Comments on: Report: Steelers hire Todd Haley as offensive coordinator

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:22:35 +0000

That’s what I’m counting on. Roethlisberger has so much natural talent that he’s just not tapping. With that receiving corps, it’s insane that we’re ranking in the bottom third on offense. A big part of the problem is that we just haven’t plugged the holes on the offensive line. But the right coach could get more out of Ben.

I’m a smashmouth fan–nothing I love more than watching great defense and a pounding running game. That’s why I was born to be a Bama fan But in this era, we’ll be okay passing 60 percent of the time–as long the passing game is on target.

By: frank booth

frank booth — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:39:07 +0000

I think when you get down to it, it’s all how the philosophies and the personalities mesh, in addition to putting together an effective game plan.

Steelers have a decent running attack, but looking at stats, I don’t even know how much that matters now. Giants were 32nd in rush yards, Packers were 27th, Patriots were 20th. If Haley can max out Roethlisberger and Wallace, he’ll do well.

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:07:06 +0000

@frank …

Well, poopy I can handle. I’m a little more concerned about those offensive stats of Haley’s because you’re good with numbers. Just hoping Haley can push Ben to the next level. That boy has never worked up to his potential. He had too much success too soon and let his ego get the best of him. He’s at his prime. If he doesn’t get it now, it will be too late.

I get what you’re saying about Haley’s ability to play well with others. Guess I’m counting on Tomlin to hold him in check.

By: frank booth

frank booth — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:27:58 +0000

I’ll admit that I was being poopy with Alabama and LSU. Here, I’m not. I think Haley is a nut, and his record has been spotty. His success with the Cards was mainly in the passing game with Fitzgerald, Boldin and a healthy Warner. He doesn’t seem to stick anywhere particularly long, and he seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t get along well with others. At least the Steelers weren’t crazy enough to get Mike Martz, or crazy enough like the Bears to put Mike Tice at the position. At least Haley gets to work with an established QB, a talented vet like Wallace and an up-and-comer like Brown, and he has some experience with the position.

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:24:25 +0000

frank, lately it seems like you’ve been tinkling all over my parades. Did you recently give up some vice–bowling, perhaps?–that’s making you disagreeable?

By: frank booth

frank booth — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:46:55 +0000

Haley is not that impressive. If he’s proven one thing, he can maximize one side of the offense while completely neglecting another part. In 2010 with KC, he had the top ranked running game, and a bottom 3 passing game. IN 2011, he had his offense ranked 27th in the league, and in 2009, they were ranked 25th.

With the Cardinals in 08, he put together the 2nd best passing attack in the league along with the worst rushing attack. Essentially the same thing in 2007. There is a reason why people weren’t jumping on him as a coordinator.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:55:52 +0000

ravenmaniacisback says:

Deb….what makes you so sure that Tomlin was on board with this hire? Was Tomlin on board with firing Arians?

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I’m basing that on the way the Rooneys have operated the team for the last 40+ years. It’s been implied by some commenters here that Art II suddenly took over with the Arians firing. Not true. Art II assumed daily operation of the Steelers from Dan in 2003. He was instrumental in interviewing/hiring Tomlin. Tomlin is Art II’s guy, and he was given full authority to hire his own people.

People read too much into Tomlin saying Arians would stay. It’s not unusual for coaches to say they’re not making personnel changes before they’ve had time to confer about what’s best for the organization. Or Rooney may have suggested it was time for a change. But I imagine they hashed it out until Tomlin and Colbert were in agreement. And I’m sure Rooney wouldn’t require Tomlin to hire an OC he didn’t approve. That would be dramatically out of character.

By: ottograham

ottograham — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:07:32 +0000

Interesting hire to say the least. Haley has gotten his dream job so he best do his best to plan, impliment, and execute a potent offense. Id like to see a 2010 arizona cardinal like offense on the field.

By: ampatsisahypocrite

ampatsisahypocrite — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:02:04 +0000

ppdoc — I’d be more worried about the mediocrity of Joe Flacco than whatever new hire the Steelers are going to be making.

