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Texans sign Pollard

beerlover

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Texans sign safety who ended Tom Brady's '08 season

By JOHN McCLAIN

The Texans have signed safety Bernard Pollard to replace Chester Pitts on the roster.

Pitts, who underwent major knee surgery on Wednesday, was placed on injured reserve, meaning he's out for the season.

Pollard, 24, was Kansas City's second-round pick in 2006. He started 14 games last season for David Gibbs, who is in his first season as the Texans' secondary coach. Last season, Pollard had 84 unassisted tackles, and he was a surprise cut by the Chiefs in the last roster reduction this season.

Pollard, who is an excellent special teams player, got a lot of attention last season when he hit Tom Brady in the first game of the season, causing the New England quarterback to be lost for the season with a knee injury.

Pollard gives the Texans five safeties, counting Eugene Wilson, John Busing, Dominique Barber and Nick Ferguson.
 
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Man, that is some great news! Obviously, the league-wide opinion of Pollard isn't very high, but given our issues at safety, he certainly has some value. Plus, it's just comforting to see that the organization realizes that safety is a weakness.
 
Any help at S is good help IMO. I like the combo of Busing and Wilson, but more competition is aways good in my book.

I still think that was a shitty thing Pollard did when he lunged at Brady's lower leg last year.
 
Nice signing! Good sized (6'1 224lbs) run stopping safety who is much better than what we have currently.


2009 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 68 | Key


Comment: Pollard has excellent size for the position and is physical against the run. He is an above-average athlete for the position with adequate straight-line speed, but is definitely better going forward then when dropping into coverage. He can be a liability when locked up with some of the more athletic tight ends in the league. He shows decent range in deep coverage, but still needs work on his route recognition. He plays with a high level of energy and generally sets the tone for the coverage units.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/scouting?position=36


Sounds like a great compliment to Wilson
 
Super Mario said:
Any help at S is good help IMO. I like the combo of Busing and Wilson, but more competition is aways good in my book.

I still think that was a shitty thing Pollard did when he lunged at Brady's lower leg last year.
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Yeah, I would be horribly upset if he did that to Peyton!
 
Box safety for specific packages & special teams. Will bring physical presence & don't foget Gibbs did coach him in KC so there is a connection.
 
beerlover said:
Box safety for specific packages & special teams. Will bring physical presence & don't foget Gibbs did coach him in KC so there is a connection.
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Well, I definitely think our safety rotation has improved. He can play on run downs and certain packages with three safeties and come out of the game for Busing on passing downs.

Most importantly, he can tackle, which is a unique skill for our secondary.
 
Didn't even know he got cut by KC. Great pick-up. Hopefully a change of scenery will re-energize him.
 
Super Mario said:
Any help at S is good help IMO. I like the combo of Busing and Wilson, but more competition is aways good in my book.

I still think that was a shitty thing Pollard did when he lunged at Brady's lower leg last year.
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According to statement I just read from Pollard in an article, he said that he didn't go after Brady's leg.

"Pollard thought he was going to be blocked by a running back last year against New England, got low to take on the block, wasn't blocked, and fell into Brady."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...lmost-crippled-Matt-Cassel-too?urn=nfl,181929
 
Glad to see this. When we brought him in and didn't do anything, I was kind of ticked. Glad to see we are getting some talent back there. I was ready to ask Barber to not get on the team plane when The Texans left Tennessee.
 
dalemurphy said:
Man, that is some great news! Obviously, the league-wide opinion of Pollard isn't very high, but given our issues at safety, he certainly has some value. Plus, it's just comforting to see that the organization realizes that safety is a weakness.
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I called this. They waited until after the 2nd game to sign Pollard instead of the 1st game.

I guess Kubes wasn't to impressed with the Ferguson/Barber duo against the Jets. YUK

I wont be comforted until after the 2010 draft.

When Goddell says with the.... pick inthe NFL draft Houston Texans select

Eric Berry-Tayor Mays-Morgan Burnett

Atleast Pollard is a good taclker. Looking on the bright side
 
I like it. He's no worse than we have on the roster now and he could even be better.

He hits well. Maybe he can teach our DBs how to wrap up.
 
76Texan said:
Catch McFadden from behind in the open field?
Bring him in!

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2008091404/2008/REG2/raiders@chiefs#tab:watch
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that's super duper impressive. McFadden ran a 4.3 at the combine

NitroHonda said:
But do you like the signing? Do you think he is an upgrade of any kind?
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Two weeks ago I expressed interest in him right here at TT.

I think we need more help back there and he's a legit in the box S and hits like a linebacker. He's still young so perhaps he matures into his potential with us.
 
Trying to improve beats the hell outta standing pat and hoping to improve. Can some of the DB gurus break down his inability to cover well? Is it a learning problem (recognizing routes), a physical limitations thing( doesn't open hips, etc...) or a combination of things? I know nothing about this guy.
 
DocBar said:
Trying to improve beats the hell outta standing pat and hoping to improve. Can some of the DB gurus break down his inability to cover well? Is it a learning problem (recognizing routes), a physical limitations thing( doesn't open hips, etc...) or a combination of things? I know nothing about this guy.
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I feel much better about it given Gibbs signed off having worked him in KC. In Bernards case he came out early like Okoye while his body had matured the mind was not. He is still only 24 & in his 4th year. In a physical game he could be a difference maker compared to what the Texans currently have. The Texans drafted Glenn Earl similar type of box safety but had laundry list of nagging injurys, far as I know Pollard has a clean bill of health :tiphat:
 
beerlover said:
I feel much better about it given Gibbs signed off having worked him in KC. In Bernards case he came out early like Okoye while his body had matured the mind was not. He is still only 24 & in his 4th year. In a physical game he could be a difference maker compared to what the Texans currently have. The Texans drafted Glenn Earl similar type of box safety but had laundry list of nagging injurys, far as I know Pollard has a clean bill of health :tiphat:
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Sounds like a good pickup for us. What are the odds he can di a credible Polomalu imitation with some good coaching?
 
Solid signing. I am sure though the staff will wait a few games before they go ahead and insert him into the starting lineup as usual.

Really wish they would've addressed this before the season started. But, he looks like he could be the most capable guy we've brought in at S in a while. Would be nice if this turned into something more long term.
 
If he's good in run support, I'll take it. I'd rather have a safety only good in one thing at this point over what we have. *

*Busing might end up being good in pass pro, we'll see.
 
Wow, I had no idea Pollard had been released. I don't watch every KC game, but I thought the guy had a good reputation as a pretty decent in the box type starter as a safety. I see these comments that sort of back that up. Well, maybe he is off the scrap heap, but he is light years ahead of Barber or even the banged up Earl. Same type of players, but he is just so much better, at least the times I have seen him. Kind of a Roy Williams light if I remember. Good hitter, good tackler. Wow, for this time of the year to get a starting caliber player. Wow!
 
Chiefs fans aren't exactly happy about Pollard's release

This blogger tries to make the argument for his release being that he was ONE Dimensional........that he had lots of tackles, but few pass deflections and interceptions.

But he admits, that the front 7 were "atrocious" against the run. You could make the argument that with with an atrocious front 7, a player like him is forced to play closer to the line to play the run (thus mucho tackles) with little opportunity for pass deflections and interceptions. This could end up being a diamond still in the rough in our scheme.


Goodbye Bone Crusher

The release of Bernard Pollard last week sent some Chiefs fans to the radio, onto message boards, and to their computers to blog and complain that the Chiefs front office was doing no better than the one that preceded it. How could a team release a 2nd round pick that has started in 31 games and played in 49 since being drafted? How could they release a player who led the team in tackles last year? The answer to that is simple – because he was one dimensional.

