Cushing out 4 games for Steroids

[Roy P]

I suppose Diles could play the SAM and Marcus Freeman could play the WILL. At least, that's a combo I'd be wanting to see.

Looking at Cushing, I merely assumed he was taking HGH or some other fancy supplement that wouldn't be detected by the steroids test. I thought all of these questions would have been answered before drafting Cushing. That's why I was leaning towards Clay Mathews over Cushing - just seemed like a more legitimate player who didn't use performance enhancing drugs.

We all jumped on the Cushing bandwagon once he started playing well. It just seems out of sequence that we have learned about this issue at this juncture. Did he start AFTER we drafted him? Was it after the regular season?

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Roy P

That's why I was leaning towards Clay Mathews over Cushing - just seemed like a more legitimate player who didn't use performance enhancing drugs.

Tut, I won't say that taking Matthews would have been a poor idea, but not for this reasoning though. Matthews (and Cushing) had the rumors of a failed steriod test at the Combine (both were never confirmed). Matthews sorta came out of nowhere for USC to becoming such a highly sought after prospect; Cushing was more legit in that he was the multi-year starter as I recall.


I'm sure this news probably comes as no surprise, sadly, to A LOT of people. And if it was a surprise to the Texans, then shame on them. I think more than anything the team is going to miss his gameday attitude. DeMeco, Pollard, and yes even you Mario are going to need to be loud and strong from the first snap in Week 1. This first game against the Colts, at home, is so crucial to the team this year.

[Mike]

We will never know what he took or why. For all we know, it could have been something that is on the banned list that he took trying to heal up. Let's not make assumptions.

Whatever it is, this really hurts the team.

[Fonz the Boss]

One thing I dont like is cheaters..... Especially on my fav team. Also, Diles will replace Cushing and Adibi will replace Diles.

[TheMatrix31]

Stupid...stupid....stupid....stupid....STUPID!

[nunusguy]

I had reservations about Cushing from the moment he was drafted, as I would have had for Matthews because I just don't think a team should use such a high pick on a 4-3 LB. And since everyone knew of the rumors about both Cushing & Matthews juicing, I assumed the Texans would easily ascertain if they were for real or not ? Guess not though, because it now appears Rick Smith & crew fumbled the ball badly on checking out this guy.
So is our highest expectation at this point for Cushing that he can just stay on the field and play in a reasonably competant manner, or maybe even just legitimately win the starting SAM job ? I mean without the dope, this guy could be very, very average.

[HPF Bob]

I agree. The concern shouldn't be for the four games he'll miss but what sort of player we'll see when he comes back. Maybe he'll be happy with his fat contract and just coast through the rest of it like he put one over on the NFL.
I hope not but I could see it happening.

[barrett]

Incredibly stupid decision by Cushing.

I also think it is classic revisionist history from everyone saying they had 2nd thoughts on drafting him. I had 2nd thoughts too, but they were about whether he could play. Everyone who had those doubts has been proven wrong. It's sad to try to rewrite that missed call now in the light of this news.

As for whether he can play going forward, who knows. Plenty of guys have been popped for PEDs in the NFL and then played at the same level after without ever testing positive again. Whether they stopped juicing or just got better about the timing/what they were taking, I can't say.

Either way, I'll wait to judge until we see him play again. For one thing I know he made a ton of very instinctual plays all over the field and showed a great football mind that had nothing to do with steroids.

For the Texans' sake, I hope the same guy is on the field for games 5-16 as was on the field last year.