Brian Cushing Suspended For Four Games: Reaction
by Tim on May 7, 2010 9:39 PM CDT
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PrintLate this afternoon, Adam Schefter broke the story that Brian Cushing would miss the first four (4) games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Initial reaction on BRB can be found here; thanks to Kerns for getting the FanShot up so quickly.
When you learn your squad is losing its Pro Bowl SLB, who also doubles as the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, because he purportedly violated the league's drug policy, you'd think your initial reaction would be shock, followed by disappointment. Unfortunately, for many Texans fans (including yours truly), my initial reaction was disappointment. Not shock. I'll explain why, as well as toss out another few thoughts, after the jump.
1. Leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft, there was talk that Brian Cushing used performance-enhancing substances and had even tested positive. Pictures surfaced that seemed to show two very different Brian Cushings, and many fans immediately screamed, "Steroids!" The report that set everyone off was later debunked, but the rumor and pictures remained, mutating at times into more general questions about Cushing's durability. If you paid attention to coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft, word that he tested positive shouldn't shock you. The words "Cushing" and "performance-enhancers" had been used in the same sentence before. Thus, this doesn't come as a complete shock. I'm disappointed, sure. But I'm not shocked.
2. After the 2009 NFL Draft, the whispers got much quieter. And once Cushing took the field as a Houston Texan and had about as impressive a rookie campaign as a linebacker could have, any remaining doubts were, if not eliminated, silenced. I'm as guilty as anyone in this regard. When the Texans selected Cushing, I was rather vocal about my disapproval of the pick, and part of my disgust was because of the link, rumored or not, to banned substances. Once the season came? I shut up and cheered. The question about his use of performance-enhancing drugs wasn't totally erased from my mind; I just didn't think about it. He'd never tested positive, I reasoned, and was innocent until proven guilty. Would I have been so impartial if Cushing wasn't a Houston Texan? Of course not. I rationalized it, so I forfeited the right to be outraged. You won't see me taking a holier-than-thou approach on this.
3. Schefter's report seems to indicate that Cushing, and presumably the Texans, knew about the positive test for some time. Schefter says Cushing appealed the test in February and learned today that the appeal was denied. We don't know exactly when he was tested or when the Texans learned the result, but the potential for suspension makes the team's selection of Darryl Sharpton in the fourth round much easier to explain now.
4. My guess is that the Texans will trot out a starting LB corps of Zac Diles/DeMeco Ryans/Kevin Bentley for the first four weeks of the 2010 season. Plugging Xavier Adibi in at WLB would make a whole lot of sense, but all signs point to Adibi being so deep in Kubes' doghouse that it probably won't happen.
5. From a season-long standpoint, right or wrong, Brian Cushing will be a popular whipping boy for fans and media if the Texans get off to a bad start. Even with Cushing in the starting lineup, an opening slate of Colts/@ Redskins/Cowboys/@ Raiders was nothing to sneeze at. Had Cushing been in the lineup, the Texans could have easily started poorly regardless. Now, however, any discussion of a crappy record over the first quarter of the season (and for the entire season, for that matter) will prominently feature Cushing's absence. He's going to get a large share of blame if the Texans drop more than two of those first four and/or if the team takes a step back in '10. His actions are going to have consequences beyond the suspension alone.
6. From Lance Zierlein's Twitter feed:
One league insider just told me cushing & roids were "common knowledge". If so, then the Texans dropped the ball from a scouting standpoint
If Cushing doesn't come back in full beastmode & if Texans drafted a player who doesn't resemble last year's player, someone loses their job
If texans knew Cushing was "dabbling" and still took him, then so be it. I've got my eyes on Patrick turner, c Matthews and Taylor mays
@HoustonDiehards yes. Friend in the league just asked me if I was sure this was his first positive test. Yikes
While I don't think Rick Smith and/or Gary Kubiak lose their jobs over this, it gives their critics one more bullet to put in the chamber.
7. It's natural to wonder whether Cushing will be the same player he was in 2009. His positive test initiated him into a fraternity that includes the likes of Shawne Merriman who, you might recall, was also the reigning DROY when he got busted. Merriman followed up his suspension with another year of inspired play, but he's tailed off since he shredded his knee in 2007. How will Cushing respond?
8. In closing...have the Houston Texans lost their Lattimer?
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Foul!
frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba
"You have to stand for something, or you will fall for anything" - Me
No, this is their new uniforms
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 8, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah, they don't have this in Indy
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 8, 2010 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
mmmm krystalll
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
wow
That’s some pretty high quality Natasha Fatal. That caddy better slow down because the sign that says warning dangerous curves ain’t lying.
He went into the forest to concentrate on the sound of one hand slapping. Red cheeked he returned to his teacher claiming he failed to reach nirvana. His teacher explained he should concentrate on the sound of one hand clapping. –anonymous aggie Buddhist.
Her name is Krystal Klear
look her up
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 9, 2010 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Time to rally around Cushing
He is still the best
Just took stuff so he could play injured
dedicated team player
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Cushing will do more in 12 ganes than most do in 16
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Wait, HB23 made an alt login?
Just your average, run of the mill hardcore casual Texans fan.
Man, what are you doing?
It’s the job of the folks from StampedeBlue to be the douchebags of the AFC South.
Follow me on Twitter
by Adam Stites on May 7, 2010 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Change "folks" to mods
And you’re there!
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
aye
the folks are nice enough. They have a bit of a complex about how much the media doesn’t love them enough but other then that they aighte.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
by nolander on May 8, 2010 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Optimism or a Joke..?
cause im not used to any of us Texans fans not trying to jump off of a bridge at news like this? haha
Some people say "If you can't beat them, join them". I say "If you can't beat them, beat them", because they will be expecting you to join them, so you will have the element of surprise.
Cushing will be missed but Bone Crusher and friends will pick up the slack
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
It will be soon, but we're a bit too hurt right now.
And for a Texans fan that’s hard to do.
Bandwagon fans
are the ones your referring to. I don’t think any of the people who love the TEAM will let this get their hopes dashed for the season.
Jacoby is my ghostwriter.
the battle red band wagon?
Some people say "If you can't beat them, join them". I say "If you can't beat them, beat them", because they will be expecting you to join them, so you will have the element of surprise.
by Kiratomi on May 7, 2010 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
you don't want to jump off that - could be dangerous
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
i know...
i mean… a 6 inch fall going at 4 miles an hour… could be bad… (this is my clarifying that IMHO the rest of the team will pick up the slack.)
Some people say "If you can't beat them, join them". I say "If you can't beat them, beat them", because they will be expecting you to join them, so you will have the element of surprise.
That is funny..
because unlike the Cowgirls, Raiders, 9ers, steelers our bandwagon fans lack in numbers… in fact most Texan fans are true and loyal god help us if we turn into the teams i stated…
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
I dont understand
how being pissed off and mad at Cushing means you are jumping off the bandwagon. I’m on the bandwagon for talented, good character, charitable players, and if anything, its Cushing who jumped off the bandwagon. I want my kids to look up to these guys, so if it is true and he knowingly hurt the team, FUCK EM.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
I don't want to come off like I am pro drugs
But to me performance enhancers is a much lesser offense than recreational drug use or doing a felony crime
I do not know the details, but often players who are injured seek something to heal faster and mask the pain in order to help the team by getting them back in the game
If you look at the StarCaps case, the players took a substance that had no banned chemicals on the label but they got suspended since unnamed drugs were in StarCaps
May have been something similar with Cushing
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Other than not completely HATING the pick last year
…this sums up my feelings exactly.
2. once Cushing took the field as a Houston Texan and had about as impressive a rookie campaign as a linebacker could have, any remaining doubts were, if not eliminated, silenced. I’m as guilty as anyone in this regard. When the Texans selected Cushing, I was rather vocal about my disapproval of the pick, and part of my disgust was because of the link, rumored or not, to banned substances. Once the season came? I shut up and cheered. The question about his use of performance-enhancing drugs wasn’t totally erased from my mind; I just didn’t think about it. He’d never tested positive, I reasoned, and was innocent until proven guilty. Would I have been so impartial if Cushing wasn’t a Houston Texan? Of course not. I rationalized it, so I forfeited the right to be outraged. You won’t see me taking a holier-than-thou approach on this.
