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Chiefs Players React to First Season Under Todd Haley

Within the first few months of the Todd Haley regime in Kansas City, quite a few reports sprung up that players weren't completely pleased with the way he did business. He was reported to be short with players, often yelling, and began to remove the star system that had crept its way into Arrowhead over the years.

Yesterday, Chiefs players filed out of the locker room closing the books on the first full season under Haley. At least publicly, they appeared to be content with the way the first year head coach went about his business.

Star-divide

"I think he did alright under the circumstances," veteran G Brian Waters said. Waters usually "keeps it 100 24/7" as Jason Whitlock says and said considering everything that went on, including the late change to the offensive scheme, Haley learned a lot as a head coach, and the players learned a lot about their head coach.

"He's very demanding," LB Derrick Johnson said. "He's a guy that's very motivated, hard-minded coach."

Johnson has learned this the hard way in his well-documented demotion.

LB Mike Vrabel told reporters, "Just like the rest of us on this team this year, I think everyone had their ups and downs. Todd has a great idea of what he wants to do. Admittedly, he probably knew this year wasn't going to be a 10-6 year."

The words from Waters and Johnson are encouraging because they probably got the worst of it from Haley, at least from our perception.

Vrabel tells it like it is as well and, with his contract expiring, didn't have any reason to hold back if he were upset at the way Haley went about his business. He took the opportunity to point out Haley's mindset of taking it day by day, slowly but surely.

I'm sure each of these players have feelings about the head coach that they wouldn't share publicly but many of them appear to be A) glad it's over and B) glad they went through the process this season.

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Good to hear.

Rookie head coach was a lot like rookie players…he has to develop himself.

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Jan 5, 2010 4:48 PM CST reply actions  

Haley is going to be fine IMO.

I was concerned about him at first but, as the season went on, I could see what his vision of the team (at least the offense) would be. I don’t know about the defense, only time will tell about that but, as far as the offense goes, we are going to an offensive powerhouse in the next couple of years. I LOVE his offense. It is aggressive as hell and I think that’s how an offense should be. I am sooo tired of fucking Herm/Martyball.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jan 5, 2010 4:53 PM CST reply actions   1 recs

I totally agree on the comment about Herm/Marty ball.

What this team has been lacking for a long time is a killer instinct. I think as soon as the offense is capable, we will have that killer instinct vis’a vis’ the first series of Sunday’s game when Haley went for the Donkey’s throat on that series. Imho it is about time.

by G.L. on Jan 5, 2010 4:57 PM CST up reply actions  

that was amazing.

Terrance Copper, where have you been all year??? Hope that was the rule and not the exception.

My long, drawn-out predictions that no one cares about, nor will bother to remember:

1. Todd Haley will still be the Chiefs Head Coach up to the 2011 season.
2. Clancy Pendergast won't make it to the 2010 season and was never intended to. Last-minute hire for a position that needed to be filled.
3. Todd Haley will not be the OC at the start of the 2010 season.

by jbj8609 on Jan 5, 2010 6:09 PM CST up reply actions  

Haley

Went for the throat early in the 1st Bronco game too. In Arrowhead, the throw was to Wade instead of Copper. I’m hoping we are seeing the start of a dynamic offensive scheme as well.

by Chief1 on Jan 5, 2010 6:30 PM CST up reply actions  

Both of them were great calls...

Cassel did a much better job this time putting the ball on the money. Copper made a nice play too. (did I really just say that?)

Haley knew the Donks were trying to shut down JC early so, the play action was VERY effective. I have to say, I have NEVER seen a team so scared of the run as Denver’s defense was last Sunday.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jan 5, 2010 7:20 PM CST up reply actions  

Tight

Haley was lucky that we could go all out.
I wonder about that day when we might be tight with a playoff berth on the line…

Maybe we need a Guy with some experience for that moment to calm Haley down.
Maybe we need it for 2010 if we get a little Karma on our side of the ball

Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram

by Steve_Chiefs on Jan 5, 2010 7:57 PM CST up reply actions  

No Kidding!

That was the first time I have ever seen a Defense bite on play action on the first play of the game (and the second for that matter). Concidering the way J.C. ran on them they rightly should have.

So you think you are so important that no one can replace you? Put your finger in a bucket of water and pull it out. Does it leave a hole? Nope, just some ripples that eventually calm themselves!

by Fan of the Red And Gold on Jan 5, 2010 7:59 PM CST up reply actions  

Looks to me that we will need to throw the ball to set up the run!

So you think you are so important that no one can replace you? Put your finger in a bucket of water and pull it out. Does it leave a hole? Nope, just some ripples that eventually calm themselves!

by Fan of the Red And Gold on Jan 5, 2010 9:24 PM CST up reply actions  

I agree

The playcalling developed over the year and there were a lot of interesting plays. Granted not all of them looked perfect and some backfired, but the fact is this is a DIFFERENT offense. I love the motion and switching formations (which started with gailey) and the new style of running plays.

