First off, AJ has already hit on this subject here. Definitely worth a read, as his stuff always is.
Not much of a sample size at MLB, but it’s the right move
My thoughts on Brian Cushing playing the middle are simple. It’s been two games, so he really hasn’t had a chance to establish himself at a very difficult position to pick up in the middle of the season. I don’t necessarily think it’s time to panic and pull the ripcord on this experiment, but the truth is – Cushing having to think too much takes away from his playmaking ability.
Cushing is at his best when he can attack “downhill” with reckless abandon… when he can use his physicality as an advantage and just flat-out beat people. Reckless abandon isn’t exactly something you can have a lot of when you’re playing middle linebacker. How the Texans’ coaches didn’t know that ahead of time is beyond me, but as AJ said in the above article, I suppose this is an indication that Cushing didn’t do as well in the middle as they thought he would. That said, after two games – that doesn’t seem like a fair conclusion on their part.
Still, I’m all for him returning to the strong side. Kubiak says he’ll see time at both positions, but why? What’s the point? If they feel like he’s better on the strong side, put him back on the strong side and be done with it.
Texans are quick to rectify this mistake, yet won’t bench Jackson?
The Texans wouldn’t be moving Cushing back to the strong side this quickly if they didn’t think moving him to the middle was a mistake in the first place. It certainly hasn’t been a disaster at this point, but just as clear is the fact that it hasn’t been a success. If the Texans are willing to publicly “admit” this mistake (and I use that word loosely), this quickly – why are they SO insistent on leaving Kareem Jackson out there to die week in and week out?
Newsflash – there ARE other options aside from KJax
Kareem Jackson isn’t just struggling. He’s getting his head handed to him regularly. There’s a big difference. I think we can all agree that we never saw this kind of bad from even the likes of Petey Faggins. Jacques Reeves on his WORST day played significantly better than Jackson has. There’s no way that Sherrick McManis would play worse than Jackson is right now, and if he did – well, at least they tried someone else out. At this point I’d like for them to even give Antwaun Molden a shot to start. Why not? Can’t be worse. Why is that guy even on the team at this point?
Texans missed out on Al Harris, but Jason Allen now available
With Al Harris’ recent injury issues and age, one could argue that Jason Allen (who was cut by the Dolphins to make room for Harris) might be an equally-intriguing pick up for the Texans. According to Lance Zierlein the Texans were in play on Harris, but he didn’t want any of that, and why would he unless they offered a huge amount of money?
Allen has bounced between corner and safety. He certainly wouldn’t come in and make a huge season-changing impact on anything, but with the possible exception of Glover Quin, he’d instantly be the best cornerback on Houston’s roster. This stubbornness with Jackson is only one of the problems with this defense, but you could certainly argue it’s the biggest one. Well – other than how ABYSMAL Jackson has played. The Texans need to make a move on Allen. He’s no great shakes, but who else is there right now? Oh, well, there’s Jacques Reeves – but to bring him back would mean the Texans admitting another mistake, and I think two in a week would shatter the old record of one per year.
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:46:25
Nice post…I wish the Texans took stock in what you, AJ and LZ say all the time, but alas they never do.
Quick random question: I don’t mean to be an ass, but why is the phrase “downhill” used to describe players like Cushing or big bruising RBs when the crest of the field (if any) runs lengthwise down the middle of the field meaning that the labeling should be applied to guys like Reggie Bush who take it to the outside all the time? Maybe this is precisely why you put it in quotes, but I hear it all the time. Is the term “north-south” fall out of favor for some reason?
Nov 11, 2010 at 11:01:58
I’m really glad Kubiak isn’t being as Bull Headed, about the Cushing Move as he is being about KJax.
When I first heard they were moving Cush to MLB I was against it. I think he’ll be much more effective at his normal position.
Kareem Jackson – “Come on Man!!!!”, There is no reason this guy should touch the fireld for the rest of the season. Sit his ass Down ! Kubiak pointed out that after giving up two TD’s, KJax had an Interception,,, Pretty much Anyone who was in his position would have caught that ball . he did nothing special to “Steal” the ball away.
Nov 11, 2010 at 12:16:48
fred bennett
Nov 11, 2010 at 14:06:11
Hahahaha! I cannot agree that we never saw this bad from the likes of Petey Faggins. Petey Faggins was on another level of bad. Does anybody remember Lee Evans from the Buffalo Bills (name the QB!!!!???) going for two straight 80 yard touchdown receptions that looked easy as pie in the first quarter. Who was chasing him into the endzone? Wait for it … Petey Faggins. Lee Evans went for 11 receptions and 265 yards and 2 TDs in that game (more like a scrimmage because Petey gave the game away in the opening minutes). Kareem Jackson isn’t nearly as bad as Petey Faggins. In fact, stat-wise he’s performing better than any corner chosen in the first round of the draft. Sorry, can’t let that one slide. Petey Faggins never outperformed anyone stat-wise.
Kubiak’s not going anywhere. He’ll be back no matter what. This is a rebuilding year, like every year. Every year is a year to rebuild the defense. Kareem Jackson’s going to play because that’s what rebuilding is all about.
Nov 12, 2010 at 10:54:58
TexanKevin,
The term “downhill runner” simply means that when they hit you, it feels like they were running downhill. If you’ve ever tackled a running back as he was running a sweep (which would be downhill), he has all the speed and momentum, because you are literally running uphill to tackle him. That slight change on elevation has a lot to do with missed tackles too. It changes the angles the defense has to take to make the tackle. North/South just refers to how little the runner dances around in the backfield.
Nov 22, 2010 at 11:41:13
Does Kubiak carry the ball?
Sounds like a playerproblem!