Kansas City. They don't get caught up in any BS.
Finish reading the entire Q&A at the mothership.
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Yeah
Prolly not.
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Haha
What does your signature say out of curiosity?
by Joel Thorman on Apr 23, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Hahah
Way to go Primetime, I’ve been waiting awhile who would be the first to ask. You win! Paste it into Google and it’ll tell you. :)
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Animadvertistine, ubicumque stes, fumum recta in faciem ferri?
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 23, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
sounds like a latin version of a "dirty sanchez" or "rusty trombone"
Inifinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations
by carthagechief on Apr 23, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
LUKE SUM IPSE PATREM TE
Yeah and it makes my eyes burn. Lol!
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
lol
You have to feeeeel the burn…
Inifinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations
by carthagechief on Apr 23, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Hehe....Abundant dulcibus vitiis.
NOOooo ….its not true….Vader killed my father…
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 23, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Lol
Hell yes. This makes my day!
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
LMAO....Ergo bibamus!
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 23, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
NUNC EST BIBENDUM
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Crapulentus sum ;-)
in vino veritas!!!!
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 23, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
nondum.
secundum opus!
I’m west coast too. Haha!
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Vae!
Meum cerebrum nocet.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 24, 2009 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I still having trouble seeing
how this is good SHORT TERM, I can see it being good long term but how will losing tony Gonzalez make the offense better?
I had an idea for a post a while back
but never fleshed it out. On how TG could actually be considered a hindrance to a developing team. The general idea was that he was relied upon too heavily.
Weak, I know. I may flesh it out later on but I doubt it.
by Chris Thorman on Apr 23, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Totally agree with you on that
As great as it is to have a hall of fame tight end, he can be a crutch to throw the short 2 yd route to him instead of looking for your 2nd or 3rd WR 10 or 15 yards down the field.
Yeah that was almost as good as
Croyle to Gonzalez up the middle for 7 yards..annnnnd Croyles on the turf clutching his shoulder, knee and wrist.
by RedNose on Apr 23, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who cares who you're throwing to
You’re trying to get a first down, if TG (or d bowe or brad cottam) gets to the sticks every time then throw him the god damn ball. Maybe if we’re playing Madden and you want all your WRs to make the pro bowl this could be a hindrance. An interesting stat, TG converted 24 3rd downs last year, more than any other TE in the league (probably more than most receivers too, have to check that) so where are we gonna get those next year?? Not being combative, just wondering out loud.
As far as short routes go, i think that has more to do with our OC/HC + their philosophy. So basically it was Herm and Dick Curl telling TG to run short routes. Those two are gone and we have an offensive mastermind now so i don’t think it will be a problem.
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."
Yeah
I don’t get the short-term comment either. Unless of course the pick is trade bait for this weekend.
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Something tells me
we’re not going to understand a lot of what Pioli and Haley say until later.
by Chris Thorman on Apr 23, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Right
The long-term part of the argument I get, which I’m all for. But damn, every time they make a move, you have to analyze which way the resulting dominoes are going to fall. It’s one hell of an adjustment to make after the last 20 years.
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
I get the feeling...
that this is just the first piece. Seems like Pioli is a chess player, thinking 3-4 moves ahead. I can’t imagine he makes this deal without being pretty damn sure the rest of the moves he wants to make based on it are going to fall into place.
I don’t know what they may be, but is sure is interesting to watch. And I agree…I like the way the new crew handles business.
Unless
He was a whiner in the locker room, or liked being coddled like Vermeil and Harm did for the players.
by ryan_andersen98 on Apr 23, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions
Gr. I'm so up and down today!
Seriously. At first I was super pissed. Then I calmed down and thought it might not be so horrible. Now after hearing them talk about it and getting refreshed in how they do business….I’m feeling great.
Pioli knows what he’s doing. I’ll have my ear to the wall for the next few days.
"...Said he couldn't go on the American way"
Did anyone else find it interesting that Pioli and Haley chose to do a speaker phone press conference?
Didn’t it sound like someone was writting in the back ground to give a better scripted response to the questions being asked.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
short term?
How is this in the best interest of the team short term? You gotta be kidding. If it was a second round 09 I could at least have a little more hope short term.
How do we replace the production – seems like we have more holes to fill and no more draft choices.
ALLLLL Bid'niz
Well, I predict we use the 2nd round pick we got in 2010 before the beginning of the season for a trade.
What a great trade. We got Vrabel and Cassell for a 2nd round pick and we in essence got it back with the TG trade. A potential 10 year QB and a perennial pro-bowler (Vrabel) that’ll probably be in the league close to the same amount of time TG will be.
I’m so excited about the front office and the wheeling and dealing. I guarantee they won’t hold on to players past their prime and we’ll always have a balance between veterans still capable of producing and rookies.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
I am don't particularly like losing Tony,
but I like what and how Pioli and Haley are doing things.
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.
ya he is not trying to throw anyone under the bus smart man
he dont want torches and pitch forks at his door.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
am I the only one who has a man crush on Clint Sintim?
out of the top rush linebackers in the draft, Sintims the only one that actualy played rush linebacker in college, and had 13 sacks. I think 5 years from now he will turn out to be the best possible rush linebacker we could have got.
Saying that, im glad we at least have a second rounder to use as trade bait. Pioli mentioned that the pick could be used to trade up this year. I would love to get into the second round and take my main man Sintim.
duuuuuuuuude read between the line we could still get a pick this year maybe a late second
round pick you never know he is probably going to try to trade that pick and lj and a late round pick for a 2nd round this year . It could happen
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Are we straight Adam?!?
I love it. Make sure that these reporters aren’t going to make something out of nothing. That was awesome.
so remember back in Pioli's draft confrence where he said we may trade into the second
maybe we’ll be trading our 2010 and a fifth this year or next year for an early second?
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
why does it sound like when haley gets on the mic
he is like shuffling through papers like he is looking for his crack pipe ahahah
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Does anyone actually believe
that we WEREN’T pursuing a trade?
I love how concise and to the point they are in their answers
Especially Pioli.
And Haley says “again” a lot. Just so the media gets the message “I’ve already answered this fucking question!”
Wow, the postings on the original thread about the TG trade are pretty horrible.
Where did all the know-nothing tolls come from? It’s like reading the fanposts on the KC Star.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
Are they bad?
I was at work when this all went down and haven’t checked that thread.
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.
by DThomasReigns on Apr 23, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions
It's pretty scary in there.
One of the things I love about this site is the vast majority of readers are either very well informed or coming here to get very well informed.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
I'm in it now. I saw 380 comments and was going to wait until later.
If you know of any insulting/offensive posts, please flag them to bring them to our attention faster.
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.
by DThomasReigns on Apr 23, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't see anything insulting, just stupid.
Usually the discourse here is much more informed and intelligent.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
It's understandable.
Tony is beloved, and this naturally elicits emotional reactions.
The visceral sentiments will subside once the shock wears off for most.
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.
by DThomasReigns on Apr 23, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I love these guys
I have a total man-crush on Pioli/Haley. They totally pwned Adam Teicher. Whitlock was asking his questions with his tail tucked between his legs. And then the female reporter asks Haley how he’s doing, and he goes, “Good – how you doin’?”
Classic. Total business. Totally cool and calm. No bullshit.
This pick is part of a grand plan for this draft. I think before it’s all said and done, we’ll have a viable replacement for Gonzalez – either Crabtree if we can’t trade down, or Boldin – and if we fill that need, I think we trade Dorsey for a late 1st round pick and package it with the extra 2nd we just acquired next year and we send them to Carolina for Julius Peppers. Better yet, we trade down from #3, hopefully to Denver’s #12 & 18, and maybe Dorsey to Atlanta for #24, and we snag Tyson Jackson at #12, and trade #18 and next year’s #2 for Peppers and #24 and our 4th for Boldin. It’d also still leave room for the signing of Jason Taylor. All we’d need to do is find a new RT in Round 3 and we’d be set.
At least, that’s what I’d do, lol. It’ll likely never happen, but you never know.
It will probably be stupid and self-serving.
