Because the writers didn't know about the failed test when they voted. At least a few have said they would have voted differently if they had known about it.
It will be hilarious if Orakpo or Matthews wins it and then another report comes out a month later saying they were positive. Although it sounds like Byrd will win it.
I think it should be Byrd or Lauranitis if Cushing doesn't come out on top. IIRC Lauranitis had more total tackles but less solo tackles, and lacked the interceptions that Cushing managed to rack up.
Peppers tested positive during the season AND got suspended in the same season. He still won the award. I guess the AP voters are high and mighty now though...
Which just proves that Cushing is not the only guy on Roids in the NFL, they want to be naive about it and take it away as if he's the only guy. This also proves that players DO get caught...and continue to dominate the NFL. Also this begs the question, if guys like Cushing, Williams DTs, Merriman etc on some stuff...then what about the HBs that run through these guys? If it's such a unfair advantage then how can Jones Drew just run through these guys like nothing? If the NFL really starts caring about Roids and PEDs, I think they have a problem on their hands and will find out more of their guys are on it. It's better for them to just suspend him 4 games and moves on...but the AP could open the can of worms here by taking away his award.
Whatever helps you sleep better at night, man. I didn't even realize that Peppers tested positive for roids. Boy has he been a major scrub since 2002 Cushing will be playing at a pro-bowl level next season.
Adam_Schefter: As it should be. RT @NYPost_NFL: According to AP officials, several voters have already voted Brian Cushing Defensive ROY a second time.
Peppers and Cush are two different players. It doesn't mean if one thing happened to one player, that the exact result will happen to another.
Never underestimate how many in the mainstream media love to play the holier-than-thou, I WON'T SUPPORT A CHEATER!!! card in hopes of gaining moral high ground with casual fans. There will be a select few who truly understand the game and are secure with themselves that continue to vote for Cushing, because it's the right thing to do. And they know it, so they'll be loud. But I suspect the majority will play down to the demographic that believes the difference in an elite and poor-to-average football player is simply popping one pill. Keep in mind that journalism is struggling right now, so writers are even less willing to go out on a limb and go against the opinion of average Joe fan. The best thing we can do, if the award is taken away, is simply to not talk about it. Truth be told, those 50 voters shouldn't by themselves matter that much. Awards only have the power or credibility that we give them. If they're going to be that hypocritical and nauseatingly self-righteous, ignore them. Cushing is a beast on the football field, which is all that matters, and I think he'll continue to be until I see otherwise.
Believe my I have no moral high horse and I think Cushing was a bad ass last season, but I have to ask, is it fair to reward the guy who gets caught cheating? That's not a holier than though question it just seems to me that if the NFL thinks it's important enough to suspend a player for 4 games for some type of violation and not allow that player to make the Pro Bowl, that the DROY would be held to the same standard. I know one is done by the AP and the other is not, but I guess I don't see the difference.
Looks like he's already drunk. Tell the station to stop being lazy and just posting hours 3 and 4 on the podcast! I need all 4 hours!
So wake up at 6am already! I get up at 4 every morning. j/k I will slap our producer around again, sorry about that.
Peppers played a position (DE) that heavily relies on how fast you are and how strong you are. Cushing plays a more mental position, if anything he has a better chance to succeed than Peppers did. For DEs, once they lose their first step or strength you can count on them dropping and falling off...unless they are just so technically sound they can prevent it. LB is a more mental position than that, As long as Cushing is in the right place and can make a tackle I don't see how he has this dramatic drop off some are assuming...if he has a drop off at all. Whose to say Cushing just doesn't move onto another PED that isn't on the banned substance list?
lol I guess its a coincidence you happen to pick Wagner's number at UH also? http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/wagner_ryan00.html
