The Baltimore Ravens continued their house cleaning today by releasing veteran safety Bernard Pollard.  He had spent the last two seasons with the Ravens and was a vital part of the team’s success during each playoff run. Pollard was a second round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2006 draft.  In fact, he [...]

JerseyAl  wrote:

Bernard Pollard is a lot like Bigby was (maybe a bit better) but by that I mean he's hard hitting which gets him a lot of hype, but his coverage skills don't seem to match the hype. Also it seems he's very out spoken and not always in the good way... sounds like he's getting a reputation for confronting coaches in front of the whole team.

Sounds like both starting Safeties might have been the leaders of the Ravens almost players "mutiny", that they had... when they didn't want to go practice in pads. Though having a out spoken guy can help bring a team together and might have him as a leader (as some claim he was on the Ravens). So having that kind of guy can really help.... but it can really hurt other times as well.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/13/mutiny-may-have-been-a-factor-in-pollard-release/ 

Originally Posted by: beast 

We need somebody that can lay the wood. Not just to stuff the run but to bring some attitude.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

I agree... part of the problem for the defense seems to be lack of excitement... someone to bring the attitude. But the Packers are also looking for Safeties that can cover very well.

Burnett might be playing FS, but I think his skill set is better suited to SS in this defense. But the FS needs to be someone you can trust to both make the right calls, not make mistakes but also to not come off the field and that's Burnett right now.

Bishop can bring the attitude when he's healthy. Though I'd like them to draft another Safety with speed, coverage skills and attitude.


In the draft, I've been watching SS Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse he moves likes a big CB, hits like a LB, which has people comparing him to former Colts Bob Sanders. (and with the Colts owner is going crazy he might just draft him in the 2nd round like Bob Sanders).

For the record Thomas is taller and heavier than Sanders. But Thomas is still (barely) under 5' 9" .... which helps in his tackling... hurts in his knocking passes down and picking them off. In a division with some really tall and really good WRs (and now TEs) I think the Capers would want taller Safeties. But if you ask the DL to clog the OL up and protect the LBers it might be interesting have Thomas be a coverage LB and tell him to follow the RBs where ever they go. That might stop Reggie Bush, slow down AP and hopefully stop the Bears RB.


I'm also watching SS Cooper Taylor, Richmond (6-4, 229), he has LB size... with surprising coverage sizes (for his size).
If I was running a Tampa 2 (like the Bears have), I'd want him as the MLB (Urlacher). He need to put on another 10 pounds or so but he has the room to do it. And if he can hold up at LB, I might want him as a coverage LB in any system.

Also does anyone know what system the Bears will be running under their new head coach?

Originally Posted by: beast