NFL

Jets’ Pool: Concussions not an issue

Brodney Pool knows the question is coming before you ask it.

The Jets’ new safety, whom they signed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal in the offseason with hopes he will become the starter alongside Jim Leonhard, would like his performance on the field to be what everyone is talking about instead of the dreaded concussion issue.

By numerous accounts in Cleveland, where Pool played the last five seasons after being drafted in the second round by the Browns, he’s had at least four concussions, the last of which ended his 2009 season with five games remaining.

Pool, however, disputed that concussion count in a conversation with The Post this week after a Jets’ OTA session at their Florham Park, N.J., facility. Before the words “how many” left the questioner’s mouth, Pool politely interrupted and said: “one.”

“I’ve only had one concussion,” he told The Post. “I have a family history of migraines and that’s what has been happening to me, not concussions.”

Pool, in fact, said the only concussion he’s ever suffered occurred on the first play of his first NFL preseason game.

“I ran down on kickoff and hit the wedge and knocked myself out,” he said. “The other times I was very aware; I knew what was happening.”

He was en route to having one of his best seasons in 2009, having picked off four passes in the Browns’ first 11 games before he was felled by another head injury on a play he said there was no contact.

The Browns, taking the cautious approach, put Pool on injured reserve and he missed the rest of the season. Pool said the Browns’ doctors called it a concussion, but he went to the Cleveland Clinic, where he was diagnosed with the migraines.

What now?

He said he needs to hydrate and eat better and get more sleep — all things he said the doctors told him have an effect on the migraines.

Jets defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman, too, has another idea to prevent more incidents.

“There are certain techniques we’ll use with him in terms of trying to keep his head out there, tackling more with his shoulders and chest instead of leading with his head,” Thurman said.

Pool is taking Thurman’s suggestions to heart, saying: “That’s one of the first things (Thurman) told me and it’s one of my goals in the offseason, to learn to tackle not leading with my head and use more of my shoulders. I’m working on that this offseason.”

Pool’s willingness is a breath of fresh air for Thurman, who clashed with Kerry Rhodes all last season before Rhodes was jettisoned away to Arizona in an offseason trade.

Rhodes, whom Pool was signed to replace, never totally bought into the Jets defensive system under Rex Ryan, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and Thurman and it showed in his play.

“Kerry is a good guy; he’s obviously been a good player in this league for a number of years and he’s made plays, but as we like to say around here with Rex, ‘You can play in the NFL, just not for the Jets,’ ” Thurman told The Post. “There’s a certain way that we go about our business in doing things and we expect everybody to be on the same page. We’re all Jets and we’re all trying to win and anybody who’s pulling against that or doesn’t buy in usually starts to stick out like a sore thumb.

“Brodney on the other hand has been a refreshing welcome addition. He’s very coachable. He’s at meetings when he doesn’t even have to be at meetings, like with the rookies and young free agents, because he wants to learn and he knows the position he’s in as far as playing safety in this system. It’s an extension of the coaching staff.”

Indeed, safety is a critical position in the Ryan system.

Thurman believes Pool is a perfect fit.

“He is ideal for what we want to get done,” Thurman said. “I don’t think there’s any limitations for Brodney.”

Leonhard complimented his new teammate, saying he’s been “impressed with how quickly he’s learned.”

Leonhard, like Thurman, pointed out the contrast between Pool and Rhodes, saying, “One of the biggest things he’s been able to do is come in and communicate right away with guys. He’s not afraid to go to Darrelle [Revis] or Eric Smith and ask questions.”

After missing his last five games last year and seeing the Browns give up on him, Pool said he feels “blessed to be a Jet because a few months ago I didn’t know if I still was going to be playing football.”

He’s bent on picking up where he left off last season before he was hurt.

“I should have had seven picks last year; I dropped three,” Pool said. “I had a pretty good year. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish it. But I’m excited to be here.”

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com