HOUSTON-A month ago, safety Bernard Pollard was looking for a job.
The Houston Texans gave him a shot and it's paid off. Pollard has made 19 tackles in three starts and become a key piece of Houston's improving defense.
The Texans had an idea of what they were getting in Pollard with defensive backs coach David Gibbs having worked with him in Kansas City for the last three seasons.
Still, the Texans have been impressed with how quickly he's been able to contribute.
"I think we're all surprised," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We knew we had a chance because of David's relationship with him and the time he had spent. But, boy, he's adapted very well and he's been very good and seems to be getting even more comfortable."
Pollard is perhaps best known for delivering the hit that ended Tom Brady's season last year. But the 2006 second-round pick started each game for the Chiefs in 2008 and led the team with 98 tackles.
He found himself suddenly out of work when Kansas City released him before the season. Pollard still isn't sure why he was let go after starting all but one game in the last two seasons.
"It was very difficult," he said. "You don't know what's going on. You don't know who said what about you, you don't know how they labeled you. When you don't know, that's the worst thing."
Pollard has been so good since arriving in Houston that some of his teammates have even come to him wondering why he was let go.
Cornerback Jacques Reeves was shocked. Of course, Reeves may have known better than anyone what Pollard could do after seeing him excel as a freshman when the two played together at Purdue.
"I knew what kind of player he was and I figured he would come in here and make an impact," Reeves said. "I don't know what else went along with him being cut, but I do know he is a good player and he's playing good for us."
Pollard led the team with eight tackles two weeks ago against Arizona and the Texans have pointed to him as one of the reasons for Houston's improved run defense. Houston was the NFL's worst against the run through the first three games, but has allowed less than 50 yards rushing in each of the last three.
He brushed off the notion that he's been a catalyst for the improvement, saying he's just another piece on an already solid defense. He's been criticized in the past for going for the big hit at the expense of his other duties at safety.
It's something he's working on.
"I run around and I hit," he said. "I think this offseason I've learned what it takes to be an all-around safety. I'm not going to get rid of a lot of the aggressiveness I have, but at the end of the day when the ball is in the air you have to go and get the ball."
Pollard is proud he's been able to help the Texans, but is looking to do more to prove he's an important part of this team.
"I just want to play football and that's me," he said. "I want to be able to show management or teammates what I'm able to do. You know what they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. I'm thankful for where I'm at."
