If the Vikings offense pulled off their fourth quarter drive on Sunday, the sideline argument earlier in the game between Chiefs coach Todd Haley and quarterback Matt Cassel would be played up as a negative.
Instead, it’s being seen as a turning point. Cassel stuck up for himself before fullback Le’Ron McClain separated the quarterback and coach. (Here’s video of the incident.)
“I seem to respond well when I’m pushed,” Cassel said via Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star. “When my back is up against the wall.”
Cassel completed 15-of-22 passes after the screaming for 202 yards and a score. Haley seems to embrace the philosophy, encouraging those around him to yell right back at him.
“Hey,” Haley says, “I love it.”
For the first two weeks of the season, the Chiefs looked like the worst team in football. The last two weeks they have just looked like another mediocre squad with a limited passing game.
That’s progress, but we suspect we’ll see a few more arguments between Cassel and Haley before this season is over.