A team's first-round pick can hold out for days and still make the team, bute the late-round pick's road to the NFL is never smooth. Sacks, long runs, or touchdown passes are the future for some; but fumbles, concussions, and cutdown day are the reality for others.

Now that exhibition season is here, Randall Polliard's Illegal Motion tackles late-round rookie life. Some can take the hits, but others leave with a pink slip.

Click the arrow found in the lower right hand corner to follow this blue-chip athlete through a week in the pros.

Randall Polliard is a sports cartoonist for the Seattle Times.