Three reasons Brian Cushing is going great

[DocBar]

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The blood streamed down Brian Cushing's face, red streams matching the red accents on his Houston Texans’ linebacker uniform.

Sunday at Reliant Stadium was the third time this season Cushing needed his face bandaged. The bridge of his nose and his forehead have turned him into gold for game photographers, leaving them jumping to capture a colorful, old-school image.

“I notice a lot of people definitely like it, it’s gotten a lot of attention,” Cushing said. “I’d rather it just heal up right now. I’ve seen the pictures a lot. It definitely makes me look in character as an NFL linebacker. It fits the role.”

“That takes you back,” Houston defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “He seems to fit that well. He doesn’t want to bleed, but that’s toughness. I mean the guy’s a football player.”

A bloody face that makes for a great picture is hardly all that’s making Cushing look the part of an intimidating defensive force this season. He’s drawn raves from coaches, teammates, opponents and analysts as a central piece in what currently ranks as the NFL’s top defense.

"Wade Phillips' influence and the 3-4 defense uses more of his athleticism and he can be more physical,” said Derrick Brooks, the former Buccaneers linebacker who’s now general manager of the Tampa Bay Arena Football League team. “I believed that the new defense would have a good impact on him from day one.

“He moves around very similar to the linebackers in Green Bay, Pittsburgh and with the Jets. He also has avoided being the story off the field. This speaks to maturity as a man. And when things are in order off the field, that makes playing much more enjoyable.”

I had long talks with Cushing and Phillips this week. They break down best if we look at the three areas that have made a big difference for Cushing nine games into the season.

If the Texans stay with their winning ways(I'm seeing 12-4), Cush should definitely be in the DMVP discussion. Sacks are great and all, but the entire body of work that Cush has brought to the table through 9 games is very impressive. Enjoy the read.

[thunderkyss]

Wade said:

“Ten percent of players, maybe, have that. There are different degrees of it… Part of it is that his will to get to the football is superior. He’s a holy terror or a Tasmanian devil or whatever you want to call it. The guy’s going to get to the football. He’s rare in that category, he’s special. He can really get to the football as good as anybody I’ve been around.”

A Holy Terror......

[DocBar]

The way Cush is playing right now, he's the second coming of Mike Singletary and Jack Lambert. He has a laser-like focus and will **** you up if you get anywhere near him.

[DocBar]

We'll be seeing a video like this for Cush in 15 or 20 years.

[unclejamima]

Agreed, sacks are nice, but Cushing controls the field on all downs in the #1 ranked defense. Its actually beneficial not to use him as a blitzer as he is so effective at playing the ball. If they continue to win, he should surely be considered in the MVP discussion.

[thunderkyss]

Is he still under extra testing requirements, or did that end last season?

[JimBaker488]

Cushing was playing at about 262-3 his rookie year, but this year he's like 15 lbs lighter, in other words in the high 240s. Have I about got those numbers right ?

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by JimBaker488

Cushing was playing at about 262-3 his rookie year, but this year he's like 15 lbs lighter, in other words in the high 240s. Have I about got those numbers right ?

I think that's about right. He looks about 250 this year

[Dutchrudder]

The 3 reasons:

1. High motor
2. Great instincts
3. Huge muscles

[MEGA SWATT]

LOL at everyone calling him scrawny and little at the start of the season.......... now that he is not "pregnant."

Cushing is the MAN