Is This the Last Game Todd Haley Will Call Plays for the Chiefs?

by Joel Thorman on Jan 3, 2010 8:00 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Over the past few months, the majority of folks "in the know" have hinted that Todd Haley will hire, or wants to hire an offensive coordinator for the 2010 season. Haley began telling some announcers this season in pre-production meetings Saturday night before the game that he doesn't want to be calling the plays and wishes he could focus on the overall management of the game.

A few weeks ago, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli was asked his thoughts on Haley calling plays. "I don't know if it's too much," he said, "but it certainly puts an additional burden on you, particularly in your first year as a head coach."

Pioli has said he will advise Haley when he asks but, "The head coach has to be given the ability to make these decisions." Haley has previously said that he has control over the coaching staff meaning he can make the call on whether to hire a coordinator to call plays.

So is this the last game Haley will be calling plays for the Chiefs?

On the one hand, Haley might have trouble giving up the playcalling duties. Folks in Haley's position and other upper management football positions have to have a slight ego, just by nature of the job, and that could be giving up more control of the offense than he wants to. Besides, he got the job in Kansas City because of his ability as a coordinator calling plays in Arizona.

He's even said he has a "crystal clear" vision of what he wants from the offense, so why would anyone be able to execute his vision better than him?

On the other hand, the Chiefs have a plethora of other problems that could require more attention from Haley - drops, offensive line issues and pass rushing to name a few. These are the types of things he probably means by "overall game management."

The signs for several weeks have been that an offensive coordinator will come in so today's game against the Broncos might be the last Haley-called game for the Chiefs.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Not that I’ve disliked Haleys play calling in general besides a few wtf’s. Which I think happen in just about every system. But I’d like to see him get someone to call plays just so one less thing hes got to stress out about. I really doubt hes able to spend equal time watching over the team as whole. Being HC,OC.Qb coach just seems like to much

by karkz86 on Jan 3, 2010 8:17 AM CST reply actions

I hope Haley continues to call plays

If he can get a coordinator to take the load off, there’s no one better than Haley calling plays. Now, if there’s someone out there with close to his ability, go for it. Haley needs a killer D coordinator and he needs accuracy out of his QB and receivers who can catch. But, if Haley has to take on a lesser talent at play-calling just to appease his critics, that’s a mistake. He’s a top-tier play-caller and is an asset to the team. He does need a situational guy to watch the clock, time-outs, etc… That could an O coordinator. Best case, however, is he finds a top-tier O-coordinator and play-caller. That guy isn’t just hanging around.

by ChiefConcern on Jan 3, 2010 8:27 AM CST reply actions

Not sure why accuracy is such a big thing people are harping on if the wide outs cut the drops in half Matts comp % would be almost 60%, qb rating would improve due to probably an extra td or two along with 1-2 less ints. Considering how bad the line was early in the year, having lj carrying the rock I’m actually slightly optimistic about seeing how Matt and this team will do with another offseason

by karkz86 on Jan 3, 2010 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

Cassel/Accuracy

Just watch the tapes a second time and watch all the times Cassel makes easy throws very hard to catch. Then, if the camera work is good, you can see all the times Cassel flat out throws to the wrong guy! Matt Cassel is a good leader. He has the intangibles. But he will never be a winner until his accuracy improves. Haley/Pioli will bring in WR’s who can catch. Next year is all about Cassel’s progress in hitting the most open receiver, IMHO (on the offense).

by ChiefConcern on Jan 3, 2010 9:16 AM CST up reply actions

Not saying hes Manning but the drops lower his ratings and to think the oline helped some of those numbers is insane also that said yes I see passes that Cassel misses then again I’ve seen just about every nfl qb make them with more talent around them. That said I think next year if the drops improve and the online stays looking decent or even yet pretty good than a lot of this talk will go down

by karkz86 on Jan 3, 2010 9:19 AM CST up reply actions

No I agree ChiefC don’t just hire someone for the sake of it. Maybe your right keep the duties just work on getting a qb coach and someone to help take on a little more. Not so sure I’d say no one better than Haley but he maybe up there in the upper tier

by karkz86 on Jan 3, 2010 8:31 AM CST reply actions

I wouldnt mind him continuing to call plays....

But we do need a real QB coach, something I don’t think Todd has done before this year and really doesn’t have the time to do it.

Predictions for 2009:

The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 3-13

by bonesjackson on Jan 3, 2010 8:37 AM CST reply actions

No doubt about it...

Haley is a maniacal control freak

"Readin's don't never not dun nuthin' for not nobody!" ---Early Cuyler

by averagegatsby on Jan 3, 2010 8:56 AM CST reply actions

Getting an OC does not mean

that Haley has to stop calling plays. For example, Sean Payton has an OC in New Orleans, but he holds on to most of the play calling duties. What makes this relationship work is that Payton has an OC that he trusts with devising a gameplan that Payton is comfortable with on Sundays.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Jan 3, 2010 9:12 AM CST reply actions

Maybe

Retodd will be calling plays next year lets just hope its not here and if it is here then maybe as OC. He was second choice behind Josh Mcdaniels but we had to wait until after the superbowl. Don`t think for a minute that Pioli would have had Mcdaniels in a heartbeat. Bring in a real head coach!!!!!!!!!!

by Chiefsfreak on Jan 3, 2010 9:52 AM CST reply actions

ON Haley not wanting to give up play calling duties

Joel do your homework. Haley also said in a press conference to be most efficient as head coach he feel you must have an offensive and defensive coordinator which means he’s given it up this yr. People need to stop acting like their in this guy head like he has this huge ego or something.

by joed2001 on Jan 3, 2010 9:23 PM CST reply actions