If you read my 53 man roster projection post during training camp you will notice that I had the Chiefs keeping Pollard and letting DaJuan Morgan go. I went as far to say that Morgan was a bad draft pick of Herm Edwards. I apologize Herm, DaJuan Morgan was not a bad draft pick, Marcus Maxey was. DaJuan Morgan hid in the shadows the first two weeks of camp and then exploded onto the scene by showing the ability he had tucked away for the last year. Maybe it’s a system change? Maybe he feels free not playing within the limitations of Herm Edwards’ awful Tampa 2 defense. I don’t know and I don’t care. Myself and the Chiefs front office only care that 2 players (Morgan and the apparent starter Mike Brown) are better players for this defense. Why? Because they find the ball.

People will argue that you can’t cut a guy who had 98 tackles for you last year. You can when the defense was atrocious and Pollard had to make tackles because nobody else playing on the front 7 was. Does it mean he’s a great player – No. It means he was usually the last line of defense on a defense that was getting absolutely gashed on running plays. I imagine someone’s reading this right now and saying, “ a tackle is still a tackle, he’s just doing his job”. You’re right, but let’s look at the stats of a player I feel is the best safety in the game at this time, Troy Polamalu – and compare those to that of Bernard Pollard. Don’t forget, the Chiefs are changing to a similar style of 3-4 defense that the Steelers have ran for years.

In 2008 Bernard Pollard played in 16 games. During those games he had 98 total tackles (78 solo and 20 assisted), 1 pass deflection, and 1 INT.

In 2008 Troy Polamalu played in 16 games, during those games he had 73 tackles (54 solo and 19 assisted), 17 pass deflections, and 7 INT’s.

While I don’t expect Bernard Pollard (or any Chiefs safety for that matter) to play on the level that Troy Polamalu plays at, this simple example points out the glaring weakness in Pollards game. He doesn’t cause turnovers, he doesn’t make impact plays, he doesn’t find the ball. Bernard Pollard is a one dimensional player and can get overexposed in pass defense because of his lack of speed.

I have no doubt in my mind that Bernard Pollard will land on his feet somewhere. There are 32 football teams in the NFL and people are always looking to add special team’s depth. Bernard Pollard could be a heck of a special team’s player and backup safety for someone. In order to start in the NFL for a good defense however you have to be more than just a head hunter – you’ve got to find the ball and make impact plays. Tackling a running back after a 20 yard gain can only get you so far.
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I think you gotta like a guy who can do this. Especially this week.

imgres
 
Dude appears to have the physical gifts but doesn't appear to understand the professional game. Maybe getting cut by the Chiefs is a good thing. When the world is handed to you, a little adversity can bring out the best in people. Lets see if he wakes up.
 
He only ran 4.60 at his Pro-day. Still can't believe he caught up to McFadden like that.

Very aggressive player who will miss some tackles here and there.
Needs to make better reads.

But definitely an upgrade over Barber.
 
76Texan said:
He only ran 4.60 at his Pro-day. Still can't believe he caught up to McFadden like that.

Very aggressive player who will miss some tackles here and there.
Needs to make better reads.

But definitely an upgrade over Barber.
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Timed speed and game speed are weird. Fast guys get walked down, and slow guys pull away. Depends how you run with the pads.
 
I am not going to knock adding young talent,my problem is when u have specific types, they're easily iso'd by good offenses.

The texans in trying to address their safety issues have yet to have 2 look alike safeties other than 2 box guys like brown and earl was. In todays nfl, your safeties both need to be able to cover or teams will flex the te and iso him. If the texans don't get a guy like wilson or convert a big corner like bennett or molden, then they will always have trouble coveering the flex te's. Remember week 1 with ferguson on keller? I know wilson was out, but if your other safety can't take that assignment, then what's going to happen when clark is in the slot? When you package your safety, its also better in big nickel to have 2 safties that will play deep hash and one guy who can tackle in the box and still cover when teams go 13 personel. At least he's young and maybe he can still grow.
 
wow! good pick up. wonder when all the negative "oh no!! another ex-kansas city reject" posts will start?

i just want a game changer back there!
 
Dapper said:
wow! good pick up. wonder when all the negative "oh no!! another ex-kansas city reject" posts will start?

i just want a game changer back there!
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Game changer? :thinking:

I've always been one to think there's a reason why all 32 NFL teams allowed this dude to sit and wait as long as he did. Admittedly, I don't know much about Pollard, but I do know if you're counting on him to be a "game changer", you're in for a rude awakening.
 
There was little doubt Pollard's future with the team was in question after reports surfaced Friday night that he was the subject of trade rumors. His undoing might have been a reported clash with defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.
.........

Can Bernard Pollard be a bit too chippy at times? Sure. Does he miss a tackle going for the knockout punch every once in a while? Yes. Regardless, I think it’s downright foolish to cut the player who was our defensive MVP last season as he enters just his fourth year. Good thing I didn’t buy Bernard Pollard’s jersey like I had planned.

The Chiefs aren’t thinking straight. The only possible explanation which makes any sense whatsoever to me is that Pollard must have really pissed Todd Haley off. Hopefully, there is something behind the scenes we don’t know about, because the skirmishes and yapping we heard about didn’t warrant a pink slip. Maybe Haley wanted to make the statement that “you will respect his authority?” I was hoping that statement would be made on Derrick “Patty Cake” Johnson. Guess not.

You’ll be missed, B.P.
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Seems like a very good pickup this late. Makes sense. Gibbs was able to bring in somebody where he knows what he's getting. More aggressive than Barber perhaps from what little film I just watched. It's a good pickup in a bad situation where anything could become something. It's worth the roster spot in my mind.


leebigeztx said:
I am not going to knock adding young talent,my problem is when u have specific types, they're easily iso'd by good offenses.

The texans in trying to address their safety issues have yet to have 2 look alike safeties other than 2 box guys like brown and earl was. In todays nfl, your safeties both need to be able to cover or teams will flex the te and iso him. If the texans don't get a guy like wilson or convert a big corner like bennett or molden, then they will always have trouble coveering the flex te's. Remember week 1 with ferguson on keller? I know wilson was out, but if your other safety can't take that assignment, then what's going to happen when clark is in the slot? When you package your safety, its also better in big nickel to have 2 safties that will play deep hash and one guy who can tackle in the box and still cover when teams go 13 personel. At least he's young and maybe he can still grow.
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I'm gonna say no to this line of thinking. Bennett can't tackle well and Molden's body won't even let us see if he's worth discussing as a member of the team at all.
 
HOU-TEX said:
Game changer? :thinking:

I've always been one to think there's a reason why all 32 NFL teams allowed this dude to sit and wait as long as he did. Admittedly, I don't know much about Pollard, but I do know if you're counting on him to be a "game changer", you're in for a rude awakening.
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read my post again. i'm not saying he's the one. just expressed my desire to have one back there.
we all know that's what we need to make us an elite defense.

or at lease get us closer to being an elite defense.

Pollard is statistically not the one, but an above average signing at this point in the season. with his physicality, he's an upgrade.....agreed?
 
I like the move...a lot. Safety is one of the two biggest need positions on this team. Wilson has been the best and most consistent guy in this unit, and it is not clear to me that he would be starter on most other teams. The front office was betting that Barber could fill this position, and if we hadn't picked up Busing, we would be in real trouble. Barber and Ferguson continue to be a liability out there.

In Pollard, we get still a very young player who was a second round talent and who has started a lot of games in this league. I find it laughable that people try to discount the fact that he was the leading tackler on his team last year...you can't hold those kind of numbers against him because he played on a bad team. Combine that with the fact that he is being reunited with an old coach and will probably be playing with a chip on his shoulder after being released.

At worst, we pick up a solid special teams player. At best, we found ourselves a new starting safety.
 
Dapper said:
read my post again. i'm not saying he's the one. just expressed my desire to have one back there.
we all know that's what we need to make us an elite defense.

or at lease get us closer to being an elite defense.

Pollard is statistically not the one, but an above average signing at this point in the season. with his physicality, he's an upgrade.....agreed?
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Well, he'd be an upgrade if he could notice when one of the fastest RB's in the league if he spreads out wide.
 
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