fingfootball Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 This may change your mind. The Kansas City Chiefs are in a very dark place, having been outscored 89-10 in two games (including Sunday’s 48-3 thrashing by the Lions). They’ve lost arguably their best defensive and offensive players, safety Eric Berry(notes) and reportedly halfback Jamaal Charles, to season-ending knee injuries, in consecutive weeks. That surprising AFC West title from last season seems like it happened about 100 years ago. So what now? Naturally, coach Todd Haley is feeling his rear end burn (in a figurative sense only, I hope). While Haley on the hot seat will strike most fans as odd – he was a legitimate coach of the year candidate in 2010, his second season in K.C. – people who know what’s going on inside the organization are nodding their heads unremarkably. That there is a lot of tension between Haley and his boss, general manager Scott Pioli, is the worst kept secret in NFL circles. The fact that they get along like vegetarians and Gates Barbecue shouldn’t be enough to get Haley fired, but the combination of that and a season from hell could certainly do the trick. Haley’s deal is up after 2012, so the Chiefs have to do something at the end of the year – extend him, or get rid of him – unless they’re fans of the lame-duck thing, which always works sooooo well in the NFL (see: Fox, John, Carolina 2010). At this rate, I’m not loving Haley’s chances of survival. We know Pioli’s not going to take the fall himself, and unless owner Clark Hunt decides he wants to get rid of both of them (don’t hold your breath), Haley likely will be the one to go. That’s too bad, for a number of reasons: 1) I think Haley’s a very good coach, though he’s habitually dissed in the media, a sign (I suspect) that someone in his organization whose name rhymes with cannoli likes to go off the record with certain reporters. 2) That whole “he’s a lousy offensive coach without Charlie Weis” is a laughable load of crap. Weis, who left for the University of Florida after a single season as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, was completely unenthused about the prospect of coaching Matt Cassel(notes). Haley stepped in, took the lead and helped Cassel play at an alarmingly high level that resulted in a stunning Pro Bowl selection. Haley, by the way, was a pretty good offensive coach when he was Ken Whisenhunt’s coordinator in Arizona and the Cardinals nearly won the Super Bowl three seasons ago. 3) I believe that if Pioli fires Haley, he’ll try to hire his old New England colleague Josh McDaniels, he of the disastrous tenure as Broncos head coach that included dubious personnel moves too numerous to mention, a cheating scandal and five victories in his final 22 games. When McDaniels, currently the Rams’ offensive coordinator, becomes K.C.’s next head coach, count on two things: I’ll remind you that you heard it here first and you’re going to be treated to a real diatribe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Seriously - what the hell does one expect with the formerly great O-line being diminshed by age/retirement/defection and then putting up Cassel as your franchise QB? With Charles hurt, all those flaws are exposed. Cassel is okay when he doesn't need to do more than throw enough to keep LBs honest, but like Orton he can't lift his team into being better - he can only manage them. The mediocre D is getting exposed as well now that they don't have the running game to keep them off the field for stretches. If anyone needs to go, its Pioli. It didn't take much to shed light on just how flawed and thin this team really is. They caught magic in a bottle last season. Now it's ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Seriously - what the hell does one expect with the formerly great O-line being diminshed by age/retirement/defection and then putting up Cassel as your franchise QB? With Charles hurt, all those flaws are exposed. Cassel is okay when he doesn't need to do more than throw enough to keep LBs honest, but like Orton he can't lift his team into being better - he can only manage them. The mediocre D is getting exposed as well now that they don't have the running game to keep them off the field for stretches. If anyone needs to go, its Pioli. It didn't take much to shed light on just how flawed and thin this team really is. They caught magic in a bottle last season. Now it's ugly. this...i'm goin ta KC at the end of the month, i may skip the game and shop with my wife or go to a petting zoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 this...i'm goin ta KC at the end of the month, i may skip the game and shop with my wife or go to a petting zoo they have brothels in K.C.