The Situation With Situations … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs
From River Falls, Wisconsin
It’s been part of the Bill Belichick approach to coaching for years. The Patriots coach learned it from Bill Parcells.
That’s the same source of Chiefs head coach Todd Haley’s interest and devotion to schooling his team on specific football situations.
“The game is made up of a lot of situations and in order to be a smart team you have to know what’s going on, you have to understand the situation and you almost have to do it without coaching,” Haley said.
That’s why practice periods where the drill is defined by the score, field position or time on the clock have become an every practice thing for the Chiefs in this training camp. That emphasis will continue into the regular season practices as well.
“I want a mentally and physically tough team that’s smart, specifically situation smart and the game these days is almost all situations,” Haley said. “You’re either coming out (of the end zone), you’re in the Red Zone, it’s two-minute (situation), it’s the end of the half, it’s short yardage, it’s goal line, it’s four-minute.”
Haley says he’s coached for teams that spent little or no time practicing for game situations. He said his father Dick Haley, one of the player personnel gurus of those great Steelers teams of the 1970s, always bemoaned the fact that Chuck Noll never practiced the two-minute drill.
“Just since I’ve been in the league, practices have gotten shorter and shorter,” Haley said. “A lot of times working on situations gets cut out of the schedule. But with Parcells, it was always something that was important to us as a coaching staff. We made time for it. We adapted practices to make sure we got everything covered.
“And I remember my Dad talking about those Steelers teams, so it’s always been in my head how important this (situations) is. With more and more games coming down to seven points or less each year, to me almost the whole game becomes a situation. You just can’t ignore it.”
That will never be the case for a Haley coached team. They practice the two-minute drill, goal line and short yardage, killing the clock, saving time on the clock, using timeouts effectively. At least once, usually twice a practice Haley lays out a situation for his team before the start of the drill.
“There are a lot of teams that don’t put a lot of time into it,” Haley said. “I would bet that we’re putting as much if not more time than any team in the league. There’s a reason for that because I believe it wins or loses games for you.”
It’s been a struggle for some of the players to keep up with the situations, especially the younger guys on the Chiefs roster. Part of that can be traced to the limited amount of time that college coaches are allowed to spend with players in practice and film study.
“Guys are coming into the league today and they really are not football smart,” said Haley. “The college coaches have a limited amount of time and they have got to dedicate that to game plans and the preparation. We’ve got ground to make up … we can’t assume with these young guys coming into the league that they know how to handle a situation.
“Definitely, there’s a learning curve … I’ve got to have a little patience. It’s something that’s going to be part of what we do. We are not going to be one of those teams that beats itself.”
Working on the situations doesn’t just teach the players; it also helps the coaching staff.
“It helps to put in those situations and make snap decisions,” said Haley. “It makes us a little more prepared.”
Before the season started, Haley and his staff put together a list of about 30 or so situations they wanted to cover with the players. Tape was put together for each one, showing players game action where a team handled the situation, and moments when a team could not make it work.
Then, the next practice they work on that situation.
“We will find a way to do it every week,” Haley said. “We will review. When something comes up in another game, we’ll get that tape and show them what happened and how we’d like it handled. If we see something come up that we haven’t thought about, we’ll bring that to the room too.”
Haley can’t recall a specific game where he thought one of the team’s he worked with had a problem handling a situation. But he said a frequent moment comes on defense, late in the game when the opposing offense needs to move down the field and has no timeouts.
“Too many times you see the secondary out there and they don’t have a real grasp of the timeout situation,” Haley said. “The offense has to throw to the boundary, so the receiver can make the catch and step out of bounds to stop the clock. But sometimes the defensive backs are scrambling around back there, trying to cover the whole field, when they should be covering the boundary.”
As practice time has dwindled, even while NFL coaching staffs have expanded, there are fewer and fewer moments when players are expected to think for themselves.
Haley says the game is too fast to expect the coaches to control everything.
“This is a fast game, but before ever play there’s a time on the clock, a position on the field, and a score on the scoreboard,” Haley said. “A player has to take just a few seconds to check those three and understand the situation he’s in. A coach shouting from the sidelines isn’t going to get heard.
“A player has to know.”
SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BENGALS – QB Carson Palmer will miss Thursday’s pre-season game against New England due to a sprained ankle; signed TE Kolo Kapanui and TE J.P. Foschi.
- BRONCOS – traded a fifth-round selection in 2010 NFL Draft to the Patriots for DE LeKevin Smith and a 2010 seventh-round selection.
