Pollack feels out of place as linebacker

[bengalsfan33]

CINCINNATI (AP) - David Pollack walked off the Cincinnati Bengals' field with a broad smile, pleased with how he finished his first day as a linebacker-in-training.

A few steps later, the look of contentment was gone, replaced by flat-out embarrassment.

His wet cleats slipped on the concrete stadium floor, taking him down the way he used to take down quarterbacks at Georgia. He grabbed for close friend Odell Thurman as he fell, and took him down, too.

Fortunately, the only thing that Pollack hurt was his pride - more than once.

The 17th overall pick in the NFL draft took his first steps Friday in a major transformation. The defensive lineman from Georgia is moving to outside linebacker in the pros, a position he has never played.

"I felt like a dog chasing a car," Pollack said. "I didn't do anything this morning that I did in college - ever."

In four years at Georgia, Pollack lined up at defensive tackle and end. He still had an end's number - 99 - and mentality when he arrived for the Bengals' rookie minicamp, two things he needs to change.

"I'd rather have a number in the 50s to look like a linebacker, because I am a linebacker now," he said. "Yesterday we had to stand up, tell our position, the university you went to and your hometown. I stood up and went, 'David Pollack, defensive ... uh, linebacker, University of Georgia.' I had to catch myself."

His assignment is to catch on quickly. Pollack didn't think it would be smooth, but had no idea it would be as tough as it turned out on his first day.

He got his playbook and studied the X's and O's on Thursday night with Thurman, a Georgia teammate who has played middle linebacker his entire career. Pollack saw where the X lined up on paper and envisioned himself there on the field.

Unfortunately, the visualization didn't work so well. When the rookies practiced lining up during a light workout on Friday morning, Pollack kept forgetting where he was supposed to be. It bothered him.

"This morning, I felt like I was starting football all over again," Pollack said. "I felt really awkward.

"I want to be good, and I'm not good yet. I've got to start over. I didn't know where to get into position. I was frustrated because I felt it was my responsibility to know that. But I can look at the playbook all night and it seems like it doesn't soak in necessarily until I do it."

"This morning, I think he was a little frustrated," said Thurman, Pollack's roommate for the weekend. "Then, it started to click. He's catching on real fast. I knew that was going to happen."

So far, Pollack has been more demanding than the coaches, who expect a break-in period. The main thing they're looking for is progress from one practice to another.

"When you're playing something totally different, I think they'll understand," Pollack said. "I think they'll have patience with me for a little while. But that patience will wear out if I keep messing up. The important thing for me is I've got to learn not to do the same thing (wrong) over and over. I think that's the one thing coaches can't stand."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3582158

[schweinhart]

Pollack will make the transition much better in one year than Demarcus Ware ever will.

Bill Parcells has lost his grip.

[The Brew Man]

I agree, Pollack seems to thrive from learning, I think he will transistion well and hopefully fast.

[BengalPappaw]

IMO It is logical for him to be frustrated.

He has been one of the top players at DE -- he felt comfortable there! Now, he is at a totally foreign position and wants to get better -- he will whip this frustration like he did those OT.

With his work ethic, physical skills and aggressive attitude, I believe he will make the transition, and be an outstanding OLB.

[Bobcat Bengal]

IMO It is logical for him to be frustrated.

He has been one of the top players at DE -- he felt comfortable there! Now, he is at a totally foreign position and wants to get better -- he will whip this frustration like he did those OT.

With his work ethic, physical skills and aggressive attitude, I believe he will make the transition, and be an outstanding OLB.

Ditto.

Its only the first week of camp, David.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

If Steve Foley can do it, then Pollack can, I just hope Pollack picks it up faster than Foley did here.

It's key that this team get off to a fast/good start this coming season for once, and having Pollack learning on the job over there I hope won't be an early hinderance if he's missing assignments or making wrong reads etc...,

I hope they let him earn his spot there instead of just handing it to him, the preseason will surely tell us a lot though.

I have a feeling he and Thurman will do some rotating at their positions until they prove they can handle it full-time, unless of course they play exceptionally well early on and turn some heads.

[Whur CHad At?]

Don't worry man, we all slip and fall.

Your going to be great dont worry about the transistion, it will come faster than you know it!!

[KYBENGALFAN]

DAVID POLLACK WILL BE ALL-PRO AT LINEBACKER WITHIN THREE YEARS, I REALLY BELIEVE. HIS DESIRE TO BE THE BEST WILL DRIVE HIM TO THAT.

I really like this kid. I'm more hyped about the Bengals drafting him than when Carson Palmer was drafted. Am I crazy ??

[walshfan]

Thats make two of us.. This kid's desire to excell is tremendously refreshing.

some players are satifsfied with what they have ...Pollack seems to want to test the boundaries on everything he does in life... Whats not to like about him??

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Ditto on all the support for Pollack.

The man wants to be the best at what he does, so his expectations for himself during the first day at the new position are higher than guys like Thurman.

Something tells me he and Chad Johnson might end up roomies.... sleeping in the film room at the stadium.

[bengalskyspy]

How about this for a big statement---Pollack will define the Bengals of the '05 and beyond, as a team of guys who were fanatically committed to winning. It started with CJ on the offense and now we have the same attitude on defense. I also think OT will remove the wits from more that a few RB's this year. I am so pumped that I am ready to bust a few heads mysel :player:

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

How about this for a big statement---Pollack will define the Bengals of the '05 and beyond, as a team of guys who were fanatically committed to winning. It started with CJ on the offense and now we have the same attitude on defense.

As the dumbest McDonalds commercial ever would say...

I'm loving it!

[TecmoFever]

You guys need to quit writing such good stuff. I may have to hibernate until training camp. Heck, I might as well just go until preseason.

What do we do now that the draft is over? Besides spend all of our time on this site?

I don't know what to do right now. I think I'll go home and make a David Pollack on Madden 2005. What number should I give him?

Does anyone know when the David Pollack Starting Lineup is coming out? I need one to go with my old Tim Krumie Starting Lineup. :player:

[brian5562]

I am excited about this whole core of rookies not just Pollack. This is the year I think we will really see Marvin's picks pay off. Guys like Steinbach and Moore will be absolutely huge and guys like Askew will start to make their presence felt. I can't wait.

[derekshank]

cincinnatibengals.com has this report on Pollack's progress.

Let it be known that No. 1 pick David Pollack came up with his first interception as an NFL outside linebacker Saturday as he chased the tight end across the field and made a play on the ball.

Then on Sunday he got the Marvin Lewis stamp of approval in his move from defensive end to outside linebacker: "He's further ahead than any guy I've ever had playing that spot," said Lewis, who oversaw a Pro Bowler named Peter Boulware make the switch. "I don't see that being an issue."

Pollack is taking it a step at a time because defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan has told him to. And because he has no choice as he tries to grasp the Xs and Os.

“A lot more complicated, but I like the challenge,” Pollack said of a pro playbook. “I’m feeling better every day with it. I’m getting used to it.”

Bresnahan is trying to make sure he and his coaches don’t hurry Pollack along. But he has been extremely encouraged by what Pollack did in space at this camp.

“He had two pass breakups before the interception,” Bresnahan said. “He’s got a long way to go, but he gets better every day. He’s better in everything we’re teaching him. He’s a coachable guy. He’s making progress. With a guy who has played the position before, you might go a little faster. We have to make sure we go from A to B to C and not A to E to M to R, but that’s good because everyone can learn from that.”

Lewis clearly loves this guy's versatility, and indicated that if he had coached him in college, he wouldn't have played Pollack at end. Asked where he would have played him, Lewis responded with a question of his own.

"Where was Bill Belichick going to play him?" he asked.

When the inquisitor admitted ignorance to the plans of the Patriots head coach, Lewis said, "Middle linebacker."

[backerman]

I remember a conversation with my dad and brother as we watched a bulldogs game, where my dad said something about how they should play Pollack at Linebacker because he pursues to well.

I agreed, My brother though it was crazy because he was too much of a disruptor on the defensive line.

I think Marvins got the right idea. Keep the offense guessing. Let him use all his talents.