The numbers are there, but the impact is what mattered. Joe Fortenbaugh
Houston Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing won the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award earlier today, and I can’t think of a more deserving player.
Apparently, neither can the voters.
Of the 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL and have a vote, 39 of them selected Cushing.
While you can make a strong case for Bills safety Jairus Byrd (who tied for the league lead in interceptions, with nine), Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (10 sacks) and Redskins defensive end Brian Orakpo (11 sacks), Cushing was the rookie defender who made the biggest splash.
The thing is, it isn’t just about individual statistics. It’s about impact and production. Sure, Orakpo had 11 sacks and was very impressive coming off the edge for the ‘Skins this season. But Washington went 4-12 and was never a threat at any point to make the playoffs. In addition, the Redskins ranked 18th in points allowed (21.0 pts/game) and 16th against the run (112.4 yds/game).
Byrd was a ball hawk in a Buffalo secondary that finished the season ranked second against the pass (184.2 yds/game). But the rookie from Oregon started only 11 games and missed the final two contests of the year with a season-ending groin injury he aggravated in Week 15 against the New England Patriots.
Matthews-a former teammate of Cushing’s at USC-made a serious impact on a newly revamped Green Bay defense. But the rookie linebacker didn’t make his first career start until Week 4 and amassed just 51 tackles on the year.
Then, there’s Cushing.
The former Southern Cal All-American wasted no time showing the league why the Texans used the 15th overall pick on him as he stepped into the starting lineup in Week 1 and promptly recorded eight tackles in Houston’s 24-7 loss to the New York Jets.
Like I mentioned earlier, it’s not just about individual statistics, it’s about what those statistics translate into.Sure, we can sit here and mention how Cushing finished fifth in the NFL in tackles (134), racked up 5.0 sacks, forced two fumbles and intercepted four passes, but that’s just tip of the iceberg. Cushing won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award because of the impact he made in Houston from the moment he arrived.
Said current teammate and 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans, “I saw when he first stepped on the field that he could be a special player for us.”
Cushing started all 16 games for a Texans team that went a franchise best 9-7 this season and finished second in the AFC South. In addition, Houston’s defense allowed less points (333) and rushing yards (1,711) in 2009 than in any other season in their franchise’s eight-year history.
Houston’s defense has enjoyed solid improvement since Cushing was drafted. Take a look:
But it’s not just that. While the team has gotten better as a whole, Cushing also won this award because of his outstanding individual play.
What impressed me the most was how this guy’s got a motor that runs for four quarters. Take a look at his 2009 production breakdown by quarter. Two things to note: the guy closes out the each half solid and gets better as the game goes on.
Still not sold? The Texans were 5-1 in games where Cushing recorded at least half of a sack and 5-3 in games where the rookie posted nine or more tackles.
And as the season went on, the kid just kept getting better and better. Cushing recorded 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception in the Texans’ final four games.
It should come as no surprise that the Texans went 4-0 during that stretch.
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What this also demonstrates is that personnel evaluators know a lot more about identifying pro potential than fans. A lot of "not so knowledgeable" fans thought Rey Mauluaga was the best USC LB and it turns out, he was third out of three.
Awesome year for Cushing. Fabulous year. He can have the award but I'll take Matthews
Matthews had 10 sacks and didn't even start till game four. Yet he made 1st alternate to the Pro-Bowl.
He was instrumental to the Packers turn around and drive to the playoffs. The 3-4 didn't start to click until they installed Matthews. His first game against the Vikings, he stripped the ball from Peterson and ran it in for a TD.
To further illustrate the improvement in the Texans' team defense this year:
The Texans' D gave up 106.9 yards rushing (11th) and 324.8 total yards (13th). In the first 3 games of the season, the Texans gave up an average of 204.7 yards per game rushing and 436.3 total yards per game (dead last in the league if I recall correctly). They gave up big plays of 57 yards, 91 yards, and 62 yards by Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew in those games. These were also Cushing's first three real games since he missed the preseason.