- BUCCANEERS – placed punter Josh Bidwell on the injured reserve list with a hip injury.
- COWBOYS – released CB Michael Hawkins and RB Alonzo Coleman.
- JETS – NFL announced that DE Shaun Ellis would be suspended for the team’s regular season opener after his arrest last year for marijuana possession.
- PATRIOTS — signed RB Chris Taylor; waived CB Mike Richardson; placed WR ShunWhite on the reserve/military list.
- RAIDERS – Oakland head coach Tom Cable refused to discuss what apparently was an altercation last week between himself and assistant coach Randy Hansen. The result was that Hansen ended up in a Napa, California emergency room, when he was getting x-rays for a jaw injury. Hansen refused to name the person who punched him; the Raiders signed LB Morlon Greenwood and released DE Derrick Gray.
- RAMS – QB Marc Bulger suffered a broken pinkie finger on his passing hand and will miss at least two weeks.
- SAINTS – released CB Jason David.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On August 18, 1961, the Dallas Texans beat the Bills in a pre-season game, 35-26 at Buffalo’s War Memorial Stadium. RB Johnny Robinson had a pair of TDs in the game’s first six minutes to give the Texans an early lead. WR Chris Burford finished the game with seven catches for 106 yards and one TD.
On August 18, 1977 the Chiefs dropped a pre-season game to the Washington Redskins 13-7 at RFK Stadium. The Chiefs only score came on a 29-yard run by rookie RB Tony Reed, who ran 10 times in the game for 77 yards. Washington got a 6-yard TD pass from QB Billy Kilmer to RB John Riggins and a pair of Mark Moseley FGS. TE Walter White had three catches for 78 yards in the Kansas City offense, while Tony Adams hit nine of 25 passes for 190 yards, but he threw two INTs. FS Gary Barbaro had an INT for the KC defense.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on August 18, 1954 in Lubbock, Texas was LB Thomas Howard. He joined the Chiefs as a third-round selection in the 1977 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech. Howard played nine seasons in the NFL, with the first seven coming in Kansas City (1977-83). He appeared in 95 games with 82 starts at both right and left outside linebackers. He had five interceptions and recovered six opponents fumbles. He finished his career with two seasons playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. His son plays for the Oakland Raiders.
PATRIOTS — signed RB Chris Taylor; waived CB Mike Richardson; placed WR ShunWhite on the reserve/military list. (REALLY??)
I am impressed with Haley for being a rookie head coach. I know he hasnt been able to show it in games, but hopefully he gets it turned around within 2 seasons.
I like is approach to games, practices, media, and overall attitude. He has grabbed the attention of the players and seems that they are buying in so far. Lets hope this translates into wins
Speak the truth Bob. There was plenty time last year we lost games because coaches and players late in games where we had a lead we blew it because guys were out of position on defense. Or the offense didn’t move the ball to eat up the clock. I think practicing situation plays will help improve this team football intellect.
I like what I’m hearing out of Haley. Yes…it sounds good….I hope it works good. Maybe we can think the other team to death. But really….smart football will take us far…..as long as we can combine it with execution.
Man….those Raiders…..they are so……so……Raider like…..ya know?
I think Haley is “right on” with his situation philosophy. All the players need to “think” before each play. Not just the play called or where they are to line up etc. Smart players are the ones getting his attention.
Unfortunately, as fans it will be difficult for us to judge who the actual “smart” players are. We can only visually judge their on field performances. Virtually keeping us “out of the loop” on who they keep or who they release.
Between now & Sept. 5th, we will be perplexed & most cetainly shocked, of the final “Right 53″…
Question for the day:
Brandon Marshall has renewed his request to be traded from the Broncos.
The Broncos obviously wanted Cassel this offseason. (Or is Orton now “da man”?)
Our WR corps need help.
Croyle and Thigpen have been decent for us so far…while Cassel has been fairly average (by most accounts).
If you’re Pioli…would you try to trade Cassel for Marshall?
Scott,
As low as Orton’s stock in Denver must be right now, I’m not sure they’d pay Cassel’s asking price at this point.
ILChiefsFan,
Probably not. But, would you? Would our team be better off with Marshall than Cassel?
(I know it will never happen…I was just trying to spark a little intelligent debate before the daily madness kicks in.)
Not at this point. The toughest position to shore up in the NFL is QB. You can’t blow your chance to do it.
Brodie is just not reliable from a health standpoint. I think Thigpen could be a winner on a classic “run the ball and play defense” type of team, but he’s got flaws in his game that I’m not sure he can overcome.
