Pollack speaks on future (Dayton Daily News)

[oldschooler]

Pollack speaks on future

Bengals linebacker hoping to make full recovery from injury.

By Jay Morrison

Staff Writer

Dayton Daily News

Thursday, May 03, 2007

MIDDLETOWN — Talking publicly for the first time in nearly four months, Bengals linebacker David Pollack said Wednesday night he is hoping to make a full recovery from a broken neck and return to the playing field.

Pollack, who along with Xavier men's basketball coach Sean Miller was a guest speaker at the annual Pigskin-Roundball Spectacular at the Manchester Inn, said he is exercising five to six hours a day in anticipation of one day getting back in pads.

"Absolutely that's what I want," Pollack said while signing autographs at the conclusion of the festivities. "If I get cleared to play football, I'm going to play football.

"There is no Plan B," Pollack continued. "It's all Plan A right now. If I get detoured from Plan A, then I'll start thinking about something else."

The Bengals' first-round draft pick in 2005, Pollack fractured the C-6 vertebrae while tackling Cleveland Browns running back Reuben Droughns in the second game of the 2006 season.

The day after the injury, Pollack was fitted with a halo that was screwed into his skull, which he wore for three months.

"I can honestly say those were the best three months I've ever had in my life," Pollack said during his 13-minute speech. "The Bible says 'Be still and know that I am God.' And I had never done that.

"I couldn't drive a car, couldn't exercise," Pollack continued. "All I could do was sit in a recliner for eight hours a day and listen to God. I had never learned so much about me."

And what he learned was that he definitely wants to play again.

"I know there are plenty of other things to do out there," Pollack said. "But I'm a football player. And I want to play again."

While much of Pollack's speech dealt with serious issues, he also injected quite a bit of humor. He told one story about how draft day was the most terrifying, not the most exciting, day of his life.

"When it was the Bengals turn at No. 17, the first thing that came to my mind was 'The Bungles,' and I was thinking, 'no, no, please don't pick me,' " Pollack said. "Then my cell phone rang and I saw the 513 area code, and I thought 'Well if I don't answer it, they won't pick me."

But he finally answered it and talked to coach Marvin Lewis, who welcomed him to the team.

"My impression quickly changed when I got here and met coach Lewis and Carson (Palmer) and a lot of the guys," Pollack said. "The Bengals weren't on TV much, so I didn't realize how much coach Lewis had turned things around."

Miller also mixed in lessons and levity. After giving a little background on his upbringing and early start in the coaching ranks, Miller listed six points that all student-athletes should know heading into college.

Among them were, "Thank people who have helped you and remember where you came from," and "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care."

He also told the young athletes in attendance, "Adversity is coming your way. I guarantee it. That's not the key, it's how you handle it."

Miller concluded his speech with a story about a University of Cincinnati fan and a Xavier fan who arrived in heaven together.

The UC fan received a large house with a two-car garage and loads of amenities. And while he was appreciative, he couldn't help but notice the even larger blue house up the road with a Xavier flag flying out front and a five-car garage and a pool.

When the UC fan asked God why the Xavier fan's house was so much bigger than his, God said, 'That's not his house, that's mine."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.

[walzav29]

No point you risk it. It's a tragedy, but just stay retired.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

No point you risk it. It's a tragedy, but just stay retired.

Personally I'd say it's not worth risking death or quadriplegia. Some activities you can try to mitigate the reinjury risk involved, but football ain't one of them.

So Dave - thanks for playing, liked your motor, stick around Cinci....but stay on the sidelines.

[oldschooler]

Risk what ? Does anyone really think he, the Bengals coaches, traininers,

or the Front Office would let him back on the field if there

were a greater risk of re-injury ? Hell do you think any fan would

want that ?

I swear, I don`t think some people have been paying attention.

The surgery was supposed to STRENGHTEN his neck. He would

have a greater chance of breaking every other bone in his body,

than the one that was broken.

[BengalPappaw]

I hope he does come back and play DE.

If he does come back, it will be because he feels comfortable about any "risk".

He loves playing football and that is what he still wants to do.

[AMC]

I am more worried about the mental aspect of playing with a healed broken neck....

[Bobcat Bengal]

The surgery was supposed to STRENGHTEN his neck. He would

have a greater chance of breaking every other bone in his body,

than the one that was broken.

exactly.

I mean, can't they infuse some Adamantium into his neck or something?

It Works for this guy:

[skyline]

Hey, it's his call.

I would love to see him come back and play well.

Like AMC said, though, I think the mental block will be the toughest thing for him to overcome. I can certainly see an injury like that turning someone into a timid tackler.

At the same time, we all thought Palmer would have a hard time taking hits again, and he seemed to adjust somewhat quickly. Granted, it's not a spinal injury, but still...

[derekshank]

At the same time, we all thought Palmer would have a hard time taking hits again, and he seemed to adjust somewhat quickly. Granted, it's not a spinal injury, but still...

True... it's not a spinal injury, but ask anyone in the world who has suffered an ACL tear and ask them how long it took for them to feel comfortable on it again.

Professional athletes are just different from the rest of us in this manner. Yes, they are just human beings - but they do this stuff for a living. Me getting my knee healthy and feeling timid playing a pick-up basketball game is a lot different than a guy who has been playing football his entire life, and his competitive streak makes it so that he doesn't want to miss a single down.

I'm not saying Pollack will come back and be a stud. I'm not even 100% sure he'll come back at all - but I think the whole mental block thing is a bunch of bunk.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Risk what ? Does anyone really think he, the Bengals coaches, traininers,

or the Front Office would let him back on the field if there

were a greater risk of re-injury ? Hell do you think any fan would

want that ?

I swear, I don`t think some people have been paying attention.

The surgery was supposed to STRENGHTEN his neck. He would

have a greater chance of breaking every other bone in his body,

than the one that was broken.

1) The key word is "supposed to". The follow-up surgery was necessary because the bone wasn't healing well on its own, and that most certainly isn't a good sign. Additionally, surgeries of this type aren't as effective as you might like to think. I'd be real surprised if doctors will be willing to assert, as you claim, that this will now be the strongest bone in his body. Vertebrae are fairly small bones that, in football, can be subject to extreme stresses, and they don't tend to heal as well as long bones like legs/arms.

2) Bengals coaches, trainers, fans, and the front office aren't oseopathic surgeons.

3) Doctors aren't infallible. In fact, to be honest with you, doctors are guessing most of the time. There's no way to get inside the bone and see how strong it is. MRIs are useful, but not perfect - they don't reveal internal imperfections of bones well. If this were an ACL we're talking about, sure, risk it. What's the worst that happens, you have a bit of a limp the rest of your life? This is different. If the doctors get it wrong, he could die or live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

As a result, I doubt seriously any doctor will be willing to state authoritatively that his neck is healed to the point of posing no more risk to injury than it possessed before the injury. For that reason, I don't think Pollack will play, because as you mention the Bengals won't take him back without a doctor clearing him.

Like I said, it sucks, but it's not worth dying over.

[hrod382]

I hope he does come back and play DE.

If he does come back, it will be because he feels comfortable about any "risk".

He loves playing football and that is what he still wants to do.

I agree completely. Plus it'll help the team. Him and Frostee can team up next year to take Justins DE spot.

[HoosierCat]

Shorter Chick Ludwig: "Nothing new on Pollack."

Move along...move along...nothing to see here...

[HairOnFire]

Shorter Chick Ludwig: "Nothing new on Pollack."

Move along...move along...nothing to see here...

I disagree with the Ludwigian conclusion. The debate about risk is still the same, but for the first time Pollack has stated flatly that he intends to return if medically cleared. Best, he may not be as far away as most suggest as he recently boasted that his weight was around 265 lbs., and had resumed serious weight training.

[HoosierCat]

The debate about risk is still the same, but for the first time Pollack has stated flatly that he intends to return if medically cleared.

It's not the first time, he's been saying that since he was injured.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Yeah he actually started weight training a month or two ago - but was in such bad shape that he could only work out with 135pds on the bench press (after doing 225 25 times I believe at the combine). Hell I work out with heavier weight than that, and I was a DB/KR in college. But i'm sure he's come along since then.

So, just to highlight how far he has to go - to be immobolized for that long of a time with literally no exercise - will take you a good year to get back into NFL shape.

I suspect he'll start the year on the IR/PUP and may be available some time in November at best.

[The PatternMaster]

Risk what ? Does anyone really think he, the Bengals coaches, traininers,

or the Front Office would let him back on the field if there

were a greater risk of re-injury ? Hell do you think any fan would

want that ?

I swear, I don`t think some people have been paying attention.

The surgery was supposed to STRENGHTEN his neck. He would

have a greater chance of breaking every other bone in his body,

than the one that was broken.

1) The key word is "supposed to". The follow-up surgery was necessary because the bone wasn't healing well on its own, and that most certainly isn't a good sign. Additionally, surgeries of this type aren't as effective as you might like to think. I'd be real surprised if doctors will be willing to assert, as you claim, that this will now be the strongest bone in his body. Vertebrae are fairly small bones that, in football, can be subject to extreme stresses, and they don't tend to heal as well as long bones like legs/arms.

2) Bengals coaches, trainers, fans, and the front office aren't oseopathic surgeons.

3) Doctors aren't infallible. In fact, to be honest with you, doctors are guessing most of the time. There's no way to get inside the bone and see how strong it is. MRIs are useful, but not perfect - they don't reveal internal imperfections of bones well. If this were an ACL we're talking about, sure, risk it. What's the worst that happens, you have a bit of a limp the rest of your life? This is different. If the doctors get it wrong, he could die or live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

As a result, I doubt seriously any doctor will be willing to state authoritatively that his neck is healed to the point of posing no more risk to injury than it possessed before the injury. For that reason, I don't think Pollack will play, because as you mention the Bengals won't take him back without a doctor clearing him.

Like I said, it sucks, but it's not worth dying over.

good stuff, I think the thing everybody is over looking is the "If he's cleared to play" part, like u said it's going to be extremely hard to find a doctor who sign off on that one. Pollack can exercise until he's in tip-top shape, but if he doesn't get a doctor to clear him then it's over.

Is the risk of death or paralysis worth the enjoyment received from playing football?

Only Pollack can answer that question.

[Stripes]

Pollack wouldn't even consider returning if he felt he was at serious risk of re-injury. The initial injury itself was fluke enough. I do expect him back for 2008 if he is medically cleared, but I'm not sure how well he'd perform at DE.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Hey, it's his call.

Exactly. It's his life, his doctors, and their collective decision. I'm sure he/they will make the right one. Good luck Dave, and hope to see you back! If not, then thanks for the effort.

[HairOnFire]

The debate about risk is still the same, but for the first time Pollack has stated flatly that he intends to return if medically cleared.

It's not the first time, he's been saying that since he was injured.

I disagree, but I guess it's up to the reader to speculate about Pollack's frame of mind at any given moment. And on that point I'll argue that Pollack now seems far more positive about returning than he once did. For example, Pollack repeatedly claimed that he'd walk away from football without a second thought if his doctors felt there was a 5% chance of being reinjured. I'd say that's a fairly big difference from being quoted about fully intending to resume his football career if medically cleared....which I think is highly likely. Then again, I was encouraged by what the doctors said after his last surgery while others assumed that the surgery itself was a sign that Pollack wouldn't return.

[GregCook]

Reasons Pollack won't return:

1. His wife issues one of those wifey ultimatums

2. He has a child between now and August 2008

3. He gets online and just stares at his bank account still bulging from that fat signing bonus in 2005.

I think #1 trumps any possible personal motivation he might have. She's probably indulging him until he gets in stud shape, then she'll lay the law down and he'll retire.

[oldschooler]

1) The key word is "supposed to". The follow-up surgery was necessary because the bone wasn't healing well on its own, and that most certainly isn't a good sign. Additionally, surgeries of this type aren't as effective as you might like to think. I'd be real surprised if doctors will be willing to assert, as you claim, that this will now be the strongest bone in his body. Vertebrae are fairly small bones that, in football, can be subject to extreme stresses, and they don't tend to heal as well as long bones like legs/arms.

2) Bengals coaches, trainers, fans, and the front office aren't oseopathic surgeons.

3) Doctors aren't infallible. In fact, to be honest with you, doctors are guessing most of the time. There's no way to get inside the bone and see how strong it is. MRIs are useful, but not perfect - they don't reveal internal imperfections of bones well. If this were an ACL we're talking about, sure, risk it. What's the worst that happens, you have a bit of a limp the rest of your life? This is different. If the doctors get it wrong, he could die or live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

As a result, I doubt seriously any doctor will be willing to state authoritatively that his neck is healed to the point of posing no more risk to injury than it possessed before the injury. For that reason, I don't think Pollack will play, because as you mention the Bengals won't take him back without a doctor clearing him.

Like I said, it sucks, but it's not worth dying over.

Of course it`s not worth dying over.

Every player that straps on a helmet, not just in the NFL, but in High School

and College, takes that same risk. And Pollack will be at no greater risk

than any other player that straps a helmet on. He`ll probably have

less of a risk, because the repair WILL make it stronger.

They made it abduntantly clear after the surgery, that it wasnt as

severe as originally diagnosed. They did the less risky surgery, and they said if he could play again,

there would be zero more risk of re-injury than any other player on the field getting the same injury.

It`s just a matter of him becoming the physical and mental specimen he once was.

And by physical, I mean gain the weight back and the build the muscle back up.

Pollack has said that if everything goes the way it should, that he would

have a greater chance breaking every bone in his body, than that bone.

And he said that when they did the surgery, he was happier and felt

better, because the Doctor told him exactly what was wrong and that

he could make it stronger. I`ve read every article posted on the subject.

Steve Smith (of the Panthers) suffered a similar injury in College.

How`s he doing ? And medical advancements are far greater now

than they were when he hurt his neck.

Don`t underestimate his heart and brain. He knows his body better

than anyone. And isn`t so stupid that he would risk re-injury if he

has a better chance of breaking his neck than he did before the injury.

He has said as much since day one . . .

[hrod382]

This is probably a dumb question but I'm not exactly sure how far he has progressed.

Is there any chance he starts the seasons off on the PUP instead of the IR?

[The PatternMaster]

1) The key word is "supposed to". The follow-up surgery was necessary because the bone wasn't healing well on its own, and that most certainly isn't a good sign. Additionally, surgeries of this type aren't as effective as you might like to think. I'd be real surprised if doctors will be willing to assert, as you claim, that this will now be the strongest bone in his body. Vertebrae are fairly small bones that, in football, can be subject to extreme stresses, and they don't tend to heal as well as long bones like legs/arms.

2) Bengals coaches, trainers, fans, and the front office aren't oseopathic surgeons.

3) Doctors aren't infallible. In fact, to be honest with you, doctors are guessing most of the time. There's no way to get inside the bone and see how strong it is. MRIs are useful, but not perfect - they don't reveal internal imperfections of bones well. If this were an ACL we're talking about, sure, risk it. What's the worst that happens, you have a bit of a limp the rest of your life? This is different. If the doctors get it wrong, he could die or live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

As a result, I doubt seriously any doctor will be willing to state authoritatively that his neck is healed to the point of posing no more risk to injury than it possessed before the injury. For that reason, I don't think Pollack will play, because as you mention the Bengals won't take him back without a doctor clearing him.

Like I said, it sucks, but it's not worth dying over.

Of course it`s not worth dying over.

Every player that straps on a helmet, not just in the NFL, but in High School

and College, takes that same risk. And Pollack will be at no greater risk

than any other player that straps a helmet on. He`ll probably have

less of a risk, because the repair WILL make it stronger.

They made it abduntantly clear after the surgery, that it wasnt as

severe as originally diagnosed. They did the less risky surgery, and they said if he could play again,

there would be zero more risk of re-injury than any other player on the field getting the same injury.

It`s just a matter of him becoming the physical and mental specimen he once was.

And by physical, I mean gain the weight back and the build the muscle back up.

Pollack has said that if everything goes the way it should, that he would

have a greater chance breaking every bone in his body, than that bone.

And he said that when they did the surgery, he was happier and felt

better, because the Doctor told him exactly what was wrong and that

he could make it stronger. I`ve read every article posted on the subject.

Steve Smith (of the Panthers) suffered a similar injury in College.

How`s he doing ? And medical advancements are far greater now

than they were when he hurt his neck.

Don`t underestimate his heart and brain. He knows his body better

than anyone. And isn`t so stupid that he would risk re-injury if he

has a better chance of breaking his neck than he did before the injury.

He has said as much since day one . . .

Oldie, what's up man, it's me Bengal_Smoov..

anywho..Do you remember what happened after Carson had his surgery and the doctor started covering his ass saying how Carson could possiblily never play again. Doctors have to take preventitive measure like that because of malpractice lawsuits and the like. Any doctor who clears Pollack to play is putting himself at a huge risk because if god forbid he does re-injury his neck, the could potentially be held liable, lawsuit are out of control these days.

I think the biggest barrier to Pollack's return is finding a credible doctor who will clear Pollack to play, because contrary to popular belief it's not up to Pollack if he can return or not, it's up the doctors to clear him to play, without that clearance he's just a well paid X-Box fanatic.

With that being said, I hope he does get clearance and goes on to have a great career, I think Pollack could be the guy everyone is looking for get double digit sacks. I say put him at DE, give him some Dwight Freeny & Jason Taylor game film to study and let him do his thang!!!! Imagine adding Pollack to the mix with our current front 7, we could a couple of guys like Jeanty, Pollack, and Henderson who could either stand up or put their hand down, the versatility would be amazing.

[hrod382]

On another board I post on there's a Bengals fan that has connections with Pollack and that he's actually hoping to come back midseason... Obviously everything has to fall in line but the simple fact that he's targeting a potential comeback next year is very encouraging to me.

Not sure it happens though, he starts out on PUP but after that if he looks like a week 10 at best return I really don't see Marvin leaving a roster spot for him.

[derekshank]

On another board I post on there's a Bengals fan that has connections with Pollack and that he's actually hoping to come back midseason... Obviously everything has to fall in line but the simple fact that he's targeting a potential comeback next year is very encouraging to me.

Not sure it happens though, he starts out on PUP but after that if he looks like a week 10 at best return I really don't see Marvin leaving a roster spot for him.

Can't say that I'm overly hopeful about this possibility - but if true, it would be a big answer to some of the pass-rush deficiencies... especially on the D-Line. Can you imagine on 3rd and long? Brooks in the middle, Henderson at SSLB, and Pollack and Geathers at DE?