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.”

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

we could start out 1-6 and they still wont go to Quinn or Stanzi as the starter. Unless Cassel gets hurt again, the window of him being replaced on the field has to be tiny.

I don't think they will ever have the balls to bench him in the 2nd of a half a close game if he was even doing one of his famous 3-11 24 yards 1 interception first half stat line performance.

If we are 2-3 or worse and losing at halftime of the tb game, Cassel will get yanked.

Bet?

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

3 post in and you've yet to provide a place where Orton was going to be the starter at.

Oh so now we were supposed to start a guy that wasn't wanted by any of the other 31 teams.
Posted via Mobile Device

[-King-]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If we are 2-3 or worse and losing at halftime of the tb game, Cassel will get yanked.

Bet?

Im sure this would have happened if Orton was here but I'm not jumping on the Stanzi bandwagon just yet.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If we are 2-3 or worse and losing at halftime of the tb game, Cassel will get yanked.

Bet?

that's a tough call, you really think they would give up on Cassel if he leads us to a 2-3 record out of the gate?

lol those are good numbers for him. It would have to be a colossal failure of a start for the team to bench him no?

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by -King-

Oh so now we were supposed to start a guy that wasn't wanted by any of the other 31 teams.
Posted via Mobile Device

Don't be stupid. He might not have been wanted as a starter but he's better than Cassel and so are another few backups.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Is this a fact or speculation? I'm asking, not as a trap, but because I don't know the answer. I haven't seen any quote from Pioli regarding Quinn in that manner. All I've seen is that "he increases the competition at the position".

"I think that we have a really good quarterback," Pioli told WHB-AM, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I think we have three good quarterbacks. I think the guy who's set to be our starting quarterback is a good quarterback, he's a good starting NFL quarterback. And I hear the numbers and I hear trends and you can look at certain statistics and put them in any direction you want to support a position or an argument."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde...hiefs_coa.html
"Quinn said that he'd been told Cassel was the starting quarterback, but Pioli and Crennel have both said they want the incumbent to experience a challenge in training camp"

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by -King-

Im sure this would have happened if Orton was here but I'm not jumping on the Stanzi bandwagon just yet.
Posted via Mobile Device

I didn't say he would get yanked for Stanzi.

I just know that Crennel and Zorn aren't fans of Cassels at all and if we are staring 2-4 down...that's the logical point to make a change.

Hey Dane...

Did you hear what Romeo had to say about Cassel at the scouting combine?

How about what Hali said about him after either the gb or oak game?

Dude is gonna be on a short leash.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I didn't say he would get yanked for Stanzi.

I just know that Crennel and Zorn aren't fans of Cassels at all and if we are staring 2-4 down...that's the logical point to make a change.

Hey Dane...

Did you hear what Romeo had to say about Cassel at the scouting combine?

How about what Hali said about him after either the gb or oak game?

Dude is gonna be on a short leash.

The problem is, the chain will likely go cassel. Then Quinn to salvage the season. Stanzi won't have a go until the season is lost. Given how competitive the team will probably be,nthats not likely to happen.

I don't have much confidence stanzi sees the field. The problem is, pioli has built a pretty terrific team to support a shitty qb. Cassel isn't going to be pulled if he's a .500 qb. And that's about where I think the chiefs end up.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Toad King

You have to be blind as a ****ing bat to enter a season with Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi as your backups.

You are a ****ing clown. Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi are your standard backup QBs in the NFL. They are fine as #2 and #3. If this is your point about Pioli then are truly are a ****ing idiot.

[Titty Meat]

I'll take that bet BossChief.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

"I think we have three good quarterbacks. I think the guy who's set to be our starting quarterback is a good quarterback, he's a good starting NFL quarterback."

Pioli looks into a mirror and says this every day.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

"I think that we have a really good quarterback," Pioli told WHB-AM, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I think we have three good quarterbacks. I think the guy who's set to be our starting quarterback is a good quarterback, he's a good starting NFL quarterback. And I hear the numbers and I hear trends and you can look at certain statistics and put them in any direction you want to support a position or an argument."

You know, maybe all of the ChiefsPlanet research on Cassel's stats is getting out there. Bottom line is, the stats all point to the same thing. Chifes don't run the ball.... Chiefs don't win. You can not spin that to support any other case.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

You are a ****ing clown. Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi are your standard backup QBs in the NFL. They are fine as #2 and #3. If this is your point about Pioli then are truly are a ****ing idiot.

I don't like that pioli declared it before training camp even started.

And I don't like it because even if Quinn and stanzi are long shots, at least there's a chance. With cassel, we know what we have.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't like that pioli declared it before training camp even started.

And I don't like it because even if Quinn and stanzi are long shots, at least there's a chance. With cassel, we know what we have.

JFC.

Cassel is the starting QB. Anyone besides Manning would/will have to take the job away from him.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

I'll take that bet BossChief.

1 month avatar?