Marcus Pollard on Saturday's Win Over the Vikings
Oh yeah the game Saturday night (30-13 win over Minnesota) was special. It all made feel real good and bigger part of the team.
I was sitting on the bench think I wasn't going to get any shots (balls thrown to me tonight, and right when I said that, we got the ball back. And then I caught three balls on the same drive and it just made me feel part of the offense overall - not just the blocking side of it. I know I've got to do all of it - it's my job.
I don't consider myself a blocker or a receiver, I'm a complete tight end and it's my job to do all the things a tight end needs to do well. So when I get a chance like that to be a part of running and passing, I feel like I'm doing my job better.
We finally got a chance to hook up because Matt (Hasselbeck) played the whole first half and we got a chance to make some plays. We could feel the rhythm of the offense and this gave everybody a look at what we're capable of doing as a group.
Everything has been getting better each week in practice, the timing, the understanding of where we go - and tonight we got a chance to do it in a game, and that feels great. Each day, he has a better idea of the way I run routes and that's important as the season progresses.
I really think this game was important for our whole team, especially the offense. I think that I got more solidified the way Matt threw the ball today, the way Shaun (Alexander) ran the ball. We really attacked them offensively. The defense stepped up and gave us some turnovers and stopped them when they needed to and especially gave us some good returns. So that stuff, all in all, we really did well and gave everybody a lot more confidence.
It has been a slow grind through training camp getting all of this, but this game showed that we are getting it. We're not there yet. I'm not there yet. But a game like this showed I'm getting there and Matt can have more confidence in me that I will get open and catch the ball. It's the kind of thing where the longer we're together, the more plays we make, the better we'll get.
I've been saying for weeks it's all about me getting the nuances of the offense, with Matt's timing and confidence in me and this game could be the difference. Sometimes, one game can change everything.
I'm hoping this one did it for us.
Marus Pollard Looks Back at This Year's Training Camp
From start to finish, this has been a great camp and transition for me. At this point of my career to have an opportunity like this has worked out as well as possible.
This was by far the most pleasant temperature-wise of any training camp I've ever been and as a team we responded the right way by not sitting back and resting on our laurels of being a highly-regarded team. Instead, I saw everybody take it upon themselves to say 'We've still got something we've got to prove as a team," and that's the most important thing of all for this team.
It's easy to sense that the guys on this team all believe if they do things the right way they'll contend for the conference title again. I won't say I had my doubts coming in, but like any new player I had some reservations not knowing the real makeup of this team. I knew they had some great players and had done some great things in the past. It's why I came out here because my dream was always to finish my career around winners who were only there with the idea of getting to the Super Bowl.
But coming here and seeing the hunger that everybody here has to get back to the Super Bowl, I think everybody is sensing that same thing and everybody has bonded together with the same goal in mind. The talk about the character on this team isn't talk. It's the way guys are - we all understand what it means to be teammates and function as a group. Not every team is that way ... not even close.
Personally, I feel real good about being a part of this thing. I'm really enjoying my teammates and having moved my family out here too. The Emerald City offers so much with so many great restaurants and all the outdoor activities for everybody. I'm enjoying my teammates as we grew together during this camp. That's what was so nice about having training camp here - it was all football - but we also got a chance to get a feel for what a great place this is to live for everybody.
All of that aside, I know I can get to another level as a player here too. Every day the system is becoming more of what I do out on the field instead of thinking so much about it. As camp has progressed, I've become more a part of the offense and Matt (Hasselbeck) has gained more confidence in me. From what I've experienced and what I see happening, this was exactly what training camp was supposed to be about for me and everybody else.
People have talked about my age (35), but I think I've been showing everybody that I've still got a lot left in the tank. And the way we've grown over the last month, it's giving me the opportunity to make some plays for this team and help us end the season where we'd all like to be ... Arizona ( for Super Bowl XLII).
