Texans Fans Sure Seem to Like Former Chiefs S Bernard Pollard
by Joel Thorman on Oct 30, 2009 5:07 PM CDT
in 2009 Campaign
66 comments
The Kansas City Chiefs surprisingly cut safety Bernard Pollard on the final cutdown day before the season. He was out of football for a while before signing with the Houston Texans after the season started. Texans fans appear to be pleased with what they're getting out of him.
These are a few fan quotes from Texans Talk:
From Section516:
In terms of purely stopping the run and giving us the confidence boost needed to do so, he is the tied with Cushing (First round draft pick, #15.) as the team defensive MVP. These two have competely turned around the team and their mentality.
More after the jump.
Again from Section516:
Cushing and Pollard hits and just overall meaness seems to have inspired the entire LB core, they just fly around and HIT. Yeah yeah, a late hit here and there, but man, thats what we NEED. Once this D gets their identity, LOOK OUT.
From Hardcore Texan:
I am loving the signing of Pollard. We were really struggling at the position so one team's castoff was our team's treasure. He might struggle a bit in coverage but he makes up for in playing against the run. He brings the wood, loves to give out a hard hit and plays with intensity. Maybe just an average safety with respect to the rest of the NFL but was a definite upgrade for us. We have not given up those big run plays since he has been on board.
From dalemurphy:
Pollard may have saved our season!
And, this last one from HOU-TEX is particularly telling as we sit here with sit here with 9 of the last 15 FanPosts being about the draft.
Anywho, no need to talk draft yet. Loads of football left.
The life of a team that hasn't won 3 of their last 31 games.
0 recs |
66 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
Man!!
That makes me sick to my stomach…..seriously.
I dont wanna hear about how a guy we dropped is saving another teams defense.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Oct 30, 2009 5:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No shit.
Not a Pioli guy…..bla bla bla…..not the right 53…..bla bla bla……I’m so sick of it.
Козацькому роду нема переводу
by craig in calgary on Oct 30, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
No shit Part Deux
Yea Joel, thanks for rubbing it in. This is the last thing we want to hear about. I hope Bernie was laughing the whole way out of complex when they cut him
Welcome to Chiefs REBUILD - Version 2.0 /The Clark Hunt Edition
Chiefs will be lucky to go 4-12 in 2010
by KansasCityShuffle on Oct 30, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am never going to like this move.
No one will ever convince me he was not one of the 4 best safeties on this team.
by saskwatch on Oct 30, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT HE WASN'T THE PART OF THE "RIGHT 53"
Козацькому роду нема переводу
by craig in calgary on Oct 30, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fire Clancy
Just fire the little git now.
And if Pioli and Haley don’t get rid of Larry Johnson, as far as I’m concerned Haley and Pioli can leave with Clancy. I don’t have an ounce of respect for their football judgment at this point.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Oct 30, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's a git?
Козацькому роду нема переводу
by craig in calgary on Oct 30, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
GIT
maybe = guy in tampon
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
by sexassassin on Oct 31, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW I think that if he can’t cut it as a coverage guy, that he could have been a damn good linebacker in the vein of Thomas Smith
by Topchief1 on Oct 30, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This should sound very familiar to a lot of people here.
Good against the run, making late hits, Hits hard, still has trouble in pass protection.
Yeah, let's just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys! ...
by oldchiefsfan on Oct 30, 2009 5:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Obviously the Safeties we have are worse in Pass Coverage...
Hints the amount of huge plays. With less pressure, Pollard did better in coverage. I know people say he didnt, but our pass defense is worse.
OHANA!
by darwithabar on Oct 31, 2009 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pollard
is in a scheme that fits him now. He would have never fit in KC with the 3-4 defense.
I’m glad hes doing good though.
by Petey14 on Oct 30, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably a stupid comment by me but...
What exactly does the safety have to do with a 3-4 defence?
Козацькому роду нема переводу
by craig in calgary on Oct 30, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pollard
is a Run Support Strong Safety. He basically acts as a 4th LB in a traditional 4-3 defense.
When we had the 4-3, it wasnt a traditional 4-3, it was a Cover 2 which calls for 2 coverage safeties. Pollard is not a Coverage Safety.
When we switched to the 3-4, there is no need for a Run Support Safety. Cover 2 Strong Safeties have alot of the same assignments that a 3-4 Strong safety does.
Pollard didnt fit the Cover 2 and doesnt fit in a 3-4. Pollard is basically a safety playing like a LB. We already have 4 LB’s, we dont need a 5th.
by Petey14 on Oct 30, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you
that is exactly correct.
