One Big Surprise In Roster Moves
There really wasn’t much in 21 of the 22 roster moves the Chiefs made the last two days that would qualify as a surprise.
The exception was the release on Saturday of safety Bernard Pollard.
A veteran of 48 games in three seasons with the team and 31 starts over the past two seasons, Pollard was one of 14 moves made on Saturday to reach the NFL deadline for a roster of 53 players. Just 24 years old and a former second-round draft choice, Pollard will very quickly find work somewhere in the NFL.
But why wasn’t he wanted with the Chiefs? It’s hard to give you the straight skinny on that given that Pioli/Haley were unavailable to speak in the last two days. More than likely they wouldn’t have much to say about Pollard even should there be microphones around.
So all we can do is speculate. First, there was the play of three other safeties in the St. Louis game, while Pollard was home in Kansas City. Jon McGraw, Mike Brown and DaJuan Morgan were the best defenders on the field for the Chiefs. McGraw came back from a bad game against Seattle last weekend, while Brown got his first extensive playing time. Morgan was all over the field.
We do not know why Pollard was not practicing last week and why he wasn’t available for the game. Early in training camp he did tweak an ankle, but he did not miss a practice.
Second, there was the disagreement on the practice field back on August 26 between Pollard and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. Pollard was yanked from the first-team defense during a drill and he was very vocal in his unhappiness to Pendergast and eventually head coach Todd Haley.
Afterwards, Pollard wouldn’t talk about what set him off saying only: “Man, there’s just so much crap going down around here.” Pollard did say he had a conversation with Haley off the practice field and felt that everything was fine. “He didn’t let it fester, he came to me and we talked about it,” Pollard said. “I like that.”
Third, it may come down to talent, or lack of same in the eyes of the Chiefs coaches. Pollard is a hitter and always has been during his football career. However, he was not a good tackler. Pollard was prone to going for the big bang with his shoulder and not wrapping up to make sure the ball carrier was down. Given the focus of Haley and his staff on fundamentals, it’s not a surprise that habit may have hurt Pollard.
Whatever the reason, Pollard is the second starter from the ‘08 team that was released over the weekend, joining RT Damion McIntosh. At this point the only starters from last year’s team that are gone are Pollard, McIntosh, RG Adrian Jones, DE Alfonso Boone and MLB Pat Thomas.
Here’s a look at the other moves from Saturday:
ZACH THOMAS – Everyone involved was sad that Thomas didn’t get anything done during training camp and the pre-season. He was such an influence during the off-season and OTAs. But the last time he was on the field was August 6th; since then it’s been rehab for the quad or hamstring injury in his left leg.
ASHLEY LELIE – Although he did catch five passes for 95 yards in the pre-season, that all came in the second half against second and third team defenses. He might have had a chance if he’d been around all during the off-season, but Lelie didn’t show enough in his time with the Chiefs to warrant a roster spot.
RODNEY WRIGHT – For awhile during training camp, Wright was the most consistent and productive receiver on the roster. But he could not keep up that pace, and he was unable to provide anything in the way of returns, averaging 5.7 yards on three punt returns and 9.5 yards on a pair of kick returns. He also caught seven passes for 113 yards.
DEREK LOKEY – Too small to be a regular nose tackle, Lokey survived to the final cut because of his effort. At 6-1, 287 pounds he does not have the bulk to be a 3-4 nose, but he has the heart.
JACKIE BATES – College free agent out of Hampton, Bates never elevated himself out of the bottom of the roster at the highly competitive cornerback spot.
TOM CRABTREE – At no time during camp and the pre-season was Crabtree able to elevate himself out of the fourth TE spot. With former college teammate Jake O’Connell injured recently, there was a chance he could stick. But this move is an indication O’Connell must be ready to return to work.
DION GALES – Back in the spring, I would have bet money that Gales would never have made it to River Falls, let alone the final cut. He showed up as a college free agent very out of shape and he struggled through a pair of mini-camps. Gales survived by show up for training camp in shape.
BOBBY GREENWOOD – There’s a good package with this college free agent out of Alabama, but he didn’t advance fast enough to be able to stay on the roster. It would not be a surprise to see him join the practice squad, because he’s got some skills.
DARRYL HARRIS – I would expect this college free agent out of Mississippi to be on the practice squad. Harris was impressive early in camp, but he could not maintain or improve that level of performance. But he’s got good feet and more exposure to the weight room and the NFL may be enough to get him back on an active roster.
TAURUS JOHNSON – He never really showed consistent focus and performance to be an NFL receiver.
