<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Houston's @<a href="https://twitter.com/briancushing56">briancushing56</a> had 17 tackles vs the giants; who rushed 42 times. Most tackles by any player this weekend.</p>— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gil_Brandt/status/514250286597435393" data-datetime="2014-09-23T03:09:57+00:00">September 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
absolutely. that's a ridiculous stat. It's amazing to me that a team that has spent so much on the defensive line can't stop the run and doesn't generate much pressure against a team like the Giants. All while having easily the best defensive player in the league in its group.
You can easily look at how Reed and Mercilus have severely underperformed from their "expectations", and Cushing has also lost a step. Nobody is able to take advantage of the extra attention Watt commands. TBH, having Swearinger as a defacto LB was a necessity... and that is sad for as much high picks/money they have invested in the LB core. The line itself will get better with Clowney, but the LB play is atrocious right now.
Tackles itself doesn't really matter... especially since none of those were a tackle for a loss. Cushing was part of the problem on Sunday... can only hope he's still trying to round into shape.
Listening to Wade Philips last week, it looks like they are asking Cushing to do different things in this scheme. He doesn't have the free range that he had to attack the ball (looks like Swearinger does now) and is supposed to take on the OGs.
Question . . . . So . . . either it is a GREAT BILL PICK in the end . .or a HORRIBLE Rick Smith pick? While I am not the biggest Rick fan . . .i think the fact that when it is a GOOD PICK he gets no credit but when it is a bad pick . .it is all his fault we should be consistent Rocket River
Well, regardless of what they're asking him to do... he's just not moving as well as he used to (and this is not just specific to last week). Its like he can see what he's "supposed" to do... he's just not reacting quick enough. Again, this could be hindrance from the brace, or it could just be that he's lost a step thanks to two devastating leg injuries over the last 2 years.
Or it could be that he's not comfortable in his new role and he's having to think too much instead of just reacting. That alone can make you a step or two slower.
I think its only a problem when trying to assign "blame"... the fact that he still has a job, despite the plethora of missed picks, and a team that just went 2-14, tells me his primary job was NOT talent acquisition/scouting/or team-building (and more likely was cap management, contract restructuring, and free agent recruiting/negotiating). And frankly, if we're not going to have a GM that oversees EVERYTHING, I'd rather have the coaches get the players they want and the ones that seem to fit what they want to do.
Maybe... but when I see him unable to catch up to RB's, or just not have the same closing speed, I'm more inclined to think its physical rather than mental. Its probably some of both... and both could get better with time.
Reports out of practice a couple of weeks ago said he was running a lot better without the brace... I can totally see that thing slowing him down (but of course it could be medically necessary, so removing it may not be an option).
I understand. . . .I have gotten to the point i think he just makes the contracts That way . . I can consistantly blame him or praise him for that Rocket River
From ESPN "Inside linebacker Brian Cushing had one of the best run-stop rates of any inside linebacker this week, according to Pro Football Focus. That's in part because Giants running back Rashad Jennings was so successful getting to that second level. Better play up front from guys like defensive end Jared Crick and nose tackle Jerrell Powe will help."
Romeo's defense rankings in rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt since leaving New England. 2005: 30th, 22nd 2006: 29th, 23rd 2007: 27th, 29th 2008: 28th, 25th 2010: 14th, 19th 2011: 26th, 14th 2012: 27th, 25th 2014: 25th, 31st I'm not very confident in our run defense getting any better. In 12 years, Romeo's only had 2 seasons where his run defense was any good. Most of the time it sucks and occasionally it's mediocre.
