Erroneous perceptions dog Haley
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There's a perception out there that Steelers new offensive coordinator Todd Haley is a tyrant. It's one thing to be emotional, a good thing actually in a sport as competitive as football. But many say Haley frequently steps over the line, that he is headstrong, confrontational and difficult to work with and for. Certainly, he will be a giant pain in the butt for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and the players.
There's also a perception that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a pampered baby. Many say he was too chummy with former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The two have offseason homes in the same Georgia development. They have golfed together and vacationed together. Certainly, Roethlisberger will chafe under Haley's strong grip and be a detriment to the team after taking advantage of his relationship with Arians and running the offense his way.
Heard it said that perception is reality?
I don't believe it in either case.
Haley has enemies, just as Tomlin does and Bill Cowher did and even Chuck Noll did. All coaches have 'em. They don't have friction-free relationships with all their assistants and players.
It's also beyond dispute that Haley is fiery. He has been caught on tape having sideline arguments with many former players, including Keyshawn Johnson, Terrell Owens, Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and Matt Cassel. He even had on-field disputes with former boss Bill Parcells. You might say he's a chip off the Parcells block.
And this is a bad thing?
I say not necessarily.
For more insight I give you a player whose opinion I respect greatly -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He played for Haley when Haley was the Cardinals offensive coordinator in the 2007 and '08 seasons and said this about him late in '10 when Haley was leading the Kansas City Chiefs to the AFC West title as their head coach:
First Published February 8, 2012 12:00 am
