Excellent Choice - Todd Haley Named Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs

Well, we got a coach--Todd Haley. Did you know that he is the son of Dick Haley, long-time Pittsburgh Steelers personnel director? Dick Haley was personnel director from 1975 to 1990, I think. Now, that is some impressive pedigree...Todd also worked as receivers coach and passing coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys when Bill Parcells was head coach. He was also receivers coach for the New York Jets in the late 90s when they went from 1-15 in 1996 to 12-4 two years later. In other words, this guy is a winner, and he has impressive credentials. He was not hired just because of his success the last 2 years with the Arizona Cardinals. I am encouraged by the hiring.

Larry Johnson has been spouting off in the local media over here, trashing the Kansas City fans and how we don't understand him. Um....Larry, when you have been arrested for assaulting women 4 times since you've been here, you never smile, you are rude to people including children, and you still can't block on pass plays...yep, we don't understand you. I think he was offended because he went to a basketball game at the Sprint Center with his dad, and the scoreboard operator flashed his face on the screen during the game. There were people in the crowd that booed him. I admit, totally classless by some of the fans, but Larry has brought a lot of that on himself, especially when he is the highest paid player on the team. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he is the only athlete from one of the KC teams I have ever heard since I have lived here who has expressed any dislike for Kansas City or the fans.

It was fun hearing the press conference yesterday and listening to the KC media trying to get Scott Pioli, Haley or Clark Hunt to comment on LJ's or Tony Gonzales' recent statements about wanting out. All three of them were very professional, basically saying that their first priority was to assemble a coaching staff, and then they will go about evaluating every player on the roster. Hunt basically said that players talking to the media was not new, and he has read some of the statements, but ultimately he and his organization will make decisions based on what they hear from the players directly, which will be done in due time. It was a breath of fresh air to actually hear someone from One Arrowhead Drive behaving like a professional, rather than acting like a child or saying "politically correct" things. Carl Peterson had turned the Chefs organization into a Jerry Springer show experience when it came to media relations. To be fair, some of the sports media folks in this town are dorks and lack professionalism themselves, but I thought Peterson just made himself look silly by sinking to their level. 

Haley and Pioli have a lot of work to do in the next couple of months. Good luck, guys--you will need it. However, I have confidence in both of your abilities, and I look forward to seeing you build a football team as you have described it.