Bernard Pollard: Titans Success Lies in Team’s Togetherness
By Mike Dyce
The Baltimore Ravens dumped Patriots killer, Bernard Pollard, for his ability to talk and stand out. In his new role with the Tennessee Titans he seems to be using his super power (tendency to be vocal) for good not evil. He is taking the lessons he learned with the Baltimore Ravens during their championship run and sharing them with his new teammates.
Especially how close they need to be with one another to be successful. That includes spending time together off the field as well as on it.
“It is something we did in Baltimore, and it’s something I’d like to see develop here,” Pollard said, via Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. “If we’re going to be the team we say we want to be, if we want to be a successful close-knit team, if we want this to be a brotherhood, then we all have to be on one accord.
“Getting together and doing those extra things is going to allow us to know each other better personally, and it’s going to give us that feeling when we’re going out there to fight, we know who we are fighting for, we know who we are fighting with. And that should make us better.”
And his teammates are noticing.
Cornerback Jason McCourty said:
"“BP has definitely done more of that and he is continuing to bring that tradition here. We have always done it, but sometimes it falls by the wayside. Guys have stuff going on in their personal life, so it’s hard sometimes. But BP has made it a point this offseason to say, ‘Let’s go grab something to eat.’“Stuff like that is important. In order to be a great team and a great defense in general, it starts with your position group. . . Guys have to know each other, and for us to get to know each other, guys have to really get to know one another. I think it will help us come together.”"
Safety Michael Griffin said:
"“It’s about building chemistry, being a team. We are going to be around each other for the next six months. When we are spending time with one another, it is going to build that trust, going to build that camaraderie, and it should help.”"