Value here is the key point. Watt is clearly the better player, he may be the GOAT defensively if he keeps this up, but the falloff from him to a second stringer isn't as noticable. Cushing seems to do so much more than his backup it's painfully apparent when he's not on the field. It's Asik vs. Harden, Harden better player, but Asik seemed to impact the game just as much last year.
trade value? watt, he's the most individually talented defensive player in the league. value to our defense? cushing, he's the backbone and leader of our defense.
Its tough. Talent = Watt Leadership = Cushing Also like other people have said the texans doesnt have depth behind Cushing, so its a very big drop in talent, when texans are missing Cushing, over when Watt is resting. also I think Cushing is better against the run, and Watt is better against the pass.
Watt, linemen are hard to find. I have to Cush is pretty close because he is the QB of the defense. Not only he directs calls from the sideline, he also puts special emphasis on it. Defenses are drawing up plays against Watt, I doubt they have plays to make sure Cush is not in the vicinity.
The fact that there are Texans fans choose the player who is NOT the reigning DPOY, basically consensus most valuable non QB in the world... well... How about this hypothetical? Ignoring salary impact and the existence of Cushing on this team, how many Texans fans would trade JJ Watt for Patrick Willis? Or ANY other MLB in the NFL straight up, including a hypothetical Cushing clone playing for another team?
Biggio and Bagwell both saw some postseason success in 2004/2005. They get lost in the Beltran/Berkman clinic put on against the Braves in 2004, but they also had great series.
Overall, they were flops. - Career Postseason SLG... .321 and .323 - Career Postseason OPS... .685 and .618 1 or 2 good series, doesn't matter when you played 10.
Pass rushers are nice, but an inside linebacker who is the brain of the defense and gets everyone in position and plays with an intensity unmatched by any other player in the league is IRREPLACEABLE.
Watt by far. The pass rush would cease to exist, TFLs would plummet and the Texans defense would instantly go from top-notch to below average. The D can limp along without Cushing like last year. Without Watt it would be roadkill.
Watt is the better player and would demand the most in a trade scenario so in some senses he's more "valuable" but if you mean the value to the team it's definitely Cushing. Cushing is the leader of the D and everything fails without him out there. Watt would certainly be missed, but not like Cushing is.
Inside LBs are easier to replace...there's a reason why defensive lineman are more expensive than linebackers. It's a more premium position. There are about 10 middle linebackers in the NFL that are in the same ballpark as Cushing...and how many DTs are in the same ballpark at Watt? Watt is not only the best defensive player on this team, but the most valuable in the NFL. This really shouldnt even be a question.
How would you even begin to know this? We havent played without Watt. Again, middle linebackers are very easy to replace...yes, even Cushing. The problem with the Texans is that we dont really have good MLBs (or good back up DEs), so the drop off is evident. However, if we were to actually use a high pick on a MLB, chances are that they would be effective immediately.
Based on the definition of value alone, Watt is the better value. He simply costs less right now. When he gets his new contract and his level of play plateaus, we'll have to see. I might give that edge to Cush then.
defense communication goes to schit when cushing go down i don't even wanna see this defense without watt
