Another Ravens stunner: Bernard Pollard released

Former Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard warms up before facing the San Diego Chargers last season. Pollard was released by the Ravens on Wednesday. (Photo: Gregory Bull, AP)

Story Highlights

• Safety Bernard Pollard, known for his hard hits, left town with just a tweet on Wednesday
• As the Baltimore Ravens continued to dismantle their Super Bowl championship team, Pollard was cut
• He had been playing with injured ribs, so there is likely to be an injury settlement involved

  The purge continues for the reigning world champions.

  Hard-hitting safety Bernard Pollard who goes by the Twitter handle "Crushboy31'' announced on his account Wednesday that he's the latest Raven shoved out the door. Pollard said he has been released.

  "Well Raven Nation it's been fun. My time in Baltimore is done…Thank you!'' Pollard tweeted.

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  Pollard follows the departures of linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger who signed with Miami and Cleveland, respectively, the first day of free agency.

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  But it also raises questions, such as: If the Ravens knew they would release Pollard, why didn't they try to use the money saved to retain wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers after refusing to take a pay cut, or Ellerbe, whom the team insisted it wanted to keep?

  Fullback Vonta Leach tweeted: "Wow, my boy @Crushboy 31 is gone ... great teammate and father on and off the field."

  Counting the retirement of linebacker Ray Lewis, Pollard's departure means four of the 11 defensive starters in the Super Bowl have left the defending champions since they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last month in New Orleans.

  Pollard was owed a base salary of $2 million plus a roster bonus of $500,000 this year. He was signed for two more seasons at base salaries of $2.8 million both seasons. Pollard's release saves the Ravens about $1 million on the salary cap.

  Pollard had played last season with fractured ribs, but still started 13 games. He had 71 tackles, two sacks, six pass deflections and one interception in the regular season. He re-injured his ribs in the Super Bowl, but continued to play.

  His contract will be terminated or terminated with injury, contingent on a physical.

  The other safeties on the Ravens roster are James Ihedigbo, who was re-signed to a one-year deal Tuesday, and second-year players Christian Thompson, Omar Brown and Anthony Levine.
  Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/ravens/2013/03/13/baltimore-ravens-release-safety-bernard-pollard/1984281/