Brian Cushing | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Brian Cushing

MAdolfan

MAdolfan

Rookie
Joined
Jan 19, 2008
Messages
184
Reaction score
0
Location
Central Massachusetts
Cushing from USC most likely will be there when we pick in the draft. He is a stud and as a USC fan watching him play all year he really could be something special. DO you think he would be a good fit in our 3-4 scheme or do you think he is more of a 4-3 OLB? Maybe move him to one of the ILB in the 3-4?

What do you guys think?
 
I know a lot of people got a lot of love for Cushing, but I don't want him as our first round pick. He's got a history with injuries, and this is not going to get better with the pro-s.

I see that he is very versatile, and can play at almost any position in the 3-4,but I would prefer a FREAK OLB to a versatile " can play any position" guy.
 
What do you guys think?[/quote]


I think my woman is cheating on me if she is in your sig. :unsure::lol:
 
I'm also a big Brian Cushing fan. I think he has tremendous talent and silky smooth instincts. He would be hyped as all-world if he weren't on the juggernaut LB corps at USC and being overshadowed by Rey Maluga & Co.

I see 2 issues preventing us from taking him though. First and foremost, Parcells minimizes his risk exposure by rarely drafting injury prone players, and Cushing is definitely injury prone, so sadly, I suspect he'll be crossed off of our draft board all together. Second, he isn't the prototypical OLB because while he's fast and athletic, he's not quite that top elite DeMarcus Ware type fast and athletic. Also, Parcells usually likes OLB's that can be stout versus the run in addition to wreaking havoc in the pass rush, and Cushing may be a tad light against NFL competition kind of the way Dan Connor is. Phenomenal in college, but everyone is so big, strong, and fast in the NFL that you need to be able to deliver the hit and jar the ball loose.

Also, and I think this is why another great player we might have the chance to draft will be bypassed (James Laurinaitis), Parcells isn't going to draft an ILB in the 1st round. That's for elite OLB's, S's that dominate, those rare shut down CB's, pass rushing DE's, QB's and T's. I highly doubt that Parcells will use a 1st round pick to take an ILB, NT, C, G, TE or RB unless it's the final piece of the puzzle or he is so tremendously higher rated than anyone else on the draft board.

But make no mistake about it, Cushing is going to be a gem for someone.
 
i watched the USC/OSU game early this year and cushing outplayed both maualuga and jimmy L. true he's had injury issues but parcells drafted bobby carpenter not so long ago and cushing will undoubtably be the best LB on the board when we pick.
 
briareos said:
I know a lot of people got a lot of love for Cushing, but I don't want him as our first round pick. He's got a history with injuries, and this is not going to get better with the pro-s.

I see that he is very versatile, and can play at almost any position in the 3-4,but I would prefer a FREAK OLB to a versatile " can play any position" guy.
Click to expand...

Completely agree, his history of injuries is a big question mark. No doubt he is a fantastic LB, but the risk is too great when you consider we are still rebuilding. If he is there with our first pick in the 2nd round, I say take him. Round one should be on someone we can count on.
 
briareos said:
I know a lot of people got a lot of love for Cushing, but I don't want him as our first round pick. He's got a history with injuries, and this is not going to get better with the pro-s.

I see that he is very versatile, and can play at almost any position in the 3-4,but I would prefer a FREAK OLB to a versatile " can play any position" guy.
Click to expand...


Completely agree, his history of injuries is a big question mark. No doubt he is a fantastic LB, but the risk is too great when you consider we are still rebuilding. If he is there with our first pick in the 2nd round, I say take him. Round one should be on someone we can count on.
 
I like Cushing, and much like Parcells he's a "Jersey Boy." However, Cushing's injury history probably weighs heavily on Parcells mind. We all know how this regime feels about injured players.
 
i project Cushing more as an ILB in the 3-4 rather then OLB in 3-4. some project him as an OLB in 3-4 based on his decent pass rushing ability and size, but not me.
 
does his injury concerns drop his draft status? maybe it does. Would you waste the late 2nd rounder on him with injury concerns?
 
I was looking at some mock drafts today and they all pretty much had him going to Miami
 
Cushing is a guy that will probably grade out well at the combine and people will fall in love with him, but if you ask me he is a LB in a DE's body. He is not stout enough to play DE and does not have the ability to play OLB. His hips are stiff and he can't flip them when he is given a move by a reciever. He's got good straight line speed, but I would worry if his ankles are going to give way when he has to change direction. Then if he actually does make the tackle you have to worry about is he going to crack his shoulder when he is making the tackle. He's got some ability, but he'll be picked way too high in the draft. There is no way I would pick him in the 1st and probably not in the 2nd. If you pick him before the 3rd, there is a major risk that he'll end up a bust. Problem is, he will probably go long before that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom