Chiefs Coach Keeps Talkin' Up Rookie Jovan Belcher

by Joel Thorman on Sep 30, 2009 8:13 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

On Monday, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was pretty simplistic when asked about rookie UDFA Jovan Belcher.

"Yeah, I think you'll see more of 59," in response to Belcher taking first team snaps from Corey Mays in the second half of the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

He went on a little bit to say why he likes Belcher - mainly he can hit, run and play special teams. Simple, right?

Today, the New York media asked a handful of questions on Belcher, which is unusual because A) opposing teams' media usually don't care about UDFAs and B) they only have a limited amount of time to ask questions meaning they'll normally stick to the big names.

Nevertheless, Haley was asked about the rookie and again praised him.

"Not enough, not enough," Haley said when asked how many snaps Belcher was in on last week, "because he is a guy we wanted on the field and just because the way the game went and ended up, not enough. We are going to do some more things to get him out there."

Haley said Belcher was fired up last week, which might have contributed to a few miscues, but that's to be expected of an undrafted player coming out of a small school (Maine).

"I think he was a little wound-up last week with it being his first real action defensively," Haley said. "That caused him to get out of position a little bit, but I think the more he gets his feet under him and gets comfortable a little bit, we are going to see that he has a chance to be a player."

I've mentioned a few times that Belcher was undrafted but, according to Haley, the Chiefs nearly spent a draft pick on him in April partly due to the fact that they had some familiarity with his agent.

"Just a guy that our scouting, personnel staff had on the radar. We thought he was a draftable type player that when he wasn’t we thought it was a bonus to end up with him as a free agent."

And now?

"Now he is getting a little chance to play."

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Comments

It does sound like Haley is impressed with the guy.

And so far I have yet to see something to doubt Haley’s ability to judge talent. At least he can see when someone does not have the chance to be “a player”.

by ALR on Sep 30, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know do you remember the rave reviews he gave for Biesel and Zack

When they first got here and now both are gone.

Chiefs set an NFL most roster changes in 1 season.

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 30, 2009 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

Winning begins with Attitude - 2009 Chiefs 12-4

by Lanier63 on Sep 30, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions

it's ok

I still have my Mike Maslowski jersey

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

Maz was a beast!

Not YOUR fault he got hurt. Or was it. Did you hurt Maslowski????

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

by YNinja on Sep 30, 2009 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions

not at all.

i even saw him in the offseason during traingin camp and was cheering him on.

by TDubb on Oct 1, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Already have it

by notoday on Oct 1, 2009 1:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I still can't get the taste out of my mouth from last weeks game so...

I have to say: Todd Haley is an embarrassment to all things Chiefs. I can’t believe he is getting excited about Jovan fuckin Belcher!!! That shows just how far this team has fallen from grace.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 30, 2009 8:58 PM CDT reply actions

I personally believe a lot of people a over reacting.

Let’s think for a second. Titans, Panthers and Dolphins are all 0-3. We all would agree that all these teams have higher aspirantions than than the Chiefs.

I too, was destroyed after last week’s game. I hurt my hand from hitting the table. But that’s OK. I calmed down.

Things take a while. And frankly I would rather get excited about Belcher than about another Bell. Belcher is the small school guy that works hard. What else do you want?

Everything else will come. I like how the team talks. How it sets expectations. From a business point of view – a correct strategy will always yield results. Trust the strategy. It will work.

by ALR on Sep 30, 2009 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Honestly. I've been busy this week and haven't been able to vent about that game yet.

My wife and kid are out of the house so, i am gettin my hate on. I would say that I’ll get over it but, there is no chance in hell that things are going to get any better so, I would be lying.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 30, 2009 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I am with ya chiefsfan1970

Haley talks a great game

I want to see us go out there and play a fucking game and win it

This past week against the eagles was the worst called game I’ve ever watched the chiefs play..I expect much more effort than that..If I see another game like that under Haley I’m done with this team..I cannot accept the coach giving up..It is 100% ridiculous

by CALIFAN1986 on Sep 30, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions

If that's how you react to losing

Then you’re not a real fan. See ya later…I’m sure you’ll be back on here when the team starts winning again.

Fair. Weather.

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

by YNinja on Sep 30, 2009 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Dude Haley inherited a 2-14 team

You can’t expect a mammoth like turnaround. The Falcons got lucky, and the dolphins had an easy schedule so don’t give them that much credit. Once we get a system established it’ll be a rotational thing. Like in Indy….they have a QB, and a system. That system has been there as long as peyton has and they can just throw guys in there.

Right now we’re shaping the system. Creating the mold, if you will.

by TonylovesKC on Oct 1, 2009 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions

The Falcons didn't get lucky...

They got Matt Ryan and Michael Turner.

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

by YNinja on Oct 1, 2009 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Belcher is a ball hawk why not get excited about a player like that and his name is Jovan Allen Belcher you got the middle name wrong!!!

by notoday on Oct 1, 2009 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions

It would be nice if we can add one UDFA a year

to the core of this team. After last year and this preseason I thought Leggett was apart of the foundation but I’m starting to second guess that. If Belcher can make a name for himself it would be huge because our linebacking corps desperately needs it

Welcome to Chiefs REBUILD - Version 2.0 /The Clark Hunt Edition
Chiefs will be lucky to go 4-12 in 2010

by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 30, 2009 9:04 PM CDT reply actions

Leggett would be fine.

He is part of the foundation. But he only can do so much. But he does things their way and that’s why I believe he should be fine once moved back to special packages only.

by ALR on Sep 30, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

seems we have too many talented MLBs

good problem to have i guess

by Bashman on Sep 30, 2009 9:07 PM CDT reply actions

That's a bold statement

From what I’ve seen of the 3-4 your LBs all have to be playmakers. You need at least two guys who are top notch (blitzing) pass rushers. I haven’t really seen that yet. And we have very mixed success in the underneath coverage. I know we gave up at least one long pass, but I think most of the rest of them were 5-10 yarders that went a long way after the catch. There’s potential, but I’m as interested in seeing us upgrade our LBs next year as our OL.

by Big Chief on Sep 30, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions

i hope

we have found a diamond in the rough GO CHIEFS!

by cainsbigonchiefs on Sep 30, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions

Patience

Rome wasn’t built in a day guys, give Haley a chance. I’m far from an optimist, but this team was left in tatters, it will take time. That being said, Belcher has shown ability and is a rookie, maybe he’ll be a very good player, maybe he won’t. At least he’s young and showing promise, unlike guys such as Kendrall Bell, Shawn Barber, etc. I like what I see out of Haley, give him some time.

Matt Verderame

by Flowers24 on Sep 30, 2009 10:06 PM CDT reply actions

I'm thinking...

Belcher takes Eli down at least 2 times.

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

The same things were said about Mays

And he hasn’t taken ANYONE down. As long as we don’t have screen passes going 65 yards, I’ll be happy.

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

by YNinja on Sep 30, 2009 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope so let, him rush the QB that's what he's best at!

by notoday on Oct 1, 2009 1:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Belcher was a DE in college

Belcher is an athlete and a pass rusher in college but he’s added bulk on and can really play in space. He’s got long arms and plays well with his hands. Pioli had his eye on this kid for years now.

Belcher will be on our roster for years to come. The young man will only get better with time and reps. I’m curious as to whether he’s more of an ILB or an OLB. I wish him success at both and hope he’s able to make plays because our beloved chiefs have been lacking play-makers for years. Especially on the defensive side of the ball.

by cameltoeuchdowns on Oct 1, 2009 12:19 AM CDT reply actions