And can anybody honestly tell me that they think Pollard would have made the TD saving tackle on Portis?
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
by PVChiefsfan on Oct 30, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So I see that Berry is a Strong safety
and Mayes is a Free Safety.
Yet Mayes is bigger?
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09
And Succop will be the Key in two of them.
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Oct 30, 2009 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't Pollard a FS?
Pollard would fit in a 3-4, flat out. As you can tell in Clancys system, The safety blitzs alot. Pollard could blitz better then Brown, Period.
Also, If Brown is better in coverage and Page is too. Then why is our Pass defense worse this year then last?
OHANA!
by darwithabar on Oct 31, 2009 1:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No.
Page has always been our FS and Pollard has always been our SS. Pollard was a SS in college too.
The safeties dont blitz “alot”. They blitz here and there but any team in any formation can blitz the safety.
Not everything is on the Safeties. Carr, Leggett, and Washington have completely BLOWN coverages this year. Even Flowers has blown a couple but every DB gets beat sometimes. Its a whole new scheme so you cant compare anything to last year. For most of these guys, this is the first time playing in the scheme.
But no, Pollard would not fit a 3-4 “flat out”. Go study the 3-4 defense, then go study Pollard, and come back and tell me that he would fit. And if you do, I wanna see how in the world you came to the conclusion. You think Pollard would fit because we “blitz the safeties alot”? We really dont. It depends on the situation and that is the problem with Pollard is he can only be relied on against the rush, and even then, he might whiff the tackle. It seems like his whiffing issue is much better which I really expected to get better as he developed, but the point is, the 3-4 defense calls for coverage safeties and Pollard, in no way, shape or form, is a coverage safety.
Brown really isnt either, but I think Brown was put on the field because of his leadership. Pollard wasnt a leader, he was a trash talker.
by Petey14 on Oct 31, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was a stupid comment by you.
Heh. Just kidding, because you asked me to…
There’re more disguise and shifting responsibilities in the 3-4, and a fair amount of giving yourself up so someone else can make the play, at times. For an example, look at Corey Mays’s hit on Brett Favre. Mike Brown made the hole, rather than trying to make the play, himself. Brown may’ve been little or no better in coverage, but he understands the team concept (and his role therein) better.
Brown’s not a perfect fit, either, because of his problems in coverage. But in the 3-4, you need a safety more than you need another speedy LB. Also, if you look at the ages of Houston’s secondary, they’re a young unit on the rise, and you expect that unit to improve during the course of this season.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 30, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do we know?
He wasnt given a chance. He is miles better than McGraw or Brown
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Oct 30, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same with DJ
Watch him go to a contender in the offseason and have 120 tackles, 5 sacks and 4 ints.
Козацькому роду нема переводу
by craig in calgary on Oct 30, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
He is by far the most talented guy on Defense. Agree or not its the truth. He has sideline to sideline speed and is a hawk to ball. He has one of the best strip moves I have ever seen. He could be the TO machine we need. I dont care if he is inconsistant like people say….when he is on he is on. His inconsistancy is better than who we have…..Demarrio Williams and Corey Mays….ha! Thos guys would never start for any other team.
Pollard and DJ could have our D rolling in the right direction.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Oct 30, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and DJ is only 27yrs old.
He had 4 FF last season….
Haley better get this guy in the game if he wants his job!
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Oct 30, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Said it once
and I’ll say it again, DJ is the best athlete we have on D. But he’s not much of a football player.
Mike Vrable, while not as athletic, is a better football player. That’s why DJ is on the outside looking in right now.
The Kansas City Chief's 2009 record will be 5-11.
by Druful on Oct 30, 2009 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep...
and I’m starting to not like taking Longhorn players because of it. Look around the league and taking into account the occasional players from there that eventually redeem themselves, i.e. Cedric Benson. They do have some players like Vasher, Jammer, and Hampton that I really like but UT players generally don’t pan out with the hype they come with. They’re too pampered in Austin and then can’t get over their bruised egos once they hit camp. DJ, Vince Young, Roy Williams, Ricky Williams, Sweed, etc. Even Jamaal Charles in his limited touches has a knack for the untimely fumble. Drives me nuts
by Smoothkaos on Nov 2, 2009 6:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
true no one would be starting on another team
but in a dew years i doubt they will be starting with us either. they are just fillers this year. DJ and pollard have been given a chance. all during the offseason and neither showed what the coaches were looking for. you may not agree with it but there are many different coaching styles that have been proven to win. you saying that they are better then what we have on the field is like comparing apples and oranges. sure they may have more athletic ability, but half of the equation. michael jordan is one of the greatest athletes to play professional sports, but his athletic ability would do nothing to help our team. his skill set was in basketball. someone is going to mention that i’m now comparing apples and oranges. i’m not because i’m not commenting on the sports but on you comment on athletic ability. they may be more athletic but if they can’t play the game the way the coach wants then they might as well be playing a different sport.