I am very encouraged heading into this offseason. I just hope we can get an OC as soon as possible!

"I’d go to battle with him every day of the week." Todd Haley on Matt Cassel

This statement is why I am on the Cassel train, drinkin the Kool-Aid!

by KC4Life on Jan 5, 2010 5:21 PM CST up reply actions   1 recs

the motions and switches did not start with galey.

The chiefs had a motion switching like that for all the years with Saunders at OC and that’s why many of us loved Al

What would you do if you had a million dollars?

I would relax... I would sit on my ass all day... I would do nothing.

Well, you don't need a million dollars to do nothing, man. Take a look at my cousin: he's broke, don't do shit.

by ChiefsfanJon on Jan 5, 2010 5:28 PM CST up reply actions  

You are right

Had a brainfart there.

This is still a more exciting offense with Hailey calling the plays. Although I hope he doesn’t do it next year

"I’d go to battle with him every day of the week." Todd Haley on Matt Cassel

This statement is why I am on the Cassel train, drinkin the Kool-Aid!

by KC4Life on Jan 5, 2010 5:46 PM CST up reply actions  

What's Al up to these days?

hmmmmm…

My long, drawn-out predictions that no one cares about, nor will bother to remember:

1. Todd Haley will still be the Chiefs Head Coach up to the 2011 season.
2. Clancy Pendergast won't make it to the 2010 season and was never intended to. Last-minute hire for a position that needed to be filled.
3. Todd Haley will not be the OC at the start of the 2010 season.

by jbj8609 on Jan 5, 2010 6:11 PM CST up reply actions  

I want to know if Pioli and Co.

will be doing an end of season press conference like Carl did?

by BCRavenJHawkfan on Jan 5, 2010 5:06 PM CST reply actions  

Thanks!

I was wondering about that. Couldn’t believe that this is all there is. Thanks, too, for shirking your duties at work to bring it to us. ;)

by nycchief on Jan 5, 2010 5:16 PM CST up reply actions  

My pleasure

No, really, lying to my boss about a phony doctor’s appointment and asking Haley questions at Arrowhead instead is my pleasure :)

by Joel Thorman on Jan 5, 2010 5:22 PM CST up reply actions  

Don't stand in front of Whitlock

Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram

by Steve_Chiefs on Jan 5, 2010 5:18 PM CST up reply actions  

Or behind.

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Jan 5, 2010 5:29 PM CST up reply actions  

Which explains the beard

Gotta have some protection from the fumes.

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

by KCSatchmo on Jan 5, 2010 6:21 PM CST up reply actions  

Joel

Is this so your boss can’t see where you truly are?

by Chief1 on Jan 5, 2010 6:32 PM CST up reply actions  

i love to hear those interviews

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Jan 5, 2010 5:19 PM CST via mobile reply actions  

I'm coming around on the guy...

There’s been times that I wasn’t sure if Haley was fit to be a head coach in the NFL, and when you consider that he went from coaching in Arizona, where the fans really have no idea what they have there to KC, where we’ve been starving for a winner for years, Haley probably had no idea what he was in for. But the team showed some improvement, and if there’s one thing you can say about Haley – that guy might be the best play caller in the NFL. Even with the dearth of talent the Chiefs had this year, I was extremely impressed with most of his playcalling this season, and I think that’s what glorified the amount of drops Chief WRs had this season, because a lot of those drops were when guys were wide open. Give Todd some more toys to work with offensively, get rid of Clancy, bring in a new DC, a DT, a couple LBs and some safeties, and who knows, this team, which was really, a dozen or so plays from going 8-8 or 9-7 this season, and this team can compete for a wild card spot or maybe even a AFC West title depending on what happens. Amazing what a season-ending win – in dominating fashion – over the Broncos can do for a fan’s psyche in what was a very frustrating year.

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by FredThreezy on Jan 5, 2010 5:23 PM CST reply actions  

Out thinks himself too much

Improved some through the year. Castille shouldn’t be throwing the ball, IMO

by TonyG88 on Jan 5, 2010 5:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

he probably shouldnt be but

 if that play would have worked everyone would be saying what genius call it was, worked or not I still like the call you cant just keep doing the same thing all the time. I like that hes not afraid to go for it most of the time.

by banshee_01 on Jan 5, 2010 5:35 PM CST up reply actions  

agreed!

Haley’s agressive play calling exposed those drops – Bradley being the worst, now gone. Get us a go to possession guy with hands in the mold of W. Walker and were looking a lot better. O-line is coming around. That first offensive series was A+.

by chiefsfan62 on Jan 6, 2010 12:44 AM CST via mobile up reply actions  

LMAO

Hopefully that’s what the official AP bye week party will look like next season……

by Hail2DaChiefs on Jan 5, 2010 5:54 PM CST up reply actions  

Anybody notice that Haley's playcalling

Became tremendously better in the last four games?

by Sam D on Jan 5, 2010 9:38 PM CST reply actions  

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