"sighs" Pollack needs surgery

[Kazkal]

Pollack needs surgery as career stays in limbo

By GEOFF HOBSON

December 14, 2006

4:35 p.m.

David Pollack’s NFL career remains very much in limbo with Thursday’s announcement that he’ll need surgery to repair a broken vertebra in his neck.

The Bengals said that “no forecast of Pollack’s eventual return to football will be made at this time.” Last week Pollack expressed hope he could have a six-to-nine month rehab without surgery, but the operation most likely extends the rebab.

Pollack, a strong-side linebacker who was the club’s first-round pick in the 2005 draft, fractured the bone in his neck on Sept. 17 when he tackled Cleveland running back Reuben Droughns on the second snap of the game for the Bengals defense.

Spine specialist Dr. Anthony Guanciale examined Pollack Thursday, a week after his halo brace was taken off and replaced by a neck brace.

[derekshank]

That's probably it. Wish him well. Dream about what might have been... and draft a LB in the 1st round.

[PMThor]

Forget about football. I just hope he gets healthy and lives a long and good life. It's too bad that this may signal the end to his football career, but he is young and appears to be intelligent. He should land on his feet ok.

Get better David.

[Kazkal]

I feel bad for him. He loved game so much and was such a high energy guy and will never play again just after 1 season.....then you have guys like Odell and henry who take it for granite =/

Here comes Woodley or Moses well both probbley be off the board when we pick.

[derekshank]

I don't think there is a need to worry about him as a person. He's going to be fine. He won't be able to play professional football... but he's a good guy, and he's got a bright future. There will almost certainly be no long term effects. Worse things have happened.

I feel bad for him because he has the talent and ability to play football - and can no longer live out that dream... but other than that, I'm sure he'll be fine.

[Kazkal]

Ya as a person I'd be fine too pocket few million in a year with a hot wife ....He can always takle up table tennis with all that energy

[HairOnFire]

I don't think there is a need to worry about him as a person. He's going to be fine. He won't be able to play professional football... but he's a good guy, and he's got a bright future. There will almost certainly be no long term effects. Worse things have happened.

Agreed. The injury was an unfortunate reminder that there are many things associated with the NFL that are far more important than wins, playoff spots, or even championships. And with that in mind you have to look at this situation and conclude that Pollack was remarkably lucky that day as he'll likely suffer little or no long term health impact, and had already played at such a high level in college that he's financially set for life.

Pollack may attempt to return to the NFL, but my gut, as well as my head, tell me that he's done. Thus, he's likely to find himself tossed into to the ranks of the WMHB. (What might have been.) Greg Cook, Charles Fisher, Ki-Jana Carter, and others.

Meanwhile, as fans, many of us will withhold judgement on the wisdom of his selection due to the circumstances...while others will quickly lable Pollack a busted pick. I'll save my thoughts on that for another day. Instead, I'll add only this. When considering the salaries that entertainers and sports figures make these days it's almost impossible for NFL players to be overpaid...as no other sport routinely shatters the physical health of the very players that represent it's lifeblood.

So if this is the end, well....good luck David, and thanks for the fish.

[Stripes]

G'luck David. No ill will here.

[bengalboomer7]

Even though i can't help but think what might have been (I'm sure even David's doing that) I wouldn't even begin to say I feel sorry for him or anything like that. I also don't think that it would ever be fair to label him a bust, but he will eventually probably be thrown in the collective "pile" by some(not labeling anyone, just saying it'll happen)

I am left to wonder just a bit since no one has said he's done, but like his doctor told him and what he said in his ESPN interview "You don't get up from a broken neck twice"

[MacD BengalFan]

David may have a slight chance to play again, but I would hope he talks to Sterling Sharp who suffered the basicly the same injury and shorted his career. But if he chooses not to pursue his football career, his attitude and intelligence will land him squarly on his feet in fine fashion. I would not be surprised that he ends up doing some TV work for ESPN or NFL Network in the coming years.

[Kazkal]

Peko looks stoned in that picture.

Sam adams is looking at jamal like he's a fat burger.

[WhoDey93285]

This is really sad. David's a great guy and had all the ability in the world, this was really really unfortunate. I wish him the best. Like an above poster, I wouldn't at all be surprised, with his personality, to see him working for ESPN or the NFL Network in the near future.

[GregCook]

If David does retire as seem certain, does anyone know if the Bengals will get an extra draft pick as compensation? The Bengals are in a tough spot here. They might lose Justin Smith, a first round pick. They might lose Stieny a 2ed round pick, they will lose Pollack, a 1st rounder and they might not ever see Odell, a 2ed round pick too. Thats a very very very big amount of high grade beef carved out of the Bengals for 2007.

[TJJackson]

there are no compensatory picks for career ending injuries

[BengalPimp]

If David does retire as seem certain, does anyone know if the Bengals will get an extra draft pick as compensation? The Bengals are in a tough spot here. They might lose Justin Smith, a first round pick. They might lose Stieny a 2ed round pick, they will lose Pollack, a 1st rounder and they might not ever see Odell, a 2ed round pick too. Thats a very very very big amount of high grade beef carved out of the Bengals for 2007.

No, the NFL doesnt give out extra draft picks because of injuries. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game.

No matter how optimistic any of us wanted (or still want to be) We all knew when it happened, that his playing career was over. Knee's/leg's/shoulder's are one thing.....a broken neck is something entirely different, especially for a Linebacker who's job is to be physical, hit, tackle, and throw his body around.

Sadly, there is no way he will return, no way his family would let him return, and understand that its not just about "what if he injures his neck again" if he has surgery to fuse the C-6 vertebrae in his neck to another, he will lose a lot of flexibility,and wont be able to fully turn, bend his neck like he used to. And there will be no "give" if he takes another shot, because there will be no cartilage between the two vertebrae.

That said, I dont know that I can see him doing some broadcasting like some others have suggested. He just seems too Hyper to sit down and talk, Honestly, I can see him maybe being a Coaching Assistant somewhere, High School/college/maybe someday pro ? or something in that aspect when he is physically able.

[Kazkal]

ODell better freaking clean his arse up or I'm gonna find him irl and rape his ass.

[Spor_tees]

ODell better freaking clean his arse up or I'm gonna find him irl and rape his ass.

Well here pretty soon at the rate he is going all you will have to do is get arrested and meet him in jail to rape his ass.

[Kazkal]

I figure I'd get him rdy for it.

[HoosierCat]

Well, that should about write the end to Pollack's short pro football career. Oh, well, nothing I haven't pretty much expected since the injury. Have fun with Mikey's money, David, I know I would!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

That's probably it. Wish him well. Dream about what might have been... and draft a LB in the 1st round.

I wish Pollack well in life, and have little desire to see Odell back. I'll go with Brooks, Miller, Jeanty, Simmons, Landon, and maybe a 1st, more likely a 2nd, round pick as my top LBs. Our LBs are surprisingly good now, and remember, we already took an LB in the 3rd round next year (the supplemental draft makes correct grammar difficult, but you know what I mean).

I'm still more worried with 1) Age of DTs, 2) CB depth (Tory's slowness and Ratliff's suckage), 3) Possibly replacing either Steinbach or Justin. Other than that, I might take a backup RB somewhere who can do better than Watson (has anyone thought of the horror of losing Rudi to injury? Maybe I should go punch myself in the head for even thinking that). I might consider a S to give Madieu some competition, he's having just a bit of a down year it seems.

If I had my pick, I'd go either CB or D-line in the 1st round. I'd go LB if there was one available who was significantly better than the other defense on the board. I wouldn't even think offense in the 1st unless we keep Smith and let Steinbach leave, and there's a game-changing G on the board.

(Un?)Fortunately, we probably won't be in a position to land an instant stud in the draft anyway.

[bengalboomer7]

That's probably it. Wish him well. Dream about what might have been... and draft a LB in the 1st round.

