mardi gras skin Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/uga/0104/13pollack.html Pollack to return for senior season By MARK SCHLABACH Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer Athens -- David Pollack's announcement that he'll return for his senior season should bolster Georgia's hopes for playing in its third consecutive SEC championship game. Pollack's return means the Bulldogs expect to have all but four starters and kicker Billy Bennett back next season. It also should improve the Bulldogs' preseason ranking, after they finished 11-3 and ranked No. 7 nationally this past season. Pollack, a junior defensive end, said Monday that he had been told he would have been selected in the first round if he had made himself eligible for this year's NFL draft. He said he decided to stay in school because he had "unfinished business" at Georgia. "This definitely starts things off on the right foot," said Bulldogs quarterback David Greene, Pollack's roommate. "Last year, it started off bad." After winning the school's first SEC championship in 20 years in 2002, the Bulldogs lost three juniors to the NFL draft -- tailback Musa Smith, defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan and linebacker Chris Clemons. Five other senior starters also were drafted, and the Bulldogs lost all five starting offensive linemen and two other linebackers to graduation. This year, the Bulldogs expect to lose only one junior, All-SEC safety Sean Jones, to the pros. Greene, linebacker Odell Thurman, receiver Fred Gibson and safety Thomas Davis say they'll be back with the team next season. Underclassmen have until midnight Thursday to declare their intentions of entering the NFL draft. Even without Jones, the Bulldogs got a No. 4 ranking in ESPN.com's early preseason top 25, behind co-national champions Southern Cal and LSU and behind Oklahoma. "We've got all the talent in the world coming back," Pollack said. "This team can be as good as it wants to be. If we work hard and dedicate ourselves in the offseason, we can be one of the best teams in Georgia history." Pollack said he tried to persuade Jones to stay at Georgia. But Jones, from Westlake High School in Atlanta, could be the second safety drafted, behind Miami (Fla.) All-American Sean Taylor. "I wanted him to stay to see if we could win it all next year," Pollack said. "I think we have a great shot at doing it." Pollack, 6 feet 3 and 278 pounds, won the 2003 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year award and was named All-America for the second time after recording 92 tackles, 7 1/2 sacks and 28 quarterback pressures. Pollack, from Shiloh High School, will enter his senior season needing six sacks to break Richard Tardits' school record of 29. He'll play on a defensive line that returns starting defensive end Will Thompson, who missed all of the 2003 season with a broken ankle, and tackle Kedric Golston, who missed half the season with a broken shoulder blade. "I think that we have a lot of special things going on at Georgia, and I don't want to miss out on any of it," Pollack said. "I might play 10 years in the NFL and wonder what my senior season would have been. You always think about getting hurt, but God has always led me in the right path. The money is there, the opportunity is there if I want to take it, but it is not my time to take it yet." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 Good for him enjoy the colege life while you can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cskin Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 It was obvious he wasn't going to be a 1st rd. pick. Although I love his motor and his uncanny ability to be around the ball, he probably needs another year at UGA to prove to the mediots that regardless of his measureables he's a talent at DE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posse81 Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 Is he big enough to play DE in the NFL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lavarminator Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 Pollack will not be very good in the NFL. I think he will make it based on his heart and toughness, but will never amount to a whole lot on any one team. I see a journeymans career for him. Just not enough quickness and the Ts are better and quicker in the NFL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 I think it was a strict :deal: decision going on there. He saw that he'd probably be the 3rd DE taken and probably wouldn't make the first round so it's wait till next year and hope to improve the ole draft position. It'll make him a lot more $$$ to wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 that's a good thing. he was a borderline first rounder in my mind. although i did think he would make a great fit in NE with their last pick of round one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 You let a reverend scoop the rest of the Extremeskins board? Shame on you guys. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earl Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 with pollack out and one less DE in the draft, does the value on the remaining rise? if so how much? What pick will the first D-lineman be picked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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