Todd Haley is the "Mystery of Pittsburgh"

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Interesting read.



http://triblive.com/sports/2195481-8...p-nfl-ben-didn

Summer is the perfect time for a good read, yet nobody seems to be getting one on new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

A Bill Parcells protégé known for adapting his play-calling to his personnel and being an innovative play caller, he is also a volatile sideline presence who inspires loyalty from some players but irritates others.

He is certainly not Bruce Arians, who was not-so-gently shoved out the door in January despite quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s unwavering support. But, according to those who know Haley best, he also isn’t a control freak who implements change just to show he’s the boss.

While the Steelers generally shy away from coaches with colorful pasts, Haley has that and more, as evidenced by his well-publicized clashes with players and an abrupt departure as the Kansas City Chiefs’ coach last year in which he reportedly suspected team offices and his cell phone were bugged.

Now, Haley’s assimilation into the Steelers’ way of life is the latest Mystery of Pittsburgh, a shadowy yet intriguing riddle that will begin to be solved when the Steelers — coming off successive 12-4 seasons — open camp Wednesday in Latrobe. It figures to be a can’t-miss page turner.

“I’ve heard a lot of Todd stories — some good, some bad,” said former Steelers star guard Alan Faneca, who played in Arizona after Haley was the offensive coordinator there. “He’s definitely a hard worker and demands a lot. He can be very excitable during practice. But sometimes change is good, to get people out of their comfort zone.”

That’s already happened with Roethlisberger, who thrived in a Ben-friendly Arians offense that permitted him to improvise at will. Upon first glance at Haley’s playbook, Roethlisberger jokingly called it a Rosetta Stone course in a brand new language.

“That (change) has a way of keeping guys on their toes and keeping their focus, understanding what their goal is, and that’s to win Super Bowls,” Haley said during minicamp last month. “Win one this year — that’s our goal.”

Haley, 45, is the first outsider in 13 years to run the offense. But he’s no stranger to Pittsburgh or the Steelers; as a youngster in Upper St. Clair, he broke down game film with father Dick Haley, the former Steelers personnel chief who played a major role in some of the best drafts in NFL history in the 1970s.

FOOTBALL NOT FIRST LOVE

Todd Haley’s story isn’t the sit-on-dad’s-knee-and-become-a-football genius tale of Patriots coach Bill Belichick. In his teens, Haley shifted his emphasis to golf, playing in high school and at Florida and Miami in college.

The PGA, not the NFL, appeared to be his calling.

“But there never was a time he wasn’t into football,” said Dick Haley, who at 75 remains plugged into the NFL. “Because of some back problems, he got diverted into golf, but he always wanted to know about the players, about football. How many kids wouldn’t want to after rooming next to Joe Greene at training camp?”

The elder Haley left the Steelers to become the Jets’ personnel director in 1991 and, four years later, Todd was hired in the scouting department. Within two years, he was on Parcells’ coaching staff.

“Todd is bright, demanding, persistent, and he came along pretty well,” Parcells said.

Parcells didn’t care Haley hadn’t played football.

“I know guys who didn’t play and did very well in coaching, and others who played that don’t have a clue what to do,” Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, said.

Haley was promoted to wide receivers coach in 1999 before switching to the Bears in 2001, only to rejoin Parcells in Dallas in 2004.

Haley’s profile rose with his next job as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator from 2007-08. With quarterback Kurt Warner headlining an imaginative offense highlighted by former Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s big plays, the Cardinals were second in passing and third in scoring in 2008. They went 9-7 during the season, but scored at least 30 points during three consecutive playoff wins and rallied from a 13-point deficit to nearly upset the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

That deep throw to Fitz-gerald that nearly sent the Steelers home a loser from Tampa? Haley’s play call.

Haley was subsequently hired as the Chiefs coach by general manager Scott *****, the former Patriots executive who worked for the Jets when Haley did. But while Haley went from 4-12 in his first season in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010, finishing third in the coach of the year voting, he was fired with his injury-ruined team reeling with a 5-8 record on Dec. 12.

STORMY DAYS IN K.C.

Haley is derecho-like — always going straight ahead, in full-go mode, and in Kansas City, storm clouds often loomed on the horizon.

Chan Gailey, retained from Herm Edwards’ staff to be the offensive coordinator, didn’t make it through training camp. Larry Johnson, the two-time former 1,700-yard rusher, questioned Haley’s coaching credentials in a Twitter message and was cut in 2009. And tight end Tony Moeaki was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the final 2011 exhibition game, when many NFL regulars rest.

“The quarterback (Matt Cassel) was real average. … It didn’t surprise me what happened in Kansas City. I didn’t have any real confidence in the whole thing,” Dick Haley said.

After Todd Haley departed, the Kansas City Star published a devastating article in which a number of former team employees revealed what they called an intimidating, secretive and stifling work environment. According to the Star, Haley himself suspected bugging at the practice complex.

“I don’t know what happened in Kansas City. I don’t think it’s relevant in Pittsburgh,” Parcells said. “But he probably learned a lot there.”

TUTORING BIG BEN

Given Haley’s sideline spats with Warner, Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens and Cassel, his relationship with Roethlisberger should prove intriguing. Haley once said, “If you’re sensitive, (the NFL) is not the best place to be.”

“You accept people for what they are and get past the sensitivity level, if there is any,” Parcells said. “Both guys are smart enough to say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to make it work.’ ”

Torry Holt, a NFL Network analyst and former Rams star receiver, can’t wait to see how this plays out.

“Coach Haley has a strong personality. Ben has a strong personality. I’m sure Todd wants him to hone in on this or hone in on that, and Ben will try,” Holt said. “But out there on the football field, your instincts kick in and your competitive nature kicks in, and you kind of resort back to what you’ve always done.”

Haley’s take on Roethlisberger? “He’s a guy that’s been a really good player, and we’re going to try to keep that going and get even better,” he said.

Haley believes an offense must be physical, smart and disciplined, and his system resembles that of his former boss, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, a Steelers assistant from 2001-06.

“Todd Haley represents the best of both worlds,” NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes said. “With Kurt Warner, he threw it 45 times a game and didn’t blink. In Kansas City, he ran it 45 times a game. He’s got those three young wide receivers there in Pittsburgh, and Ben knows how to put the ball in the air. Todd will make the adjustments, and rather quickly.”

While Haley is an assistant again after being a head coach, his father insists he has never been happier now that he’s back home in Pittsburgh with his wife Chrissy and five children.

“He’s loving every second of this,” the elder Haley said. “He couldn’t be more excited.”

Dad Haley also realizes there is intense pressure to succeed as a high-profile coach in your hometown, even if former head coach Bill Cowher made it work.

“I don’t question he’ll do well. (But) there’s a lot of pressure to live up to what’s gone on there for a long time,” Dick Haley said. “And he’d better be good because there’s a lot of pressure on him right now.”

[chiefzilla1501]

Here's the deal. We talk about ***** being a terrible talent evaluator. Cassel being a terrible qb. And we know those two things are critical for a teams success.

Yet we expect Haley to pump out playoff teams behind a bad qb and a team with average talent.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

How do you explain Haley starting the season 0-3 and getting blown out 2 weeks to start the season.....then losing 5 of 6 games during the middle of the season? Funny how you leave stuff like that out.

The same way I explain being 2-10 this season and getting blown in out like 6 times.

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

It's clear now Cassel was the common denominator in all these blowouts.

Dude is just a horrible QB.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Haley is a great OC, but a great HC? Not here he wasn't. Do you not remember the cross country training camp he ran in 2011? That was an abortion. Then he played our starters the entire ****ing game in a meaningless game in Green Bay?

for the last time for the dumbasses EXACTLY who's call do you think it was to be careful in Training camp?

a) the guy who is too scared to walk through a casino or

b) they guy that previous years had players complaining about having to make weight and the intensity of said training camps? Haley even admitted it was ***** at the time if you read his comments and understand what he was saying.

