Pollack, this year's Vilma

[LesterLyles]

Clayton on ESPN said the Bengals will make a jump this year largely b/c Pollack and Thurman. He said these guys will improve teh front 7 very similar to tyhje impact Jonathan Vilma had last year. I love it.

Here's to a Jets-Bengals playoff game.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Thurman is looking like this year's Vilma.

[LesterLyles]

The combo will have a big impact according to Clayton. Very excited about Cincy making a playoff run.

[Bobcat Bengal]

I'd like to see Pollack perform on the field first.

[Stripes]

Normally, Clayton has annoyed me, probably due to the flap of hair that waves to and fro atop his head. He has given the Bengals plenty of love this offseason, and I'll give him some respect for that.

I'd compare Odell to Vilma more-so than Pollack. Pollack should end up more a sack artist (assuming he pans out) than a prolific tackler, similar to the linebacker in Baltimore that Marvin drafted out of college where he was a defensive end. I'm not sure which guy it is, I'm thinking it's Peter Boulware.

[skyline]

Normally, Clayton has annoyed me, probably due to the flap of hair that waves to and fro atop his head.  He has given the Bengals plenty of love this offseason, and I'll give him some respect for that.

I'd compare Odell to Vilma more-so than Pollack.  Pollack should end up more a sack artist (assuming he pans out) than a prolific tackler, similar to the linebacker in Baltimore that Marvin drafted out of college where he was a defensive end.  I'm not sure which guy it is, I'm thinking it's Peter Boulware.

Everybody keeps labeling Pollack the NFL's new sack-guru, but I really don't hope he ends up that way at all. I've got much more hope that he becomes a solid all-around type of guy that does it all and seems to be everywhere on the field all at once.

[Spain]

I hope Landon keeps him on the bench all your to humble that oversize ego of his.

[CTBengalsFan]

Here's to a Jets-Bengals playoff game.

And New England going 8-8

[Stripes]

Here's to a Jets-Bengals playoff game.

And New England going 8-8

They miss out on getting a wilcard in the final game due to six Corey Dillon fumbles.

[BengalBax]

Pollack will put up some numbers, but nothing near what is expected of a first round pick.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Everybody keeps labeling Pollack the NFL's new sack-guru, but I really don't hope he ends up that way at all.  I've got much more hope that he becomes a solid all-around type of guy that does it all and seems to be everywhere on the field all at once.

Most of the comparisons I've heard put Pollack in the Pats linebacker mold - quick, can drop back into coverage, and blitz hard when called upon. If he ended up being our Willie McGinest (except hopefully better), I'd be thrilled.

Considering his best selling point is his motor, I see him being all over the field like you're hoping. I'm actually hoping they reign him in a bit, I see overpursuing as being his biggest potential problem.

So in other words, if you want to see him flying all over the field, I think you'll be happy. Gotta say, I wouldn't mind seeing that myself.

[CBin2k7]

Pollack will put up some numbers, but nothing near what is expected of a first round pick.

What is expected of a first round pick at number 17, who is switching positions?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Pollack will put up some numbers, but nothing near what is expected of a first round pick.

What is expected of a first round pick at number 17, who is switching positions?

A learning curve?

If any Bengals fan expects Pollack to be a superstar this year, they are obviously a bandwagon fan with no clue about the NFL.

1. Linebackers takes about half a year to develop in the NFL. A converted defensive end to linebacker takes a year.

2. David Pollack has to beat out the incumbent, Landon Johnson before he's a starter.

3. He will be asked not to rush the passer but to learn other things. He isn't going to be a sack master in his rookie year.

4. Marvin Lewis has shown patience with every first round pick he has had. Carson Palmer sat a year. Chris Perry sat a year (albeit because of injury), David Pollack will probably sit half a year behind Landon Johnson so he can learn the new position.

[derekshank]

Considering his best selling point is his motor, I see him being all over the field like you're hoping. I'm actually hoping they reign him in a bit, I see overpursuing as being his biggest potential problem.

I would agree with you about him being prone to over pursue because of his motor and the fact that everyone always talks about him being in every play.

However, every Georgia fan who gets on here talks about how he was excellent at not overpursuing, and never missed tackles, while Odell would at times overpursue. I didn't watch Georgia football, so I can't say for sure, but all the Bulldog fans that get on here say it won't be a problem. Let's hope their right.

A rookie known for his motor, that doesn't overpursue? Once he gets the position down, he very well might be something special.

[CBin2k7]

I think a successful season for Pollack would be to play consistently and not make the big mistake. How he reacts to offenses gunning to take him out of plays and whether he keeps his head in some of the zone coverages. Sacks are good, but the thing is will Pollack be able to grasp playing LB in the NFL and do more than just rush the QB. I think he will, but it will take time.

[LABengalsFan09]

A learning curve?

If any Bengals fan expects Pollack to be a superstar this year, they are obviously a bandwagon fan with no clue about the NFL.

1. Linebackers takes about half a year to develop in the NFL. A converted defensive end to linebacker takes a year.

2. David Pollack has to beat out the incumbent, Landon Johnson before he's a starter.

3. He will be asked not to rush the passer but to learn other things. He isn't going to be a sack master in his rookie year.

4. Marvin Lewis has shown patience with every first round pick he has had. Carson Palmer sat a year. Chris Perry sat a year (albeit because of injury), David Pollack will probably sit half a year behind Landon Johnson so he can learn the new position.

All bow down to Next Big Thing and his vast knowledge of the NFL. We are all honored and dumbfounded by your wisdom.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

1.  Linebackers takes about half a year to develop in the NFL.  A converted defensive end to linebacker takes a year.

2.  David Pollack has to beat out the incumbent, Landon Johnson before he's a starter.

3.  He will be asked not to rush the passer but to learn other things.  He isn't going to be a sack master in his rookie year.

Where do you get "a year and a half" from?

Ask Landon Johnson if it took him 1+ years to learn to be a good NFL LB, 130 tackles as a rookie and he was a mid-round pick even.

How bout Spikes and Simmons when they were rookies? They did just fine. Thurman looks like a stud in preseason.

You could say it takes over a year for "anybody" to learn a position in the NFL. That's not saying much.

Furthermore Pollack WILL be used primarily as a situational pass rusher in regular season games if he is not starting. The coaches have already stated that.

Yeah Pollack may not be a "superstar" this year certainly, but the reasoning in your post eludes me.

[superdrool]

Derek has it right... I never once have seen Pollack overpursue... he was constantly focused and his angles were always correct. Odell has much more of a tendency to play a little too erratic and overpursue, although he is probably the better "athlete" out of the two.

I don't know what kind of #s Pollack will put up this year, especially at a new position. I will say this, though. He will be a SOLID football player.

VanGorder brought him in several games as a true freshman at DT at about 250 lbs. He was pretty disruptive then. As a sophomore, he tore the SEC apart at a new position(DE), and the next two years, he just steadily continued, making All American every year. He was recruited as a 3 star fullback out of HS, FWIW.

If Odell settles down, he might end up being very very good. But he never quite did under a great LB coach and DC in college (Brian VanGorder, now LB coach for the Jaguars). I know you guys are seeing flashes in preseason, but we saw plenty of flashes and plenty of totally great games from Odell in college. But we saw several games last season where he looked like he forgot how to play sound football.