New Chiefs TE Leonard Pope: 'Man I love Todd'

by Joel Thorman on Sep 30, 2009 5:25 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Video courtesy of Todd Feeback of the Kansas City Star can be seen here.

One of the newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs was introduced to the media today in the locker room after practice. Leonard Pope sounded excited to be here and "blessed" to have the opportunity to play for his old coach Todd Haley.

"Man I love Todd," he began. "He's the type of guy that's going to push you and get every inch of everything out of you. A lot of guys have to learn that about him. Some may think he's someone else but you gotta have thick skin with him. That's the kind of coach he is."

"Like I said, when you have other options, sometimes those options don't go through, at the end of the day you want to be somewhere you know you'll be loved and you've got coaches that you know and have already played for."

He's happy to be playing for a coach he's familiar with and ready to get started with his new team.

"Man just happy to be here," he said when asked how he felt. "Just being embraced by the coaches and the players. We're just going to try to turn things around."

We talked earlier today about Pope being more of a receiving tight end. His size (6'8", 264 pounds) brought back memories of Jason Dunn for many of us. But according to many folks, including Haley, it's his speed that figures to be an attribute with the Chiefs.

"Hopefully I can get out and show my strengths with stretching the field and blocking," he said. "Basically anything I can do to help."

The Arizona Cardinals released him a few weeks ago. Since then he's been out of work but still working out for other teams, including the Chiefs.

"I just had to wait out my options," he told reporters. "And when I got the call a couple weeks ago all my worries went away. And when I got it a couple days ago I was happy so I'm just really blessed to be here."

It's over now for the fourth year tight end. He's found a home (for the time being) and is glad there's an aura of familiarity with it.

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Comments

Interesting

Well he thinks he can block…can’t be any worse than our swinging door O-line

“Hopefully I can get out and show my strengths with stretching the field and blocking,” he said. “Basically anything I can do to help.”

by Ren on Sep 30, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions

Lol

I caught that too! Now let’s see what he’s got.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Sep 30, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Is Pope better or worse than Curtis

seems both could catch, Curtis got picked up for awhile by Philly I think.
Was that just Recon by the Eagles?

We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09
And Succop will be the Key in two of them.
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram

by Steve_Chiefs on Sep 30, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I bet he could be worse, sadly

Let’s just say the early reports don’t have me looking for the second coming a Jason Dunne any time soon.

by Big Chief on Sep 30, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah... players "hate" haley, right?

Yet another example of a player that respects and wants to play for Todd Haley.

Take that, Whoever was complaining that his former players and current players hated him and that FAs wouldn’t come here because of him…

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Sep 30, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions

Pope would have played for any team willing to pick him up...

And he would be extremely greatful to whoever did. Of course he loves Haley….because of him he’ll be cashing 75,000 game checks for the rest of the year.

This is absolutely no indication of what players think of Haley IMO.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 30, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

did you read that?

he could have just said “happy to be here”
but he went out of his way to explain what he thinks of Haley…

I know it’s hard for you to read anything positive about Haley… but it’s there.

by stagdsp on Sep 30, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions

And it is

being said by others who aren’t dependant on Haley for a check. Actually, besides here & a few columnists, I don’t believe that I’ve heard of any of his former players saying anything negative. Did anyone say that they were sure glad they didn’t have to listen to him anymore in Arizona after he left?

by ttownmikey on Sep 30, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Based on their offense...

I bet most of them are wishing he was back on their field yelling at them.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 30, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

I read an article before the season started that had similar comments on Profootballtalk from Kurt Warner, except of course, Kurt was saying he misses Todd. He said he doesn’t care about being your friend, but he makes everyone better.

We will see how that translates to his job in head coaching, but it will take some time. I’m still optimistic.

Girls love Chiefs football, too.

by Chiefs_Cat on Sep 30, 2009 6:38 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Nice Prospect, but hasn't reached potential

This guy had some nice hype out of college. Hopefully his lack of production was more due to injuries than lack of ability. He could end up being a solid starter for us for years to come, but don’t expect a superstar to suddenly emerge.

by VermeilLikesToCry on Sep 30, 2009 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

I like

this dude already. Certainly talks the talk, but can he…

by KCMizzou on Sep 30, 2009 5:57 PM CDT reply actions

I like the 6'8" part

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Sep 30, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions

yes

it should give him nice reach

by TDubb on Sep 30, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions

not a superstar but hes definitely a threat in the recieving game a few times a game an in that red zone...love it

by SDChief on Sep 30, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

I would hate to have to tackle this guy

6’8 264 seems impossible to bring down.

by Ren on Sep 30, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

How many jelly beans in the jar...

Anybody count how many times he said “you know” in the clip? I’ll guess 21

by VermeilLikesToCry on Sep 30, 2009 6:26 PM CDT reply actions

well

you know he wasn’t, you know, hired to be an orator, you know

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Sep 30, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions

He is better than this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv1aqmuyZE8&feature=channel_page

by saskwatch on Sep 30, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

He can say "you know" as much as he wants

As long as he blocks and catches. the damn. ball.

Penn State to Kansas City...Always a winning combination.

by YNinja on Sep 30, 2009 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I say...

We tell the guy to gain 50 pounds and see how he looks at rt

by callmesir on Sep 30, 2009 7:13 PM CDT reply actions

If he can block, I wouldn't wait for the 50 pounds.

by Big Chief on Sep 30, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

that was funny! :)

Winning begins with Attitude - 2009 Chiefs 12-4

by Lanier63 on Sep 30, 2009 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I can't wait...

…to see a goal line formation with him and Cottam in it! Can you imagine? Be like playing keep away with the grand babies…

"Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?" Accountability -- Haley-style...

by Chief_Elmo on Sep 30, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions

you throw bowe and bradley....

and you got a couple of 6 2 recievers on top of it… I see jump balls all day long…. but alas… it won’t help that much… out tight ends have to stay in to help block

by callmesir on Sep 30, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions

we have to make it to the goal line first

Before we start talking about scoring there. Cart, meet horse

by Ren on Sep 30, 2009 7:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

nicely said

but, as they showed in the Philly game, and even the Ravens game… when they get a short field and get into the redzone… they do a decent job of passing TDs…

they just HAVE to do more of it, and find a way to score on the ground

by stagdsp on Sep 30, 2009 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

That's all they got, right?

I’m not counting ONE rushing TD all year. Pathetic.

Penn State to Kansas City...Always a winning combination.

by YNinja on Sep 30, 2009 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions

All they would have to do is move over a foot...

And run over Goff.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 30, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

You have to have a coach who's you know... willing to throw the ball in order for that to happen

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 30, 2009 8:06 PM CDT reply actions

shows you what

his confidence in his receivers is

by TDubb on Sep 30, 2009 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions

More like the o-line...there usually isn't time to even throw it down field

Arrowspread anyone?

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 30, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions

let's be honest would you throw to Pope when you have Fitz, Boldin and Breaston?

Kurt Warner is no dummy, he’s throwing to his 3 WR’s studs. Breaston will be a player in this league for a lot of years. He was a talented receiver when he was drafted and working with Boldin, Fitz and Warner while being coached by Haley only made him better.

By no means am I saying Leonard Pope is the Chiefs TE of the future but i think this kid can play a receiving TE in this league. Haley spoke highly of him and i’d imagine within the next few weeks he’d be our starting TE. With Ryan being our blocking TE.

I hope Pope can continue to improve his blocking. All he has to do is move his feet , stay low while keeping a good base and stay in front of a guy. If he can do that then we’re in business.

by cameltoeuchdowns on Oct 1, 2009 12:14 AM CDT reply actions