David Pollack

[Ben E Lou]

Wow. He just got railed over the coals in a pretty major way by a UGA Beat Writer who has covered him for four years.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top">I've been biting my tongue on this one for over two years now but....</td></tr></tbody> </table> <hr> The media and Cincy head coach Marvin Lewis being irked with Pollack is not surprising to me or any of the other media members that have covered him and been around him on a day to day basis.

He was THE most difficult player to interview. I really do hate to say this but he was arrogant, snobbish, rude, and simply the worst person to interview that I have ever come accross. In fact, I did whatever I could not to interview him. Most of the everyday media members simply stopped talking with him and let the national guys do the "Mr. Nice guy" stories.

I trully do hate to let you in on this but we (local media) knew that it was only a matter of time before folks in the media started to figure him out up there and that the NFL media would not put up with it as much as the college folks. You should hear the funny stories being asked by Cincy beat writers, "I thought this guy was supposed to be so nice." "He is a jackass, is it the money thing?".

Anyway, I have had this on my chest for a long time. I think most of y'all would know that I do not take jabs at players. Subscribers pay for information (good or bad) about the players and I just felt the truth must be told here. Now, I'm know that Pollack has done great things for the University, community, etc but there is another side to things.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I'd rather have a guy on my team that likes to p/o the media and make them want nothing to do with him than one who craves the media attention and uses it to to what he percieves to be his advantage...

[digamma]

This seems to fall in line with the opinions of folks I know who knew/know him. They generally fall into two groups. The first is in the Pollack hung the moon crowd--never missed a Sunday school class, fine, upstanding citizen, etc. The other group is the polar opposite to that--the guy is a jerk, his public persona is a sham, etc.

One thing is universal though: he has a great motor.

[Karlifornia]

I don't what all the hubbub is. I mean..I liked the dude in Usual Suspects, but who cares if a Georgia beat writer doesn't like him?

[ice4277]

I think this occurs more often with athletes and the media (especially local) than most people think. I know of a couple Detroit superstars that are sweet as sugar to the national guys but treat much of the local group like total pricks. I'm pretty sure this happens with a lot of big-name guys.

[Ben E Lou]

Hehehehe. This might be the funniest "I'm on his side" post I've seen. It is from another writer who covers the Dawgs...

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top">Has Pollack's back-----></td></tr></tbody> </table> <hr> While I might agree with some things said here, I have known the kid since high school and hope the best for him. Yes, he stood me up on draft day, but he was always nice to me. I know this is not the case with 99% of the media those last couple of years, but for some reason, perhaps it was because I talked to him when he was a prospect, I got very very little of that vibe.
So we know...


...that he agrees with the people who are now bashing Pollack.
...that Pollack stood him up on draft day.
...that Pollack was nice to this writer, but not to 99% of the rest of the media.
With friends like that, I guess you don't need enemies. ;)

[Ksyrup]

Have you ever referred to a guy friend as having stood you up?

[Philliesfan980]

Have you ever referred to a guy friend as having stood you up?


I think Keith Hernandez once stood up Seinfeld.

[WSUCougar]

I think Keith Hernandez once stood up Seinfeld.
But who was the second spitter?

[Philliesfan980]

But who was the second spitter?

It was Roger McDowell of course.

Back .. and to the left... back.. .and to the left...

[korme]

Don't worry, Lewis is putting him in his place. Third string.

Don't players get it? If you hold out as a rookie, you are putting your entire career in jeopardy. Competent coaches are not going to start or give any snaps to players who miss training camp. If as a rookie you are beat out by a player who worked hard and showed up, you end up hardly playing at all and going into your sophomore season with nothing proven. Now it is on your ass to earn a job that was ready to be handed to you the year before.

Look at Chris Perry, Pollack. Kenny fucking Watson is going to be our second stringer HB again because Perry held out as a rookie 1st round pick.

Sigh

[korme]

SkyDog, can I get a link/source? I'd like to show my friends this.

[Ben E Lou]

SkyDog, can I get a link/source? I'd like to show my friends this.It is from a subscription UGA site, but it is already getting quoted in other non-subscription places, which is why I went ahead and posted it here. Here's one corroborating source:
http://www.dawgrun.com/message_board/georgia/2005/August/15/391407.html

[sovereignstar]

You tell 'em, Shorty. When you picked in the 1st round you show them what it's all about. Play on, playa.

[korme]

You tell 'em, Shorty. When you picked in the 1st round you show them what it's all about. Play on, playa.
Haha http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif

[vex]

Football is a business, and it's not like the holdouts are all the players faults either.

[bselig]

For an NFL player, no matter where they're picked, their first contract could very well be their last. The injury potential is obvious, or he might just turn out to suck. Either way, it makes a lot of sense to get the most you can now, and if you're an awesome athlete with great skills, teams will figure it out before your first contract is up.