That’s just my hunch.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
Wow, very surprised
Best you could get is a future second rounder, sad for TG, but happy day for the rest of the AFC West, glad we won’t have to face him twice a year anymore.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun, A-hole" - Ash from Army of Darkness
Believe me, we empathize.
We are happy to not have to face Cutler twice a year either.
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.
by DThomasReigns on Apr 23, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
But what if some of our defensive guys get neckbeard juice on them….that would be yucky!
Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!
TG would never be used in the Haley/Pioli regime like he was used in the past
Get ready for 3-4 options in the passing game and a TE used as a blocker for the most part.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
#3 Pick Trade
I just head through the grapevine that the Chiefs have worked a deal with the Broncos sending the #3 pick to Denver for their two first round picks.
What grapevine...where?
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
i call BS
no way that happens b4 saturday
Probably
I can’t imagine they would announce it before the draft, however I believe a deal has been made.
My source is more flimsy but...
I was at a friend’s house tonight and he’s a huge Denver fan… he said he heard we were going to trade the #3 to Denver for one of their 1st rounders and a 2nd I believe. But whatever, it’s all speculation at this point.
Pre-draft crazy talk!
I love draft time!!!!!
by Ochophosphate on Apr 24, 2009 2:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Isn't Denver's first pick #12?
That’s a 9 spot drop, if it is in our best interest to make the deal I hope we can get more out of them for it.
I don’t know how to feel about doing business with a division opponent?
Its like sales are bad, so I’ll sell some of my stuff to another business that trying to put me out of business. Geez ………I just don’t like the Broncos!
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 24, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Like i have been saying get ready for fireworks
This pick could get us some picks this year .
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Yeah
I doubt Pioli would settle on a pick next year after losing his best reciever….he is not stupid and he is not gonna let the Falcons take him to the bank.
Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!
I see that 2nd round pick and a Waters or LJ trade.
Those guys are most likely IMHO…OR another veteran for a bunch of picks.
We’re going to have many more opportunities.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
ya thats what im calling right now
lj and our pick for this years second round pick
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Yeah
Why would Pioli or Haley either one not be available for a live press…..they are in the draft room….still working…this wasnt the end of the deals…or else they would be available.
Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!
Plus
Its not like TG was gonna play forever. He asked to be traded…..it was him that started the whole ordeal. Its best to get him gone now…that way Cassel doesnt play with him for one year and then has to lose him…now Cassel will start fresh with HIS guys.
Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!
ya im sure it will set us back a bit but in the end it could work out good for us
i think we are going to be able to shore up our lines pretty quick by next year atleast if not this year that second round pick next year if all works out could be a patential reciever or corner or line man that can take this team tothe next level.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
yep I mean this guy is a dealer
worst case scenerio we still have a second round pick next year which is sick already. Im like really in the sales mode right now I use to do a lot of sales and i am so interested in how this guy wheels and deals .
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Who else likes future picks? New England.
Any chance that Pioli and Belichick have something cooking? Shuffling picks around?
Hey man...welcome back
Some of the fans here have been crying as much about TG leaving as when Ty Law got released after your SB.
They don’t get the Pioli business side of how things are done on the east coast :)
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
I told you guys from the beginning
The Patriots never overspent for players while he was here, more often than not knew when it was time for a player to go, and worked the draft really well.
Why do you think I was bummed out to see Pioli leave? He was a key piece of our puzzle (though I have no doubts about Belichick’s ability to move on without him).
But yeah, Pioli is all business. The media can’t mess around when they ask him questions.
I didn't intend to infer you were bummed out to see Pioli leave
I know that some NE fans were vocal about Ty Law leaving as much as some Chiefs fans with TG.
I wanted you to state your NE perspective to those that think this is a boneheaded move by Pioli. I wasn’t surprised by the move and think that the changes so far have been great.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
Oh, I get what you're saying
That was more of a rhetorical question and just a general statement on my part. As for Ty Law, meh… as soon as you start whining and complaining about how you want more money (can’t ever forget his ridiculous “I gotta feed my family” line), you’re gone. See Deion Branch, Ty Law, Asante Samuel.
Pioli obviously felt that a 2nd rounder in 2010 would be great value for Tony Gonzalez at this point in his career. I personally think it’s a smart move, and if the Falcons don’t do as well as expected next year, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see that 2nd rounder traded for a 2011 first rounder.
