Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn't take umbrage with linebacker Tamba Hali venting his frustration last week.
Reid, however, took issue with the 33-year-old Hali taking his message to social media.
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Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn't take umbrage with linebacker Tamba Hali venting his frustration last week. Reid, however, took issue with the 33-year-old Hali taking his message to social media.
"We don't want him doing it through the social media part of it," Reid said. "If you have a problem, let's talk about it.
"One thing you love about Tamba is he loves to play. I can't tell you he's getting any younger. I can't tell you that. But I do love the fact he bugs on you that he wants to play. As coaches, we have to make the decision and so we make the decision whether he plays seven plays or 27 plays or 47 plays. That's what we do.
"Is a player always going to be happy about that? No. That's not how it works. But do I love the fact he loves to play? Yeah. He's going to be 50 years old and probably still tweeting out those things that he wants to get in his plays."
Hali didn't hold back as he unleashed a firestorm on Twitter Saturday, questioning if he was still "needed in KC anymore." He also lowered the boom on teammates for skipping organized team activities on a podcast.
"I'm not going to shy from it -- I think it's important, especially if you're on our team and you're one of our leaders -- that you should be always there," Hali said on Arrowheads Abroad Podcast. "I don't want to say names, but I've been there for (12 years) and I haven't missed one offseason with the Chiefs."
Hali lamented competing on just seven plays during the team's playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His role had been reduced dramatically last season when he started just two games and finished with 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks.