Texans' Bernard Pollard: The DMX of the Defense
There are many people who are passionate about their craft and what they do. However, there are few that wear this passion on their sleeves and are elite at what they do. Growing up in Florence, South Carolina I listened to a lot of music and played lots of sports. The one thing common in these two activities are, that there had to be passion, intensity, and a battle involved. When I was listening to music, I wanted to hear someone who was dealing with something. I wanted to hear the battles they were having in their life come out in the song, only then would the music have the intensity, the purpose that I was looking for. DMX, born Earl Simmons, was the best at getting his emotions out in song. After listening to a DMX song, you could tell about the demons he was battling in his life. You never felt cheated after one of his performances, whether it was on CD, radio, or concert because he wears his emotions on his sleeve. Simmons put everything he had into his songs. DMX screamed while in the heat of a verse to exercise his intensity. It never felt forced. It's was his obligation and his drive to make you feel what he's feeling, to bring your intensity up to his. I've heard better rappers but I've never had anyone get me as motivated or on the same emotional level as DMX...... That is until I saw Bernard Pollard in live game action.
At this year's 2010 Texans Training camp, I was sold. Pollard plays every play at such an emotional high that you or I would be exhausted after the first series of downs. He treats every play at training camp like 4th and 1 on the last play of the Super Bowl. And Pollard expects this of his teammates as well. He can be seen after every play barking orders to younger defensive backs, trying to get them on the same page and he holds them all accountable. Don't expect to see him lower his voice or bring down his intensity level; if you are on that field with him you better be bringing up your intensity to his level. It's rumored that at his wedding he tackled his bride to be for jumping offside before the pianist started "here comes the bride."
Bernard Pollard didn't come to Houston with much fanfare. He joined the team as a street free agent last year in week three as he was abruptly released from the Kansas City Chiefs before the start of the 2009 season. Bernard was surprised by the release. It was rumored that his personality clashed with KC's new head coach Todd Haley. Pollard had a solid 2008 campaign with the Chiefs, where he racked up 98 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. The year before in 2007 he had 89 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions. Pollard didn't play much in his rookie season of 2006.
When the fiery Pollard joined the Texans, they were ranked last in the NFL in total defense and rush defense. Week 4 was the first game he played for them in 2009 and he finished the last 13 games as the Texans starting strong safety. Over that 13 game stretch the Texans ranked 4th in total defense and 2nd in rush defense. Bernard finished the 2009 campaign tied for third on the team with 102 tackles; he tacked on 4 interceptions, recovered 3 fumbles, and scored 2 defensive touchdowns. Statistically Pollard has gotten better each year in the NFL and did so again last year in just 13 games.
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