HairOnFire Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Pollack out to garner respect Linebacker joins first Bengals camp Monday, July 31, 2006Bill Rabinowitz THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The night before training camp started, linebacker David Pollack called Marvin Lewis for directions. The Cincinnati Bengals coach thought that was odd until he realized that although Pollack was a second-year player, he’s a first-timer at training camp. Contract negotiations dragged on so long last year that Pollack didn’t sign until after camp broke. All last season, Pollack loathed to acknowledge that the holdout slowed his progress as he made the transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker. Now he knows better. Pollack’s rookie season wasn’t exactly a bust, but he didn’t have the impact expected of a 17 th overall pick. It wasn’t until late in the year that Pollack began to blossom. Three of his 5½ sacks and 17 of his 44 tackles came in the regular-season finale in Kansas City and playoff loss to Pittsburgh. "Last year, I had to think every play. ‘Oh, my God, am I lined up right? Am I doing the right thing?’ " he said. For a player who prides himself on his work ethic and knowledge of the game, it was an unsettling feeling. "You just feel like you’re helpless out there," he said. "The most important thing is you feel like you’re disappointing everybody. I felt embarrassed coming in the huddle sometimes because I wasn’t helping my team. I’m a first-round draft pick and I’m coming into the huddle hardly knowing what I’m doing. "You definitely feel it when you know people in the huddle don’t necessarily trust you. It’s not a feeling I ever want to feel again." Pollack has done everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t. Always a workout fanatic, he hired a personal trainer to supplement his regular work with the team. "I worked out with the Bengals in the morning and with him in the evening," said Pollack, who has added about five pounds of muscle and now weighs 250. Perhaps even more important was intensive film study. Now in training camp, he’s starting to put the X’s and O’s he studied into action. "Tomorrow, I’ll be out here for hundreds of reps," Pollack said. "That’s something I need. I need to be drilled and get in great shape and keep going through every coverage in my head so I know what I’m supposed to be and do so when I get on the field on Sundays there’s no thinking. It’s just instinct and playing. That’s when it’s fun. It’s not fun when you’re thinking the whole time. It’s fun when you can just let it loose and let it all hang out." When Lewis drafted Pollack, he envisioned him as a playmaker with a passion for the game that rubs off on teammates. Pollack’s trying rookie season hasn’t changed that. "You want a gym rat, and we needed that type of personality on our defensive football team," Lewis said. "I think we have it on offense and we had to bring in some guys like that on defense. That’s what he’s all about. He’s not afraid to be out front, and I think that’s important. He doesn’t shy away from doing what’s right, doing it the right way and doing it full speed all of the time." The Bengals plan to use Pollack in a hybrid role – linebacker on regular downs and defensive end in passing situations. The linebacker part was sometimes abandoned last year. "I’m not lacking any tools that others have that I don’t," Pollack said. "God has equipped me with everything I need. I just have to keep working and keep driving. "I just want to be a great player. That’s all I want." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 first part made me lol irl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'm really pulling for the guy to have a huge year. You can never trust the media, but he seems to be an overall good kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I think David is set for one heckuva year. Looking to get a Bengal's jersey? Invest in the #99. Good character. All out energy. Trustworthy. Team oriented. Etc, etc, etc.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 He'll be a fan favorite by week 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 No sh*t on the jersey thing !!! Was going to look for the Thurman jersey this year, but I'm rethinking that one and looking at Pollack. I also look for good things from him this year. The guy is just dedicated and motivated. Gotta love it !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybren Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I hate that you've accepted Spain's ridiculous nickname for Pollack.But he does seem like the type of player who thrives in training camp. Hopefully it sticks and hopefully it rubs off on his teammates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I think David is set for one heckuva year. Looking to get a Bengal's jersey? Invest in the #99. Good character. All out energy. Trustworthy. Team oriented. Etc, etc, etc.... Got mine before week 1 last year lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted August 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I hate that you've accepted Spain's ridiculous nickname for Pollack. Well, until Pollack earns a different nickname I'll defer to the Spanish Peanut. Waterboy it is. As for the article, I especially loved the bit about Pollack adding another 5 pounds of muscle, and his being far more familiar now with his role within the defense. This camp is going to help him alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Yeah, whenever I see "Waterboy", I never know what the hell is being discussed. If it wasn't for Hair's last post, I probably still wouldn't be quite sure. Hate the nickname as well !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted August 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Perhaps a contest is in order. Task: Come up with a better nickname for David Pollack. Prize: Win three stirring Attaboys and a hearty slap on your virtual back from the much respected fugtard known as HairOnFire. (No cash value) Risk: Failure to improve on the Waterboy nickname will result in that hated tag becoming semi-official. Rules: None. Vote early. Vote often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalByTheBay Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 This is feeling eerily familiar -- didn't a similar thread come up in preseason last year? My favorite of the offerings was "Sacker Cracker", but I don't recall who to credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I'll add $1,000,000.00 BZ Dollars for the person who comes up with a group excepted nickname as well !!!I believe with all the bad blood about the Cincinnati Police, any nickname with the word "Cracker" might not be the best idea !!! WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsbengalsbucks Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I have no problem with the tag Waterboy.If he can play half as good as the original "waterboy" he will set a sack record. I would also love to see him come thru the line and drop Rottenheadcheeseburger in true "waterboy" fashion.You can do it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I vote Waterboy as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShulaSteakhouse Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Wish we knew "exactly" what position he'll be playing and how he'll be used.Apparently that's too complicated for us football fans to understand, for the coaches to explain or address it specifically.I can guess (hybrid DE/OLB of some sort) but no idea if they're going to a 3-4 or sticking with the 4-3 or what.Instead we get Curnutte's "Subway restaurant" updates and off field controversy/character stories....zzzzzz...would someone, in the press, in this town, ask some intelligent questions about the team and the game on the field for freakin' once? Geesh the cryptic crap gets old from this team/coaching staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spain Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 He earned it , for that hold out! However it reminds me of him and I mean no mallace. He will have a big impact this year, he is just waterboy and big ben is the devil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbengals1 Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 i herd him called " TAZ " before and it kinda stuck with mecause hes hyper and the motor is allways going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I like "TAZ", that's kind of fitting a hyper attitude for real !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 This clip has already been shown here, but I think Waterboy may actually be a better fit for Ahmad Brooks.http://www.ejbdotcom.net/content/2804.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spain Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 All of these guys are very similar, thats whatI noticed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Brooks = "WaterBONGboy" WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spain Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Getting ready to smoke one! Wife is super pissed, I wont touch high for a month!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacD BengalFan Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I think David Pollack would be offended by the nickname of "Waterboy" as I am sure he would not want to be associated with a moronic idoit who served water to the team, only to get lucky and play a little. And, anything with "cracker" in it is not a good idea either, as this can be considered a racial slur. While I do not have a suggestion yet, but give me some time and I think I can come up with one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalByTheBay Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 I think David Pollack would be offended by the nickname of "Waterboy" as I am sure he would not want to be associated with a moronic idoit who served water to the team, only to get lucky and play a little. And, anything with "cracker" in it is not a good idea either, as this can be considered a racial slur. While I do not have a suggestion yet, but give me some time and I think I can come up with one.Wow...dude, I think you might be taking this a little bit too seriously. BTW I don't think the idea was to run it by him for his approval first -- that's not really how nicknames work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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