That connection between the two clubs has led to speculation by the Boston Herald that Cassel could eventually wind up as the quarterback Pioli chooses to build around.

full story...

Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley walked to the Cardinals locker room on the losing side after Sunday's Super Bowl loss, but Haley might end up being the big winner of his team's remarkable run through the postseason.

Haley did everything right. Even the messy things, including the on-field argument two weeks ago with Anquan Boldin, caught the attention of some NFL men as a positive thing. Showed he had fire and passion. Showed he wouldn't be intimidated or run over by players like some other coaches.

But Haley's showing Sunday might be the deciding factor if the Chiefs make him their No. 1 target to replace Herm Edwards and name him Kansas City's 11th head coach. He made outstanding adjustments at halftime, after Pittsburgh shut down Arizona in the first half. Haley's play-calling on the Cardinals' last two series was flawless; he leaned on Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald to carve up Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense, once it moved into its dime formation.

full story...

Earlier today, we posted an item with comments from Todd Haley, saying he had no plans to interview for the Chiefs’ head-coaching vacancy this week.

However a Chicago Sun-Times report says otherwise.

Per Brad Biggs, Haley is the leading candidate for the job and is in fact expected to interview sometime this week.

A source tells Biggs that minority candidates have turned down interviews with the Chiefs because the feeling in league circles is that the job is already Haley’s.

As Aaron Wilson pointed out earlier, it wouldn’t be surprising if Haley has been instructed by Chiefs GM Scott Pioli not to talk about the potential interview.

full story...

The first name thrown into the ring was former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, courtesy of a report by ESPN. Other names considered possibilities to replace Edwards include fired Bucs coach Jon Gruden, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who interview for openings in Detroit and St. Louis, Packers assistant head coach/linebackers Winston Moss, Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Heck, even Bill Parcells' name has surfaced.

Haley has a history with Pioli, as the two were with the Jets from 1997-99. But the Chiefs can't talk to him until after the Super Bowl.

Edwards was left twisting in the wind after the Chiefs hired Scott Pioli as the new general manager on Jan. 13, and Pioli took 10 days evaluating whether to make a change.

In the end, Edwards' 15-33 record over three seasons was too much to overlook, even with a year remaining on his four-year, $12 million contract.

"Since my arrival last week, Herm and I have had several conversations as part of my overall evaluation of the football operation," Pioli said. "After careful consideration, Clark and I felt that it was best to make a change. What I conveyed last week in the press conference I still believe to be true - Herm is a great man and a tremendous football coach. He respects the game and the league, and he is passionate about his players and his craft.

"Over the course of this last week, I have also spent time meeting and visiting with most of the assistant coaches, and I will continue to do so over the next several days. All of the coaches from last year's staff, with the exception of one, are under contract through the 2009 season."

full story...