Coach shocks Chiefs with team-building trip to movies

Associated Press

ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

If this keeps up, Todd Haley is going to lose his well earned reputation as a fire-breathing tough guy.

Kansas City’s demanding coach did not only cancel practice unexpectedly Monday morning and surprise his players with a trip to movies. He lightened the mood even further by playing a practical joke on an unsuspecting assistant coach.

Coming on the heels of a less-than-stellar 20-10 loss in Atlanta in their exhibition opener, the lighthearted levity seemed even more out of place, especially for Haley.

“Just thought timing-wise it was a good thing for all of us,” said Haley. “It appeared to me the guys enjoyed it and were grateful.”

The Chiefs returned to practice in the afternoon, glad that temperatures that hovered at or near 100 their first week of camp had returned to the 80s.

Haley said he’d been looking for an opportunity to give his players a “team-building” outing, something he never did last year. But he also said that “everything had to go the right way” before he approved the unexpected change in the otherwise exhausting camp routine.

“I feel we’re making progress as a group, as a team,” Haley said. “And by no means are we there. But we are making progress in some of these things. This year, trying to think outside the box a little bit as we move forward. “

The day got started with some fun at the expense of Nick Sirianni, the Chiefs’ young offensive quality control coach who was a wide receiver at Mount Union.

“We somehow convinced him that he was actually going to be in practice,” Haley said with a grin. “Somehow, he believed us and actually put the uniform on. So it was good. We did not have a practice so I figured it would be a day to have a little fun.”Haley said Sirianni took the joke in stride.

“He’s a loyal, dedicated coach. That’s the positive side of it,” said Haley. “I think everybody appreciated it.”