[Editor's Note: So I write this whole post saying Hali should talk to the media more because he's one of the Chiefs success stories. Turns out, he's going to be on the KCChiefs.com Red Zone podcast today. Your editor feels like a dope.]
We don't talk a whole lot about Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali. He made a successful transition from defensive end to outside linebacker and you would think a story like that would be getting some press in Kansas City. Hali rarely speaks to the media so there's not much to talk about, unfortunately.
Todd Haley, speaking to the media yesterday, was asked about Jarrad Page's situation and, umprompted, transitioned into a conversation about Hali.
"Just right when you said that, it made me think of Tamba Hali," Haley said. "He’s a guy that I don’t hear a lot about, but this is an impressive guy who has really, in my opinion, bought in to what is going on around here, wants to be a special player and wants to be part of a really good team."
Haley's been the head coach and the subject of weekly media questions for well over a year now. He understands that what he says will be a story the following day (like this good on Hali from Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com and this one from Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star -- two of the first Hali articles we've seen in some time). That's why I think his out-of-the-blue transition to talking about Hali yesterday was done purposefully.
It sounds like he wants folks to know that Hali is one of the guys that "get it" and an example of how to do things the right way.
He's quiet, reserved and has spoken to the media maybe a couple of times (if that) in the last year so stories about him aren't the easiest thing in the world.
We talk about some players on the Chiefs that don't need to be talking to the media often because they'll say some they regret and here we are with Hali begging him to speak.
It's unfortunate that Hali rarely speaks to the media. He's arguably the second biggest success story on the Chiefs -- behind Jamaal Charles -- and deserves some attention.