When your boss hires someone doing the same job as you, it's hard to feel good about your own performance and future in that position. That must be what Tyler Palko is feeling right now, but Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley is insisting that the team's claiming of Kyle Orton off of waivers from the Denver Broncos has no bearing on his perception of Palko whatsoever.
"It doesn’t affect how I feel about Tyler or how our team feels about Tyler," says Haley. "I was very encouraged by Tyler in what he did."
Palko's stat line from the New England loss on Monday Night Football looks worse than how he really performed in the game (24 of 37 for 230 yards with 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions), especially in the first half. However it was also clear that Palko's arm often placed too much loft on the ball or cut a throw shorter than it needed to be. Perhaps that comes with time, but he also just might not have what it takes to be a long-term starter for the team.
It's hard to tell where the company line ends and where reality begins, but it's clear that Haley liked the moxie displayed by Palko on Monday and his handling with the press. Too bad it didn't turn out better for him in the end with the final results.