RICKY PRICE – I wouldn’t be surprised to see him brought back to the practice squad as well. He got some opportunities to see snaps at safety because of various injuries at the position. The college free agent out of Oklahoma State showed good range and athletic ability.
JAVARRIS WILLIAMS – The backfield is pretty crowded with talented players, and his chance to make the squad was going to come from beating out a Jackie Battle or Dantrell Savage. That didn’t even come close to happening, plus he didn’t provide any help in the kicking game.
Pollard is fundamentally flawed as a safety. I have no idea why he doesn’t wrap up better. He was a force on special teams, blocking punts.
I still wonder why Chiefs did not put Thomas on PUP list. Let him be a positive influence on younger guys, even if he his playing career is about over.
2 million reasons that the Chiefs didn’t put Thomas on PUP. Pollard may have been flawed but he was a play maker on D and Special Teams. I’m guessing that the mouth and attitude were the primary reasons that he is unemployed at the moment.
Pollard was mistake prone and a poor tackler. Often caught out of position. The Chiefs have given up a lot of big runs on defense because of players like Pollard not doing their jobs. Just gotta hope Brown can stay healthy.
Raison why? Be elementary – much as the little spoiled brat the Twilight Zone episode “It’s A Good Life”, furrowed his brow/gave self headache – Bernard just laughed at him, so was sent to the cornfield (difference being unlike the guy who got turned into a jack-in-the box, Pollard wins – victory his via escape Kaycee.)
Best to you BP… you’ll end up with the far better & longer career than ‘Hothead’ Hailme.
daddy-o
At first I was shocked by Pollard’s released, but after reading why he was released it kind of made sense. It was more about his fundamentals and smarts then it was anything else. OF ocurse the emergence of Morgan and having a good saftey like Brown on the team didn’t hurt either.
Pollard never showed he could cover backs and receiver on pass plays and there were time he was out of position on run plays even dating back to last year during the regular season. He’ll find work somewhere else because he’s young guy that hopefully will be motivated by his release to improve as an all around safety.
Theres another story here besides Pollards play on the field I can feel it. Pollard was a talent and will play in this league.
As for cutting Lelie…
Whos left…
There isn’t more to the story. Pioli/Haley are no nonsense guys. Its all about on the field performance they could care less about sideline blow ups if thats what you referring to. Thats stuff the media will use to right stories. But to real football guys like those two doesn’t make a bearing on whether they’re going to keep a guy or let him go. It was a football move. Besides if that was the case Waters would’ve been traded, but Haley knew that guy could help the team.
Rin,
What did Pollard really bring to the Chiefs? …. outside of being a starter for a team that went 6-26 the last 2 yrs? What upside did he really bring? The guys you like to hate said it will be the right 53, not necessarily the best 53. His missed tackles, in ability to cover …. had no position on this new Chiefs team. Why should Pollard still be on the roster?
always been a huge BP fan…Felt if they just got him to wrap up…I just cant understand how we couldnt get ANYTHING for this guy…how many 24 year olds have this much starting experience at safety…he may not be a pro bowler…but he also blocked punts, and produced much more than any 5th and beyond pick could dream of…which is why i wonder why we couldnt at least get a 5. I know he was a 2nd round pick but he produced…
Tim Crowder, 2007 2nd round got cut, but he didnt produce like pollard.
I like Morgan, I just hate dropping talent for nothing.
Mike Brown . . . what has he/will he bring to the team? Oh sure, age, sloth, injuries? You betcha – the usual resume a 31 year old outright released by the entirety the NFL – no takers – out on his Haley until was rescued by the desperation known as & Inc(ompetent)
Ask da Bears what he brought – why they felt he couldn’t ‘bring it’ no mo. There, hath answer.
He is a good dancer(HBO hard knocks) but to really appreciate dancing it should be done in the end zone. Havn’t seen much of that from our Chiefs defense in a while. Maybe Mike Brown has worked up a routine we can enjoy v. Baltimore.
You know D. Morgan had already been ‘released’ by about 99.9% the self-annointed experts this blog, relegated by No Man’s Land training camp, and shy an act of Providence INT another ‘former Chief’ – obviously, the blog populace herein be as stunned as they be pleased another Herm Chief survives Camp Hailme (his personal picks Price, Bates, Fryar & Daniels indicating that by a 4-1 margin, likes Herm’s players better’n his own.)
And so DM finally played a game, his arms opened, and an INT fell unto him- it & he hit the ground running about the same time…but DaJuan did not ever come back to Earth in s eyes (he may find he needs to get them ‘checked’ once regular season SS play comes into clearer focus.)
