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I really like his take on the move:
[url]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2012/02/thoughts-on-haley.html#links[/url]
Thoughts on Haley
I have largely reserved my thoughts on the Steelers' hiring of Todd Haley to this point.
But after meeting with Haley today and then hearing what Ben Roethlisberger told the Post-Gazette, I can hold back no longer.
Roethlisberger reportedly told the P-G that he has heard from a lot of people regarding Haley, some good some bad, but that he is reserving judgment.
He then, however, said he'd hate to see the offense changed because it could set the team's young receivers back two or three years.
Which ones? The ones who have only been in the league for two or three years?
That is a ridiculous statement by Roethlisberger and, though Haley did not address the quarterback's comments directly, he did say that players usually see that he has their best interests at heart when he is doing things.
Roethlisberger liked Bruce Arians. And he was comfortable with Arians as offensive coordinator because he got to call a lot of the shots.
That dynamic is now gone and Roethlisberger is wary of what the results will be.
I get that.
But the Steelers made the decision to move on from Arians because they felt he was an enabler.
We always heard the excuses. The Steelers were a play away here or there, they weren't all on the same page, etc., etc.
Haley won't settle for excuses. He'll want results.
And if that means not playing Chris Kemoeatu at left guard for two seasons longer than he should have, so be it.
If that means Roethlisberger will be forced to get the ball out of his hands more quickly to take fewer sacks in an attempt to keep him from being injured, that's just dandy as well.
Haley has shown that he's not afraid to call what he thinks his team does best. When he was with the Cardinals, it was a prolific passing attack. When he moved on to Kansas City, a power-running game took over.
As Haley said Thursday, his emphasis is on winning. And Roethlisberger, who is as competitive as they come, won't have a problem with that.
I have largely reserved my thoughts on the Steelers' hiring of Todd Haley to this point.
But after meeting with Haley today and then hearing what Ben Roethlisberger told the Post-Gazette, I can hold back no longer.
Roethlisberger reportedly told the P-G that he has heard from a lot of people regarding Haley, some good some bad, but that he is reserving judgment.
He then, however, said he'd hate to see the offense changed because it could set the team's young receivers back two or three years.
Which ones? The ones who have only been in the league for two or three years?
That is a ridiculous statement by Roethlisberger and, though Haley did not address the quarterback's comments directly, he did say that players usually see that he has their best interests at heart when he is doing things.
Roethlisberger liked Bruce Arians. And he was comfortable with Arians as offensive coordinator because he got to call a lot of the shots.
That dynamic is now gone and Roethlisberger is wary of what the results will be.
I get that.
But the Steelers made the decision to move on from Arians because they felt he was an enabler.
We always heard the excuses. The Steelers were a play away here or there, they weren't all on the same page, etc., etc.
Haley won't settle for excuses. He'll want results.
And if that means not playing Chris Kemoeatu at left guard for two seasons longer than he should have, so be it.
If that means Roethlisberger will be forced to get the ball out of his hands more quickly to take fewer sacks in an attempt to keep him from being injured, that's just dandy as well.
Haley has shown that he's not afraid to call what he thinks his team does best. When he was with the Cardinals, it was a prolific passing attack. When he moved on to Kansas City, a power-running game took over.
As Haley said Thursday, his emphasis is on winning. And Roethlisberger, who is as competitive as they come, won't have a problem with that.
Time for Ben to be a professional and do whatever is asked of him. I've said for years that he can be the best QB in the league if he just gets over his vertical attack fixation and realizes he leaves plays on the field because he wants the big bang.
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