Cushing weighs 262!

[painekiller]

According to the General, Cushing weighed in at the OTAs at 262 lb, he claims this is close to the weight he played last season, 259 lb.

When asked about the combine weight, Cushing said he dropped to 245lb to gain the quickness for the Combine.

How many SAMs weigh as much as Cushing is reported? And is this to big?

[papabear]

I think that's about right for a SAM depending on how they plan to use him.

[Joel]

do i misremember, or does that mean he gained 94 pounds in college?

aside from smoking tons of pot or working at an ice cream stand, how could he have done that?

[HPF Bob]

Our 3-4 LBs in the Capers era were in the 260s. It's a little on the heavy side for a 4-3 OLB but not outrageously so. If he has the height and the build where he can carry that without harming his speed, it means he'll be harder to shove out of the way. Now, if he were the size of Levon Kirkland...

[kravix]

Originally Posted by Joel

do i misremember, or does that mean he gained 94 pounds in college?

aside from smoking tons of pot or working at an ice cream stand, how could he have done that?

When you are a smaller guy it isnt hard to put on wieght. I went from 130 to 165 in 13 weeks (USMC bootcamp) and that was definatly not fat.

About that age the body can take larger and faster jumps especially with extreme intake of calories and exercise.

Also there are people that grow at insane rates between ages 16 and 19.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by kravix

When you are a smaller guy it isnt hard to put on wieght. I went from 130 to 165 in 13 weeks (USMC bootcamp) and that was definatly not fat.

About that age the body can take larger and faster jumps especially with extreme intake of calories and exercise.

Also there are people that grow at insane rates between ages 16 and 19.

Roger on the bootcamp. I went from a mere shadow to a strapping 170lbs out of bootcamp San Diego. Due to processing delays, it took us almost 4 1/2 months to get through it, trooping and stomping all the way. Oh well, it didn't do any permanent damage.

The thing about Cushing is if he can carry the weight and keep his speed and quickness, he will be a bad a$$ SLB!

[nunusguy]

Obviously the guy loses something in quickness, reaction time, athleticism from his combine weight if he lost that weight back then to optimize his times & measurements at the combine/pro-day but now is 15 lbs heavier.
So its a tradeoff, you gain back strength & bulk but sacrifice overall athleticism. You tell me, which is the higher priority ?

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Joel

do i misremember, or does that mean he gained 94 pounds in college?

aside from smoking tons of pot or working at an ice cream stand, how could he have done that?

get over it. Did he likely do steroids? Probably so. Him and tens of thousands of pro/college athletes.

that being said I know guys who gained 40 lbs once they got to college without getting fat who never even saw the inside of a weight room. With the right genetics, diet and an assload of work it's possible that his is all natural...as long as he never fails a test and thus hurts the team I could care less anyway.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by papabear

as long as he never fails a test and thus hurts the team I could care less anyway.

I have these exact same sentiments. Once he signs his contract, he will be able to afford Pro-level masking agents.......

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by WMH

I have these exact same sentiments. Once he signs his contract, he will be able to afford Pro-level masking agents.......

They don't test for HGH in the NFL, he should be able to afford the good stuff now.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by papabear

get over it. Did he likely do steroids? Probably so. Him and tens of thousands of pro/college athletes.

OK, i stand corrected. although being told to "get over" something i didn't actually say, on my 5th post here, seems a bit harsh.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Joel

OK, i stand corrected. although being told to "get over" something i didn't actually say, on my 5th post here, seems a bit harsh.

so you are complaining that he treated you like very other poster here? Do you want to be treated like a new poster? I've always thought that one of the best parts of this site is that nobody is judged by their post count like it somehow signifies knowledge.

So take it as a compliment that you were treated like every long time poster here.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Joel

OK, i stand corrected. although being told to "get over" something i didn't actually say, on my 5th post here, seems a bit harsh.

Wasn't trying to be "harsh" at all so I apologize. I could care less about post counts as well too. I also know you didn't say "steroids", but I think 99.9% of the people who saw your post assumed that's what you were referring to. If you weren't then I'll apologize for that too.

In general I am sick to death of all the steroid talk. I've never done steroids, but I could care less if someone else does. I would never recommend that anyone do them, but considering the millions of dollars at stake and the intense competition for jobs in the major professional sports I'm surprised more people don't do them. The media turned a blind eye to it for a long time, and then once it was out in the open had the nerve to be morally outraged. Now, it's all they talk about.

[kravix]

Originally Posted by Joel

OK, i stand corrected. although being told to "get over" something i didn't actually say, on my 5th post here, seems a bit harsh.

I wouldnt worry about post count here. Opinions are taken as is. No matter how long or short your stay has been. I can assure you that unless you are "he who shall not be named" ok so he is SLY, and bring valid opinions with respect for everyone else then there is no tar and feathering waiting for you.

Just remember that this board is more thoughtful than your average board and it is ok to agree to disagree.

I took you post as implying steroid usage also, and you have to think about how prominent that subject has been in the media and how tired everyone is hearing about it.

Cushing has been hammerd with allegations for years with never any proof. The guy is a gym rat, he works out and trains non stop. Is it possible that he used yes, but he also seems the kind of person that wouldnt do it based on the adverse affect it could have on his body and carrer. He is a health nut from what I have seen and putting somethign like tha into his body is not something i see him doing.

[Nconroe]

Originally Posted by Joel

do i misremember, or does that mean he gained 94 pounds in college?

aside from smoking tons of pot or working at an ice cream stand, how could he have done that?

From a little web searches, appears Cushing was 6-3 and 225 coming out of high school so you remember wrong. Cushing was a top recruit out of HS.

I think Clay Matthews might have gained weight like you suggest as he was a college walk on.

As for playing at 255 vs 245, look at Demeco, he was 230 out of college, now 250, so likely the strength is helpful vs the slight loss of speed, guess it depends on what need to do.

Cushing seems to be doing great for Texans so far. Looking forward to seeing the regular season and improved defense this year.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

From a little web searches, appears Cushing was 6-3 and 225 coming out of high school so you remember wrong. Cushing was a top recruit out of HS.

I think Clay Matthews might have gained weight like you suggest as he was a college walk on.

As for playing at 255 vs 245, look at Demeco, he was 230 out of college, now 250, so likely the strength is helpful vs the slight loss of speed, guess it depends on what need to do.

Cushing seems to be doing great for Texans so far. Looking forward to seeing the regular season and improved defense this year.

What Cushing said gives more evidence that it is very risky for teams to put too much stock in combine results. A player's performance on tape against quality competition should be by far the main measuring stick of his worth. Unless, of course, you're Al Davis.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

What Cushing said gives more evidence that it is very risky for teams to put too much stock in combine results. A player's performance on tape against quality competition should be by far the main measuring stick of his worth. Unless, of course, you're Al Davis.

I've always thought that the combine was just as important for teams in terms of seeing how guys prepare for it as it is for the times. Did a guy show up in shape? Was he prepared for the drills, or did it look like it was the first time he ran them? The interview is probably as important as anything. A guy who's already shown himself to be a top prospect in college just has to show teams he's willing to work and isn't just expecting to come in and dominate without putting the work in. Most D-1 college prospects are good enough to put up decent times.

The fact that Cushing was willing to put in the work to lose some weight to improve his times is a good sign to me. It's not a gaurantee of anything, and was really nothing more than NOT raising any red flags. I know some teams fall in love with the times (raiders), but I think the teams that do the best job drafting keep the times in proper prospective...while taking a calculated risk on a burner occasionally.