3. Schefter’s report seems to indicate that Cushing, and presumably the Texans, knew about the positive test for some time. Schefter says Cushing appealed the test in February and learned today that the appeal was denied. We don’t know exactly when he was tested or when the Texans learned the result, but the potential for suspension makes the team’s selection of Darryl Sharpton in the fourth round much easier to explain now.
Just your average, run of the mill hardcore casual Texans fan.
Felix Jones...
…Is a friggin must-start Week 3!
by KaceOFbass on May 7, 2010 10:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I Dont Care
dude is still a Texan and i will still cheer for him
living the Texas dream
by Joe25 on May 7, 2010 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
We're just gonna
have to dig in deep here and take what the rest of the league throws at Cush. He’s still our boy and still our DROY.
"Bite of more than you can chew. Then chew it."
by pvavocalist on May 7, 2010 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
It's definately no surprise
Cushing played the ENTIRE year last year injured. He never even practiced during the week leading up to games, he would just come in on game day and completely dominate. This screamed steroids from the beginning.
He is still the DROY, he is still the savior of our defense, he is still a pro-bowl caliber player, he’s still an emotional leader who brings attitude to our defense and this was all as 22 year old rookie. I think he comes back more determined and with another chip on his shoulder.
One thing I know is football means a lot to this guy. He’s not a partier, he’s not a knucklehead, he doesn’t command attention, he just genuinely wants to be great player. He gave in to temptation and took the easy way and he’ll pay the price. But I would count on him being there week 5 and making 11 other dudes lives a living hell.
by leacheatsbabies on May 7, 2010 10:40 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
If that's the case
then you going to say McNair was using steroids? How did he avoid detection through his whole career?
Cushing played the ENTIRE year last year injured. He never even practiced during the week leading up to games, he would just come in on game day and completely dominate. This screamed steroids from the beginning.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
Going to be interesting
I thought to be suspended for 4 games, you had to test positive twice, or is it with steroids you pass Go and collect your suspension on the first go around?
Big Cat Country, The #1 Jaguars blog on the net
by Jonathan Loesche on May 7, 2010 10:45 PM CDT reply actions
Just one test gets you 4 games
I think a second gets you a season.
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
by bigfatdrunk on May 7, 2010 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The thing I’m looking at is a year old, but
If you test positive for a first time, it’s kept secret except teams are notified you tested positive. 2nd time results in a 4 game suspension, and any subsequent positive means a season.
Big Cat Country, The #1 Jaguars blog on the net
by Jonathan Loesche on May 7, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
So
If that’s correct, that means Cushing tested positive once before (combine maybe?), which would be an even bigger mishap
Big Cat Country, The #1 Jaguars blog on the net
by Jonathan Loesche on May 7, 2010 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Crap
Not only is it a drug test, it’s an IQ test.
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
by bigfatdrunk on May 7, 2010 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
I don't think he tested positive before
cause a team would get ahold of that and avoid him like the plague.
What did Merriman get when he was caught?
"Lord, beer me strength."
Remember
Same guidelines as any positive drug test. Harvin was one wrong piss test away from a 4 game suspension after testing positive at the combine, and Minnesota still took him
Big Cat Country, The #1 Jaguars blog on the net
by Jonathan Loesche on May 7, 2010 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
ERRONEOUS
ERRONEOUS ON BOTH ACCOUNTS
in which a player is subject to a four-game suspension without pay for a first positive test
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/26/AR2005042601232.html
But yeh, seriously, fuck Cushing.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
Fuck Cushing?
Go to hell.
He was still the main reason the defense worked out the way it did.
If you’re going to drop a ‘fuck Cushing,’ you might as well start cheering for Peighton and posting on his blog.
Terrorists win, and it’s all your fault.
Well played.
Just your average, run of the mill hardcore casual Texans fan.
He cheated
and just put this team in a fat hole. Sorry that I don’t cheer blindly for guys who fuck over the team.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
Then blame Rick Smith.