Brown was when signed what he remains: a relic; he ain’t gettin’ any younger nor any better. A mentor? No, a one year stopgap who ‘whence’ not if be injured (again) will leave the Chiefs at SS the unproven backup Morgan.
Yes, I think it’s a marvelous move.
Rin,
Still havent answered what Pollard brings, but it was a nice attempt to sidestep the question. why should fans be upset?
He brings everything that Brown doesn’t as Rin made clear but you couldn’t see Mr. Wonder – more youth, speed, special teams bang for the buck & potential than Mikey, and experience than Morgan if you want to argue that way. Mikey be through, fini…
Rin,
Your time is over.. you had your fun… I am going to hold you to facts…. fact is…. Herm lost more games the last 2 yrs than anyother coach in the NFL….. even Detroit won more games than Herm… not to mention….Herm was the last team Detroit beat. Tell me what GM held his position for 20 yrs without sniffing a championship..? lippers of the NBA come to mind…. the joke that they are.
Missed tackles, in ability to separate himself from the field. Being young isnt a quality that makes a good pro. So at last glance…. all you have is… he is younger.. Mike Brown even injured … has done more in the pros than Pollard who has been healthy. Chiefs are a team desperate to learn how to win…. a missing tackles…… not willing to work to improve himself Pollard is the anti-winner….. he was happy to be here….. maybe thats what you like….just someone happy to be here…… what about Pollard makes you think… he stood a chance of making any of Hank Strams teams? would have been cut as a rookie and never sniffed another year….. I have no idea how you could be a stram fan and like herm….. they are the exact opposites.
You keep moving the finish line there Narrowhead Illogic…
Rin keeps hitting your feeble lobs out of the park – not unlike like batting practice or, put another football lingo, you being the tackling dummy.
Youth, speed, experience, a special teams knack AND availability as Rin said – all of which Mikey hath not.
Game, set, match…Rin Tin Tin, as always.
DISMISSED
NEXT!
heh heh heh
daddy-o
“what about Pollard makes you think… he stood a chance of making any of Hank Strams teams?”
- how did Hank get into this debate? You been ’seeing dead people’ again? ‘Nother windowpane trip gone ‘bad’ allow you see sound/hear color?
“I have no idea”
- you’ve obviously doubled your doses…
&
Shock jocks on radio shout outrageous comments and take contradicting stances in a lame attempt to gain listeners to keep their pathetic jobs. Reasonable people call in to hold the shock jock accountable which raise his ratings. It’s the easy way to gain ratings as opposed to doing research and giving sound opinions.
A poster that supports Pollard (a herm/farmer/Chuck Cook draft choice) yet attacks Morgan (also a herm/farmer/Cook draftee) argues against them self.
Ignore the garbage and eventually it will rot and go away. Let’s all give it a shot.
Go Chiefs!!!!
Bernard & DaJuan si si! Mikey & any other? No way Jose!
See? Good, we’ve consensus.
&
is it just me or is rin tin tin a freaking retard?? just wondering.
ONE BIG SURPRISE IN ROSTER MOVES
September 5, 2009
This was clearly a message cut for insubordintion and “lifestyle”(nightlife) issues, not talent. He had an argument with Clancy, Haley threw him off the field, he was demoted, didn’t play, and now released. Haley chose one of the most popular players in the locker room to drive home his point about culture change being real, not just talk. I’m disappointed, as I think Pollard was primed for a big season in this agressive style D, but they deemed the message more important than talent. Even Mike Brown admitted 2 weeks ago Pollard should be the unquestionned starter, and he, Brown, is just here for support to Pollard and Page. Page is also on shaky ground for some of the same reasons as Pollard, and better get his act together quickly.
Sorry to see Lelie go also. I don’t know what more he could have done. In the 2 weeks he was here, he did more than Engram did all offseason. If Lelie isn’t picked up by someone, I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t revisited later in the season.
I can sum up exactly what Pollard brought to the team: poor tackling and little to nothing in terms of coverage.
Everyone knows Pollard was a step or two too slow to be a good cover safety. Which begs the question of why he was drafted to play in a Cover 2 defense in the first place, but that’s beside the point.
His lack of speed is why there was always talk of playing him near the line of scrimmage or even converting him to linebacker. But what good is that when the guy can’t execute the most basic fundamental of defense: TACKLING.
Did you see him against Seattle? Whether it was on defense or special teams, he had to have whiffed on at least 6 tackles in that game alone.
It’s been a problem with Pollard since he got here and he’s showed NO signs of improving. I’m surprised they cut him instead of simply demoting him, but with Brown and Morgan I guess they didn’t have the room to keep him around.
Plus, it sends a clear message to the rest of the team. Guys who can’t execute get executed.
