Cushing weighs 262!

[kravix]

Originally Posted by papabear

One thing that gets overlooked in our never ending obsession with getting to the QB, is how absolutely atrocious we were at stopping the run last year. I'm not saying that rushing the passer isn't a critical area that this team needs to improve, but if your consistently getting gutted on the ground like we were last year than your not going to get many opportunities in third and long to really let dogs loose up front. That's one reason I was OK with going for a SLB in the first round. Most of the time that's not a position I would want to use a 1st round pick on. If Cush can help improve our run defense than I'm fine with him being a two down LB. I would have hoped that a 1st round LB might be able to drop down as a rush end on third down, but Barwin should be the one filling that role.

No matter how pass happy this league, and this division, gets you will always have to be able to stop the run...and we were terrible at it last year.

Well said. I couldnt agree more.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by papabear

One thing that gets overlooked in our never ending obsession with getting to the QB, is how absolutely atrocious we were at stopping the run last year.

To add to your point, we play the Titans and the Jags 4 games, 2 more than Indy, and the last time I looked they where both running teams.

I think we drafted Cushing for one reason only, stop the run. IIRC papabear has been telling us the key is not the pass rush but the 3rd and longs created by stopping the run.

Since we now have a LB corp that is not considered small, I think the development of Okoye and Okam can have the biggest impact on this team, I think the development of Okoye and Okam will have the biggest impact on this team. If they can get into the top half of the league against the run and still be solid against pass.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

... IIRC papabear has been telling us the key is not the pass rush but the 3rd and longs created by stopping the run.

Maybe not quite that strongly, but your going to get more good opportunities if you can consistently stop the run and set up third and long situations. There were some pretty damn good Colt teams that we're derailed because they couldn't stop the run despite having great pass rushers

Our offense is pretty potent, and teams with a strong running game are going to try to run the ball to keep AJ and friends off the field.

[NBT]

Part of our run defense problem, at least last year, was Richard Smith's defenses. I think just changing schemes will help tremendously.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by papabear

Maybe not quite that strongly, but your going to get more good opportunities if you can consistently stop the run and set up third and long situations. There were some pretty damn good Colt teams that we're derailed because they couldn't stop the run despite having great pass rushers

Our offense is pretty potent, and teams with a strong running game are going to try to run the ball to keep AJ and friends off the field.

Agreed 3rd and long makes your pass rush look good. But the biggest factor is being ahead in games. Nothing helps the pass rush like a lead.

As for our run defense, he should be a big help. We are small at both tackle positions and were small at all of the LB spots last year. Cushing gives us some much needed size in the front 7. If he fills hard he will be a big plus to our defense (even if I didn't like the price tag).

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by superbowlbound

Back on topic. I think Cushing's going to be fantastic. I've not seen anything from OTA's to make me think anything less. As others have said, he played at 259 at USC and was nothing if not productive. Granted, SLB is not the biggest impact position on the field, but he's definitely an upgrade over Greenwood. That's not even debatable, IMO. While we definitely have some question marks there, it looks like we have a solid if not really good front 7. Our young corners have a lot of potential, and we're 1 really good safety away from a really terrifying defense, provided we allow our D-line to play to their strengths, IE penetrate. A big, sure-tackling SLB definitely should open things up for Bush to be more aggresive with the front 4, especially with demeco already there. We've got 3 pretty impressive athletes competing for WLB, so we've definitely got some depth. This is probably the best linebacking corps we've ever had, to go along with the best D-line we've ever had (assuming we can get some maturation from Amobi, and Connor can do what we ask of him. We know what we're going to get out of Mario.)

Yeah, I agree that a SLB is not the biggest apparent impact position, but it becomes immediately apparent that it is impact when teams are running for big gains, and your SLB is getting washed.

[painekiller]

Seems that some of my concern about Cushing in coverage was answered today. The knocked a couple of balls and had an INT. Not to bad for an "overweight to slow" kid.

" " things I have accussed Cushing of being.

see chron.com video for more info.