I wish Pollack well in life, and have little desire to see Odell back. I'll go with Brooks, Miller, Jeanty, Simmons, Landon, and maybe a 1st, more likely a 2nd, round pick as my top LBs. Our LBs are surprisingly good now, and remember, we already took an LB in the 3rd round next year (the supplemental draft makes correct grammar difficult, but you know what I mean).

I'm still more worried with 1) Age of DTs, 2) CB depth (Tory's slowness and Ratliff's suckage), 3) Possibly replacing either Steinbach or Justin. Other than that, I might take a backup RB somewhere who can do better than Watson (has anyone thought of the horror of losing Rudi to injury? Maybe I should go punch myself in the head for even thinking that). I might consider a S to give Madieu some competition, he's having just a bit of a down year it seems.

If I had my pick, I'd go either CB or D-line in the 1st round. I'd go LB if there was one available who was significantly better than the other defense on the board. I wouldn't even think offense in the 1st unless we keep Smith and let Steinbach leave, and there's a game-changing G on the board.

(Un?)Fortunately, we probably won't be in a position to land an instant stud in the draft anyway.

I don't know, i think the draft is gonna be loaded with talent this coming year. We;ll have a chance to get some really good players on Day 1

[Kazkal]

Well just made a ppost about it.minus a major stud like JJ falls too us,I really woulden't mind seeing us trade down this year and try pick up a extra day 1 pick.....Wonder if jets would trade both of their 2nds for a extra 1st.

I don't know, i think the draft is gonna be loaded with talent this coming year. We;ll have a chance to get some really good players on Day 1

Seems like weak class for rnd 1 Dline and most guys worth rnd 1 picks probbley will be gone...But I think will in good postion for a safety or CB.

[agreen_112]

Damn, first I heard about this. Seems like that's going to be about it for Pollack. All the more reasons why we need O-dawg back next year. I swear we (fans of the Bengals) have the worst luck with our team... In some way or another our hearts always seem to get broken.

Get well soon!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Damn, first I heard about this. Seems like that's going to be about it for Pollack. All the more reasons why we need O-dawg back next year. I swear we (fans of the Bengals) have the worst luck with our team... In some way or another our hearts always seem to get broken.

Get well soon!

Forget about Odell. He's not coming back. I think Marvin made that reasonably clear, and besides, if he tests positive again or misses another test - which seems rather likely - it's immaterial.

I'd say there's only about a 1/3 chance he plays for the Bengals ever again, and about a 20% chance he plays more than 16 games for us.

[oldschooler]

Pollack refutes career's end

Surgery 'doesn't necessarily equal the end of football'

By CARROLL ROGERS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 12/16/06

Former University of Georgia standout David Pollack clarified Friday that the impending surgery on his broken neck does not mean his football career is definitely over.

"It doesn't necessarily equal the end of football," Pollack told the Journal-Constitution. He declined further comment.

Pollack is a second-year linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was injured Sept. 17 while making a tackle against Cleveland Browns running back Reuben Droughns.

Pollack, a first-round draft pick in 2005, didn't suffer any spinal cord damage, but doctors were concerned about his neck's stability. The future of his football career was immediately in doubt. It still is but, according to Pollack, a return to football can't be completely ruled out.

Pollack was put in a restrictive halo the day of the injury. Doctors hoped by stabilizing the neck, he could avoid surgery. The halo was removed last week.

According to Pollack, Dr. Anthony Guanciale, a Cincinnati spine specialist, told him last week that the fracture of the C-6 vertebra had healed but that there was concern about the "disk spaces."

Pollack was evaluated by Guanciale again Thursday and was told he needed surgery. It is scheduled for Jan. 3, though Pollack declined to give further details about the procedure.

The Bengals released word Thursday afternoon that Pollack was headed for surgery. "No forecast of Pollack's eventual return to football will be made at this time," the statement said.

Some news outlets reported that the surgery definitely spells the end of Pollack's career.

Pollack said Friday that isn't the case, which Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reiterated to reporters after Friday's practice.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/u...215pollack.html