Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

[Steve102]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Not a guy that the Pats want. He's the kind of player most hurt by the new tight end fad. Stop looking at all of the big hits and watch him actually attempt to play in coverage. It's not pretty.

I was just gonna ask how is this guy in coverage?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Say what you want, he is one of the keys this defense has been missing since Rodney tore is ACL in '05 and was never the same guy again. If the price is right, I hope the Patriots look long and hard at him. This defense, team in general needs some toughness.

 

[patfanken]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

So unless they re-sign Reed, they have lost 6 defensive starters from last year and their best WR (and yes, he is better than the overrated Torrey Smith who apparently took the playoffs off other than two catches vs. the Broncos). Talk about a team on a rapid decline after their second best season in team history.

As for Pollard, I would sign him as long as he doesn't break the bank. He is a hard hitting safety that this team is missing. He is also very instinctual and strong against the run and pretty good in coverage. Don't get this cut.

EDIT: It is six starters on defense the Ravens lost thus far.

He was only due to make about $2.5MM for this season, I wouldn't call that "breaking the bank". Its more the case of the Raven's cap desperation

 

[Deus Irae]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

There's not enough "No!" in the world.

 

[patfanken]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

ProFootballTalk ?@ProFootballTalk

League source on Bernard Pollard: "Three teams in how many years. Soon four. What does that tell you?"

That's a great point that hasn't be mentioned before in this discussion. It certainly has made me take another look at him....only this time with that in mind. Why can't he find a home

 

[signbabybrady]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

I'd prefer a safety or a LB that could get in the same zip code covering TEs instead. McCourty could do that but he's the FS.

Prediction...Pollard a Jet. You read it here first. Landry's cheaper replacement.

I was thinking Dolphins they're the ones spending big right now to catch us and what better way to catch us then by signing a guy that injures us.

 

[Brady6]

Bernard Pollard is available(Released by Ravens per tweet)

Is he a FA? I have not seen him on any FA list. Please provide a link that shows him as a 2013 FA.

Otherwise a trip to the PS is in the future for this thread.

The OP says he was released but you are correct he was not a schedule FA. If the OP tweets are correct his is now though.

 

[JoeShmoe]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Not a guy that the Pats want. He's the kind of player most hurt by the new tight end fad. Stop looking at all of the big hits and watch him actually attempt to play in coverage. It's not pretty.

Can you name a strong safety who's available that can fully cover elite tight ends? (Ed Reed withstanding). Pollard didn't do too bad covering our TE's in the AFC game. Besides with the D we play more often than not were asking the SAM LB to cover the TE

Right now we dont really have a strong safety (Gregory isnt big enough)

That sort of aggression is what we really lack, team right now is a soft touch in the hard games

 

[kennyb]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Definitely get this guy. Just keeping him off the other 31 teams means Pats players don't have to worry about getting IRed by him. Just don't let him hit anyone in practice.

How do you go from starting on a SB team to cut when your salary is modest? Hmmm very strange.

 

[patsfaninpa]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

I don't want the douche bag because of his comments about Brady after the knee injury. But, I hope he goes to a NFC team.

 

[NgataTroublemaker]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

He was only due to make about $2.5MM for this season, I wouldn't call that "breaking the bank". Its more the case of the Raven's cap desperation

Nah, it actually saves the Ravens no money at all, once you consider the minimum cost of a replacement. He was extended one year ago. The Ravens will eat almost as much dead money as they save.

There is no salary cap consideration with this one.

The conspiracy theory floating around Baltimore is that Pollard especially, but also Boldin to some extent, were very vocal in the near-mutiny John Harbaugh faced in November when the Ravens were falling apart. Harbaugh proposed a full pad practice for an extra day and nearly lost the team.

While I am very skeptical of this being the main reason, considering the lack of cap space saved by the release, I can't rule out that it played some part. Harbaugh might have been worried that without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, a guy like Pollard might step into the void and 'corrupt' some younger players in terms of his problems with authority.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Not a guy that the Pats want. He's the kind of player most hurt by the new tight end fad. Stop looking at all of the big hits and watch him actually attempt to play in coverage. It's not pretty.

Agreed but he might be worth it for us just to sit him on the game inactive bench.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

I look into my crystal ball and see - Pollard as Gang Green's starting SS. You heard it here...

 

[DocHoliday]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Sign him if the Jest or Dolphins are interested.

We can't face this guy twice a year.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

Nah, it actually saves the Ravens no money at all, once you consider the minimum cost of a replacement. He was extended one year ago. The Ravens will eat almost as much dead money as they save.

There is no salary cap considerations with this one.

The conspiracy theory floating around Baltimore is that he, especially, but also Boldin to some extent were very vocal in the near-mutiny John Harbaugh faced in November when the Ravens were falling apart. Harbaugh proposed a full pad practice for an extra day and nearly lost the team.

While I am very skeptical of this being the main reason, considering the lack of cap space saved by the release, I can't rule out that it played some part. Harbaugh might have been worried that without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, a guy like Pollard might step into the void and 'corrupt' some younger players in terms of his problems with authority.

If so, hats off to the HC for policing the locker room, admittedly easier to do with a Lombardi sitting in the trophy case. Maintaining a positive culture will pay dividends down the road even if 2013 is as I expect a disappointment for the franchise, or maybe especially if.

 

[Clonamery]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

There's not enough "No!" in the world.

Babu Bhatt says he is a very, very bad man.

 

[condon84]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

For the love of God, please sign this guy.

 

[PATSNUTme]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

The OP says he was released but you are correct he was not a schedule FA. If the OP tweets are correct his is now though.

I think that's what I had said.
But now here is a link.
Ravens release Bernard Pollard - CBSSports.com

 

[RobertWeathers]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

A 28 year old 225lb experienced, hard-hitting SS is exactly what this team needs.

The problem is that it's Bernard Pollard who despite what comes out of his mouth or what hes done to I don't necessarily think is a bad player.

No question that by joining 4 teams in his 8th year there is something up with this guy.

 

[patsinthesnow]

re: Bernard Pollard is available; released by Ravens

I really really want this guy. Perfect opposite/enforcer to McCourty.