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.”

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by jd1020

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

I'm all for that scenario. If either Quinn or Stanzi is clearly outplaying Cassel in the preseason... something that happened last preseason in many people's eyes with Stanzi... then the keys should be passed over to which ever one does the best job.

[Hammock Parties]

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.

No they are not. They are utter shit. There is a better than average chance neither should even be in the NFL.

You know are good backup quarterbacks? These guys:

Kyle Orton
Byron Leftwich
Derek Anderson
Jason Campbell
David Carr
Trent Edwards
David Garrard
Rex Grossman
Chad Henne
Shaun Hill
Tarvaris Jackson
Josh McCown
Sage Rosenfels
Tyler Thigpen
Billy Volek
Seneca Wallace
TJ Yates
Vince Young

We don't have ANYONE like that on our roster...oh wait, yes we do.

I am fine with Stanzi as a developmental #3 guy...but we do not have a #2, other than our starter.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Coogs

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.

That was from ****ing May.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I'm all for that scenario. If either Quinn or Stanzi is clearly outplaying Cassel in the preseason... something that happened last preseason in many people's eyes with Stanzi... then the keys should be passed over to which ever one does the best job.

Preseason isn't really a fair comparison. Too many substitutions.

Stanzi should have been backup but Pioli didn't want to rush him so Palko was #2. And I'm fine with that. I'm not going to lose any sleep over a 5th round QB not seeing action in his 1st year. Although, I wish Haley would have brought him in when Palko was throwing nothing but INT's.

Cassel is going to be the starter come opening day. Quinn and Stanzi need to make an impression to where Cassel is on a choke collar.

[FringeNC]

I have a feeling Dick Haley's shadow presence didn't get along with Pioli's ego very well.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

I have a feeling Dick Haley's shadow presence didn't get along with Pioli's ego very well.

I'd say that's probably a very fair assumption.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Thigpen. The same guy people said didn't belong in the league when he QB'd here
That list is full of shit.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by PGM

Thigpen. The same guy people said didn't belong in the league when he QB'd here

I certainly never said that. I've always maintained he'd be a good backup QB.

He's a lot better than Quinn, and so is every QB on that list. Especially guys like Orton, Garrard, Campbell, Young and Volek.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Toad King

That was from ****ing May.

I sent my stats to some KC media back in May.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I sent my stats to some KC media back in May.

The media knows Cassel sucks. They just aren't in a hurry to make a big fuss about it. They're playing nice with Pioli for the time being.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by PGM

Thigpen. The same guy people said didn't belong in the league when he QB'd here
That list is full of shit.

Outside of Yates (Texans rookie QB in 2011), Orton and Campbell, I wholeheartedly agree.

Campbell and Orton are perfect backups. Orton already has the backup mentality down pat.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Preseason isn't really a fair comparison. Too many substitutions.

Stanzi should have been backup but Pioli didn't want to rush him so Palko was #2. And I'm fine with that. I'm not going to lose any sleep over a 5th round QB not seeing action in his 1st year. Although, I wish Haley would have brought him in when Palko was throwing nothing but INT's.

Cassel is going to be the starter come opening day. Quinn and Stanzi need to make an impression to where Cassel is on a choke collar.

I'm good with most all of that. One point though is Palko got a shot with the #1's last pre-season. Stanzi did not. Whoever wins the #2 spot this preseason should get some opportunities with the #1's. If they outplay Cassel in that opportunity....

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Toad King

The media knows Cassel sucks. They just aren't in a hurry to make a big fuss about it. They're playing nice with Pioli for the time being.

They were not aware of the stats I sent them.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Outside of Yates (Texans rookie QB in 2011), Orton and Campbell, I wholeheartedly agree.

Campbell and Orton are perfect backups. Orton already has the backup mentality down pat.

I agree with those guys, they are very good backups, but CP's overvaluing shit players on other teams continues.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Coogs

They were not aware of the stats I sent them.

What stats did you send them? 3:16?