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Brian Cushing News & Rumors

Ravens LB Lewis sees some of himself in Texans' high-motor Cushing
January 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"When Brian Cushing was in elementary school, just 8 years old, Ray Lewis was a rookie linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens. Cushing became a fan then and, as the Texans' middle linebacker admitted Wednesday, remains one now. "Ray's the best that's ever played," Cushing said. "He's the guy I grew up watching. He's the guy I wanted to model my game after." Cushing is now 24 and regarded as one of the NFL's best, a recent second-team All-Pro selection. Meanwhile, Lewis is 36, and he's angling for his second Super Bowl ring. The Texans are standing in the way this weekend, but the 16-year veteran was complimentary of the franchise that didn't exist when he entered the league in 1996 —"
Wade Phillips returns, and he is furious about Brian Cushing Pro-Bowl snub
December 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wednesday was full of returns for the Texans. Wide receiver Andre Johnson was in fine form, per Gary Kubiak. And defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who'd been around the team for a couple of days following a two-week hiatus because of a surgical procedure involving his kidney and gallbladder, made an appearance at Methodist Training Center. Sitting in a golf cart parked to the side of a field and flanked by his father Bum, Phillips looked on as the Texans went through their workout. Afterward, he joined the team at midfield. He said he plans to coach Sunday against Tennessee, likely from the press box at Reliant Stadium. He admitted he was sore, but all in all, Phillips was in a fine"
Cushing fined $10,000 by NFL
December 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"Linebacker Brian Cushing was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday. On the play, Cushing was called for a personal foul. Cushing is appealing the fine."
Brown, Cushing deny accusations
November 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Offensive tackle Duane Brown and inside linebacker Brian Cushing denied after practice Wednesday that they played dirty in Sunday's 24-14 victory over Jacksonville. Brown said he didn't punch outside linebacker Clint Session after a Jaguars fumble return that ended with both players out of bounds at Reliant Stadium. A video from the game appears to show Brown punching Session as Brown is getting up after a second-quarter fumble return that included two laterals. "I did not punch that man," Brown said. "As I was getting up, one of his teammates came and pushed me. To not fall back on top of him, my left hand came down and hit him in the stomach area to stop myself from falling on top of"
Texans' Brian Cushing sits out at practice
October 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Inside linebacker Brian Cushing, the Texans' leading tackler, watched practice but didn't participate Wednesday. "(Brian) is sick today," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He had a sinus infection. He did come out to practice and take all the reps mentally but was not able to do anything today.""
Linebacker Cushing not happy with defense's performance
September 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans allowed 23 points in the fourth quarter, more than any quarter in franchise history. The defense looked helpless surrendering three touchdown drives and a pair of two-point conversion passes. "To say I'm extremely frustrated would be an understatement," inside linebacker Brian Cushing said. "It's very disappointing. We should have won this game, but the defense let them come back. "We just let it slip out of our hands. It was about two different halves.""
Catch you later
August 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"For the first nine days of training camp, Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing was essentially a spectator. Slow to overcome offseason knee surgery, Cushing mainly stood around in uniform and watched, large bags of ice affixed to his right knee. That's how it was until Wednesday, anyway, when shoulder pads finally appeared under the No. 56 jersey. Cushing is back, albeit with an ample amount of rust, and there are two distinct camps on this subject. First, from the man himself when asked if he is concerned about the chance of missing time when the regular season commences: "No, I'm not. It's Aug. 10. I feel real good. Just the progress that we made from last week to today already, if you"
Kubiak concerned about injured Cushing
August 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Gary Kubiak expressed optimism about the steps taken by DeMeco Ryans in his comeback from a serious Achilles tendon injury, wondering aloud if the inside linebacker might play Monday against the New York Jets. But the coach's tone was decidedly different when he spoke of Brian Cushing, who remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on his right knee in the offseason. "I'm concerned," Kubiak said Tuesday. "He needs to get out here and go to work with his buddies. Obviously he had surgery done and we didn't have him all offseason, so we couldn't just throw him out there and watch him. We thought he needed a good week or so … the plan all along has been Thursday, but it could very well be"
Expectations remain high for Cushing
July 7
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"For one season, Brian Cushing was pretty close to the best defensive player the Texans have ever had. He was instinctive about being in the right place at the right time, and when he wasn't making plays for himself he was making them for others. His name could be found all over the NFL leader board. If you think we've seen the last of that Cushing — and after last season's decline, that's a fair assessment — Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips would like to respectfully disagree. "I think he'll be a great player," Kubiak said. I looked up when he used the word "great." He could have said "pretty good" or "better than last season." There are a lot of words he could have used to predict what"
Texans melt down in first half
December 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"With time running out in the first half Sunday at LP Field, the Titans led by 18 points and faced third-and-5 at the Texans' 16. Texans defensive end Mark Anderson sacked Kerry Collins for a 7-yard loss, and kicker Rob Bironas started to come on for a field goal on the last play of the half. But wait. Texans linebacker Brian Cushing's helmet was ripped off by a teammate, defensive end Antonio Smith. Cushing was penalized 12 yards - half the distance to the goal - for unsportsmanlike conduct when his helmet came off. Bironas kicked a 30-yard field goal with no time left for a 21-point lead, and the Titans went on to win 31-17. The play punctuated a frustrating half; the Texans gave up more"
Cushing a fan of Ravens linebacker Lewis
December 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"exans' second-year linebacker Brian Cushing admits he has long been a huge admirer of the Ravens' Ray Lewis, a Hall-of-Famer-to-be who's still a major force to reckon with in his 15th NFL season. "I love what he does, no question about it," Cushing said. "Growing up, I was a big fan, and, being in the pros myself, I'm still a big fan. He's a student of the game, and he's got freakish athletic ability. The guy's got it all. He shows his love for the game in the way he plays. That's not something that you see on film all the time. But, with him, it sticks out no matter what you're watching. "He's one of those guys that, I don't care what sport you play, you look up to him.""