It’s not a boneheaded move at all. The more draft picks you give Pioli, the quicker he’s gonna build the Chiefs into a contender.
You wish! Again!
Seriously man, your team has raided the Patriots enough as it is. Pioli, Cassel, and Vrabel? Don’t get greedy now ;)
we are going to try every option
even trying to trade dorsey im telling you no one is safe right now pioli has a plan he knows what he wants to do.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Just out of curiosity
…and because I’m too lazy to look it up myself, but what number overall was the second round pick the Chiefs got from Atlanta?
If they came out and said what pick it was in the 2010 draft....whoa
Talk about an NFL Conspiracy….
Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER TONY G.
THE SILLY SEASON ! BLUFF ;SMOKE SCREEN;DECEPTION;JUMP IN/OR JUMP OUT ! TONY G. CLEANED OUT HIS LOCKER OVER A MONTH AGO ! IT’S IRONIC ; BRING BACK DONNIE E. & DELETE TONY G. FOR A FUTURE 2ND 2010 PICK ! sexassassin you are right no one is safe or secure ! No gold watch for Tony G. !
by 65tosspowertrap on Apr 23, 2009 6:41 PM CDT reply actions
"SPEED KILLS "
THANK YOU ; FOR YOUR PROPENSITY TO PAY ATTENTION !
by 65tosspowertrap on Apr 23, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
SEE I TOLD SPEED KILLS : thouht / killer !
by 65tosspowertrap on Apr 23, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
See I told " YOU " speed kills !
Type-ing is not my strong suit ! We are talking about practice ! Not a game ! A post !
by 65tosspowertrap on Apr 23, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions
good good stuff
highly underrated movie, if you ask me.
There must be more to it
I mean these guys aren’t stupid. They didn’t ever really give any decent information out in the press conference. Haley didn’t try to even explain how this was a good deal. Makes me kind of wonder how much he really bought into the trade. Tony was a not just a bird in the hand, hell he was a screaming eagle, just to be traded away for an unproven prospect next year. Amazing
hooah!
to add one more thought
all our off season moves so far have either made me feel neutral or proud to be a chief’s fan. This one, not so much
hooah!
dont worry chief c this guy knows what he is doing
trust me the guy drafts winners and he makes bold moves . Tony g was on his way out of the league and he didnt want to be here he took the best deal available . If herm was here no way this gets done and tony would be crying all over the place . Pioli makes moves and we will be rewarded trust me . If not ill get you lap dance or something.hhaha
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Yeah
And for the thousands in attendance, and the Millions watching at home….Lllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet’s get READY to RUMBLE!!!! Yeah get em Pioli!!
Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!
sexassassin :)
How about a lap dance or something ?
by 65tosspowertrap on Apr 23, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Give me a break!!
Tony was and will continue to be one of the most productive tight ends in all the NFL. He would have been a great target for our new QB Matt Cassell. I don’t care what type of offinse you are going to run, you can always use someone who will go out and make plays. That is exactly what Tony always did as a Chief. In his entire carreer with KC he never had a wideout that could draw the defense’s attention, and he still was able to put up numbers. He is going to be sorely missed. The only thing I can figure is that Pioli is planning on drafting Crabtree with the first pick to make up for this. I mean he lets Will Franklin go without even seeing what he has to offer on the field. He better get someone to catch the ball in this draft or we are going to be looking to 2010 before 2009 even starts. I didn’t lik Captain Carl, but I always at least thought our team had a shot going into the season. And don’t even try to tell me that all Tony is worth is a second round pick in 2010. He is still young and with a consistent offense to get him the ball, he could have three or four more highly productive years. I just think it is sad. I now consider myself to be almost as much of a Falcons fan as a Chiefs fan. I think Pioli is trying to show how great he is by doing unconventional things. I just hope this doesn’t turn out to be a disaster. Not every move is genius just because the guy has a good track record.
And as for the crutch argument,
That is a QB problem, not a TE problem. Or if not a QB problem, and offensive design problem. I don’t think anyone ever complained about throwing the ball to Jerry Rice too often.
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