Pollack / Defensive Line Article - Thursday 4/21/05
Draft preview series: Lions looking hard at Pollack for first-round pick
ALLEN PARK -- Here's a name to remember: David Pollack. You probably haven't heard a lot of about him because the draft "experts" don't have him listed among the top 10 prospects for Saturday's draft.
But listen to Detroit Lions president Matt Millen gush about Pollack, the Georgia defensive end:
"He's versatile, he has great intangibles. He has a high, high motor and he's got a good little mean streak in him, which I really like. I think he'll energize wherever he goes. I think he'll be one of those players where you can't put him in just one spot because he's so versatile. You've got to move him around and he'll really help your defense.
"You can move him inside, you can put his hand in the dirt outside, you can line him up outside as outside backer, there's a lot of stuff you can do with him."
Including drafting him. Millen didn't tip his hand Wednesday about who the Lions will take with their 10th overall pick -- he spoke highly of a lot of players -- but Pollack fits what the Lions need.
Millen is a big believer that games are won in the trenches, and Detroit's defense needs more playmakers. Also, the Lions like to rotate defensive linemen, not just in and out of the game, but up and down the line and Pollack would be an ideal fit there.
Most draft analysts, however, have Pollack listed behind players like Maryland's Shawne Merriman, Wisconsin's Erasmus James, Troy State's Demarcus Ware and LSU's Marcus Spears.
While Pollack's college production is second-to-none, he doesn't specialize in any one area. However, unlike Pollack, who can play almost anywhere, several of those other players are limited in what they can do.
"It's a real good group, but there are some tweeners there," Millen said, referring to players who are a cross between a defensive end and an outside linebacker. "There's a bunch of good football players, but you're going to have to find a spot for some of those guys. It's how you want to use them. You've got to know what you're getting and make it work."
The other knock on Pollack is his lack of ideal size -- he's 6-foot-2, 260 pounds -- and speed, something that has earned him the tag of "overachiever."
"I hate that term," Millen said. "It implies that he plays above his skill level, which . . . I don't understand it. Every time you watch that kid play, he plays at a high, very intense level."
While it's possible the Lions might go in another direction with their first-round pick, it seems certain they'll try to address the defensive line at some point in the draft.
Detroit is in decent shape at end with James Hall, Corey Redding, Kalimba Edwards and Jared DeVries, but there are some question marks at defensive tackle. Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers anchors one spot, but Dan Wilkinson is entering his 12th NFL year and the Lions are looking for a long-term replacement.