The following post will attempt to provide insight as to why the Chiefs will be okay after cutting SS Bernard Pollard.

How essential has having Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas been? Look at what has happened with LB Corey Mays. I have no doubts both players have influenced the entire linebacking corps. What tools did these two bring to the defense?

 1) Play smart football...I believe football is more of a mental sport than a physical one. That said, in order to succeed, we need football players with instinct. Thomas and Vrabel have done this their entire careers. They bring a positive vibe to a defense that has been used to losing.

2) Play determined football--these guys want to win and were coaching our players in every aspect of the game. The biggest change I have seen is a defense that shows it wants to win and win now. In all of our preseason games, the starting defense has been quite dominant. I have a feeling when the regular season begins, they will place us in the position to win many games.

Look at last year--we could have won numerous games we wound up losing. We have better conditioning and better players. It's safe to say we could easily win half those games we lost last year with this year's defense.

You may be wondering where Bernard Pollard and Mike Brown/DaJuan Morgan fit into all this. Well, Mike Brown provides veteran leadership. Though often injured throughout his career, injuries cannot hinder veteran leadership. With Pollard gone, we need someone to mentor players like Morgan. Morgan played extremely well (albeit against the Rams). He is a man with a purpose--he is trying to show he wants to make the team. With a little bit of guidance from Mike Brown, I believe Morgan can win over Pollard's spot--especially if he plays like he did against the Rams.

I'll admit I was fumed with the release of Pollard. Instead of seeing it as a loss, I should have looked at it as a chance for Mike Brown and/or DaJuan Morgan to prove themselves. Let's see how the season progresses and assess whether this move helped or hindered our play. Go Chiefs!