Cushing to Move from Mike to Mo

[HOU-TEX]

Hmm, I always believed if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But, eh, I reckon I'll trust SonofBum

Nick Scurfield‏@NickScurfield

Brian Cushing will move from Mike (strong inside) to Mo (weak inside) LB in 2012. Coaches say it'll free him up to make more plays

From the .com
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/ar...b-136be61f51ee

Bradie James enters training camp as a projected starter after signing from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency. James, 31, played for Phillips and linebackers coach Reggie Herring in Dallas from 2007-10, leading the team in tackles each season. He will call the Texans’ defense from the Mike position on the inside.

“All four of those guys are challenging each other every day,” Herring said. “They’re competitive. They’re spirited. They’re what I would call an excellent, excellent group of linebackers. All of ‘em are pros, accountable. They demand the best from each other, and the chemistry is unlike I’ve ever been around. That gets you excited as a coach.”

That's pretty cool

[IDEXAN]

Mike & Mo are descriptions for Line Backers in the 4-3, and since Wade runs a base 3-4 I'm a little puzzled by this terminology ? Conner Barwin & Brooks Reed were the OLBs in Wades defense last year with Cushing playing inside: I doubt that Cushing will replace Barwin or Reed, though rookie Mercilus might ?

[MeLoveTexans]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

Mike & Mo are descriptions for Line Backers in the 4-3, and since Wade runs a base 3-4 I'm a little puzzled by this terminology ? Conner Barwin & Brooks Reed were the OLBs in Wades defense last year with Cushing playing inside: I doubt that Cushing will replace Barwin or Reed, though rookie Mercilus might ?

To my understanding the 4-3 LB have always been termed Mike (Middle) Sam(Strongside) and Will(Weakside).

This is the first I have heard the term Mo, but i would like to know where it would fit in the 4-3, since Mike is the universal term for Middle LB in that particular defense.

[EllisUnit]

They want his production to drop so he will be cheaper to resign

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

Mike & Mo are descriptions for Line Backers in the 4-3, and since Wade runs a base 3-4 I'm a little puzzled by this terminology ? Conner Barwin & Brooks Reed were the OLBs in Wades defense last year with Cushing playing inside: I doubt that Cushing will replace Barwin or Reed, though rookie Mercilus might ?

Sam, Mike and Will are 4-3 backers. Mike and Mo are inside backers in the 3-4, with the Mike usually being the QB and run stopper. The Mo is used in many ways. As a roamer, pass rusher, coverage, etc.

Terminology can vary by DC. I've heard of a Mike and a Mac in a 3-4 too

[Pollardized]

They are doing this to solidify the fact that:

Brian Cushing is one Bad MO-FO

[Hervoyel]

They should make Brian get the haircut. He'd be the most pissed off linebacker in all the NFL.

And remember, Mo was the one who was always hitting everybody. Sounds like Cushing to me.

[GP]

Should Bradie get injured, or if he's not cutting the mustard...Cushing will resume that position.

As it stands, right now, we have a very niiiiice problem on our hands: Our middle LB is being moved to weak side because we possibly have an even better middle LB in James...and if Cushing feasts at weak side, brother oh brother are we going to be a fun defense to watch in while new ways we cannot even imagine right now.

[Brandon420tx]

As long as Cushing stays in during Nickle Packages

[pbat488]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Sam, Mike and Will are 4-3 backers. Mike and Mo are inside backers in the 3-4, with the Mike usually being the QB and run stopper. The Mo is used in many ways. As a roamer, pass rusher, coverage, etc.

Terminology can vary by DC. I've heard of a Mike and a Mac in a 3-4 too

if this is the case and we had cushing as the mike and demeco as the mo last year, i'd think they'd have been better off being switched since cushing is a much more dynamic backer than demeco is post injuries.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Brandon420tx

As long as Cushing stays in during Nickle Packages

He's not going away on the nickel package. 'Cept after the bad guys. And he will pounce upon them!

[badboy]

I think Demeco's injuries was part of reason, Cush took over Qb of LBs. I think Bradie will do fine and our LBs will be even better.

[Rey]

Great move. Less thinking, more action for Cush.

[powda]

In a 3-4 the mike is typically on the strong side and the mo is on the weakside (both inside). In some 3-4s you can think of the mo the same as a will backer in a 4-3 under. Scheme wise he's the most protected player from blocks. He's given the best opportunity to flow to the ball. Think of the tampa bay weak side backers a few years back who regularly put up sick tackle numbers. If you applied some of that to a 3-4 front the mo gets the best uncontested tackle opportunities. This is a good move. Think of the mike as the defense's full back.

Why didnt we hear about this sooner?

[Rey]

Originally Posted by powda

In a 3-4 the mike is typically on the strong side and the mo is on the weakside (both inside). In some 3-4s you can think of the mo the same as a will backer in a 4-3 under. Scheme wise he's the most protected player from blocks. He's given the best opportunity to flow to the ball. Think of the tampa bay weak side backers a few years back who regularly put up sick tackle numbers. If you applied some of that to a 3-4 front the mo gets the best uncontested tackle opportunities. This is a good move. Think of the mike as the defense's full back.

Why didnt we hear about this sooner?

I don't understand your sig....The quotes don't match the post...

[powda]

Originally Posted by Rey

I don't understand your sig....The quotes don't match the post...

I love my sig, and it has nothing to do with this post.

[JamesBill]

Originally Posted by powda

Why didnt we hear about this sooner?

Writing was on the wall as soon as they got Bradie James. They obviously like him and his familiarity with the defense. Hopefully this is MORE about freeing up Cush and less about Bradie James calling plays.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by powda

Why didnt we hear about this sooner?

sooner than what? We aren't even in camp yet. "during the off-season" not soon enough? Perhaps they should have said something during the Pro Bowl?

[The Medic01]

I just realized this. Our linebacker corps is the second coming of the killer B's.
Barwin Brooks Bradie and Brian.

[eriadoc]

I think it's a good move. I never thought Cushing was a perfect fit for the mike. He's a good enough player to excel at any LB position, but the mike has too many responsibilities. A guy like Cushing needs to have a lot more latitude to go out there and make plays. He's not so much a QB of the defense as he is the Arian Foster of the defense. I think he'll truly excel if the reins are loosened.