Cushing gives Texans' defense its pulse
December 1
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"JusWelcome back, Brian Cushing. We missed you, buddy. Some of us were beginning to wonder if we'd ever see the old Cushing again. Thanks for proving us wrong. "He's finally got his feet underneath him," Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush said. "It took him awhile to get back in the groove, but he's doing a damn good job for us now. He just elevates the whole team." Indeed he does. Remember how he performed last season? He was one of the NFL's best defensive players — a big, fast, tightly wound linebacker who went sideline to sideline making plays. He started every game and was second in the AFC with 133 tackles. He also had four sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. Beyond"
LB Cushing back to his usual form
November 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Brian Cushing had an outstanding day against the Titans on Sunday, but the Texans linebacker said he didn't feel any different than usual. "That is what I expect of myself in every game," Cushing said. "And today it just all came together. I knew it would eventually." Cushing had seven tackles Sunday and four of those were for loss. Against Tennessee in three games, Cushing has 27 tackles and five for loss. "I am the same Brian I have always been," he said. "But it just showed today." Cushing didn't notice a big difference, but his teammates did. Linebacker Zac Diles said Cushing looked like he was having more fun Sunday than he has in a while. "I loved watching him today," Diles said"
Cushing, Daniels miss practice
November 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"Titans coach Jeff Fisher said after practice Thursday that offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who was diagnosed with cancer on Wednesday and begins chemotherapy on Monday, will coach against the Texans. Heimerdinger will be in the coaches' booth at Reliant Stadium. His son, Brian, is an intern in the Texans' scouting department. "Obviously, he's a very good friend of mine," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "I worked with him for some great years in Denver. You just pray for him that, hopefully, some positive things happen along the way. He was very upbeat. "I got a chance to visit with his son (Wednesday) before I got him on a plane and flew him to Tennessee. I just wish Mike the best,"
Cushing retums to home state
November 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, returning to his home state of New Jersey on Sunday for the first time since high school, said he wanted to play "the perfect game" against the New York Jets in front of his family and many friends who were in the New Meadowlands Stadium. Cushing especially wanted to be perfect against his close friend and former USC teammate, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. But it wasn't to be. "I never felt like we had it because it wasn't over yet," Cushing said of how Sanchez led the Jets down the field for the winning touchdown in the final minute of a 30-27 Texans defeat. Cushing did play well, although Sanchez is 2-0 against him in their young NFL careers. But Cushing"
Good decision to move Cushing back outside
November 11
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"In an effort to produce big plays for the worst defense in the NFL, Brian Cushing is going to return to strong-side linebacker. Coach Gary Kubiak said Cushing will still play in the middle at times. I think this is an excellent decision because the coaches need to put Cushing in a spot where he's most suited to make some big plays like last season. Moving into the middle requires a lot more thinking rather than reacting instinctively. Kubiak said Kevin Bentley, who started on the outside, would move inside. Kubiak said Bentley would also play outside. My interpretation is this: One game separates four teams in the AFC South, and coaches have to maximize their chances of winning. Cushing"
Cushing to play it again at 'Sam'
November 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Brian Cushing experiment appears to be over. Although the coaches say Cushing will continue to spend some time at middle (Mike) linebacker, he has moved back to the strong side (Sam), where he made an impact last season when he was voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. "Whatever the coaches ask me to do, I'm going to do it," Cushing said after practice Wednesday. "If (coach Gary Kubiak) asks me to play Sam, I'll play Sam. If it's Mike, then I'm Mike. "Sam is where I've made the majority of my plays. I'm going be back at the position that I need to be. "I think the coaches could see the frustrations that I had. I didn't feel that anything was wrong, but I didn't feel like I was really"
Texans look for middle ground
November 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"The only player who understands what Texans middle linebacker Brian Cushing will be going through against the Indianapolis Colts tonight is the player he replaced, DeMeco Ryans. Cushing was moved into the middle from his strong-side position to replace Ryans, who underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered in the 35-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 17. "There's going to be a lot more on Brian's plate, but he can handle it," said Ryans. "The hard part will be before the ball's snapped. Once the ball's snapped his talent and instincts will take over. "Brian's a very instinctive player, and that's really important at middle linebacker because he'll be moving"
Cushing initiates move to the middle
