Brian Cushing, LB - Round 1, 15th Overall

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

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.

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.

[TexanJedi]

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 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).

[TexanJedi]

One other thing I saw while watching that show on the NFL Network, Cushing was wearing a flippin' Jags helmet during practice. 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.

[Arky]

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.

[nunusguy]

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 ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

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. .

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

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.