Marcus Pollard on Golf
I was really disappointed I didn't hit the (golf) ball well when we had a couple of pros out here at practice yesterday. When I found out Jim Colbert and Jerry Pate were challenging us, I wanted to be involved because I love the game. But I was slipping in my shoes and I was embarrassed.
I'm too competitive to let that go ... I'm better than that.
I started playing golf my second year in the NFL. I remember going to (former Colts teammate) Jim Harbaugh's golf outing at the University of Michigan and playing with some guys. I hit a lucky shot here and there, and kind of got the bug for a while ... then went away from it.
Then I started playing again and the past six years it's been my passion. They say you get bit by that golf bug ... well I got bit by two bugs the last 4-5 years. I've never had a lesson, but I do a lot of reading and I spend a lot of time watching the Golf Channel.
When I'm playing a lot I'll shoot in low 80s - I've broken 80 three times, two 78s and a 79. But that's my best and I'd really like to get there consistently, so I'm working on it.
When I shoot 87 and I play poorly, I'm not a happy camper- so it's just something I really love and need to excel at. Yesterday I had a chance to compete against a couple of guys playing a sport that I wish I could do for a living. I wish those shots were better. It was a lot of fun just being out there with them and talking to them about the game.
If I could put any three guys in my foursome it would be Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Jesus Christ. Yes, he (Jesus) plays. He can do anything he wants. If two of us were playing against Michael and Tiger, I would say there's a pretty good chance we can't lose because he can do whatever he wants.
The best part of my game would have to be my short game because I spend a lot of time not hitting greens. So I'm chipping, pitching and putting all the time trying to save shots. My short game has really gotten better because I've been working so hard on it and getting closer to the pin.
I play 3-4 days a week during the offseason and when I'm not playing golf, I spend that time probably fishing. But really it's about golf. I take trips with guys in the offseason. We planned a trip to Myrtle Beach in the past, we went to Arizona this past year, and we took a big golf trip to Tampa before - I think there were 30 guys on that trip. They love it like I do and we just play.
It's great to get away, get a hotel room, and play 36 a day for 4-5 days. And that's all we do. Golf is like mowing my lawn and planting flowers for me. I love the outdoors. Golf is just another way for me to get away from the daily rigors of football, and compete - not only with the other guys, but the course and myself.
So being out on the golf course gets me out, and it still allows me to have that mental and physical competition at the same time. It's the perfect combination.
Marcus Pollard on Taking Care of the Details
Personally this game Saturday night doesn't feel any different for me, but with the intensity of the other guys and the coaches, it's easy to tell this game is real important for a lot of guys.
The excitement for all the guys trying to make the team has really showed with great practices every day this week. For me, I look at each game as just what they are in this preseason for me - another opportunity to take advantage of being out on the field against other guys to see where I am heading into the regular season.
It's always about measuring myself competition-wise.
From the coaching staff, it's obvious. They're using this game as the biggest one to see how far we've come in camp, where we need to improve and what kind of talent we have. Typically, third preseason games are generally that way. A lot of the starters will get a lot more playing time than they have and that gives the coach a better barometer to see where we are than the other games have.
I am looking forward to more playing time Saturday. It's good for me to get out there and mix it up - get some snaps with Matt (Hasselbeck), get some snaps with Sen (Wallace) and be able to make calls with the tackles on all the runs. All of that comes into play.
It's also important to get square with Shaun (Alexander), and where I'm going with my blocks. I'm looking forward to that. He's definitely not a normal running back. He's a great downhill and great cutback runner. In the past, I've been in systems where I could take a little break on the backside when the run is going the other way.
Not here. I've already found that out. Shaun will come right back to area where I don't think he's coming to ... and that's what makes him so hard to defend. He can hit it downhill and he can also be a great cutback runner. It means I have to be very, very, very alert with him because just when I think the play is going one way, I'll look up and the play is coming right to me. So I've always got to stay on my toes when he's got the ball and that's a good thing.
