Pollard Claims Chiefs Spoke Poorly of Him After Release
by Joel Thorman on Nov 10, 2009 8:57 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
51 comments
Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard talked to the folks at 810 WHB after a 12 tackle, two interception game for the Houston Texans on Sunday.
A lot of folks in Kansas City are not happy with the safety play last Sunday. Mike Brown admitted that he gave up two touchdowns on a 28 yard run and a 61 yard pass. The guy Mike Brown replaced, Pollard, had quite a game for the Texans.
Over the weekend, there was a quote from Pollard in his hometown appear where he said he wasn't sure why he was released, insinuating there was some sort of personality conflict.
Yesterday, in an interview on 810, Pollard indicated that the Chiefs weren't speaking highly of him following his release on September 5th.
"I'm not going to sit here and lie to you," he said, "I don't know why I was cut. I can't do anything but assume. I know what was said about me. The things they said about me weren't right and they know they weren't right."
A reporter used the word "blackball" yesterday when he asked head coach Todd Haley about Pollard's words. I think that would imply the Chiefs were purposely trying to keep him out of the league, which I'm not sure if the case.
Pollard went into more detail on the things he claims someone from the Chiefs said about him after he was released.
"I don't know who said them. The one thing that disappointed me - I'm not going to go to into everything that was said because there were a lot of things that were said but it hurt me - it said I was argumentative and disrespectful to my teammates."
Pollard said he's "never" been disrespectful to his teammates and will always "respect every one of them as a man and a friend." He says he has "never been that type of player."
"I respect coach Herm because he went to bat for me," he continued. "He called people [for me]. No team would touch me. Nobody wanted to mess with me because they didn't want to bring that into their lockerroom."
Indeed, Herm Edwards told the guys on 810 WHB earlier that day that he had called a few GMs for Pollard.
Herm also disagreed with any description of Pollard as a bad lockerroom guy. Some tweets from Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star said even though Pollard is a better player than Mike Brown, he was a bad lockerroom influence.
Herm did not agree with any of these assessments and labeled him a great lockerroom guy.
As he did in an interview with his hometown paper yesterday, Pollard was outspoken about the way he was treated by Todd Haley and his coaching staff.
"You just can't disrespect me and expect me to go home...when you're playing on TV and your wife and kids are at the game and they see you waling off the field and the coach yelling at you for doing some that's not even your fault, cursing you out."
"This is a professional job," he said, "You're dealing with grown men."
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hmmm
I figured his poor tackling did all the talking for him
Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!
by nateforchiefs on Nov 10, 2009 9:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree with the assessment on Herm's comments
I listened to this yesterday driving into work. Yes, Herm had positive words for Pollard (of course Herm wouldn’t throw anyone under the bus).
However, Herm DID mention if memory serves that as a coach there are different types of players in the lockerroom and you have to know how to approach each player in his own way.
He basically danced around saying Pollard was “difficult”…yes, I’m being PC like Herm. But I didn’t go away feeling Herm TOTALLY disagreed with some folks’ assessment that Pollard was disruptive.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
by THE_TRUTH on Nov 10, 2009 9:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
The Herm interview is linked there, if anyone wants to give it a listen.
I thought Herm was backing him up but he did say that as a coach you have to approach every player differently (like you said).
by Joel Thorman on Nov 10, 2009 9:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's very hard
to really put ourselves in an NFL locker room and understand exactly what it takes to motivate and manage players. I’ve seen dozens of posts – maybe even hundreds – where people try to relate their experience in the workplace, school or the military to what Todd Haley is doing now, or to what Herm Edwards did in the previous three seasons.
Although people on both sides of the argument can make compelling cases based on models like these, the models all fail for one basic reason: none of them include employees who make millions of dollars, and are asked for their autographs a hundred times a day. None of us have the slightest idea how it feels to be someone in that situation, or have any experience whatsoever at managing someone who is.
That said… we’re still talking about people here. In my experience, Herm Edwards is right. People are all different, and have to approached differently. As the old saying goes… if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
John
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"
by RDOGuy on Nov 10, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Herm bowed down
you can’t manage a team if you’re bowing down to the players. never ever heard of that working and it didn’t work for “coach herm”.
by riverhorse on Nov 10, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
Herm didn’t “bow down” … he treated the players with class and respect (certainly the ones who showed him the same)
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 10, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd Argue A Little Too Much Class And Respect
Herm was too soft and Haley’s too harsh. Somewhere in the middle of those two poles lies a good coach.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
Fire Haley now.
by UCrawford on Nov 10, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
between teh two poles....
looking for a field goal?
by TDubb on Nov 10, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With all due respect, Riverhorse
You seem to be hearing me say something I did not say: that Herm Edwards took the correct approach in handling his players. I honestly don’t know if he did or not – nor do I know if Haley is doing so. My comment was simply that Herm Edwards made a comment about people that I find to be true.