I’m not sold on Cassel, but knowledgable people in the Chiefs organization are, so I’m taking a wait and see attitude.
I think some good receivers (not Marshall good, but good) will be coming free as the preseason progresses; we should have a chance at them.
As bad as Orten is they might take Thiggy or Croyle for Marshall
“If you’re Pioli…would you try to trade Cassel for Marshall?”
No.
I would not trade our future star QB for Marshall. I would make the best of this season and go for some wide receivers next year. Getting rid of Cassel as it stands right now would be a downgrade at one position in order to upgrade at another. The QB position is a harder position to fill. We should stick it out with Cassel…..and they will. There is no question.
I agree with you Harold. But, not everyone does. A lot of people already have Cassel as a “bust”…and think Croyle or Thigpen should be starting.
Scott, You’ve got to be kidding!
At this point, especially with Cassel’s new contract, I would not trade him, period…
Marshall is a donkey in more ways than one. He was a good receiver because Jay Cutler was tossing him the ball. With Kyle Orton as QB Brandon will be a average receiver, at best, this year.
By the way Scott, did you take a little vacation time? Welcome back to the madness…
Marshall is trouble, someone I cant see comming here. If they wanted conflict we should have signed T.O. or Vick. ha
I agree with people are jumping the gun, we need to evaluate Cassel after the season, on pre-season.
Jimbo,
It’s just a question. Ha!
I wouldn’t trade Cassel, either. I still think he’ll be a good QB for us. Apparently, I’m in the minority though. On MissouriNet Sports this morning…they called Cassel’s preformance so far “awful”. Bob’s tone seems to indicate he doesn’t think much of Cassel, either.
And I’ve been laying low…staying away from the nonsense that seems to come along every day here. Hey, I’ll talk Chiefs football with Chiefs FANS all day long. But that other crap, I can live without.
We had to be the dumbest team ever last year during crucial situations thanks to the depletion of talent by the coaches and the 90 minutes mini-practices. Also, the most out of shape team I’ve ever seen at Arrowhead.
I’m glad to see that Haley is addressing those 2 major problems we’ve had the last 2 miserable years.
Cassel for Marshall…NO! This would never go down. If it were to happen the chiefs would never recover should Cassel go on to have a successful career, knowing we would have to see him twice a year.
Come on guys! Cassel has not played ONE snap in a real game for the Chiefs yet. He doesn’t even have his starting receivers defined yet, let alone developed any chemistry with them! Take a breath. As for Marshall, let’s see how good of a receiver he is THIS year or has his past success been due to the previous “system” under Cutler. (Sound familiar?)
‘check’ speaking: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz yawn blah blah blah zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The guy ^ is clueless: Chiefs 0-16 in 2009
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Definitely trade Mutt Ca$$el for Brandon Mar$hall – if the latter stays on the field KC can’t lose nee wins this deal easily … if the Mutt is not traded or benched then the Chiefs can’t win – be doomed…
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The sad & sorry results to date 2009 indicate what Rin has said all along be true: twasn’t the coaching last season – was the players.
In every case a loss the 20 some rookies KC ‘08 failed to follow their coaching, didn’t listen and did not do it right.
Different year, different coaches, same problems: can’t line up right out on the field, are out of position, and cost the Chiefs the game(s).
Course, the pinhead faction this blog – 99% – say it was Herm & Companies fault in 2008 – OH – but it’s not & companies same 2009.
Right. ‘check’
heh heh heh! Gotcha! Chiefs fans be a stupid lot.
Can’t have it both ways rose-colored blindermen.
Rin as always prevails!
daddy-o
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Rin Tin Tin says:
“Chiefs fans be a stupid lot.”
And every single day…pretty much every time you post something here…you PROVE that point.
“The hen is the wisest of creatures; she never cackles until the egg is laid”
saying attributed to A. Lincoln
“The sad & sorry results to date 2009 indicate what Rin has said all along be true: twasn’t the coaching last season – was the players.
In every case a loss the 20 some rookies KC ‘08 failed to follow their coaching, didn’t listen and did not do it right.”
Sounds to me like the coaching in 2008 was ineffective. Nice game you’ve got going there; it was the players’ fault last year, this year it’s the coaching. Kinda like “any wins in 2009 chalk up to Herm, any losses go to Haley”.
RTT0W you’re back! Heard you got off leach and picked up by humane society. Nasty little spay and neutering program they have, isn’t it? Oh well all wounds heal with time. I will let you in on a secret, all qbs get benched, all back ups are the most popular guys on the team. It will happen to Matt, the fans will call for Brodie and/or Tyler, it happens with different names in every nfl town. The difference is Todd, just won’t stick him back in, see Herm and Trent Indy. playoff game. He will have to earn it, or the other lose it. Anyway glad to see you back, remember don’t scratch or lick sore area for a couble of weeks.
