From The Mouth of Todd 11/23
From the Truman Sports Complex
The media horde gathered for Todd Haley’s weekly press conference, the first one to come after two consecutive Chiefs victories.
Haley was not celebrating or ebullient as he stood behind the podium. It was 24 hours after the Chiefs overtime victory and the head coach had moved on. There were the San Diego Chargers to get ready for this weekend.
But he did have a few things to say about the game and how things played out in the victory over Pittsburgh. Here are the highlights.
On whether he’s concerned about how his team will handle winning two games in a row.
“That wasn’t the Super Bowl. That was our 10th game of the season. We are just going to keep doing what we are doing, trying to stay consistent and pushing the players hard. We are trying to get the players ready each week with a plan that can lead to success. ”
On Jamaal Charles and his contributions to the team right now.
“He’s making progress that we are all excited about seeing. He’s not a big back by any means but he’s showing some substance. What you saw from Jamaal yesterday were some real positive signs. He took some hits and didn’t go down, and almost broke out of the one in overtime. ”
On the Chiefs defense being able to put pressure on Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, especially in the second half.
“We went in with a clear plan in the game. We adjusted at half-time once we saw what they were doing. I think we did a good job of making half-time adjustments and we came out I the second half and played pretty good. That was a good sign of our players and coaches being able to adjust and do something to win the game.”
On how much the physical conditioning of the Chiefs played a part in their being able to play well in the fourth quarter and overtime against Pittsburgh.
“I know that’s a critical factor in the success of a team. I made it clear to the players that we were just not going to get in shape for training camp. It was something we were going to continue to build. We run every day. We aren’t trying to sustain; we are trying to get stronger. In some games that’s maybe showed.
On the importance of this Sunday’s game in San Diego as a measuring stick considering the Chargers hammered the Chiefs four weeks ago.
“It’s another step, another opportunity for us. We are 2-0 in the third quarter of the season. We have to win a quarter, to be 3-1. We’ve got ourselves in a good spot. It’s a division opponent and a very good opponent that is on a role right now. But every game is a big game for us in the maturation process of us becoming a better team.”
haley has done a great job staying positive and I think hes figured it out…usually it takes 8 REAL games for a coach to get even remotely comfortable doing nothing while doing a lot..if that makes sense
I could stand to be be corrected , but it looks like , if the Chiefs Won the last 6 games they would be faced with San Deigo for a play off , of the divison ????
Also …. How come the more great players depart , the better Todds new team is going together , and in short order ????
” Looking good in the neighborhood ”
Mr . Haley
man i think we will stomp the bolts this week we will go in to their house and do to them what they did to us
REFERENCE :
TO – Kent Babb , about Pollard , he looked good , down there , BUT Pollard & L.J. dont make a whole . Just ask them how great they were and THEY would tell you for sure !!!!!!!
Daay gone, & dis hear team is a winning .
Dats wa I sa , in whatss up wit dat ??????
the coach is consistent. even his speech is consistent. what he says is consistent. And his team consistently never gives up. NEVER… GO CHIEFS!!!
What is puzzling about the Chiefs is that the physical conditioning aspects of the Pioli/Haley regimen were not more overtly present under previous regimes. Hitting and contact during training camp is not necessarily the same as being in optimum shape, even optimum football shape.
Sure, the players complained, some slacked off after OTA’s and apparently some cheated. But those who took it seriously are reaping the benefits. (Actually, it it likely that most of the players knew the benefits would follow but like most of us preferred to think about it rather than do it, ergo the need for an insistent input by the coach.)
In the end, the most negative aspect so far is Haley’s style of confrontation; on the other hand, he is not afraid to buck convention offensively by going for it on fourth down or calling for a pass when a run would be a more obvious choice.
The remaining part of the season will be good football and interesting games. They should win more than they lose, maybe a lot more.
Anyone catch the MNF game last night? Pollard was in fairly good position on some key tackles on Vince Young and Chris Johnson. I”m not sure he deserved the amount of credit that the commentators were giving him, but it makes you at least question is he doing better as the result of a new defensive scheme, new city, new coaches or is he just starting to get it in his 4th year?
I thought he looked like a beast at training camp and as a player that turned the corner.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?