John
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"
by RDOGuy on Nov 10, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I said after the fourth loss this season that the discontent
would bubble to the surface, and clearly it has.
Is this why the “right 53” has been so important?
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Nov 10, 2009 9:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whatever
The bottom line is Pollard > Brown. It’s like a bad fantasy team, they keep trading our good players for the “right” players and we end up with a terrible football team.
by Chiefs2010 on Nov 10, 2009 9:18 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Pollard just wasn't getting it done for us here
I’m sure the coaching staff kept telling him to stop going for the bit hit over and over. He kept doing it and we consistently got burned. Maybe he figured it out finally and its working out for him. I do remember he had a good game here and there for us too. Does Brown stink. Sure he does. Maybe the Chiefs are blackballed to where the players just don’t want to perform here.
by Ren on Nov 10, 2009 9:23 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I listened to that interview too
And have been a huge supporter of Pollard, but he lost all credibility w/me when he said …
“never” been disrespectful to his teammates and will always “respect every one of them as a man and a friend.” He says he has “never been that type of player.”
I recall Pollard (this was widely reported on from River Falls) having the entire offense wanting stomp his guts out, due to him talking smack to them during warm ups, taunting them. Loudly taunting them, in front of the media and fans gathered . Do any of you recall this? And keep in mind by all reports, the defense was at that time dominating the O in practices.
That to me is not how you treat your teammates with respect. And from all accounts, the offensive guys didn’t feel respected by being taunted in warm up’s if front of fans and media.
He lost all credibility with me. I’ve got no problem with one player trying to motivate a teammate with a few verbal jabs but to take it to the point that half the team wants to beat your ass, is a bit to far, and then to do it in public… I don’t think so!
by JohnNdallas on Nov 10, 2009 9:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
yeah
I remember reading reports about him jawing it constantly with the offense.
Besides, as a player it’s his job to do what the coaches tell him to do. Coaches lead & players follow. He seems like one of those guys who don’t think it’s his job to follow anybody.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Nov 10, 2009 9:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"Coaches lead & players follow"
wow, that’s funny … because I know they brought in Cassel because he’s “a leader” … same with Vrabel … in fact, isn’t that PART of being “The Right 53” … being a TEAM LEADER
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 10, 2009 10:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
different contexts
but I think you know that…
Players are supposed to do what the coaches tell them to do on the field. Would you agree with this? Thus the Coach = Leader, Player = Follower
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Nov 10, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
At the same time
it was being reported almost daily that Haley &/or Pendergast had to tell Pollard to shut up again & Haley seemingly partially joking said that Pollard seemed to be doing okay if he could just keep his mouth shut! Obviously Pollard wasn’t paying attention if he doesn’t realize it.
Long time kool-aid drinker & too old to learn a new trick! No flip-flopping allowed!
by ttownmikey on Nov 10, 2009 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Everybodys expendable...
When you are part of a team that is losing. Pollard found that out I guess.
It’s easy to be a nice guy in the locker room when you are winning. We can’t really tell how Pollard will affect the Texans locker room until they go through a really bad stretch or he has the time to settle in there. No one wants to make waves right after they start a new job.
His play there can only be described as great though. No other word for it, he has played great. A real bargain for that defense and apparently he fits really well there so I am happy for him for that.
On the blackball comments…. whatever. Sounds like bs, even if it is true who cares? Teams have better things to do than to call up gms and tell them “Don’t take this guy or you’ll be sorry!” Anything the Chiefs have said about this guy is public and common knowledge.
He really needs to be professional and just not talk about it. He is in a good situation now and the more he talks the more chance he has to screw it up.
Some guys need a chip on their shoulder to succeed in this league and he’s got one now so thank us Chiefs later.
by Lucasjr5 on Nov 10, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I havn't seen
any of the Texans games since they picked Pollard up so all that I can go by is the boxscore but as we all know, Pollard always showed up good in those. More of an indicator to me would be the fact that Peyton had 40 pass attempts in the 1st half & Dallas Clark ended up with 14 receptions. Obviously the Colts feel as though there is something to exploit in the Texans secondary!
Long time kool-aid drinker & too old to learn a new trick! No flip-flopping allowed!
by ttownmikey on Nov 10, 2009 10:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
with 9 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 pass deflection AND 2 int's ... I'm guessing it wasn't Pollard
perhaps LB’s, dunno
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 10, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.
You can jaw with people and you can egg them on to the point that they want to hit you but still have respect for them as players and as men.