To me yesterday was one of the most intense drills I've been in when we did the one-on-one blocking drill. To me it was intense and we had to expect it because of the way we haven't been protecting the quarterback lately. Our pass protection hasn't been up to par and Mike (Holmgren) wanted to see just where guys are individually. That was mano a mano. Sometimes during games you may get lucky and run him into another guy, but that wasn't going to happen in that drill.
Coach needed to see who wants it most and showed us he's in control here. That's going to get your attention and I think it carried over to the rest of practice and today. He's an intimidating guy in his stature alone, then when he gets going and speaks his mind, he's even that more intimidating.
Every team he's been associated with, have been working. He's made a point with his coordinators and they've all made it clear to us, let's make things go well. Take care of the details. This needs to be our best game so far.
Marcus Pollard on Focus and Intensity
The last time I had 48 points hung around my neck I was playing hoops. With that being said (the 48-13 loss at Green Bay), it was one of those nights where we couldn't get the offense going and stop making mistakes.
My job is to help us score points on offense. We needed to score 49 or do a better job to prevent turnovers. We didn't do either one to have a chance.
Today we came out to a great start to the week. It was all about focus. Everybody has been trying hard, trying to be in the right spot and doing the right things, right now we need to focus and screw down the final details of blocking pass-protecting, the precise depth on routes.
It's all about cleaning up details and maintaining our focus.
I think the intensity comes with it. Once you've gained a focus and the details of all your responsibilities are sound, everything flows a lot better. Intensity will come based on being in the right place, doing the right things and using the right technique. Intensity is something will come. You've got to get the fundamentals down first, and then the intensity will follow.
It's a safe assumption that all guys have the intensity or they wouldn't be playing football at this level. Knowing the right things to do and using the techniques that you're taught, I think you can play with intensity because you're not thinking anymore. You're just going out and having fun playing football. At that point, I just need to whup my guy ... beat my guy. Then you're not thinking about so many things ... am I taking the right steps, am I holding, am I off sides? That's the kind of thing that will prevent you from ever playing to your potential. Once you're beyond thinking about those things, that's when you start playing to your potential as a team.
There's an argument to be made there are a lot of guys in this league that really give it all they've got but they're just playing 100 miles an hour with nowhere to go. It's just like a floating balloon ... you're taking off, but where are you going? The destination could be anywhere.
That's why it's important to have the right focus first before you start playing with too much intensity. Intensity without focus doesn't give you much. And if you have the intensity first, it's tough to get the focus. That makes it even harder to get the job done the way you're supposed to.
When guys are just wild and out of control with the way they play, they may make some plays because they play so hard. But in the long run they're going to hurt you more than they'll help you. Going 100 miles an hour without knowing where you're going, the only thing you know is you're going to crash.
And most of the time, that makes you a detriment to the team.
All we have to do is regain our focus this week and the intensity will come to make us a better football when we play the Vikings on Saturday.
Marcus Pollard on Football Instincts
I was really disappointed I didn't hit the (golf) ball well when we had a couple of pros out here at practice yesterday. When I found out Jim Colbert and Jerry Pate were challenging us, I wanted to be involved because I love the game. But I was slipping in my shoes and I was embarrassed.
I'm too competitive to let that go ... I'm better than that.
I started playing golf my second year in the NFL. I remember going to (former Colts teammate) Jim Harbaugh's golf outing at the University of Michigan and playing with some guys. I hit a lucky shot here and there, and kind of got the bug for a while ... then went away from it.
Then I started playing again and the past six years it's been my passion. They say you get bit by that golf bug ... well I got bit by two bugs the last 4-5 years. I've never had a lesson, but I do a lot of reading and I spend a lot of time watching the Golf Channel.
When I'm playing a lot I'll shoot in low 80s - I've broken 80 three times, two 78s and a 79. But that's my best and I'd really like to get there consistently, so I'm working on it.