Of course, maybe Cinci would be incompetent enough bench useful players just because they were hardasses in negotiation.

[korme]

For an NFL player, no matter where they're picked, their first contract could very well be their last. The injury potential is obvious, or he might just turn out to suck. Either way, it makes a lot of sense to get the most you can now, and if you're an awesome athlete with great skills, teams will figure it out before your first contract is up.

Of course, maybe Cinci would be incompetent enough bench useful players just because they were hardasses in negotiation.
No team in their right mind will start a player who misses an entire training camp in their first season. They would be incredibly lost on the field.

We have plenty of linebackers that can do a fine job while Pollack rides pine.

[RendeR]

Honestly, if he's not in camp yet because he's quibbling over some duoche-bag stipulation in the contract then he deserves to sit. The BEngals will play well with or without him, yes he probably could make the defense better, but one man does not a defense make.

if is's an asshat, I hope he sits until he decides not to be one.

[HomerJSimpson]

Honestly, if he's not in camp yet because he's quibbling over some duoche-bag stipulation in the contract then he deserves to sit. The BEngals will play well with or without him, yes he probably could make the defense better, but one man does not a defense make.

if is's an asshat, I hope he sits until he decides not to be one.



I was a big Pollack fan, but I completely agree with you. Sit him.

[TroyF]

I was a big Pollack fan, but I completely agree with you. Sit him.


How about this novel idea? Wait til he gets to camp, and then treat him like every other player. When his production in practice is deserving of a starting spot, start him. Until then, leave him on the bench and play him in a limited role.

The holdout itself isn't a cause for benching. The ability to play in a system without the reps of the other players is. If he can help your team win, you play him. If he can't, you don't.

It's not this complicated.

[korme]

How about this novel idea? Wait til he gets to camp, and then treat him like every other player. When his production in practice is deserving of a starting spot, start him. Until then, leave him on the bench and play him in a limited role.

The holdout itself isn't a cause for benching. The ability to play in a system without the reps of the other players is. If he can help your team win, you play him. If he can't, you don't.

It's not this complicated.
That's pretty much the point I made.

[sovereignstar]

" Don't players get it? If you hold out as a rookie, you are putting your entire career in jeopardy."

[wbatl1]

While I agree most players(escpecially rooks) should get their butts into camp, we have to look at the team here. Cinci is notorious for lowballing their draft picks, and ESPN is reporting that at last talks, they were offering Pollack less than what the 17 got last year. Also, they are offering him about the same amount as the 18 pick already recieved this year. A lot of people are blaming him, saying that he is slotted in and should just take the money, but the Bengals aren't offering him the money for the slot. Also, I heard a stat on ESPN radio that the Bengals have had a holdout for 8 of the past 10 years. Maybe it's time to look at the club.

Also, is the the same beat writer(Wyche) involved in the AJC bias thread :)

[korme]

" Don't players get it? If you hold out as a rookie, you are putting your entire career in jeopardy."
Yeah, not in and itself because of the hold out, because of camp missed...

[wbatl1]

" Don't players get it? If you hold out as a rookie, you are putting your entire career in jeopardy."

But as a pro football player, your career is in jeapardy the time you walk on the field. All it takes is a major injury and your done. thats why they want the most money they can get as early as they can get it.

[VPI97]

Meh...I heard that the contract hasn't been signed because the Bengals are offering him a deal that's not up to par with the 'slot'....in fact, the deal they're offering is $1 mil less than the same pick got last year.

Fun fact: 7 of the last 8 Cincinnati first rounders haven't made it to camp on time. The only one who did? Carson Palmer...and his contract was negotiated prior to the draft.


edit - yeah, what wbatl1 said earlier (I suck at the reading of the thread)

[RendeR]

Meh...I heard that the contract hasn't been signed because the Bengals are offering him a deal that's not up to par with the 'slot'....in fact, the deal they're offering is $1 mil less than the same pick got last year.

Fun fact: 7 of the last 8 Cincinnati first rounders haven't made it to camp on time. The only one who did? Carson Palmer...and his contract was negotiated prior to the draft.


edit - yeah, what wbatl1 said earlier (I suck at the reading of the thread)


this is complete bunk, the deal they offered is on par with the increases other slots got over last season, the problem is pollack's agent is asking for almost triple the increase and the team won't go that high.

[Julio Riddols]

I dont think they need Pollack at all. Nate Webster should be fine when he gets healthy again, Thurman has looked real good, and Landon Johnson, Brian Simmons, Larry Stevens, Marcus Wilkins and Caleb Miller is a quite deep and versatile group. I am already not liking Pollack.. Thought he may be good for the team, but lowballed or not, if a man can work construction and make shit (comparitively), a man can play football and sign a contract with a large bonus exceeding millions of dollars, regardless of whether it has certain escalator clauses or a couple hundred thousand extra here and there.. I don't understand the point of haggling over minutia such as the 'Pickens Clause' and a couple dollars when its supposed to be a GAME, and the man is fortunate to even have the opportunity to play it for that kind of money.