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 they have brothels in K.C.? that's where strip mall originated.....Rib joint, brothel, church all on the same block Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 that's where strip mall originated.....Rib joint, brothel, church all on the same block Brings a new meaning to "strip" mall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 McDaniels? Really? I swear if this happens I am done with the Chiefs for good. Time to get fitted for my Packers jersey. Maybe the 5 year old is on to something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 3) I believe that if Pioli fires Haley, he’ll try to hire his old New England colleague Josh McDaniels, Everyone should enjoy the HC experience that is Josh McDaniels. Excepting GB, of course (and DEN has already paid its pennance) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 McDaniels? Really? I swear if this happens I am done with the Chiefs for good. Time to get fitted for my Packers jersey. Maybe the 5 year old is on to something. :elbow aside an old lady to make room for CD on the bandwagon: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 this...i'm goin ta KC at the end of the month, i may skip the game and shop with my wife or go to a petting zoo When are you gonna be in town? Maybe some of us can meet up and have a brew and/or BBQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I think Eric Mangini is looking for a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 When are you gonna be in town? Maybe some of us can meet up and have a brew and/or BBQ. He's coming up for the Royal. Muck and I are already planning to meet up with nuke on Friday night for sure at the BBQ contest. You're definitely welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 He's coming up for the Royal. Muck and I are already planning to meet up with nuke on Friday night for sure at the BBQ contest. You're definitely welcome. World Series of BBQ huh? Count me in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingd Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 World Series of BBQ huh? Count me in! Holy crap that's almost worth driving over for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Runt Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 If anyone needs to go, its Pioli. You can't be serious. Haley sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyDumps Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Man, just saw a clip of a Haley press conference. Talk about a guy at the end of his rope. He looked terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Man, just saw a clip of a Haley press conference. Talk about a guy at the end of his rope. He looked terrible. That's how he always looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 If anyone needs to go, its Pioli. It didn't take much to shed light on just how flawed and thin this team really is. You can't be serious. Haley sucks. There's actually some truth to this. His drafting has been inconsistent, and he still hasn't really drafted anyone of value for the O-line and D-line. He DID hire Haley in the first place, and has done little to nothing on the FA market despite having tons of cap room. He has provided Haley no depth at all. Now, you could argue that Haley is to blame for not going harder in training camp, but heck, he may have seen the writing on the wall early. Meaning, I have to try and keep these guys healthy because I have NO margin for error in terms of depth. Which could explain the friction between Haley and Pioli. Just guessing here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 You can't be serious. Haley sucks. Actually, I can be serious and I am in this case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Since I picked Haley as the first coach to be fired/quit in the 20 Questions contest it's apparent to me that he is at fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) ... and he still hasn't really drafted anyone of value for the O-line and D-line. I no explaination for this other than maybe he just whiffed. It happens. ...and has done little to nothing on the FA market despite having tons of cap room. He has provided Haley no depth at all. RE: Pioli ... I've been quite surprised at both of these points. The only thought I have in response is that Lamar Hunt is no longer the owner. His son, Clark is. Here's to hoping we don't have a 30yr run w/ our version of Bidwell / Brown ... :puke: Edited September 22, 2011 by muck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingd Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 He has provided Haley no depth at all. Now, you could argue that Haley is to blame for not going harder in training camp, but heck, he may have seen the writing on the wall early. Meaning, I have to try and keep these guys healthy because I have NO margin for error in terms of depth. Isn't the word that Haley was brutal on them in camp? Something about tracking the weight loss of the whole team with some huge goal in mind? That's where the initial friction between Bowe and Haley came from in the first place? I know they are screaming holy hell over the Moeaki and Cassel injuries in PSW4 - isn't this more of the same? I do agree Pioli is more to blame than Haley but I think Haley's style just wasn't received well. Some guys can pull this hardass act off but most can't in today's NFL - and Haley was wrong place/wrong time/wrong team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Runt Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Actually, I can be serious and I am in this case. Well - BB, ya can't be right all the time. This is one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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