When I shoot 87 and I play poorly, I'm not a happy camper- so it's just something I really love and need to excel at. Yesterday I had a chance to compete against a couple of guys playing a sport that I wish I could do for a living. I wish those shots were better. It was a lot of fun just being out there with them and talking to them about the game.
If I could put any three guys in my foursome it would be Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Jesus Christ. Yes, he (Jesus) plays. He can do anything he wants. If two of us were playing against Michael and Tiger, I would say there's a pretty good chance we can't lose because he can do whatever he wants.
The best part of my game would have to be my short game because I spend a lot of time not hitting greens. So I'm chipping, pitching and putting all the time trying to save shots. My short game has really gotten better because I've been working so hard on it and getting closer to the pin.
I play 3-4 days a week during the offseason and when I'm not playing golf, I spend that time probably fishing. But really it's about golf. I take trips with guys in the offseason. We planned a trip to Myrtle Beach in the past, we went to Arizona this past year, and we took a big golf trip to Tampa before - I think there were 30 guys on that trip. They love it like I do and we just play.
It's great to get away, get a hotel room, and play 36 a day for 4-5 days. And that's all we do. Golf is like mowing my lawn and planting flowers for me. I love the outdoors. Golf is just another way for me to get away from the daily rigors of football, and compete - not only with the other guys, but the course and myself.
So being out on the golf course gets me out, and it still allows me to have that mental and physical competition at the same time. It's the perfect combination.
Marcus Pollard on Bouncing Back
The only way to respond from dropped passes is simple: "Don't drop the next one." I look at it from the perspective that all the great ones have dropped passes. It's like golf shots. You hit a bad shot, you forget about it and hit the next shot that much better. The key is to constantly drive yourself to improve.
A lot of times when I have a dropped ball, it's just time for me to refocus because I was distracted for whatever reason.
My biggest problem is forgetting about it, because I tend to get down on myself because I am my own worst critic. None of the coaches I've ever played for have ever been as hard on me as I am on myself.
When I drop a pass, miss a block or blow an assignment, I get so down on myself, I always put more pressure on myself than necessary the next play I'm out there. I know what I need to do. I usually don't make the same mistake twice because I use the first one as a way to refocus on what needs to get done and how to do it.
It's a pretty simple formula ... OK, go to ground zero, refocus and start over with everything you've learned about this game. That's just fundamentals, get on the Juggs (pass receiver machine), working on footwork, getting deeper into my playbook and realize what's going on here.
It happens to athletes because there is so much success and we believe we're on top of the world, and then we get knocked down to let us know we're not as good as we think we are. It is a very humbling experience because when we make mistakes, sometimes there are millions of people who see it. That's the kind of thing that will wake you up in a hurry.
It's taken some time to get to this point. It doesn't come easy. A lot of times I still have to remind myself to focus on the same approach every time. I'm still human. I still make mistakes - those guys across from me are on scholarship too. So I just remind myself of those things. At the same time I don't use loss of focus as a crutch or an excuse for making a bad play because the other guy is good too.
That's why I just chalk it up as a humbling experience, strap it up and go after it again with the idea of doing better the next time. It is a motivating thing for me. When I'm in those situations when I could have done better or maybe even in an absolutely perfect setup - I don't get it done. Well, everybody just has to grind a little bit deeper sometimes.
The media and the other player talk about Tiger Woods being a grinder. And Tiger to me is the best golfer ever, but if they're taking about things not going right for him, then it proves to me he's a grinder and is able to succeed even when he's not at the time of his game. Those types of attitudes set people apart.
I always visualize routes, defenses I play against, players I could be playing against and how I will block somebody on a particular play. I'm a very visual person when it comes to getting my job done. That's how I learn. I'm not a guy that can look at paper and do something. I've got to see it in my head. And when I see it in my head, I can actually do it the second time. You see that means I've seen it twice - once in the act and once in my head. And then I can do it physically. I visualize things with everything I do - I do it with football, golf, and or even dealing with my kids.