How many times have you seen game tape where someone is jawing with someone on the other team, trash talking about their game play or their mothers or whatever, and then seeking them out first after the game to shake their hand and tell them what a good game they’d played. In scrimmage, it’s a bit different because those guys are on your same team and you share the same lockerroom, but — at least, ideally — the mentality is the same.
I also recall a number of stories about Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle trash-talking the defense (I seem to remember even one about them singing songs or dancing?) when they’d burn someone for a big completion. But, we don’t trash Matt or Brodie for that, do we? We laugh about it.
You want your guys out there practicing with the same mentality that they’d have in the game. You want them to have that same competitive drive. You want them to want to go out there and do their best every snap. And, if that means jawing with their teammates and pushing guys buttons so that the other guy gets distracted by his anger or whatever and makes a mistake, I’m alright with that.
It teaches one guy how to push the oppositions’ buttons, and it teaches the other guy to not let his buttons be pushed.
And, at the end of the day, there’s a vast difference between disrespecting someone verbally to get them to step up their game and prove you wrong (yes, even doing so to the point that they want to knock your teeth out), and actually not respecting someone personally. I think that’s what Pollard is saying.
by JacinB on Nov 10, 2009 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
everybody talks trash,
to a point everyone talks trash .Tempers get hot, they get in fist fights or its just used to make things fun and sometimes they do that just to get a player used to what he’ll see in the NFL. . Everybody has seen the clips. Pollard may have went over the line a few times, could happen to anybody. That can’t be the only reason. EVerybody has a role on the team and in some ways, trash talkers have a place.
Fact is the guys that stay in the coaching buisness can take a lot of individuals and get them to play as a team. The BEST can get what he wants out of a bunch of VERY different players. Some coaches, they have a name, they have established credentials and just their very presence cuts through all the BS. THat’s why i’m on the fence with Haley. Will he be good enough to get some cred before he’s labeled as "just a loudmouth? "
by tenacious rdc on Nov 10, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
big baby pollard
for a grown man pollard sounds more like a big baby.
by riverhorse on Nov 10, 2009 9:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I could say the same for Haley the way he treats the players
“this is MY teamand MY football …” (stomping foot for effect) “… and if you don’t play by MY rules then I won’t let you play at all!” (insert foul language here for more effect)
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 10, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
YOU BASTARD!!
Don’t you EVER stomp your foot on my planet or you can’t play! Do you hear me up????
by krayfish on Nov 10, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"This is a professional job," he said, "You're dealing with grown men."
The problem is too many of them don’t act like grown men.
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Nov 10, 2009 10:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Raven, you're right - too many of them, like out current HC, don't act like grown men
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 10, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My point is Pollard's
credibility is gone. If he can claim in an interview that he always treated his teammates with respect, when it was widely reported that his actions don’t match his words. So why would one be more inclined to believe him about what happened?
And whats even more telling about Pollards claim is that Houston has it’s own inside source on Pollard. Maybe some of Y’all have forgotten that David Gibbs (Chiefs Secondary Coach for 3 years) is now the secondary Coach in Houston. So for him to suggest that the Chiefs were blackballing him, rings a bit hollow.
by JohnNdallas on Nov 10, 2009 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
And whats even more telling about Pollards claim is that Houston has it’s own inside source on Pollard. Maybe some of Y’all have forgotten that David Gibbs (Chiefs Secondary Coach for 3 years) is now the secondary Coach in Houston. So for him to suggest that the Chiefs were blackballing him, rings a bit hollow.
What makes you think Houston is the first team that inquired?
Think of it from a different angle: Perhaps it’s because Houston has an “inside source” on Pollard, giving information that was backed up by Herm in his discussion with the GM in Houston, that made Houston decide to give Pollard a shot in spite of what Haley and Pioli were saying about him being a bad influence in the locker room.
You’ve heard one of Haley’s mouthpieces (Kent Babb) saying the same sorts of things about Pollard that Pollard claims Haley and Pioli were saying. You never heard, however, anyone else on the team or anyone else in Houston saying anything similar. In fact, everything that I’ve heard about Pollard from Houston seems particularly positive.
by JacinB on Nov 10, 2009 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
When did Babb become one of Haley’s mouthpieces? He’s been pretty hard on the team at various points this season.
by bh13 on Nov 10, 2009 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He's been hard on the team ...
