Chiefs' Pollard to Play Line backer in 2009?
Author: James Kemplay
The Mike Brown signing I feel was a great pick up for the Chiefs and despite all the talk in the media about why we signed him, the truth of the matter is this, as long as he is healthy Brown will be the Chiefs SS and Quarterback of the defense this season, replacing the young 4 year veteran from Purdue, Bernard Pollard.
If I was Bernard I would walk into Chiefs coach Todd Haley's office today understanding what’s going on around him, and lay it out to him "I want to play linebacker so I can be on the field more and help this team win". Pollard has been all but a bust at safety in our eyes but, he has been a monster on special teams and one of the hardest hitters on the team for the past 4 seasons. His coverage skills and speed has been something to be desired the past 3 years at safety.Now, if you look at his intangibles at line backer, he blends in beautiful. At 6'1 and almost 230 pounds, Pollard has the frame that would suggest he could handle the load. To put it into prospective, Chiefs linebacker Demorrio Williams stands 6'1 and 232 pounds. If I had my choice in a 3-4 defense on third downs I would prefer Pollard and his skill sets to either rush the passer or in pass coverage much better then that of the ageing Zack Thomas or Demorrio Williams. If you think I'm crazy, think of it this way, if Pollard can get to a punter standing 15 yards away, up the middle during max protect, you can bet he could do the same to a quarterback standing 3 to 5 yards away, and although his coverage skills are lacking at the safety position they are above average at line backer.
Now we all know Pollard has never played linebacker at all but, we don't need him to be the savior and play every down, we need someone who can create a pass rush and have the ability to cover a running back or tight end on 3rd downs. He doesn't even have to know much to play what I’m suggesting here, just where to line up, and what his gap is, and where to blitz when called upon. At safety, he already knows how to cover man-to-man and to cover a zone, and at line backer we shouldn't see wide receivers getting behind him. If he can keep things in front of him and do what he does best and that’s lay the wood on receivers, running backs, or tight ends coming over the middle of the defense he would give the Chiefs a major upgrade on defense on third downs. Besides with Thomas and Mike Vrabel around he would have two the best teachers in the league and a full season to learn and see if he can handle the duties at line backer in the 3-4 defense. Again all this hypothetical, but if you dig into it, and with the depth KC now has at safety this is a gamble Kansas City should take. At the very least, with Pollard's ability to blow a play up with his hitting ability, draw plays should be interesting to watch with him out there.
Comments
No doubt the dude can hit but he can't tackle anyone if his life depended on it. The word "Wrap Up" never was in his vocab. He can play LB all he wants on 4th downs where he just has to block punts and kicks. Dude sucks at everything else. Keep him on the sidelines. Rushing the passer is why we got Vrabel.
Posted by: TigerFan08 | July 9, 2009 09:51 PM
Cut Pollard and sign someone who is a linebacker or can tackle.
Posted by: egroeg1979 | July 10, 2009 02:27 PM
Any truth to this rumor? I'd love to see Pollard at linebacker
Posted by: Chiefs4Life | July 12, 2009 11:52 AM
Now that he can afford it, you think every dinner Cassel takes his o-line out for you think he'll make sure he invites BP as well?
Posted by: Tony | July 16, 2009 02:49 PM