It's much easier to avoid mistakes when you've already set up a path to follow in your head.
Marcus Pollard on Work Ethic
I'm playing more snaps in practice than maybe I thought I would because three tight ends (Will Heller, Ben Joppru and Leonard Stephens) all are out at the same time. But I think it's a good thing coming to a new team, being exposed to a new offense, playing with a different quarterback and trying to see what Mike (Holmgren) wants from me.
Right now, it's good for me because I need it to be in the mix, be involved and go through enough so I know what I'm doing when the regular season starts.
It's a lot, but I feel fine. My tight ends coach Jim Lind is doing a good job of picking spots for me and pulling me out when he thinks he should. He's been smart about not overworking me. I don't know - it's not a clean line of when I might get overtired and when I should be out there. It's a gray line that goes in both directions and my coach is doing a good job of figuring that out.
I'm not the kind of guy who will ask out, I'm tired or I need rest. I'm not going to do that, so it's up to my coach. My age (35) isn't even being discussed. I'm not gauging it, I'm just playing. I know one thing I learned from my mom - there's no substitute for hard work and I'll always follow that line of think from what I got from her.
She worked two jobs and went to school at the same time while taking care of my sister and me in a single parent home in Valley, Ala.. That's how I look at it. I can't take some plays off. I'm not working too hard. I don't know the meaning of that. I plan on working even harder.
She was a teacher's aid during the day and worked in a textile mill after that, and then she would go to school. She was really stretching herself out. My sister and I were at the age where we could really take care of each other - I was 13-14, my sister was 11-12. She left us there because she had to so we could have a better life. We were fine. It's something I dealt with and learned from because she worked so hard for us.
It was tough. We made it. A lot of people have those situations and do just fine. The impact on me was very positive. I worked hard in everything I did - school, sports. Because of what she was doing - I couldn't do less.
I give her all the credit for where I am today. She was a mom, a dad and a mentor all at the same time for my sister and me. To me, for being the man that I am and the way I am with my kids is directly from the way she handled us.
My sister owns her own day care in Lynette, Ala.. My mom is thrilled with us. All the teachers in her school are excited. Now she's been a teacher for 12, 13 years with challenged kids at the high school level. I don't know the exact number, but this is who she is. Teachers run up to her and say, "I saw your son on TV last night," and he said something in the paper. They're all excited about that. But now my sister's business is taking off too. "She's doing so well."
My mom is proud of the two children she raised and we're even more proud of her.
All that work, her influence is always there, so that's why you'll never see me tire of work.
Marcus Pollard on His First Game as a Seahawk
It was nice to catch a ball on the first play of the preseason Sunday night (24-16 win at San Diego). And it was a funny thing because the ball wasn't supposed to go to me. I was the third option.
The play initially was supposed to go to me and when they changed it, I was like, 'Oh man, now I'm not going to be the first read.' Fortunately, they covered everybody else, I ran the play as it was drawn up, Matt (Hasselbeck) checked down to me and it felt good to get that play under my belt right away.
It also tells me in the long run he is really aware of all of his options, so if you run your pattern the way the play is designed and you're open, he'll find you in his reads. That's why I compared him to Peyton (Manning) in that way. The good quarterbacks always find you.
Making that first catch and getting hit hard made me feel like I'm right back in the swing of things. The thing I like about preseason games is it always feels good to hit somebody else besides your teammates. It was a great challenge going down there to play against a real good defense and two great outside linebackers with the Chargers. That's exactly what we needed to wake up everybody on our offense to the 2007 season.
What's even better is we responded with a touchdown drive to start the game.
I can tell right now we've got a lot of fight in this team and a lot of great character people. Mike (Holmgren) came into the locker room at halftime and challenged us to respond. And a bunch of guys stood up and said, 'We can still win this game, let's do something about it.' When you challenge somebody to do better, and they actually went out and exceeded the expectations that Mike set for us, is a great sign.
