Texans Sign Safety Bernard Pollard

WMH · #1 09-24-2009, 10:48 AM

From the chronic - http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/6634709.html

The Texans have signed safety Bernard Pollard to replace Chester Pitts on the roster.

Pitts, who underwent major knee surgery on Wednesday, was placed on injured reserve, meaning he's out for the season.

Pollard, 24, was Kansas City's second-round pick in 2006. He started 16 games last season for David Gibbs, who is in his first season as the Texans' secondary coach. Last season, Pollard had 84 unassisted tackles, and he was a surprise cut by the Chiefs in the last roster reduction this season.

Pollard, who is an excellent special teams player, got a lot of attention last season when he hit Tom Brady in the first game of the season, causing the New England quarterback to be lost for the season with a knee injury.

Pollard gives the Texans five safeties, counting Eugene Wilson, John Busing, Dominique Barber and Nick Ferguson.

papabear · #2 09-24-2009, 11:14 AM

It sucks that Pitts is going to need microfracture surgery. I heard it was an MCL and figured he would probably be out a few weeks, but Microfracture could be very hard for a big man to come back from. I know the surgery has gotten better in the sense that more people make it back from it, but I still worry about someone Pitts size coming back after a surgery like that.

With Pollard coming on board does anyone think there's a chance one of the safeties get cut? I can't see them carrying five safeties for an extended period of time. I'm thinking Ferguson. Busing has surprised and Wilson is obviously one of the starters. Barber's had some huge mistakes, but he's young and the coaches seem to want to give him every opportunity.

All I know about Pollard is that he's the one who hit Brady. He was a second round pick a few years ago so there's got to be some talent there.

Nconroe · #3 09-24-2009, 12:57 PM

Bernard "Bonecrusher" Pollard, 6'1", 225 lbs, 198 tackles over three years and three interceptions at Kansas. Looks like he started almost every game last two years.

Married, kid, and a couple of charitable organizations, sounds like nice guy overall as long as he's on your side.

Let's see if he sticks with the Texans. We certainly seem to need some depth and improvement at safety.

Mike · #4 09-24-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papabear

It sucks that Pitts is going to need microfracture surgery. I heard it was an MCL and figured he would probably be out a few weeks, but Microfracture could be very hard for a big man to come back from. I know the surgery has gotten better in the sense that more people make it back from it, but I still worry about someone Pitts size coming back after a surgery like that.

With Pollard coming on board does anyone think there's a chance one of the safeties get cut? I can't see them carrying five safeties for an extended period of time. I'm thinking Ferguson. Busing has surprised and Wilson is obviously one of the starters. Barber's had some huge mistakes, but he's young and the coaches seem to want to give him every opportunity.

All I know about Pollard is that he's the one who hit Brady. He was a second round pick a few years ago so there's got to be some talent there.

My thoughs exactly on Chester. What is it with LP field? Fred Weary snaps his leg, now Chester. Another reason to hate those toothless hillbillies.

I would think that the fire under Nick Ferguson's rear just got turned up. I think Busing is safe, he is probably going to start. I do not think they are ready to give up on Barber. Wilson is the best S we ever had... Ferguson knows the defense, but is slow.

WMH · #5 09-24-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I would think that the fire under Nick Ferguson's rear just got turned up. I think Busing is safe, he is probably going to start. I do not think they are ready to give up on Barber. Wilson is the best S we ever had... Ferguson knows the defense, but is slow.

I think I heard on the radio Busing is going to start this week with Wilson. Does anyone know if Barber have practice squard eligibility? Maybe they try to slip him thru waivers and onto the PS....Dunno, but I don't think carrying 5 safeties on this team is realistic. With Studdard being elevated to starting, that means the guys on the bench moved up a slot, leaving an open slot on the bench for a lineman, not another safety.

papabear · #6 09-24-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMH

With Studdard being elevated to starting, that means the guys on the bench moved up a slot, leaving an open slot on the bench for a lineman, not another safety.

That's my thinking as well...although Caldwell can play both C and G so they have a little flexibility there I suppose. They would be awfully thin if someone else went down on the line.

NBT · #7 09-24-2009, 02:23 PM

Barber is young and in a learn mode. There is time for him to grow. Ferguson, on the other hand is getting up in age, so I think he will be the odd man out.

Mike · #8 09-24-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papabear

That's my thinking as well...although Caldwell can play both C and G so they have a little flexibility there I suppose. They would be awfully thin if someone else went down on the line.

I think Chris White is the one who will be active on gameday.

NBT · #9 09-25-2009, 02:15 PM

Hmmm.....think I would rather have Caldwell the active. Not too impressed with White.

papabear · #10 09-25-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBT

Hmmm.....think I would rather have Caldwell the active. Not too impressed with White.

Neither of them were to me. It seems like it might take Caldwell longer to get up to speed than I thought. My point applies to Chris White as well so take your pick on which one you like better at this point...having a player or players that can back up multiple positions allows you a little more flexibility on the roster.

Roy P · #11 09-26-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I think Chris White is the one who will be active on gameday.

Coach Kubiak said White would be the active player. Made me wonder if Caldwell was worth the draft pick if he's not on the active roster nor the 1st man added to the active roster now that Pitts went down. With the way the OLine has looked in being able to create running lanes, we may have to draft another 1st round OL like Duane Brown if we have hopes of getting a player who will see the field.

WMH · #12 09-26-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy P

Made me wonder if Caldwell was worth the draft pick if he's not on the active roster nor the 1st man added to the active roster now that Pitts went down. With the way the OLine has looked in being able to create running lanes, we may have to draft another 1st round OL like Duane Brown if we have hopes of getting a player who will see the field.

A little early to give up on the kid....isn't it? Could be he's not picking up the zone blocking scheme as quickly as they/we had hoped, but being an All SEC center, the guy has GOT to have some game, right?

Roy P · #13 09-26-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMH

A little early to give up on the kid....isn't it? Could be he's not picking up the zone blocking scheme as quickly as they/we had hoped, but being an All SEC center, the guy has GOT to have some game, right?

I'm not giving up on him, I just want to see him on the active roster. I think he's got more ability than Studdard, Brisel, and White; but for some reason Alex Gibbs and Kubiak don't share that opinion. Considering how woeful the OL has been in creating running lanes in the first two games for Steve Slaton, I'd think he'd have an easier time of breaking through.

I'm just frustrated. Really want to see what this kid can do, especially at Center.

Arky · #14 09-26-2009, 05:40 PM

Well, IIRC, Winston was a 3rd rounder and he didn't start until like 11th game of the 2006 season... I don't think he had a lot of reps up until that point so, it might just be some schooling and orientation going on here with Caldwell.... He's probably still on schedule....

painekiller · #15 09-27-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy P

I'm not giving up on him, I just want to see him on the active roster. I think he's got more ability than Studdard, Brisel, and White; but for some reason Alex Gibbs and Kubiak don't share that opinion. Considering how woeful the OL has been in creating running lanes in the first two games for Steve Slaton, I'd think he'd have an easier time of breaking through.

I'm just frustrated. Really want to see what this kid can do, especially at Center.

One of my biggest beefs with Kubiak and Gibbs, is their stubbornness. They do not like to rookies in the middle of the OL. Remember how long it took them to play Winston. Few rookie OC are strong enough in the lower body, and even fewer have the proper technique to play against the NFL OTs and NTs without risking severe damage to your immobile QB.

Caldwell should be behind White at this point, but he should not be behind White next off season.

NBT · #16 09-27-2009, 04:25 PM

Post Jaguars game at Reliant, Studdard acquitted himself well in Pitt's abscense. We finally found the running game and lost the passing game to AJ! WTF!!

NBT · #17 09-27-2009, 04:26 PM

The sooner they get Pollard up to speed to see what he can do about the safety position, the better I will like it.

Roy P · #18 09-27-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBT

The sooner they get Pollard up to speed to see what he can do about the safety position, the better I will like it.

Ditto.

I've seen enough of #40 running himself out of the play.