Josh McDaniels, Todd Haley Meet Again, or Maybe Not

by Dennis J. Georgatos

Filed under: Broncos, Chiefs, AFC West

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Maybe they'll make up for the great handshake snub by meeting at midfield after the rematch and greeting each other with a flying chest bump.

Nah, probably won't happen.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was scolded and had his post-game handshake offer rebuffed by his Kansas City counterpart, Todd Haley, three weeks ago after Denver routed the Chiefs 49-29 at Invesco Field at Mile High. The two meet again Sunday at New Arrowhead when the Broncos and Chiefs renew their AFC West rivalry.

For his part, McDaniels said he thinks too much has been made about the controversy, he has moved past it and plans to greet Haley after the game like he would any other coach or colleague in the tradition of sportsmanship.

"I have a great deal of respect for everybody in that organization," said McDaniels. "I would anticipate this would just be a competitive game and I plan on shaking hands and all that stuff. It's not a big deal to me. I plan on doing that, no matter what the outcome of the game."

Haley, in a conference call with Denver reporters, sidestepped questions about his postgame confrontation with McDaniels. Haley did apologize for his actions the day after refusing to shake McDaniels hand, wagging a finger in his face and angrily scolding him.

Haley again declined to elaborate on what was behind his outburst and McDaniels said he still doesn't know the cause of it and in any case isn't worried about it.

There has been speculation Haley was upset over the McDaniels' sideline antics, which included a celebratory chest bump with one of his players. The Broncos also kept blitzing and getting hits on a gimpy Matt Cassel well into the fourth quarter even though they had a big lead.

Could it be that Haley knew something about the NFL's investigation into the Broncos' improper filming of an opponent's practice, for which McDaniels and the team last Saturday were fined $50,000 each for not promptly reporting the matter to the league.

 

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