by Leaf on Oct 31, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But DJ is not just athletic ability
He has proven production….he can intercept, sack, tackle, and force fumbles…
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Oct 31, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
on occation
if he did that consitantly then you would have a point. that’s the biggest problem with DJ. one sec he looks like he’s god sent the next he’s pulling a jimmy hoffa on the field. he’s just not there. there’s no reason to keep someone who is consitantly inconsistant. as i said a few years from now very few, if any of these guys will be starting. with that in mind, do you play the guy you know is going to play the way you want all the time but is lacking in athletic ability or do you play the guy you have no idea who he’s going to be that day. i’d go with the guy you can count on because you can at least then adjust your gameplan as you know what you can and can’t get from that player.
by Leaf on Nov 2, 2009 7:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What about Dwayne Bowe?
He is very inconsistant….he drops a lot of balls….but guess what he still plays cause he is the best WR we have. DJ is the same way…..he might screw up but he is still the best LB we have.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Nov 2, 2009 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
See
my reply to craig in calgary.
3-4 defenses dont use a Run Support Strong Safety. Thats what Pollard is.
3-4 Strong Safeties are typically coverage guys like the Free Safety. I dont think Page is a typical Free Safety, but I think he is a PERFECT fit as the Strong Safety in a 3-4 defense. That is the only reason I can understand drafting Berry or Mays. I believe both of them play FS but I could be wrong.
by Petey14 on Oct 30, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who put a gun to Pioli/Haley's head
and made them switch to a 3-4?
Dumbest move of the offseason IMO.
But Belichick again reminded everyone to keep things in perspective.
"I think that whole 4-3, 3-4 thing is way overrated and way overhyped. Essentially, players that play in the position that [Elvis] Dumervil plays, or that our outside linebackers play, there are a lot of similarities to a 4-3 defensive end, whether the guy’s hands up or hands down. I’m not saying that doesn’t make any difference, but we’ve all seen that. We’ve seen Jason Taylor play on the edge in a 4-3, we’ve seen him play in a 3-4, we’ve seen him be Defensive Player of the Year in a 3-4."
From WEEI Sports Radio
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Oct 30, 2009 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would imagine it was Pioli
probably little to do with Haley on the D side of the Ball.
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09
And Succop will be the Key in two of them.
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Oct 30, 2009 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pollard plays like a linebacker
Why didn’t we move him there when we switched to 3-4?
by bakerlee on Oct 30, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because his biggest weakness is a lack of sure tackling
something you can’t have in a LB…well, assuming you don’t want to suck ass against the run
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
by PVChiefsfan on Oct 30, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A guy that hits like Pollard always has to be accounted for...
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Oct 30, 2009 5:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, please
Any Chiefs fans still pining for Pollard need to pop in a tape of the preseason game with Seattle. The guy is an absolute joke.
BTW, this Houston run defense he “saved” is ranked 23rd in the NFL and gives up more yards per carry than KC does.
by SlipperyPete on Oct 30, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
they were ranked dead last before he got there.
by saskwatch on Oct 30, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Preseason?
Consider any analysis from preseason completely worthless. Thanks!
by T-Rich on Oct 30, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Teams
Before we go saying that Pollard is the sole reason they went from 32nd to 23rd… Lets look at the teams they played.
Week 1-3 NYJ TEN and Jac(16th) Those are the teams rushing ranks
Week 4-8 OAK ARI CIN and SanF(26th)
The teams they were player were WAY worse rushing the ball…
by bob.lantz on Oct 30, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Info didnt post
Week 1-3 NYJ (1st) TEN (8th) and Jac (16th) Those are the teams rushing ranks
Week 4-8 OAK (22nd) ARI (32nd) CIN (6th) and SanFran (26th)
by bob.lantz on Oct 30, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where are the Chiefs ranked?
Actually the Texans are 21st against the run.
The Chiefs are 25th.
