For Those of you who were pining for Thomas Davis

[membengal]

For those who were mad as hell the Bengals did not move up to get Thomas Davis to solve the SS problem, consider this from Len Pasquarelli's MMQB column on espn.com:

"Carolina first-round choice Thomas Davis eventually will have to move to linebacker. His athleticism and big-hit mentality aside, the former Georgia star is absolutely lost at strong safety, and had to be yanked from Sunday's game when the Saints began going after him."

Ooof. Let's just say that the way the draft ended up, that I am thrilled to get Pollack and his size moving to LB as opposed to getting Davis and having another Landon Johnson sized guy moving to LB.

And, for those wondering about Johnson to SS...if Thomas Davis cannot hack it and that was his position in college, little wonder that ML only laughs when reporters ask about that possibility for Johnson.

[Stripes]

I can't imagine why a player could have THAT much of a dropoff because of a position change. If anything, there could be poor coaching in Carolina's secondary, or maybe he's just not as good as advertised.

Either way, now that I know what I know, I'd take Pollack anyday. :player:

[ArmyBengal]

I remember really liking the idea of Davis as well, so I'm one of those guys. That being said, I can also remember Madieu getting lit up last year at the beginning and him learning as he went. Our coaching got him up to speed with a quickness. Yes we had injuries that forced our hand, but bottom line, he was coached and he learned quick (Thank God)... Am I glad that we have Pollack ?? Yes, but still say I would have been happy either way. You can't tell me Davis wouldn't have gotten the coaching he needed here. I can't account for Carolina, so I'll just say that I'm happy with our situation and I'll save the concern about our holes until the 2006 draft !!!

WHODEY !!!

[CBin2k7]

Davis never looked that great in coverage at Georgia. He was known for stopping the run and his big hits, but when it came to coverage he lacked in that area. I am a huge Georgia fan and watched a number of his games.

[HoosierCat]

In Davis' defense, the Panthers have been whipsawing him between positions. They put him at safety initially, then halfway through preseason he got moved to LB because of the injury to Brandon Short. Then a week later he got move back to safety after the injury to Colin Branch. Persoanlly, I think moving him again is probably not going to help him get up to speed any faster...

[HairOnFire]

In Davis' defense, the Panthers have been whipsawing him between positions. They put him at safety initially, then halfway through preseason he got moved to LB because of the injury to Brandon Short. Then a week later he got move back to safety after the injury to Colin Branch. Persoanlly, I think moving him again is probably not going to help him get up to speed any faster...

You beat me to it.

Teams evaluating Davis had to determine if they were going to use him as a SS or as a LB...much like teams had to decide if Pollack was a true DE or OLB. To Pollack's credit he listened to scouts and GM's and began losing weight even before the combines, commiting fully to the OLB position long before being drafted. Meanwhile, Carolina drafted Davis and after some hand wringing decided he fit best at SS, a decision that was criticed in some circles due to the belief that Davis might have grown out of the position....or soon would. Regardless, they split his snaps between the two positions during minicamps, making it seem like they were still evaluating the player on the fly, and have since moved him back and forth based upon need due to injury. That may or may not be the best thing for the team, but it's going to delay the players ability to make an impact.

[GROIIIDayton]

Davis was pretty good in coverage at Georgeia. I watched almost every game that Georgia played last year and loved the guy. I wanted the Bengals to draft him, but I wasn't saying they should move up to do so. Davis has the athletic ability to play both positions caralina said when they drafted him.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Maybe he won't pan out for the Panthers, and they'll cut him. If so, maybe we can sign him and have an all Bulldog linebacking core?

[TJJackson]

Give the man a little time....not every athlete produces in his very first game.....I'll add that he was good enough to make it onto the roster of a team with a very, very good defense.....

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Hell with Davis, anyone see the UGA/SC game? I want Greg Blue. SS who hits like a truck and appears useful in pass coverage. Projects to the end of the second round (second best SS in the draft), which will be right where the Bengals draft.

[UofLnMU]

Greg Blue is the truth. Damn, that guy can hit. I'm qutie pleased with Odell and his ferocity, but Blue will make a GM quite happy.

[icehole3]

One thing for sure is the Bengals didnt have to pull Pollack out of the game. Im really liking our draft each and every day

[backerman]

Greg Blue is the truth.  Damn, that guy can hit.  I'm qutie pleased with Odell and his ferocity, but Blue will make a GM quite happy.

Yeah, Georgias safetys are hellaciouis hitters. Thomas Davis and Greg Blue. WHAM!!!! Not to mention Pollack coming off the edge and Odell patroling the middle.

We should have been National Champion contenders last season. we under achieved big time IMO.

As an avid Dawg fan I will say that Davis was a more consistent force vs the run last year than was Blue, But that was last year. If Greg Blue keeps this up, he'll end up in the middle of the first round just like Thomas Davis did. Not only that, Blue doesn't get absolutley toasted on every play action pass like TD did.

maybe he'll hang around long enough for the Bengals to get him. all the more reason to keep the Bengals as my #2 team.

But then again it is speculated that the falcons will be in the market for a corner or safety as well. I'll be happy if either team gets him.