Brian Cushing, LB - Round 1, 15th Overall
 

Soooo.... let's hear it.

I think we now got a stronger LB core. And we needed it. ok

just can't get excited about him...guess we'll see on the football field

Not surprising, really. I hope he's the best USC LB in the draft. :o

First of the USC linebackers taken. I'm OK with it. He should be startin' and seeing heavy action...

Wait and see from me.

Rick Smith on the radio saying he was the guy they targeted all along and he will play Sam.

Not exactly what i was hoping for but a very good choice indeed

considering they only took 5min i have to believe it.

woulda preferred a trade down, but...if he meets their expectations he can't help but improve the LB position

I preferred Matthews but I have to be honest and admit part of that was because of his name.

Cushing looks like a good player who plays hard and is a Sam all the way. The thing that concerns me is his durability, and that he's such a big weightroom guy that he's not as flexible and his body can't take the beating that comes with throwing that extra bulk around. If he can stay on the field, I think he'll be a nice addition.

Dayum... Cleveland's stockpiling picks and players at a crazy rate!

It would have been more exciting had they taken somebody like Beanie or the Mizzou WR, but we need more help on defense so I suppose this is a more practical choice. I imagine the Texans were hoping Jenkins made it by NOLA ?
My biggest concern about this guy is all these reports about him not being on the field in passing situations ?

I wuda thought Mathews, but Cushing is about the same. Only thing will be keeping him on the field.

maybe our new S&C coach's yoga problem will help

I am concerned about him being able to stay on the field. Also as a workout junkie his body has to be maxed out, no room for growth. Also the gym rats tend to inflexible as Warren said, that concerns me.

In his radio interview he was a little arrogant and sounds a little dumb.

And as a point of order, the Texans had not talked to him. That is a trend to note in next years draft.

Did anyone who watched his TV special path to draft get a good vibe on the kid?

Did we take the next Bill Romanowski with these two picks or is it just me? I'm not sure it's as exciting as I wanted it to be, or sexy, but I think they are solid picks.

I expected Mathews due to the speed & coverage differences, but this guy is a typical SAM in that he stops the run well. He isn't a total liability in coverage, but not Mathews. It just depends on what the priorities are at the pick. I do like the pick.

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_vtDlADHJo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJt9...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_oqk...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJBYN...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlgZ...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NppS7...eature=related

I have to admit, I like how this kid tackles. He wraps the guy up and brings him down. That's something this team is in deperate need of. I'm currently not a big fan of his, but I think it's mostly due to how cocky he comes across. However, that's something this team is sorely missing as well and it may end up being one of his best traits. I'm ready for this D' to have some attitude and bad intentions.

I'm not a big fan of his either, but I love his cockiness and I hope it rubs off on some of the other players on the team. I also think he was the best player on the board at the time.

Gee, my top guy Everette Brown lasted until almost our 2nd round pick, so maybe I was way off base.

Behind EB was Jeremy Maclin, which I could understand the team not going with because of need. So, I don't really want to hear anything about BPA. I'd imagine Maclin is the ROY in Philly.

If we were wanting a LB, Matthews made more sense to me because he can play all 3 downs.

Lastly, I would have been fine with Ziggy Hood.

That all being said, I hope the Cushing improves our run defense. I think he's more athletic than Diles and because of his size, he should be able clean up behind a penetrating DLine. He's got very good measurables with and "Explosion" of 75 and my Athlete Index of 5.96 - so I am happy with that. At the Senior Bowl practice I saw him "thud" Rashad Jennings, who is not small, and totally knocked him off his feet. So, while Cushing wasn't one of "my guys" I am hopeful that he'll bring something to this defense.

I couldn't agree more and I hope he proves to be a three down player.

I really like this pick too. He should solidify the run defense and put some pressure on QB's. Frank Bush should be ecstatic. Something about Matthews just scared the hell out of me, some was the B. Carpenter thing and some was his severe lack of playing time up until his senior year.
There was a sophmore OLB starting the first four games last year ahead of him ,IIRC.

I hope Cushing is the thunder to DeMeco's lightning.

1. It may seem to be maxed out but more size comes from three areas...heavier weights...increase caloric intake with proteins/carbs...sleep. It really is that simple. With their nutritional advisors, he could gain 5 lbs a year. But he would have to eat 7,000 to 10,000 calories per day because he would need to run his butt off to keep his speed.

That part would take mucho effort.

2. A box of hammers is more intelligent.

3. Think a less commercialized version of Brian Bosworth but with a gay little pony tail and a caveman mouth.


This guy has bust written all over him. The only way he becomes a Romanowski is if the D line gets bigtime penetration....just like in college.

I agree someone that has started at school like USC four years and played all three lb spots and played de as freshman would have less intelligence than a box of hammers.:rolleyes: Yeah being the best lb on the best defense in the country makes me think bust also.:confused:

I think Cushing will do very well, flexible in positions he can play, strong tackles, good pass defense, takes on blocks, team leader, long time starter, good stats and measurables, looks like has an attitude, like it, good size. I think first day went well, two guys who can help put pressure on quarterback, add team speed.

I neither WOOHOO!! or BLAH about this pick... Diles playerd pretty well for us last year before he was hurt.

I see Cushing as a better player against the run and able to provide some good depth across the 3. Diles, Cushing, Adibi wouldnt be the worst that we have ever had on the field. If he can play at a higher level than Diles then we will be golden with him and Demeco.