I'm not saying Cushing is individually responsible, but consider the turnaround of the D in the final 13 games: 84.3 yards rushing and 299.1 total yards per game. These numbers, if averaged over the entire season, would have placed the Texans 2nd and 3rd in the NFL in those respective categories.
Clay Matthews deserves the DROY, in my estimation. He is the only rookie of the top 4 candidates to help his team make the playoffs. Without him, the Packers wouldn't have, plain and simple. If you asked Brian Cushing if he would rather the Texans make the playoffs than he get the DROY award, he would take the former, every time.
In addition, Matthews missed some preseason, and didn't play until week 4. To almost lead his rookie class in sacks, while spotting Brian Orakpo 4 games was amazing. Add to that the fact that he had 4 fumbles recovered and stripped AP and returned that recovery for a TD under the bright lights of national television, and you have your winner. Just because Green Bay has a multitude of quality defenders including, but not limited to: Charles Woodson, Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk, Nick Collins, Brad Jones, Tramon Williams, Johnny Jolly, Cullen Jenkins, Atari Bigby, Al Harris (IR), and Aaron Kampman (IR) stealing tackles from him, and for the fact that OLBs in the 3-4 scheme Green Bay runs don’t make a lot of tackles, as they are almost solely rushing the QB off of the edge, that should be held against Matthews?
Let me tell you, the Packers would not trade Matthews for Orakpo or Cushing, even if a 1st rounder was added to the deal. The reason? Their guy has the potential to be the best pass rusher in the league, very soon.
In my opinion, Cushing's ceiling is Dan Morgan.
Orakpo's ceiling is Charles Grant.
Clay Matthews III's ceiling? Clay Mathews Jr.
As I'm sure you can surmise, I am indeed a Packers fan. The one positive I can take away from Matthews not getting the nod, is this will just push him to work harder, and Chicago’s, Detroit’s, and Minnesota’s QBs will not be thanking you for that.
"What this also demonstrates is that personnel evaluators know a lot more about identifying pro potential than fans. A lot of "not so knowledgeable" fans thought Rey Mauluaga was the best USC LB and it turns out, he was third out of three."
You could have a point if Rey was playing his natural MLB position, instead Rey is playing OLB , a LB position he has never played. Not only are the three impact players for their teams, but our fourth LB, Kaluka Maiavia is also starting for the Browns, and doing a great job. Let's wait to see how Rey performs when he is finally playing his natural position.
Byrd playing in 11 games is even more of a reason to give him the award. He wasn't allowed to participate in rookie minicamp, had a groin injury which prevented him from participating in minicamp, and still came in (hampered with the injury) and picked off 11 passes. He virtually won two games for the Bills this year picking off Mark Sanchez and Jake Delhomme so many times that even the Bills offense was able to score some points. I'm not saying he should have won just don't sell him short.
All the teams who drafted these guys should be happy, given the first round bust percentage.
As to who is better? Does it matter? While you would think sports writers know more about the game then the fan, I more I read, the more I doubt. These guys claim to be objective, and I think they try, but......... Politics, and region always enter in. Notice how the eastern seaboard teams get more spin? Right now, the Cowboys are the team du jour. Last week, it was Philadelphia. The Saints, Vikings and Packers have become non-entities. IMO, these guys are missing the boat. All the playoff teams have excellent QB's with good offenses. Who has been writing about defense when historically, it's defense that wins playoffs. Suddenly the Cowboy's by virtue of a very bad playoff record are the team to beat? OK.
Hey Lombardi (I know Lombardi didn't write this entry) - EAT CROW. You repeatedly doubted Cushing leading up to the draft and said he couldn't stay on the field for third downs.
Marshall would be fine if he just got paid, he is the only reason bronkos were even 500 last year with out him i bet the bronkos will be looking up at not only the chargers but the chiefs and the raiders as well. Just pay him
Jan 05, 2010
04:00 PM
It should also be noted that Cushing missed the entire preseason due to injury and often wasn't even able to practice during the season due to battling various injuries. It's almost scary to think how well he'd have done if he'd been fully healthy.