October 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"When the Texans returned to practice Monday to begin preparation for next Monday night's game at Indianapolis, Brian Cushing was playing middle linebacker. Before they broke for their five-day vacation last week, the coaches talked about Kevin Bentley and Zac Diles as possible replacements for DeMeco Ryans, who underwent surgery on Friday to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Cushing will start in the middle against the Colts. Bentley, who backed up Ryans, will replace Cushing on the strong side. Diles, who replaced Ryans in the 35-31 victory over Kansas City, will remain on the weak side. "We thought that was the best thing for our team," coach Gary Kubiak said about Cushing's move. "We"
Texans need Brian Cushing back in top form fast
October 13
USA Today
 
"It was garbage time, the final minutes of an embarrassing 34-10 rout on Sunday that sent thousands streaming out of Reliant Stadium to get an early jump on the traffic jam and left the Houston Texans with a bushel of questions about their legitimacy as a playoff contender. But Brian Cushing wanted to keep playing. "I didn't want to come off the field," Cushing said, unwinding in a near-empty locker room, still in full uniform and yet to wipe the eye black from his face, a half hour after the game ended. "Even when they told me I was coming off, I didn't want to. I have a lot of time to make up and a lot of plays I have to give this team." Sunday was Opening Day for Cushing, the active"
Cushing makes little difference; secondary rocked
October 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"The game had ended more than 45 minutes earlier. Only a handful of Texans weren't dressed and gone, but linebacker Brian Cushing was standing in full uniform — save for the helmet - in front of his locker, eye black smeared down his cheeks. After four weeks in the purgatory of a suspension for his failed drug test, Cushing was in no hurry to get out of full football mode Sunday. Also, as badly as the Texans had played in their 34-10 loss to the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium, it was as if he wanted to get back on the field to make amends. "It's my responsibility and the entire defense's responsibility to come back and play completely better next week," the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of"
Second chance or tainted for life?
October 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Call it "Homecoming Weekend" in the NFL with six of the league's most recent prodigal sons coming off four-game suspensions. There are three marquee names in the group and each went down for a different offense: Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers' two-time winning Super Bowl quarterback, was banished because of repeatedly shameful behavior. Santonio Holmes, a former Steeler and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player now with the New York Jets, got a month off for presumed recreational drug use. Brian Cushing of the Texans, last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, failed a drug test for a banned substance, hCG, that's considered a masking agent for steroids. Have they learned"
See, you can go home again
October 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"His son was going to be back home in Bergen County, N.J., for a month, and under normal circumstances, Frank Cushing would have been ecstatic. But his son, Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, is far from normal, essentially deemed abnormal after a positive test for hCG in September 2009. And the past four weeks — covering the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year's league-mandated suspension — have been the culmination of a period the father described Wednesday as "brutal." "One of the worst years of my life," he said. Brian, 23, was devastated at news of the suspension, and Frank was, too. He hurt for his son, who, at 6-3 and 260 pounds, is used to administering the pain. Did his son need to be"
Cushing's back with a vengeance
October 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"After participating in his first practice since his four-game suspension ended, outside linebacker Brian Cushing had a message for Texans fans. "I'm back; I'm playing football, and it's going to be the same old 56 running around," he said Wednesday. "I take a lot of pride in playing, and I want to be the best at it. Hopefully, I won't skip a beat. "I'm putting the helmet and shoulder pads on, and, come Sunday, I'm going to be me." Banished from Reliant Stadium and Methodist Training Center for testing positive for hCG — banned by the NFL because it can be a masking agent for steroids — Cushing will start Sunday against the New York Giants. "It's in the past now," Cushing said about his"
Texans 'excited' to have Cushing back in the fold
October 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Outside linebacker Brian Cushing returned to the Texans on Monday after serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs. Cushing (6-3, 260) won't address the media until after practice Wednesday. Cushing, 23, in his second season, will start against the New York Giants at noon Sunday at Reliant Stadium. "We're excited to have Brian back and ready to go," coach Gary Kubiak said Monday. "He's a worker, and he's been putting himself through everything he can possibly do without playing a game. "There's a level of sharpness from not playing, not taking all the snaps. Everybody on the team is about 250 snaps ahead of him, but he's proven he"
Time for Cushing to sign off
September 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Baseball cap turned backward and dressed in full uniform minus shoulder pads, Brian Cushing was stuck on the sidelines Thursday at Reliant Stadium. He had plenty of company — most of the Texans' starters essentially were given the night off as the backups toiled in a 24-17 loss to Tampa Bay. Unlike with the rest of the starters, however, being on the sideline for the exhibition finale is the closest Cushing will be to any action in the immediate future. The second-year linebacker begins serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs this week and, starting Saturday, must avoid all team functions as well as training facilities until Oct. 4."
