Demorrio vs DJ: A head game by Haley?

by quickwit on Sep 7, 2010 3:26 PM CDT

Haley claims that he's going to play the best player who give the Chiefs the best chance at winning. We all saw the preseason and we have scrapped for every indication as to who would be starting at WILB. I cheered for DJ at the beginning but I learned that I wouldn't mind Demorrio in there either. I don't have the exposure Haley and co. do but for the life of me, I can't really see any difference or hindrance when one or the other is in there. Is this the "competition" Haley was trying to create? Is there a way he can keep it going all year long? That's where this "Head Game" theory comes in.

An NFL middle linebacker obviously has a ferociousness embedded into his personality. We all know Demorrio is steaming at not getting the start so when he gets his chance, he will be a pissed as hell and ready to knock a head or two off. DJ, while being on the field is going to show they made the right choice and even more importantly, he wants to get paid next year. Does Haley start DJ knowing that when a 3rd and 1 situation comes up, Demorrio is going to go full steam like a mad man in that pile? If he stops it, does he leave him in? Will that make DJ on the sidelines fuming, ready to go in there and use his speed on passing situations for a pick 6?

There are many other X factors we can get into as to how many examples a good head coach, who is good at mind games, can manipulate these human beasts. Do you think one of them will go to the sidelines after making a mistake and give up the fight to be the starter the next game? That's what Haley is looking for. Wouldn't you? Both of these linebackers are in their prime (DJ 6 years, Demorrio 7 years) and we should have gotten a pro bowl from DJ by now being a first round pick. That hasn't been the case. But if DJ wants to keep his starting job all year long, he must play like a pro bowler because when he makes a costly mistake, here comes pissed off Demorrio Williams. Not a bad scenario, huh.

Like I said, I don't have the exposure Haley and co. have to these two. I couldn't see any considerable difference between the two this preseason and it sounds like they both have done everything in their power to be the starter. That's where the advantage comes in from Haley's "head game" standpoint. All he has to do is keep them both pissed off during every game and the end result will be tremendous play from our WILB position no matter who is in there. And hey, don't forget about fresh legs as well. We learned last year that DJ had no idea why he was benched and you saw the result when he finally went in there. Haley has a full year under his belt to learn the character of these two players and since I didn't notice any difference between the two ( I thought Demorrio edged him out), it must be a Head Game. I just hope we have the right guy in there for the right time.

QUICKWIT

Poll

Who should be the starting WILB for the Chargers game on Monday night?

Demarrio Williams

35 votes

Derrick Johnson

87 votes

122 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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Comments

Dont matter who

starts, as long as they both get playing time and both play at a high level.

by chiefs316 on Sep 7, 2010 3:44 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

but it obviously matters to these two who starts. And great insight by the way.

by quickwit on Sep 7, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Jones/Charles 2.0

To me, it’s a non-issue at this point. We have 5 years of some inconsistent play from DJ, who is finally starting to show he can keep to his assignments, and we have consistent tackling and a lack of playmaking ability from DWill. Or had, maybe. Some days/downs we’ll need more than the other, no matter who was on the field for the first snap.

Just as chiefs316 said.. Long as they play at a high level and continue to build on what’s been happening this preseason, I’ll be ok. If one is clearly outplaying the other, then we can debate starting one over the other. Personally, I think they’ve both done enough to start.

The Chiefs will see a return to respectability in 2010, emerging as the front runner in the AFC West! ....And I'll quantify that however I choose. Ahem.

by ArrowSpread on Sep 7, 2010 3:46 PM CDT reply actions

In his press conferences Haley's talked a lot about how the label "starter" doesn't matter much to him.

Somebody has to start the game obviously, but his philosophy is for everybody on the team to contribute at a high level. Belichik has had a similar way of doing things in NE — everybody plays, everybody has a role, everybody contributes to the success of the team. Nobody suits up and stands on the sideline.