This is on *****, Mr. Lets Be Careful and not cost Chunt any extra money.

No way Haley did this because he wanted to.

Additionally I think there was a hope by ***** that he would fail so he could fire Haley.

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Haley won a game against the Ravens last week...with Charlie Batch...

Any idea that Cassel was not the problem should be gone now.

[durtyrute]

Haley's team will win a Superbowl before we do.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

Haley's team will win a Superbowl before we do.

[DaWolf]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Haley won a game against the Ravens last week...with Charlie Batch...

Any idea that Cassel was not the problem should be gone now.

That D kept them in it though. Our D would have quit by the middle of the third quarter...

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Originally Posted by DaWolf

That D kept them in it though. Our D would have quit by the middle of the third quarter...

Either way, Haley > *****.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

How do you explain Haley starting the season 0-3 and getting blown out 2 weeks to start the season.....then losing 5 of 6 games during the middle of the season? Funny how you leave stuff like that out.

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

It's clear now Cassel was the common denominator in all these blowouts.

Dude is just a horrible QB.

Question asked, question answered.

[DaWolf]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Either way, Haley > *****.

Haley was hired by *****, so if ***** is by nature an idiot at hiring people, then no. Haley is a terrific WR coach and a decent OC when he has some talent. If Haley couldn't figure out a more mature way of dealing with his issues with ***** outside of rebelling, growing a beard, and acting paranoid, then he's not cut out to lead a franchise. He's fine where he is right now...

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by DaWolf

Haley was hired by *****, so if ***** is by nature an idiot at hiring people, then no. Haley is a terrific WR coach and a decent OC when he has some talent. If Haley couldn't figure out a more mature way of dealing with his issues with ***** outside of rebelling, growing a beard, and acting paranoid, then he's not cut out to lead a franchise. He's fine where he is right now...

He'll be back as a HC down the road for someone.

[ChiefsandO'sfan]

With the Arizona Cardinals losing nine straight games after a 4-0 start, including a historic 58-0 loss last week to rival Seattle, team officials are mulling possible changes for the offseason, sources said, with former Cardinals coordinator Todd Haley a top option to replace coach Ken Whisenhunt if a change is made.

Haley has shined in his first season as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator -- following his firing as Chiefs coach last year -- and his name continues to come up in internal discussions in Arizona, sources said. The Bidwill family remains big supporters of Haley, who served as offensive coordinator in 2007-08 and was play caller for Arizona's lone Super Bowl team. The Bidwills pushed for Haley to be back on Whisenhunt's staff after last season, facilitating a series of meetings between Whisenhunt and Haley, but Whisenhunt had already committed to coordinator Mike Miller calling plays and ended up retaining the staff favorite.

The Cardinals have been stout defensively under coordinator Ray Horton but have failed on the offensive side of the ball amid a revolving door at quarterback. While it would be out of character for the franchise to absorb a financial hit to make a coaching change (Whisenhunt is still owed $5.5 million, sources said), the move is possible given how poorly this season has gone. Arizona is 17-28 since 2009 and has not been a serious playoff contender since Kurt Warner's retirement after the '09 season.

Also, assistant general manager Steve Keim, who has a strong reputation around the league, could perhaps end up replacing long-time GM Rod Graves. Notably, Keim shares a strong relationship with Haley from Haley's previous time in Arizona.

At this point, it would be surprising to many if someone other than Haley ended up coaching the Cardinals should Whisenhunt's tenure there end.

Haley's possible departure from the Steelers could be part of a larger trend of OC turnover within the AFC North. The Ravens have already fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, Bengals OC Jay Gruden is expected to be a top candidate for multiple head coaching vacancies and new ownership and management in Cleveland means the future of head coach Pat Shurmur and his staff is in doubt.



http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ja...nfora/21411006

[Deberg_1990]

Haley goes to Zona, Chiefs pass on Geno, Zona drafts Geno. zona wins 2016 Super Bowl. Chiefsplanet mass suicide party planned.
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