Yeah, I know its a business, etc.. But really.. Will there ever be a player who just comes in and says- "I want to play football more than I want to make an extra million dollars on top of the 6 million plus I am already guaranteed in my bonus. Hell, I haven't even proven I am worth more than the minimum yet."

Sadly, no. There is no justification for any rookie to hold out like this, unless they are simply being offered what a second or third rounder would get. If I was in that position, I would have been contracted and in camp without a moments hesitation for that guaranteed 6 million plus. That sets me for life, who cares about money after that. I would rather win championships and give my team the maneuverability to sign a player or two here and there to solidify the team and increase our chances.. But maybe thats just me.. Either way, thats just my opinion.

[sovereignstar]

If I was in that position, I would have been contracted and in camp without a moments hesitation for that guaranteed 6 million plus. That sets me for life, who cares about money after that. I would rather win championships and give my team the maneuverability to sign a player or two here and there to solidify the team and increase our chances.. But maybe thats just me.. Either way, thats just my opinion.

Would you have been prom king too?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thurman has looked real good

Here's a prediction, straight from his hometown -- I believe you'll be lucky to get him through two random drug tests before he's in trouble with the league. And if those don't get him, getting arrested for DUI will. I wouldn't be counting on him too much if I were you.

[korme]

^ That doesn't sound very promising.

[Ben E Lou]

The Falcons wouldn't touch Odell with a ten-foot pole. Word is that when he came to meet with the Birds' brass at the combines, all the big dogs left the room when he entered.

[JonInMiddleGA]

^ That doesn't sound very promising.

I'd love to see the kid overcome all the obstacles he's faced in his life, but I'm a long way from believing he'll actually do it.

[Ben E Lou]

Same here.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'll say this -- if the Bengals want him to have a chance to make it, I hope they found a way to put some "association" clauses in his contract or they've assigned him a "life mentor" on the team, or something. The surest sign of trouble will be if you hear media references to him "visiting friends" in Georgia or the like -- those "friends" are the biggest problem he's got at this point. Athens was too close to Monticello, it was too easy for him to run with the crowd from back on the old block. (His "baby-mama" was no help either by most accounts I get).

What I hope will happen is that he'll grab a chance at starting a new life, a life that's his, not one that's jeopardized by a lot of people who either don't care if he makes it or, even worse, that secretly hope he doesn't make it (because they never could).

[cougarfreak]

Of course, maybe Cinci would be incompetent enough bench useful players just because they were hardasses in negotiation.


I think Marvin Lewis is doing the right thing. Sit him.

[cougarfreak]

this is complete bunk, the deal they offered is on par with the increases other slots got over last season, the problem is pollack's agent is asking for almost triple the increase and the team won't go that high.

That's pretty much what I have heard as well.

[digamma]

Hi I'm David Pollack. (http://www.arches.uga.edu/~david47/)

[sovereignstar]

Well there you go.

http://www.arches.uga.edu/~david47/images/Lhop.jpg

David, if you accept that slap-in-the-face offer from the Bengals I will leave your 1st round ass!

[JPhillips]

Thurman has the best coach he could hope for. Marvin thinks he has Ray Lewis potential and is constantly riding his ass to make him the best he can be. Especially with Pollack out, Thurman is Lewis' main focus. He may still screw it up, but he has a coach that belives he can be one of the best and that won't let anything slip by.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Pollack, Bengals agree to 5-year deal

The Associated Press
Published on: 08/17/05

Cincinnati — David Pollack, the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick, ended his 19-day holdout on Wednesday by signing a five-year contract.

"We're excited to have this deal concluded," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "We're excited to get started with David, for his and our future."

The Bengals scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference to announce the deal.

[Ksyrup]

From Pasquarelli's column today:


Cincinnati first-round pick David Pollack, who got his first start on Sunday at strong-side linebacker, looks to have suffered a serious knee injury. Neither Pollack nor Bengals officials would comment on the severity of the injury, pending more tests, but it does not look good for the former University of Georgia star.

[ISiddiqui]

Also it seems that Odell Thurman has made far more of an impact than Pollack has for the Bengals so far. Thurman seems like he'll be the real deal. At least from his perfomance so far.

[Bearcat729]

From Pasquarelli's column today:


Cincinnati first-round pick David Pollack, who got his first start on Sunday at strong-side linebacker, looks to have suffered a serious knee injury. Neither Pollack nor Bengals officials would comment on the severity of the injury, pending more tests, but it does not look good for the former University of Georgia star.


Lewis listed him as questionable today for the Packers game

[Butter]

The Cincy Enquirer reported him after the game as saying he just had someone fall on his knee, and he would be fine. He was on crutches after the game, though.