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.

by Rev. Slappy on Sep 7, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I say DW and DJ should both be our starting ILB’s….screw the weakside/strongside argument.

by Atlienzz on Sep 7, 2010 4:00 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Finally, an ally. I've been saying this over and over and over and over and over....

until I’m blue in the face.

The poll is biased. There should be an option for BOTH!

DW should start on the strongside….no if’s ands or buts. That’s the solution, and that is what gives us the best chance to win the football game. Period.

And if I here another asshole saying that bothe DW and DJ play the same postion, I’m gonna vomit.

It just means you lack the vision to see what’s best for the Chiefs.

No way, now how, is DW not better suited for the SILB starting spot, than Belcher and Mays.

Haley’s body type argument simply doesn’t hold water, as evidenced by DW outweighing Belcher by 7 pounds, having lower body fat, starting all 16 games last year, and leading the team in tackles with no injuries.

Somehow, they got this notion in they’re minds, and now they can’t get it out, to the detriment of the Chiefs.

WAKE THE FUCK UP HALEY! DO YOU WANT TO WIN OR NOT? START DJ AND DW. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.

"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
~ last words of Francisco ("Pancho") Villa ~

by TheK-man on Sep 7, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

The closer we get to actually starting the game......

the more people will begin to see, it’s the right thing to do. I pray.

"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
~ last words of Francisco ("Pancho") Villa ~

by TheK-man on Sep 7, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions

It's situational

There’s a reason they do this and it’s not head games. Logic says that both DW and DJ will be out there on obvious passing situations. But when the opponent is running the ball heavy on us, if you think DJ and DW should be out there at the same time you’re smoking crack.

by old_school on Sep 8, 2010 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Can't Haley just leave Belcher in @ SILB -

While he keeps messing with the Demorrio vs DJ saga @ WILB?

I don’t know why Mays has to be tied to Demorrio’s hip..

...sporting my new ERIC BERRY A V A T A R ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

by chiefsfan62 on Sep 7, 2010 4:31 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Romeo's Choice

Romeo chose DJ for his play making ability against Rivers and the SD receivers. I see a fluid situation at the LB spots…

Jerome

by easyjb on Sep 7, 2010 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

I also thought about that during my post that by putting DJ in there, it might take away more of the short dump offs to Gates and the RBs. I believe DJ is better in pass coverage than Demorrio but Demorrio gets to the QB better or so it looked like in preseason. If we were playing a team with a power running game, Demorrio might have gotten the start.

by quickwit on Sep 7, 2010 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

The duo

from last year just didnt cut it. this way, with dj in there they can at least give him his shot and if he is inconsistent, close the book on it once and for all. the plays he made last year when on the field have to be taken into consideration so i think they are giving him his chance now to prove he can make those plays consistently, and if not…move on and he will move on as well.

Just like novocaine. give it time; always works..
The greater the fall, the grander the ascention..

by be cee on Sep 7, 2010 6:11 PM CDT reply actions

I don't care who starts where.

As long as P.Rivers is picking his ass up off the ground every play.

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Sep 7, 2010 7:43 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

We all see that DW is better in rush and DJ is better in coverage. I think that how SD plays it makes sense that DJ starts but we know that each will get their snaps. SD will throw on first down and second down…when ever. We can only hope wear their D out with our running game and break it with a late quater home field kick. I think that we can win this game and keep SD from claiming the division title as early. I hope they get brush fires….

by whoohoo on Sep 8, 2010 12:31 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

thats uncalled for with the brush fires

quite a few of us on AP live here in San Diego and those fires are no joke.

Uncool bud….uncool

I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.

- George Burns

by BJ Kissel on Sep 8, 2010 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Since Studebaker is better than both those guys and played better than Vrabel this preseason, I’d have Studebaker OLB, move Vrable inside with DW and Hali at the other outside position.

by chieflypessmstc on Sep 8, 2010 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs