David Pollack

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I love everything I'm hearing about him. I love his attitude, his fire, and his skills. In the current Bengals.com article, he said “I’m not going to be a Pro Bowl guy right now. I’m trying to speed up the process,” Pollack said. “My biggest fear is being the weakest link. I don’t want to be the weakest. I want to know my stuff so that doesn’t happen.”

"I don't want to be the weakest" says it all. Whatever it takes, he is not going to let us down.

He reminds me so much of Chad Johnson!

[walzav29]

I love this guy too, but it is hard to believe he played defensive end in college. He looks tiny compared to Justin Smith.

[BengalPappaw]

His strength was his DESIRE and ATTITUDE-- NOT his size.

Of course being a quick as a cat (tiger) didn't hurt.

[derekshank]

Am I the only one who is a little concerned about Pollack? Lewis seems to be in denial that there is any difference between DE and LB, and yet Pollack is worried about being the weakest link in the defense. This article seems to try to explain away a lot of his growing pains he is having, and will continue to have.

He's got a great attitude, competitive spirit, and drive, and I think he will eventually be very very good, but those first few games, he's right... teams are going to make him show what his coverage skills are. They will test him over and over again, looking for a mismatch.

If he is a step slow, because he's trying to remember everything he's gotta do as a LB, (and the fact that he's never had to cover before, and he is forced to learn against the very best in the world) it could cost some big plays, and we can't afford to lose those first few games.

All the Bengals guys are talking him up about his progress, and that makes me feel a little better... but who doesn't talk up their #1 draft pick? Not only is he a rookie, but he's still got to learn that position, and he freely admits that Thurman is well ahead of him (and rightly so... he doesn't have to learn a new position). I guess I'm just a little hesitant about crowning him as our defensive savior.

All I know is I like him, and am glad he has that work ethic and attitude, or I'd be really worried. There is still plenty of time for him to learn before Sept. 11, so my concern will probably subside... but Marvin better play him like crazy in those pre-season games. He needs as many live action reps as he can get.

[Whur CHad At?]

Im not concerned, Pollack is doing great. Better than what many of us probably expected at this time.

The only thing I am worried about is getting him signed on time.

I just hope he doesn't hold out

[ArmyBengal]

I guess I'm just a little hesitant about crowning him as our defensive savior.

I would be more apt to give that label to Odell right now and see Pollack grow into it. Just my .02 cents.

WHODEY !!!

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Pollack isn't a defensive end, he isn't a linebacker, he is a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

Guys just like him are what is winning Championship after Championship in New England. Linebackers who line up on offense and make plays. Wide Receivers who line up at Corner and make plays.

David will not only be just fine, he's going to rock the house!

[alense]

Both Odell and David bring something to this team that we need more than anything, heart. We haven't had any true leaders on defense since Takeo, until he went sour. I'm glad that Marvin has already said he expects these two in the lineup opening day. I love these two guys.

[Kazkal]

He'll do fine I think odell will probbley have the better rookie season overall but I think pollack will earn his keep when it comes vs the run @ blitzing on 3rd down

[Rimington over Marino]

I think his contribution will be that he will cause opp. Offenses to go max protect to counter what he can do. Hopefully they will expect him to rush the QB. If they keep the TE in to pass protect or run block, it is a win. I only saw a little film on him from college but he was all over the field, chasing plays. That is what gives me most optimism of his change to LB.

They are relying on him heavily, Odell too. The mention of simplfying the defense seems like a plus for rookies.

[Kazkal]

I feel sorry for teams that will have to try stop Pollack,smith & geathers from sacking their QB

[UofLnMU]

I think saying that Lewis is in denial about the transition from DE to LB is flat out nutty. Familiar with history (Peter Boulware)? Familiar with our fanatical devotion to Marvin Lewis? I am not doubting that it will be difficult for Pollack to make the transition (insofar as it would be difficult for anyone to make such a transition), but this guy can just play. Watch much game film of him from UGA? He is scary.

[derekshank]

I think saying that Lewis is in denial about the transition from DE to LB is flat out nutty. Familiar with history (Peter Boulware)? Familiar with our fanatical devotion to Marvin Lewis? I am not doubting that it will be difficult for Pollack to make the transition (insofar as it would be difficult for anyone to make such a transition), but this guy can just play. Watch much game film of him from UGA? He is scary.

Yes Boulware made the transition well, but there are also many nameless faces who have failed to make the transition... so there is some difficulty in making the transition. I think Pollack will make the transition well, but there is no proof yet, so it's hard for me to put all my hopes on his shoulders at this point.

However, I do believe he will be better than Boulware eventually, but it will take him a year or two to make the transition completely.

[Kirkendall]

Am I the only one who is a little concerned about Pollack?

Concerned? Not really. Not impressed either. Then again I typically save judgement on rookies until well after the start of pre-season.

[HairOnFire]

I'd be more concerned if Marvin continued building his LB corp around mid round picks and 2nd and 3rd tier free agents. Conversly, I'm just not that worried about any LB Lewis determines is worth high draft status.

[derekshank]

I'd be more concerned if Marvin continued building his LB corp around mid round picks and 2nd and 3rd tier free agents. Conversly, I'm just not that worried about any LB Lewis determines is worth high draft status.

Fair enough. We do have some future hope with this LB core... and I (and apparently Marvin) see Pollack as an upgrade from Hardy even this year... so I guess I have very little to be concerned about... at least as far as being as bad or worse than last year.

On the other hand, I, like Kirkendall, am choosing to save my judgment of him until I see him play.

Pollack isn't a defensive end, he isn't a linebacker, he is a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

This sounds like blatant homerism to me. Hey... if he's a football player, lets waive Kitna, and have Pollack back up Carson Palmer. It will save roster space and cash.

The fact is... none of us have seen Pollack drop into coverage against a TE or HB in an actual football game, so to just assume that because he was good at DE in college means he is the second coming of Boulware is a little optimistic and naive. There are certain skills you need at any position to be productive in the NFL... which is why it is ridiculous to have a LB to back up the a WR or a LT. So the transition from DE to OLB requires some skills that we haven't seen fro Pollack yet.

I'm not against Pollack. I am furiously Pro-Pollack. I like everything about the guy... his attitude, his work ethic, his desire to be productive... but until I see him actually do it, I'm not ready to call him Derrick Brooks, or Peter Boulware, or Teddy Bruschi.

My opinion is that he will do well, and hopefully he won't cost us any games this year. But I have no more proof of this than anyone else does. All we have is the way Schaub and Marvin Lewis talk about him play without pads.

[Kirkendall]

I'm not against Pollack. I am furiously Pro-Pollack. I like everything about the guy... his attitude, his work ethic, his desire to be productive... but until I see him actually do it, I'm not ready to call him Derrick Brooks, or Peter Boulware, or Teddy Bruschi.

Agreed.

[superdrool]

Big UGA Bulldog fan here. I've been lurking for a few weeks to catch the comments on the UGA draftees the Bengals snagged.

I've watched both players for the entirety of their careers. They were both fantastic collge football players, but... David Pollack was/is a GREAT football player. I'm one of those crazy football fans who tapes most of the games. On the game tapes, I could often see Odell overpursuing, checking into the wrong play, or missing tackles. I NEVER saw Pollack make any such fundamental errors. Sure, he got blocked pretty well from time to time - that is, when the other team sent an extra man to help out with #47. The guy is a perfectionist to the point of being a little bit crazy, and plays with unmatched intensity. The downside: His arms are short.

I've noticed a trend of Bengals fans jumping on the "Pollack will be good, but Odell is probably going to be better" bandwagon. Odell is an athletic, hard-hitting linebacker with huge upside, don't get me wrong. But after watching both for 4 years(Odell for 3), saying Odell is near the level of player David Pollack is just sounds silly.

[jditty47]

exactly.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Pollack isn't a defensive end, he isn't a linebacker, he is a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

This sounds like blatant homerism to me. Hey... if he's a football player, lets waive Kitna, and have Pollack back up Carson Palmer. It will save roster space and cash.

Frankly you sound like a blantant pessimist to me. If Marvin Lewis says he can do it, NOONE in the league short of Bill Belichek is going to know better what David Pollack can do.

If it's homerism to say Marvin Lewis knows linebackers, and knows what it takes to get the job done at that position, then I certainly am a homer.

On the other hand, any asshat who says otherwise is a moron but not a homer.

[The Big Orange]

Welcome Superdrool...nice post. I'm living in in ATL and when i ak my buddies about pollack and how he's going to do for us they are all like mmmm, Pollack, as if i had just said Godiva chocolate. Everybody loves odell's fire and I think intitially he will be the greater asset for us, but the probowl to be linebacker in our current LB corp is Pollack.

Landon Miller may also develop into this level as well, but Odell will probably just be a good solid linebacker, which is great too.

[jditty47]

Landon Miller may also develop into this level as well, but Odell will probably just be a good solid linebacker, which is great too.

landon miller. ya i remember that guy. its like on captain planet when the 5 kids put their rings together to make a superhero.

Landon Johnson - EARTH

Caleb Miller - HEART

LET OUR POWERS COMBINE TO FORM LANDON MILLER!!!

(sorry, i am in a sarcastic mood)

[The Big Orange]

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

You got me!!! Not that that was all that hard (notice a sentence with 3 "that's"). That's a darn funny post, ditty. Landon JOHNSON was a really pleasant surprise last year...and his shoulder hurt for most of it...he played out of position... and they moved him around a bit.

It will be interesting to see what happens if he spends all of his efforts and energies focused on one position. I believe he will steal that position from Simmons before years end.

[schweinhart]

Landon won't beat out Simmons this year. The only thing I don't like about him at WSLB is he'd have to work against a sideline more and I fervently believe he is at his best when able to roam the range.

It seems like years ago already but when Simmons was out for last year's season opener, Miller got the start ahead of Landon until Miller showed he couldn't keep his feet or keep from getting washed out. Landon didn't fare much better, though, and Curtis Martin had a field day.

I'm uncertain about what will happen with Landon this year but he's awfully damn good to keep off the field.

As for Pollack, he seems like he'll do just fine. But I hope they keep Larry Stevens around anyway.

[Kazkal]

"It seems like years ago already but when Simmons was out for last year's season opener, Miller got the start ahead of Landon until Miller showed he couldn't keep his feet or keep from getting washed out. Landon didn't fare much better, though, and Curtis Martin had a field day."

well they were rookies takes time to find their nitch,Anyways I say brian simmons 2+ more years as starter after that will see have Landon back up all spots + in on 3-4