Because you can’t not be an still maintain any level of credibility as a journalist.
by JacinB on Nov 11, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pollard was a young player trying 2 find his way in this league....
and Pioli didnt want him apart of this team due 2 the fact he injured Brady for the year. I can see Pioli blackballing Pollard. Not necessarily going out his way 2 do it but if a GM were 2 call him and ask why did u let this young player go “Well he is a cancer in the locker room and very disrepectable”. I remeber Pioli lobbying petty hard 2 have Pollard suspended last year for his hit on Brady…telling the commissioner that Pollard was a dirty player. With him taunting his teammates in practice is completely blown out of porportion, if u ever played football a day in your life than u know certain things come with the game. If I were on offense and he talked trash 2 me that would make me want 2 show him up somehow,but not fight him unless he was taking cheap shots.
by clockinoncloud09 on Nov 10, 2009 11:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Did you
read what you just typed?
Long time kool-aid drinker & too old to learn a new trick! No flip-flopping allowed!
by ttownmikey on Nov 10, 2009 12:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Pioli wanted him suspended last year and it didn’t happen. So when the opportunity presented itself Pioli left him high and dry. Is anyone really going to argue that Brown is a better player than Pollard at this point?
by jrockets on Nov 10, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that's certainly an easy explanation
The other, more rational explanation is that Pollard is a guy who does what he wants & doesn’t listen to coaches instructions. My hunch is that Pioli isn’t as shallow as you seem to think.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Nov 10, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Coaching
I feel like this I wanted a coaching change badly but I always liked and respected Herm. He’s a good and honorable man if not much of a HC. His term wasn’t totally fair, he was stuck with trying a appease Solari his first year and Gunther his whole term and a total rebuild of an ancient team but still I wanted a change. Now you have Haley whom to me is a bad coach and an even worse human being. It takes away a lot of joy to see such a miserable person in charge of your team and yeah i do think they tried to black ball Pollard. And i do think they want players walk on egg shells and i do think it’s going to either get ugly or they totally quit on Haley/Pioli.
by FrankPitts on Nov 10, 2009 11:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Now you have Haley whom to me is a bad coach and an even worse human being.
Agree 1000%
It takes away a lot of joy to see such a miserable person in charge of your team
So true. It was painful to see the gatorade bath after the redskins win.
And I do think they want players walk on egg shells and I do think it’s going to either get ugly or they totally quit on Haley/Pioli.
I see that too. This situation reminds me a lot of Belichick 1st HC job with Cleveland. Haley will only change and figure it out in his 2nd HC job after he is fired here. It’s unfortunate that we will have prep Haley up for his real head coaching job somewhere.
In Pioli’s regard, I think he will get it right eventually. I wanna see his draft class of 2010 – trully picking his own players from his hand-picked scouting personnel.
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Nov 10, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OMG 58. I thought I was the only one who caught that...
his gatorade bath….he snarled at first. It took him a minute to even smile. I thought he was going to yell about it like he always does.
by krayfish on Nov 10, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He explained that. He was caught up in the game and, having had experience with people coming back against teams he was with, wasn’t comfortable celebrating until the game was officially over.
by bh13 on Nov 10, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What makes Haley such a terrible human being?
Do you know him well enough to know that he’s worse than a “bad human being”?
Sorry, but some of you people are way to harsh on the guy. He’s gotten to where he is through his own hard work and abilities, and while it’s still not clear if he’ll turn out to be a good coach or not (in my mind anyway) I think it’s pretty ridiculous to attack him so vehemently (apparently) because he uses bad language & is demanding of his players.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Nov 10, 2009 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
TODD HALEY eats babies...
ok jmcgoblue!
by krayfish on Nov 10, 2009 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha
I wouldn’t go that far, but I do know that his wife doesn’t enjoy rats with her salad ;)
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Nov 10, 2009 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what a pussy....
her seriously needed counseling for seeing a dead rat????
by callmesir on Nov 10, 2009 2:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure that's what her lawyers said
Pretty much standard operating procedure in those types of lawsuits.
Personally, I think it’s hysterical. I probably shouldn’t have posted it, I’m SURE some of the Haley Haters will use it as ammo against him…even though it’s his wife, not him.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Nov 10, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pollard is right imo
Haley has been nothing but foolish, I literally struggle trying to point out any strong suits he has shown thus far
by Cassel is a west coast pretty boy on Nov 10, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
agreed pretty boy...
Haley has really let me down. I believed in him. I sang his praises in here on AP. For the record…and yes I’m giving M Grbac and Upamtn some ammo to blast me with…I even sent a personal email to Haley via the staff at Arrowhead.
I got a reply too. I was very complimentary and assured him we were behind him all the way. What an ass I am for that. I’m so embarrassed. I was way off the mark with him. God dammit. I just want a really really good coach in here again.
Seriously, does anyone know about Vermeil? Is he ever going to coach again? PLEASE!!
by krayfish on Nov 10, 2009 12:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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