Not that big a difference you say? WRONG. The Texans have given up 12% fewer rushing yards than the Chiefs.
by ChiefDJ on Oct 30, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me or
does Pollard look weird wearing number 31? 49 fit him way better
by tomahawk44 on Oct 30, 2009 5:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Welcome to Chiefs REBUILD - Version 2.0 /The Clark Hunt Edition
Chiefs will be lucky to go 4-12 in 2010
by KansasCityShuffle on Oct 30, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not...
losing sleep over the move. It sounds to me like Texan fans are just as homerish with Pollard as Chief fans were. I want a complete safety. I bet when he starts missing tackles the fans will think differently.
by I_Bleed_Red. on Oct 30, 2009 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I will admit I was a Pollard Homer
but I do agree that we need a more complete safety (Polamalu) type
by tomahawk44 on Oct 30, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Texan comments are about stopping the run
and Pollard does well near the line of scrimmage. He’s an average player but definitely not MVP. just wait until he starts getting out of position and whiffs in the open field
by xchiefsx on Oct 30, 2009 6:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Texan fans were also frank about his limitations in coverage.
Sounds to me like he found a good fit.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 30, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What Herm said
Herm said Pollard had trouble focusing. Pollard under-achieved here. I hope he woke up and does well. Pollard was a disappointment while here.
by ChiefConcern on Oct 30, 2009 6:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thinking too hard about the next wisecrack for his trash-talk routine...
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 30, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked Pollard and I was pretty shocked that we released him,
but I think we need to take a deep breath and think about all of the players we have picked up that we claimed were our “saviors” for a few weeks until they started making mistakes. If he missed tackles here, he will probably miss tackles there. When the honeymoon is over we will really see who Pollard will be in Texas.
Trying to see the big picture.
by supremeKC on Oct 30, 2009 6:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I could not...
agree more. I think dumping Pollard was idiotic. I also think we should have kept Lelie on the team.
by 5280ChiefsFan on Oct 30, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know if I would go so far as to say idiotic yet,
but it will suck if he becomes the Texans’ MVP. I know he might not fit our scheme but it would not sit well with me, especially since we released and not traded him.
Trying to see the big picture.
by supremeKC on Oct 30, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lelie did seem like the most talented WR on the roster, next to Bowe.
I think it was part mental lapses and possibly lack of conditioning that landed him on the shit-list.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 30, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe Mental conditioning and physical lapses
would of liked to keep Lelie but Long is younger and breakable Trainable
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09
And Succop will be the Key in two of them.
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Oct 30, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully he has found
a place where he fits better than what he did here. Sometimes a change of scenery helps & sometimes it turns an all-pro into a reserve, you just never know. Maybe he learned a lesson (whatever it may have been) & he is now better off for it.
We have no way of knowing why he was cut & all anyone can do is guestimate & draw there own conclusions but we’ll probably never know for sure. I’m of the opinion that it was a combination of things including the whiffs, the being out of position, the inability to cover in the manner that Clancey requested.
Nor do we know what the argument with the DC was about which led to Pollard bringing the event to Haley’s attention shortly before he was released. Not knowing what any of those events were, how can we do anything rather than acknowledge that there must have been a reason that the Chiefs didn’t feel he fit.
Hopefully it ends up being a win / win situation for everyone involved.
by ttownmikey on Oct 30, 2009 6:53 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
GET OVER IT. bah. Better off without him
seriously. Wasn’t the future of this team. Granted neither is Brown..
I don't want no Yo-Yos
by AK_47 on Oct 30, 2009 10:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I feel about Tank Tyler how I do about Pollard
Good backups/decent players. Bad attitudes and not what we want to build around
I don't want no Yo-Yos
by AK_47 on Oct 30, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pollard is a starter in this league no doubt about it.
You can’t name 32 better safeties, Look how much Houston’s D has improved. Also, He wasn’t release for a bad attitude. It was partly Ego on Haley’s part, The other part was him wanting to be to aggressive.
OHANA!
by darwithabar on Oct 31, 2009 1:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah everyone was saying we wouldn't miss him...
But we are and they are better. We are worse @ safety, They are better @ safety. He is the perfect S for this scheme too because of Clancys’ love of blitzing and using the S to stop the run. Chiefs Fans were all on board with this when it happen. It just goes to show that Pioli isn’t perfect and is making mistakes that are noticable now that he sint on the Patriot. You guys can down talk Pollard all you want but the Truth is the truth.
OHANA!
by darwithabar on Oct 31, 2009 1:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm tired of this crap
about certain players not fitting the scheme. In year one of a transition, a good coach and/or GM will coach to the strengths of the players he inherits. Then, over the course of a few years, he will eventually weed out the players who dont fit into what he is doing as he eventually fills the team with guys who do fit. Anything different is just being stubborn and having too much pride.
by kc_radrh8r on Nov 1, 2009 12:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Join the community and dive in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