Watch an interview and tell yourself he would upgrade your families gene pool if he married your daughter.

His success on USC's defense was primarily due to the overwhelming penetration of their D line hence the reason I said he needs the same thing from our D line.

He's a team player that the media has tried to spoon feed us the thought that he's some sort of superstar like Urlacher...he ain't that.

Maybe he is shy in front of the camera, maybe he isnt the best public speaker in the world. I know a few super smart people that if put into a public forum would basicly drool like idiots and make funny fart noises rather than say anything productive.

He did start 4 years for one of the best college defences in the league.. That has to be worth more than a bag of tea in china.

He did get compared to Teddy B., at least from an intensity standpoint. And Teddy B was one intense dude.

Is the thin air up in Colorado getting to you?:confused: You really believe that his success is due to the d line. This guy brings it on every play and I for one think he will end up being better than Curry when it is all said and done. Your right he is not Urlacher he actually has the ability to play all three lb spots at high lvl not just one. I'm not saying he will be better than Urlacher just that at this point in his career he has just as high of a celling as Urlacher did when he came into the league.

Why is CD so bitter about this pick? Brian Cushing is the best possible pick we could have had. Why? Because I will go with Rick Smith on this because he has proved to be good at drafting.

I would have been fine with Mathews too. But Cushing is undeniably the best pick for the SAM.

I think that is exactly why we got him. If our DL is going to be attacking the backfield, then you need to have big, strong tacklers behind it to clean up the trash. He is our Chris Gocong, and that's high praise coming from me when discussing the SAM of a penetrating defense.

I watched NFL Draft Journey on NFLN last night, Cushing was featured along with Stafford and Crabtree. It basically follows them from before the combine to draft day. Cushing seems like a good kid, and Crabtree well he's not exactly AJ when it comes to attitude (not to mention his entourage), with Stafford being polished if not a little glib. Stafford went to a complex in Arizona to train (the same one Dustin Pedroia used), Crabtree trained with Deon :rolleyes: Sanders (which is not bad but Michale's uncle was the one i did not care for), and Cushing was more like Rocky Balboa with the sweats and modest gym in his New Jersey home town.

After reading on Lance Zeirlein's blog about Brian I thought he might be a bit of a prima donna with his pre measured food and playing at USC, but he did not come off that way at all. He seems like a hard worker from a normal family (Crabtree clearly has people riding his gravy train) who wants to be the best. I think he's going to help this team a lot and we won't see his name popping up in arrest reports or inflammatory ESPN quotes. It improved my opinion of him. And was it ever sweet to see Mario's huge picture on the backdrop at the draft (which means the guy was a hit and is recognizable).

One other thing I saw while watching that show on the NFL Network, Cushing was wearing a flippin' Jags helmet during practice. :eek: I know Del Rio was coaching then and I am guessing Cushing did not have all of his equipment but man it's funny looking back.

Cushing reminds me of Vinny Barbarino. If Barbarino played football. And never used PED"s. And came by his bulk through hard work, of course.

:p

I dunno if anybody else saw the little video by DC Bush on the Texans site about his thoughts on Cushing, but he said he really wanted Cushing and he reminded him of another player he coached in his time at Denver, Bill Romanoski. Then he kind of lauged and said, "without the baggage". Of course that's an uncomfortable reminder about some rumors about Cushing and part of Romanoski's history.
Funny thing but I couldn't find that clip today when I looked for it ?

You can thank John McClain for that little bit of uneasiness. Bush tried to be cryptic by comparing him to "another player" I used to work with. McClain followed up with the "Which player?" question.

Romo was quite the competitor and an intense battler on the field and, before he became tainted, a player you would want to compare to. I think Bush was focused on the good and not wanting to dwell on the bad. If he had it to do again, I'm sure he would have chosen a different player to convey the same meaning.

Cushing has had a lot of rumors but nothing substantiated concerning steroid usage. What a crappy way to say "welcome aboard" we are glad to have you than to have your new DC calling you the next Bill Romanowski? Somebody in the PR department shouldn't have posted that part of the interview on the official team site. Right now, they should be saying that he's the next Dave Wilcox.

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...?player_id=230

...Also drafted by Houston (AFL). . .Nicknamed “The Intimidator” for aggressive style of play. . . Considered by many to be finest outside linebacker of his era. . .Particularly effective at keeping tight ends from getting off line. . .Prided himself on not allowing opponents to block him. .

Yes and No.
You can blame Bush for dropping that reference to Romanowski but I can't blame McClain, which is a natural follow-up from any fan and you'd certainly expect any guy that's supposed to be covering the team to ask that question. If any other "sports writers" were in the conference they must have been fast asleep if they ask. Bush was just kinda slow on the draw if he thought he could mention the refence and not expect the follo-up.
BTW, I knew exactly who he was talking about before he said the name and I'm sure you did to - bad-azz Polack LB, Broncos only had one of those.

If I knew and you knew, perhaps every other sports writer knew, including McClain who Bush was referring to. Again, I understand the motivation to ask the follow-up. Unfortunately, some people can't determine when to step back and consider the bigger picture. McClain went for the "kill" when he asked that question, when it was clear that Bush was making a comparison that was detrimental towards Cushing even when he wasn't meaning to.

Came across these short videos of Cushing and his athleticism...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46veN24X6bk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n9NVjpyg0w