By: freddieizzyb

freddieizzyb — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:01:10 +0000

dirtdawg55 says: Feb 6, 2012 5:49 PM

Zeedoubleyou, you can take Warner, Fitz and Boldin all you want. Seems we beat those guys already.

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Yeah, but we’re still waiting for you to beat Flacco, Smith, and Boldin…
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And we are still waiting for them to win a SB! Get real, when awesome qb/receiver corps are thought of, bo one but a few ravens fans thinks of those 3.

By: rmm1984

rmm1984 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:11:26 +0000

It’s amusing how every story on the Steelers turns into people saying it’s their downfall. Wishful thinking I guess.

By: dickroy

dickroy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:06:04 +0000

I have to admit I was a little worried about Todd’s capability to get along with management.
However I do think he will be a good OC. Knowing the Rooneys and how they operate the oganization should keep this from being a problem. He will improve our offense, take advantage of our passing game with Ben and our great young wide receivers, and at the same time make us a more balanced team. Bruce became too predictable with his play calling.
At the same time no coach an earth can improve our offense if we do not get us more (much more) talent on the O-line

By: badluckz1

badluckz1 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:54:44 +0000

Good one, but let’s be realistic. Other than one trip to the playoffs in 1947 (a first round loss), the Steelers never even *sniffed* the playoffs until 1972.
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Back then they didn’t have playoffs usually. The East winner played the West winner for the title. The playoff was forced when the Steelers and Eagles tied for the East lead. Eagles won 21-0.

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With a rapidly aging defense and a much tougher schedule, expect Pitt to go 7-9 and into 3rd place.
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I’m fairly certain that the Steelers age one year at a time just like everyone else. I’m also pretty sure 3 of the oldest guys (Hoke, Smith, Farrior) won’t be back next season.
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Lets be real. if the Steelers hired Dirk Koetter (worst offense in the league in 2011) or Pat Shurmur (clueless) or Hue Jackson (can’t get arrested) for an OC and their fans would be screaming “Great hire!”
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So which is it? Are Steelers fans clueless or do they just hate all those pesky Super Bowl appearances?

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Sometimes great players make you think the coach is great.
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Reminds me of the Patriots coach. Nobody accused Bill Belichick of being a genius when he coached the Browns. The reason they didn’t is because then he didn’t have Tom Brady! Now he’s a genius no matter what dumb things he does, because Brady makes it work anyway.

By: farvite

farvite — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:43:07 +0000

Bummer. I hoped they would go for Martz………..

By: packersownerandshareholder

packersownerandshareholder — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:50:11 +0000

Thumbs up if you think this is a good hire.

By: edelmanfanclub

edelmanfanclub — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:23:45 +0000

I remember he demoted Bowe to like 5th string during the preseason his first year, I bet if he tries that with Wallace, Tomlins gonna smack him.

By: drisdale

drisdale — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:16:43 +0000

Ever notice how these ex-Parcells guys seem to bounce around some before they get it?

By: jams1004

jams1004 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:07:16 +0000

Never question Pittsburgh Steelers Management in their coaching decisions… Haven’t you all learned by now that they know what they’re doing.. Superbowl 7 and 8 are coming soon to a theatre near you. Get your tickets in advance and enjoy the show!! These Steelers haters are going to hang themselves when it happens…Go Steelers!!

By: daytrader1981

daytrader1981 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:41:13 +0000

As a life long Chiefs fan, i think this is a good hire. Haley had some personality and ego issues here in KC, but offensive talent wise he has it. He made the best out of mediocre players. I think him working with the Steelers (his current dream job) will motivate him to humility and to produce.

