Todd Haley is the "Mystery of Pittsburgh"

[Hammock Parties]

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 Pioli, 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.”

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Tomlin doesnt come accross as a reerun to me. I have a hard time believeing reeruns win superbowls.

Multiple SB's...

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Multiple SB's...

Multiple?

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Dave

Multiple?

Sorry, he's APPEARED in more than one SB game.

Better?...

[milkman]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

lol. Haley had the largest % of blowouts in chiefs history
Posted via Mobile Device

There are a couple of constants in these blowouts recently, and Haley is not one of them.

Scott Pioli and Matt Cassel.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by milkman

There are a couple of constants in these blowouts recently, and Haley is not one of them.

Scott Pioli and Matt Cassel.

Yup. Cassel pretty much laid a goose egg in games we got blown out.

Which sets a fair question. How many times would the chiefs have been blown out the past 2 years if... Hell... Even a joe flacco or matt ryan was our qb, let alone Aaron Rodgers or drew Brees. This is an offensive league. We shouldn't get blown out every time the opposing offense puts up 2 or 3 quick scores to start the game.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by milkman

There are a couple of constants in these blowouts recently, and Haley is not one of them.

Scott Pioli and Matt Cassel.

Bingo

[Dave Lane]

Actually the biggest thing last year was that stupid conditioning camp Pioli wanted so we didn't hurt any of our players because that was like risky and stuff.

[SAUTO]

Pioli doesn't play. Cassel sucks we all know that but he doesn't play defense either guys. The blowouts are on coaching
Posted via Mobile Device

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Actually the biggest thing last year was that stupid conditioning camp Pioli wanted so we didn't hurt any of our players because that was like risky and stuff.

I could have sworn that was all Haley
Posted via Mobile Device

[CoMoChief]

This team needs a real QB.

I think the players know Cassel sucks....how can they not when they watch what goes on around the rest of the NFL...they have to think to themselves "MC can't do this...that..make this or that throw etc".

But they can't really say anything...that would be considered not being a team player and MC is Pioli's baby. Not once have I ever heard Matt Cassel take blame for any of the shitty performances he's put on the field. And when he did play like shit and Haley called him out on it, he whined and bitched like a child responding to authority that has a silver spoon jammed up his ass.

When players know when they get down and can't rely on a passing game to get them back into the game...do you think it eventually takes a toll on other players of the team? These guys make millions of dollars whether or not they win or lose (yes they have some incentives in their contracts). When Cassel shits the bed do you think in the back of their minds they think "Well **** it...He's not gonna be able to bring this team back etc". And the wind is completely taken out of our sails.

Confidence and momentum for whatever reason is HUGE in football.....and Cassel is the ultimate confidence and momentum killer.

Looking back to last week's game...the coach took the ball out of Cassel's hands on that last drive late in the game that ultimately led to a game-tying FG as opposed to going for the win with more than enough clock time to do so. It was RRPP offense...Herm would have been proud. Only time we passed was on 3rd n long situations. To me that showed the entire team that we need to rely on the running game to defeat the opposition, and not the guy who plays the most important position in football.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Pioli doesn't play. Cassel sucks we all know that but he doesn't play defense either guys. The blowouts are on coaching
Posted via Mobile Device

This is an offensive league. Defenses are going to have tough games against a hot hand.

Basically, any time the defense struggles in the first half, the game's over. It's sad that we are that reliant on our defense to give up less than 20 points in a league where 30+ point games are beginning to pour in buckets.

[Fritz88]

Haley wasnt a good game time manager.
Posted via Mobile Device

[milkman]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Pioli doesn't play. Cassel sucks we all know that but he doesn't play defense either guys. The blowouts are on coaching
Posted via Mobile Device

No, Scott Pioli doesn't play, but he is responsible for Matt Cassel.

Now tell me when this team gets down by a couple of TDs, your first thought isn't "This game is over".

We came back on the Saints last week on the legs of Jamaal Charles and the beasting of Justin Houston.

But that is a formula that you can hardly ever, if not never, replicate.

Not all of these blowout losses would have been blowouts if we had a QB that could lead this team and make plays.

Coaching is important, but coaching simply can not fix suck.

It is the GM's responsibility to replace suck, not coddle suck.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by milkman

No, Scott Pioli doesn't play, but he is responsible for Matt Cassel.

Now tell me when this team gets down by a couple of TDs, your first thought isn't "This game is over".

We came back on the Saints last week on the legs of Jamaal Charles and the beasting of Justin Houston.

But that is a formula that you can hardly ever, if not never, replicate.

Not all of these blowout losses would have been blowouts if we had a QB that could lead this team and make plays.

Coaching is important, but coaching simply can not fix suck.

It is the GM's responsibility to replace suck, not coddle suck.

when this happens my first thought has been "this defense sucks". But your point is good one, obviously. Oddly, the RB is the only reason for hope during a blowout -- hope Jamaal gets the rock as often as possible, basically, which is the polar opposite of NFL football 2k.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by milkman

No, Scott Pioli doesn't play, but he is responsible for Matt Cassel.

Now tell me when this team gets down by a couple of TDs, your first thought isn't "This game is over".

We came back on the Saints last week on the legs of Jamaal Charles and the beasting of Justin Houston.

But that is a formula that you can hardly ever, if not never, replicate.

Not all of these blowout losses would have been blowouts if we had a QB that could lead this team and make plays.

Coaching is important, but coaching simply can not fix suck.

It is the GM's responsibility to replace suck, not coddle suck.

My Giants fan friend told me never to talk bad about Cassel after he saved the game for us last week...I'm Like huh? I tried to point out that Matt was looking towards the wrong endzone on that play but he would hear nothing of it. I'm like we would gladly trade Eli for Matt even up.