It tells me that even when you get guys hurt and the second guys have to come in, it's a good strong bench that you can rely on to play. That's what you have to have. You can talk about your stars. We've got a great running back, great receivers and a lot of other great players on this team. Unfortunately, you get hurt in this game and you've got to have some great backups to step in and play.
Really, I don't think you have backups at this level. You've got guys who are one play away from starting and they know it. They're ready for their opportunity and ready to take advantage of it.
I think we're off on the right track. Our defense showed me some great things because they kept responding and tightening down whenever the Chargers would have a big play. They got some turnovers and big stops. I'm really excited about it. Our special teams were great - everybody was on top of where they were supposed to be assignment-wise
The offense goes out and scores on the first possession, and then after we fell behind (16-7), Seneca (Wallace) led us to 17 points in the fourth quarter. I'm really excited about where we're going.
You don't go out and spend a lot of time on game-planning in preseason games, so it was really interesting to see how guys would respond just by doing the things we've been taught. Just go out and execute. I was told to be ready to go, when you come out, you come out. Coaches don't want to lose starters in the preseason and they want to get good looks at the young guys. I got done what I wanted to accomplish - carry out my assignments, caught a pass, hit and got hit, and I got that in 12 plays.
And the best part is we won the game.
Marcus Pollard on Sunday's Preseason Game
I've got a very serious look on my face ... a very serious day. I had to put in a little extra work today. Because we only had two tight ends going, it allowed me to get a lot more reps. It also allowed me to get some extra work done for the season and it allowed (rookie) Joe Newton to get a little extra work too.
Actually I feel like I'm about 28 today since I always get younger when I put more work in.
I definitely am ready to get under the lights. I'm tired of whupping up on our own linebackers. I need a new challenge. J.P. (Julian Peterson), Lance (Laury), Leroy (Hill) and Lofa (Tatupu) ... I'm tired of whupping up on them and ready to go after the guys in San Diego.
It will be a good challenge for me and everybody else. It's a good challenge against a good defense. The Chargers are a team that felt they should have been in the Super Bowl last year, and at least the NFC Championship game. So our first test will be against a very good defense.
I expect to play anywhere from 15-20 plays in the game Sunday - 20 would be the high end. I'm looking just to accomplish the fundamentals I need to have down here. I need to have the right splits, play hard and just do what I've been taught. If I go away with those things, I'll feel like I've accomplished what I set out to do. Even if I don't catch a pass or score a touchdown, I feel like I'm on my way to the next step and the next game (at Green Bay next Saturday).
The route running and my timing with Matt (Hasselbeck) is getting better since the last time I really thought about it. We've just been working quite a bit. We've been throwing a lot together. We've talked a lot about it. We want to get where what one guy is thinking, the other guy is seeing. I'm a lot more comfortable fast-forwarding from last week to right now.
That also means I'm a lot better prepared to play in an actual game against another team than I was last week too. I have a better understanding of what I'm expected to do, who I'm expected to block and where the routes will take me to get open. All those little nuances I'm starting to figure out.
A lot of the splits are predicated on play. If there's a play that I don't have to be tight with the tackle so to speak, I'll move so we can be on the same level. But if I'm running a one-on-one route against a linebacker, I now know I can get a little bit bigger split.
I'm starting to feel that I can be a key component in this engine. Because of what I bring to the table - the blocking, the route running, and other things like that. My pass catching ability will help. I'm starting to get more comfortable and feeling a part of it all. It's difficult coming to a new team, a new offense, but training camp makes a big difference.
Now I feel like I can be an integral part - which is why I came here in the first place - and help us get to the Super Bowl.
By Monday morning I'm hoping I don't feel too beat up. Typically, Monday's leave you feeling pretty sore. Hopefully I won't get too many plays and won't get injured, then I know I'll wake up with a smile on my face.