By: billionsvsmillions

billionsvsmillions — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:18:34 +0000

Eh, lets see how the up coming season plays out before we give any kind of comments on what exactly is going to happen… ( lotto numbers please for all you homers that can predict the future ),… for now.. leave it as the haters “hoping” Haley is a bust. Of course,… you know… those Browns fans I see commenting… I have to say to you, I feel your pain… IM a Pirates fan as well,… it sucks to know each year your team has no shot at anything.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:12:36 +0000

td40 says:

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Steelers fans are generally regarded as among the more football knowledgeable in the league. We’ve been discussing this since Haley was first interviewed and several of us have been pretty vocal about wanting Haley over the other choices. Many fans have been vocal for years about wanting Bruce Arians to go. We’re not the “rubber stamp” type.

By: whodeybengalsfan

whodeybengalsfan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:51:37 +0000

Knock-Knock?

Who’s There?

Every team in the AFC North not named the Pittsburgh Steelers jumping for joy.

By: ravenmaniacisback

ravenmaniacisback — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:45:09 +0000

Deb….what makes you so sure that Tomlin was on board with this hire? Was Tomlin on board with firing Arians?

By: theherogothamdeserved86

theherogothamdeserved86 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:06:13 +0000

I’m not sure the Steeler offense will improve on the field, but Todd Haley should be able to fix a few golf swings off the field

By: michaelamericano

michaelamericano — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:56:50 +0000

KC Chiefs fan here.

Haley had some trouble finding & working with an OC that he could delegate to. He also had a bit of a hot head. But… we were a terrible team, 2-14, before he came to KC. You don’t turn around a losing culture without rubbing a few guys the wrong way.

I think he and Pioli didn’t get along well and Pioli, as his boss, made it so uncomfortable for him that he started freaking out a little.

According to the research guys at Yahoo Sports, it was actually Haley that was responsible for Cassel’s development, not Charlie Weiss. Haley didn’t like how Charlie was developing Cassel (too slowly) they wrangled horns, and then Haley took over essentially as QBs coach for the year… and then Weiss left.

Haley… I like the guy. He’s a hot head but he had a really tough turnaround to do, he took us to the playoffs in his second year, and didn’t seem to have the GMs support behind him.

My $.02

By: richabbs

richabbs — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:54:16 +0000

I don’t think Haley will make much difference. Unless the Steelers get some better OLinemen, that offense is going to have the same problems it had this past year–i.e., inability to run the ball; unable to protect Roethlisberger when it counts.

By: pizzon

pizzon — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:53:47 +0000

great hire here, first off he is a pittsburgh guy so he knows what is expected from the rooneys, not to mention I believe the steelers in particular Ben need his fiery personality it reminds me a lot of cowher who wasnt afraid to get in your grill regardless of who you were. let me know when the draft gets here!

By: ssgonesolo

ssgonesolo — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:35:34 +0000

On paper this looks like a great hire… I cant think of a more disciplined team that can control Haley’s outbursts, Tomlin will keep him leveled headed and Big Ben will not tolerate the Big Outburst on the sideline, but passive aggresive behavior is not good I wonder how long it will take for Haley to EXPLODE… *BOOM!!!*

By: normswifevera

normswifevera — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:29:40 +0000

It’s odd how most people seem to have this negative few of Haley from what the national media reports. Yet 90% of the KC fans (and many of the KC media) clearly support the guy.

Then you factor in the reports from Yahoo and other outlets that Scott Pioli was purposely leaking negative stories about Haley to his buddies in the media and suddenly it doesn’t seem so strange.

By: runrickyrun34

runrickyrun34 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:54:37 +0000

It is what it is but before everyone talks about what a great hire this was and how it will improve the offense, aren’t the Steelers 20+ million over the cap? That means personnel has to go or restructure. You can’t make trades that far over the cap. Also, doesn’t Rooney want to go back to running the ball? Everyone’s talking about Haley’s success in AZ, it was via the pass. They never had a run game to speak of. KC did but Charles is better than Mendenhall and the OL was better in KC. It just looks like an average hire. Nothing spectacular. I don’t see why they didn’t just hire from within. I know what happened to Kirby was tragic but wasn’t there anyone else?