The way the broncs are giving up draft picks. If they did a herschal walker-esque trade for cassell I wouldn’t mind. I like what Haley says about the guy how he works really hard ala Kurt Warner. I also can’t believe how our society has become this “where’s the results now?” Cassell played a quarter, in a game where it doesn’t matter. Sheesh.
I really hope Haley wins’ at least 6 games.
Adam says:
“Cassell played a quarter, in a game where it doesn’t matter. Sheesh.”
Exactly. In crappy weather, too.
And here’s my favorite one, “Oh my gawd…Cassel threw an INT in practice!”
Well, I’d certainly HOPE our DB’s can pick a few off a guy they see every single day. Otherwise, how are they gonna’ do it in a game?
Of course, I’m sure that the Bradys and Mannings of the league NEVER have a pass picked off in practice, or drills.
Scott said
“And every single day”
- (and Rin finished it) “Scottie returns to the foot of his Master Rin, unable to daily contain himself; Scottie digs me…
heh heh heh
daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…
Blazer383 said
“Sounds to me like the coaching in 2008 was ineffective.”
- no, that’s your hi-po 2-barrel carburetor…you need to get it checked – that and your ears…
&
steve said
“RTT0W”
- 52 POP GO
“you’re back!”
- your face – what happened to it? Forceps?
“Heard you got off”
- daily whence Rin lays asunder the weak bloggers herein- 99% them be so, don’t you know…verily, you do.
“leach and picked up by humane society. Nasty little spay and neutering program they have, isn’t it?”
- well, if you’re not certain Mr. Syllabary…
“Oh well all wounds heal with time.”
- what steve’s mom & dad said upon his delivery – “he’ll be 18 and gone soon enough.”
“I will let you in on a secret”
- no need; your narrative lack precedes you…
“all qbs get benched, all back ups are the most popular guys on the team. It will happen to Matt, the fans will call for Brodie and/or Tyler, it happens with different names in every nfl town. The difference is Todd, just won’t stick him back in, see Herm and Trent Indy. playoff game. He will have to earn it, or the other lose it. Anyway glad to see you back, remember don’t scratch or lick sore area for a couble of weeks.”
- can you repeat all of that – no one was listening/got it…
&
“In crappy weather, too.”
- like the Texans QB played in – one also named Matt, went a perfect 8 for 8 was it?
No ‘Mutter’ he/ (double entendre) the stats, his team won…too.
Hey, and Brdoie & Tyler too played in the rain – ALSO BETTER than KC’s Mutt “Money Pit” Ca$$el
heh heh heh!
daddy-o
And Brodie too!
heh heh heh!
Yes…the Texans played in the crappy weather too. Ummm…they’re a better team than we are. I don’t dispute that. They’re a more established team. They don’t have a ton of new players, new coaches, new schemes, etc.
As far as Thigpen goes? Yes, he led the team to a TD. He also looked sloppy as hell half the time…I don’t know what game everyone else saw.
Croyle? Played fairly well. Can’t argue there. That’s not really been his problem. Can he get drilled…and get back up? That is where his problem lies.
RTT0W, went over my rin check list. Insulted the poster, check. Left extra space to inflate size, check. Answered no football questions, check.
Herm put Trent, fresh off of a nasty concussion, into a playoff situation, why if he is the end all of coaches did he do this?
Think about it, insult me, inflate the size of your response,(too bad your old sock trick doesn’t work on the internet), but if you can find time, answer it. Must go for today, but I will check for response tomarrow. Keep up the postings, always remember you are only one Chiefs victory (regular season) away from being obsolete. Though I have no doubt that you will reinvent yourself.
Quote from todays Sports Illustrated:
• LOSER — You have to lump together all those quarterbacks who, like Orton, did themselves no favors with their less than confidence-inspiring showings in the first full week of the preseason. I’m thinking specifically of Derek Anderson in Cleveland, Matt Cassel in Kansas City, Kerry Collins in Tennessee, Brian Brohm in Green Bay, and Colt Brennan in Washington. And for reasons that everyone can readily understand as of today, Minnesota’s Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson both seem like they lost something, too, even though they played well enough in a win over the Colts on Friday night.
It’s official! Cassell is a 60 million dollar flop. Even in practice Brodie is miles ahead of Cassell. Even Pigpen is doing better then numb-nuts. Thanks Carl “Pioli” Peterson. I think Peterson and Pioli are brothers….
