Still waiting on some big plays from Cush. He was good for about one per game last season. His per game averages: 1st Season: Tackles: 8.375 Solo: 5.437 Assist: 2.937 PD: .625 Sacks: .312 FF: .125 INT: .25 Safetys: 1 for the year 2nd Season: Tackles: 7.33 Solo: 4.33 Assist: 3 PD: .666 Sacks: 0 FF:0 INT: 0 Safety: 0
He played in a 3-4 technically, but the other end Phil Hansen was much closer to a DT with Cornelius Bennet doing a Kevin Greene/Lawrence Taylor Monster type position outside of Hansen. But yes, Mario could easily pull off a Bruce Smith type of role with Cushing playing that monster LB role.
From what I'm reading, Matthews and Cushing played a lot of the same position: a standing LB as a lineman in a 3-4, which is pretty much a 4-3. Hopefully the move to MLB is temporary while Sharpton or Diles learns it, and Cushing comes back to SLB. But Matthews is playing out of his mind, he's in every play, which anyone could notice easily about Cushing last year. But you probably couldn't say that about Cushing currently. Even if out of position in the mike, the aggression, intensity, football instincts, gymrat athleticism should be leaving their marks in his play, but at least right now they're not.
I couldnt disagree more. Playing MLB restricts Cushing a lot, he has a lot more responsibility now and has a lot less freedom. He can't take the chances he once could and has to focus on a lot of other things now.
That can also be our "stellar" DT play interfering with him. Ryans was a tackle machine, but wasn't so much of a big play maker as Cush last year. The Chargers got most of their stuff through the air today, but the defense did an admirable job of stopping the run. I would expect to see Cushing making more plays as he gets comfortable against various looks as he plays more games. His natural viewpoint is that outside spot, so he is seeing the game differently. May just take him a while to get used to it. His only full game at OLB he did force a couple of bad throws that were picked off. And that was against one of the best OLines in the Giants.
If that's the case, why is he playing MLB? If the whole reason not to go to a 3-4 is that it would negate Mario Williams' effectiveness, why would we do the exact same thing to Cushing?
Why is he playing MLB?? Because Kubiak is an idiot. They interviewed some linebackers on 610 and they did not know why Cushing was moved. Instead of having a superstar OLB and an average/mediocre MLB, they have an average MLB and a mediocre OLB And what does a 3-4 have to do with anything? The Texans dont have half the personnel to transition to that at this point
I agree...terrible decision to have Cushing playing the middle. I think most fans that knew Cushings strengths felt that move was stupid...and everything that has taken place on the field has verified that. Ive always backed Kubiak...but he has done a terrible job this season. He needs to go.
Why is Kevin Bentley not playing MLB yet??? I don't understand why Kubiak/Bush continue to handcuff this defense by putting its best playmaker in a position to fail!
What I dont understand is playing both Bentley and Cushing out of position. Bentley has almost exclusively played MLB and Cushing OLB and Kubiak thinks for some reason that it would be a good move to put both of them in unfamiliar positions.
God I hate this, what does this do, every year we could do this and it serves no freaking purpose. Thanks for your valuable ****ing insight there Captain Hindsight.
Get used to that, there will be at least one, "we could of had Matthews.." and at least one "the steroids aren't working anymore.." comment after EVERY GAME from here on out until we start winning.