Lelie was fun to watch! He made those down the field catches…really no one else made. Very surprised with this cut.
Rin,
Were you not breast fed as a child?
Tiger Woods for OC.
Brown might be old but he can make up for it due to his experience/smarts. Pollard and smart just don’t fit in the same sentence. I’m one Chiefs fan very happy I won’t have to see him play for us anymore
Lelie cut was more surprising then Pollard looking back on it. It had nothing to do with arguments on the sideline Pollard just really a second coming of Roy Williams. A guy who hits hard with lowering his shoulder but can’t cover and is not all that fundamentally sound. Thats why he’s not here. It has nothing to do with him being argumentive with the head coach. Anybody who thinks that just needs to look at the Waters situation he’s still here after getting into with the head coach and wanting to be traded.
Pollard will get another chance somewhere else but not as a starter. Until he improve his tackling technique and becomes a better cover safety he’ll never be a starter in the NFL at that position.
To those wondering why we couldn’t get anything for him. Its because other teams see the same thing we do. I’m sure Pioli tried, but all teams knew we were probably going to cut the guy so why give up a pick for someone who’s going to be more of a special teams player than someone thats going come in and start.
Back in 1969, the MINN Vikings had a slogan -
‘40 for 60 ‘ as in 40 men playing together for 60 minutes. It worked to the tune of a NFC Title and Superbowl appearance where a better KC team won.
In 2009? Alas the Chiefs have no Stram nor do the Vikings have a Grant, only (cover your children’s eyes) a and a – as in a wing and a prayer.
Still, as this upchuck- er, upcoming season may well prove to be a winless one, we Chiefsfandom must look beyond our ball & chain / limitations ’search’ & ‘check’. As 60% of the team be Herm’s Chiefs, have a new slogan -
“60 for Herm! The right 53 will play for He and he alone – His Chiefs!”
If enough of the players buy into it, anything be possible. As more likely be the Patriot Way as in 0-4 to date 2009 willst prevail, well…4 wins be the best we could possibly hope for, 0-16 just as likely.
Oh well…twas a wonderful slogan; if only & had the (cue Al Campanis) “necessities” – alas, they do not. Even w/a fresh coat lipstick still be 2 slices of bacon off the old hamhock…
HOW Chiefsfandom misses you Herm … if you ever find it in your heart to forgive the interlopers, we will welcome you back with open arms!
&
daddy-o
I’m hearing some Hailey bashing. I don’t know if he will be successful or not. I believe the Chiefs are headed for another high draft pick, but that is based on talent level more than coaching.
I find Hailey to be refreshingly honest. Who is the last coach you remember that actually did allow a reasonably level playing field for all players, expect possibly quarterback? He has stressed since he’s been here that no one was safe. Pollard’s cut proves Hailey to be far more honest than Herm, Dick or any other head coach I can think of resently.
The jury is clearly still out on Hailey. I like what I’m seeing so far. Cutting McIntired is a lot of good karma in my book. Cutting Pollard might be cutting his own throat. I’m willing to give the coach time to see if he’s Herm or Hank.
“any other head coach I can think of resently.”
- a Freudian slip o the tongue if e’er I heard one there Chris … so you “resent” the formers. That be your prerogative…as for He that is me Rin, I embrace yesterday & despise the present!
To each their own… it’s still a free country – Obuma has had only 6+ months to try & make it not so…
daddy-o
Ed, I generally agree with you on Chief stuff, but you’re being naive here. Pollard was running with the 1’s, was having an outstanding camp until THE ARGUMENT. Suddenly, he was demoted to 2nd team, didn’t play in the finale, although no apparent injury, shopped around the league, and then cut.
It’s abundantly clear that THE ARGUMENT was the reason for all this, and it must have been pretty severe. Waters had time to redeem himself, Pollard didn’t.
Agreed Mark. Even if Pollard missed some tackles, he always brought more positives in big hits, big plays, and pure athleticism. You don’t cut a guy as athletic as that and give him nothing (did they REALLY try to trade him?) unless its personal.
Hell you can teach a guy to tackle, but you can’t teach him respect and ultimately it was his mouth that got him in trouble.
He will play somewhere this season. Just hope he doesn’t end up somewhere he can hurt us 2 games a year.
I guess the new regime doesn’t like the secondary that was going to be one of the best this year, if it’s true that Page is going to be gone soon also would be a terrible move also…
Agreed; the more astute fans watch & operate the less there is to like & the clearer it becomes they are operating like two blind men in a w****h***e- and in the process the only ones being screwed are the Chiefs team and the fans. If they keep it up they may be gone BEFORE 2010…