Yes there are seemingly a lot of people refusing to get on the Cassel band waggon. Some prefer to stay on the Thigpen band waggon and some are clinging to the sides of the Croyle band waggon….but listen to me all of you. You better get on the Cassel band waggon….because it’s leaving with or without you. Cassel is our man. No matter what he does or doesn’t do this preseason….he IS the guy. Just accept it and get on board. The season will at least begin with Cassel.
I seems almost like a lot of you are hoping Cassel fails before he begins…..out of loyalty for Thigpen/Croyle I guess. Stop….just stop. Start rooting for the Cassel led Chiefs until something REAL happens to change it. By REAL I mean something other than Cassel throwing an interception in practice or not scoring 4 touchdowns in the first quarter of the first preseason game.
“You have to lump together all those quarterbacks who, like Orton, did themselves no favors with their less than confidence-inspiring showings in the first full week of the preseason. I’m thinking specifically of Derek Anderson in Cleveland, Matt Cassel in Kansas City…”
Cassel’s performance was “less than confidence-inspiring”; Orton’s was disastrous. The two are not comparable.
“Even in practice Brodie is miles ahead of Cassell”
Based on what evidence?
Herm Edwards—”I tried to coach them, but they just wouldn’t listen. YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!!”
Hey, I resemble that remark.
Hermie….wide stance……..tap…tap….wide stance……….
I like to ‘take it’ too… but… not on the chin.
I’m already 0-1. Do we any bids for 0-16? Yes!
&
just wondering? What would we have had with Tony as an outlet for Cassel? Or Bowe our alledged superstar? Cassel is suffering lack of talent and who is at fault. I will steal – Rome was not built in a day and Rome did not have Ceaser Edwards to set up its talent pool.
Trade Croyle for Marshall or even Thiggy for Marshall! I would be fine if we traded either of these too to the Broncos for Marshall. (Although I would be affraid of facing Thiggy over Croyle anyday!) We need receivers that will catch passes! Tight ends that can catch passes too! (Sean Ryan) Cassel will prove to all of you doubters he is worthy of being starting QB! Give him a chance! He hasn’t even gotten to play a game with the ACTUAL starting receiving core. Not to mention that Toomer, Engram or Lelie haven’t gotten in yet.
steve said
“Think about it, insult me”
- non sequitur the first…no help required yours the 2nd (which is to say stevie, be second nature yours, i.e. you handle both expertly yourself- no thinking required.)
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Scot (Rin’s faithful shadow) said
“Yes…the Texans played in the crappy weather too.”
- right…
“Ummm…they’re a better team than we are. I don’t dispute that.”
- ‘check’
“They’re a more established team. They don’t have a ton of new players, new coaches, new schemes, etc.”
- yes, they do – training camp and pre-season be ‘brand new’ for every each season: players (80), schemes, coaches – more so however, it’s called football stupid, not “Excuse Making 101″, Prof.
“As far as Thigpen goes? Yes, he led the team to a TD. He also looked sloppy as hell half the time…I don’t know what game everyone else saw.”
- style points + Scottie’s pique gets you better results than Mutt’s $63 mill.
Ever heard of Joe Kapp? Threw passes that looked like wounded ducks … result Joe’s Thigpen like knack led his Vikings to the Superbowl…shy the best defense in football (KC’s), would’ve won it too. MINN came back game one the next season and pummeled KC 27-10. So much for style points – or the lack thereof. Like Al Davis said – “just win baby”. Saturday night, in the rain, Tyler had it going on…Mutt was just plain gone.
“Croyle? Played fairly well. Can’t argue there. That’s not really been his problem. Can he get drilled…and get back up? That is where his problem lies.”
- thank you for this stunning and heretofore unknown bit of information Scottie … had no idea.
daddy-o
Thigpen was playing highschool football, running around every where. Croyle was throwing to Bowe, ofcourse he looked good. Cassel didn’t really look all that bad, if you remember he had a couple dropped balls. Give the guy a chance, first game and all.
I’ll give him the same chance Herm’s players & Jr. gave the coach… see ya Mutt-$ki!
&
“A lot of people already have Cassel as a “bust”…and think Croyle or Thigpen should be starting.”
A lot of people – or just one?
“Chiefs fans be a stupid lot.”
So are you only stupid or are you a Raider also?
SG said (to himself, only one that listens to nee understands him)
“So are you only stupid or are you a Raider also?”
- that he’s uncertain clinches it…