Cushing must come forth with proof of his innocence
August 26
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jerome Solomon
"Brian Cushing says it is over. Texans owner Bob McNair says it is over. Neither will discuss the matter. Now that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ruled Cushing's four-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs would be upheld despite McNair's appeal, they say it is behind them. Huh? Ostensibly, Cushing and McNair are asking us to ignore the elephant that won't be in the room making tackles in the first four games. They brought this circus to town and don't want to clean up after the pachyderm. As if saying more would be redundant. McNair went to New York to take on the league, but has backed down as if he expects Goodell to instruct officials to flag the Texans for more"
Cushing's suspension upheld
August 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"As expected, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell refused to overturn or reduce Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing's four-game suspension. The league announced on Thursday that Goodell had upheld the suspension that will cost Cushing the first four games against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and Oakland. Cushing tested positive for hCG, which is on the league's list of banned substances because it can be used as a masking agent for steroids. Owner Bob McNair went to New York to meet with Goodell two weeks ago. "It was never like we expected anything different," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We understand the ruling and what we're dealing with. I think it was more of an educational process on"
NFL upholds four-game suspension for Texans' Cushing
August 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has upheld the four-game suspension of Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing. Cushing, the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year, was suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the policy against performance enhancing drugs. Texans owner Bob McNair went to New York to meet with Goodell two weeks ago in hope of getting the suspension reduced or overturned. As expected, Goodell said no."
Brian, we want to believe you, but help us out
August 10
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jerome Solomon
"Must we still give Brian Cushing the benefit of the doubt? Even when doubt dwindles with every turn in what may be the oddest performance-enhancing drug story yet? Yes. Why? Because however unlikely it is, however many other times muscled-headed men (and women) cried wolf, however long Pinocchio's nose appears to be, Cushing could be telling the truth. His problem right now is that it is an almost unbelievable truth. After saying Monday that "overtrained athlete syndrome" is the reason he tested positive for the prohibited substance hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin), Cushing would be wise to start telling more of the truth or at least a better version of it. Now, his only defense is the"
Cushing awaits verdict, isn't hopeful
August 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"After a two-hour meeting at NFL offices in New York on Monday, Texans owner Bob McNair must wait to see if commissioner Roger Goodell will reduce or overturn outside linebacker Brian Cushing's four-game suspension. The odds are against Goodell changing his original decision. He suspended Cushing, who violated the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs when he tested positive for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Goodell also rejected the linebacker's appeal handled by Harvey Steinberg, his Denver attorney, before announcing his suspension in May. "I'm staying open-minded today," Cushing said after practice Monday. "I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm not getting too down on"
Texans LB Cushing blames positive test on overtraining
August 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"When owner Bob McNair meets with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in New York today, he will present evidence the Texans believe will show that linebacker Brian Cushing tested positive for hCG because of "overtrained athlete syndrome." Goodell suspended Cushing for the first four games this season. Cushing continues to insist that he never injected hCG or used it in any fashion. It's on the NFL's list of banned substances because it can be used as a masking agent for steroids. Cushing has convinced McNair that he's innocent. Cushing believes that when he overtrains and then stops, it elevates the hCG in his body enough to produce a positive test. "That's the final diagnosis we came up with,""
Texans' owner Bob McNair, Roger Goodell to talk about Cushing situation
August 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans owner Bob McNair will meet with Roger Goodell in New York on Monday to try to persuade the NFL commissioner to reduce or overturn linebacker Brian Cushing's four-game suspension. Cushing was suspended for the first four games this season because he violated the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs by testing positive for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a banned substance that can be used to mask steroids. A person with knowledge of Cushing's situation said McNair will present new evidence to Goodell the owner hopes will shorten or eliminate the suspension that is costing the linebacker games against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and Oakland. Goodell suspended"
Cushing's absence can make 'X' factor
August 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Entering his fifth season as Texans coach, Gary Kubiak is dealing with a situation for the first time — how to handle the suspension of outside linebacker Brian Cushing for the first four games. Cushing, voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, will miss games against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and Oakland because he violated the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs. Xavier Adibi, playing in his third season, has moved to the strong side and is the likely candidate to replace Cushing. Two veterans - Danny Clark and Kevin Bentley - are pushing Adibi. In the first four practices at training camp, Cushing has occupied his usual spot with the first team, playing"