At least one Chiefs player isn't taking the beatings lying down.  Strong safety Bernard Pollard sounded off to the KC Star about the state of the team and how the Chiefs need to focus on being more than just a rebuilding doormat.

"We have to fight," Pollard said. "We got to learn how to fight back.

"Speaking for the defensive players, I mean, look at what Carolina did Sunday. They went out and lined up against us and they see us trying to throw the ball, and they go knock it down. They see us try to run the ball, and they stuff it.

"That’s what we got to do. We have to be that team."

Pollard is one of the few bright spots in what has been an already dismal Chiefs season.  Improving every year since he was drafted in 2006, Pollard has upped his game in 2008 during a season in which his team seems to be headed in the opposite direction.  Knocked as too slow to play safety when he entered the league and deficient in pass coverage last year, he dropped 20 pounds in the offseason which enabled him this season to run Darren McFadden (of the 4.3 combine speed) down from behind in the open field to prevent a long TD run in the Raiders game.  He's tied for second on the team in tackles with 26.  He's the most intimidating hitter in the Chiefs' secondary.  He's a prodigy on special teams and nearly blocked a punt in the Carolina game when the rest of the Chiefs looked resigned to getting stomped.  Pollard, in short, has been the closest thing to a leader that the Chiefs have on the field this year. 

And maybe, just maybe, Herm Edwards ought to think about making Pollard a team captain as opposed to Pat Thomas or reserve safety (and Edwards favorite) Jon McGraw, neither of whom have done anything to distinguish themselves on an extremely terrible defense.  He's certainly earned it with his play so far.