Texans Sign Safety Bernard Pollard

[WMH]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.