Cushing did everything he could to become a better football player. It sucks that it came down to cheating (although it is football… I really don’t give a damn about steroids in the sport). But he didn’t choose to be on the Texans. Rick Smith made that decision, and most likely with full knowledge that Cushing was a PED-user at the time of the draft, and the hope that he just wouldn’t get caught.
It was a gamble. They got a damn-good football player with some question marks, and the worst-case scenario happened.
No
I will put the blame where it belongs, the player who cheated. Did Rick Smith hand him the steroids? Did he inject them in his body? It is entirely possible they did their due diligence and they could find no substantial proof he did steroids. After that it is Cushings responsibility to NOT TAKE STEROIDS.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
And yet...
You think that Cushing “put this team in a fat hole”.
Not true. Rick Smith took a guy who had steroid issues surrounding him for the sake of making the team better. Just like GMs who take gambles on dynamic injury-prone players, or Pacman-type guys with legal issues surrounding them, it ultimately rests on the GM when they make a risky decision.
Rick Smith should take some blame
I’ll agree with you on that. Why though, is Cushing getting a total free pass though? He isn’t responsible? He should just get off scott free?
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
blaming Rick Smith is hilarious
That about the same as blaming a bank for someone robbing them. I mean they know people like money and some people want it really bad, how dare they store this money stuff where its so tempting to steal. Poor criminal he never had a choice.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on May 8, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Not quite.
Maybe if you refine the analogy a bit. Say, if the bank had purchased land for that particular branch over a series of tunnels because it was an affordable, high-traffic location. Sure, there’s a chance it becomes very profitable. But there’s always the off-chance that somebody discovers that series of tunnels, digs into the vault, and steals 1/4 of the money inside.
Did they wear masks
Of former Presidents?
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
by tehGrindCrusher on May 9, 2010 4:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Lol
I liked how you put in how he made the terrorists win, a good touch.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Real fans don’t need a reason.
I remember when he was picked
i was just a lurker then and i remember how almost everybody here hated the pick and now im thinking this is just the thing those people were waiting for to say i told you so. Hope im wrong
living the Texas dream
I liked the pick at the time
I thought it was unfair that everyone was assuming he was on steroids when he had never tested positive. I was wrong.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
I'm with you, man.
People make mistakes, and everyone asks for a second chance. I think he deserves a second chance as much as everyone else does.
Now, it’s his time to prove himself to the fans and to his team-mates the type of player he really is.
by typhoon.infamous on May 9, 2010 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
From Wikipedia (Refs removed):
The NFL banned substances policy has been acclaimed by some and criticized by others, but the policy is the longest running in American professional sports, beginning in 1987. The current policy of the NFL suspends players without pay who test positive for banned substances as it has since 1989: four games for the first offense (a quarter of the regular season), eight games for a second offense (half of the regular season), and 12 months for a third offense. The suspended games may be either regular season games or playoff games.
In comparison to the policies of Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, the NFL has long been the most strict. While recently MLB and the NHL decided to permanently ban athletes for a third offense, they have long been resistant to such measures, and random testing is in its infancy.
Since the NFL started random, year-round tests and suspending players for banned substances, many more players have been found to be in violation of the policy. By April 2005, 111 NFL players had tested positive for banned substances, and of those 111, the NFL suspended 54.
A new rule is in the works due to Shawne Merriman. Starting the 2007 season, the new rule would prohibit any player testing positive for banned substances from being able to play in the Pro Bowl that year.
Hmm
I guess what I’m looking at is referring to drugs like weed then. Thanks
Big Cat Country, The #1 Jaguars blog on the net
by Jonathan Loesche on May 7, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Robin Williams on testing for weeeed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUra-oOBuTA#t=03m10s
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
6...
but Big Ben can get off quicker with good behavior…
/lobbing a softball
"Lord, beer me strength."
Its total crap
… I would like to have more information on what Cush took, when he took it and so on.
Good behavior?
Guess that doesn’t include ruffie usage
by HoustonTransplant on May 8, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Guess GHB is out of the question as well
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 8, 2010 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Since its Goodell....
I’d imagine it’s 4 the 1st time. 4 more if you complain. 2 more if you look at him the wrong way.
"Lord, beer me strength."
Tweet of the night
F*****kkkkkk
Dominique Barber. Couldn’t say it any better myself.
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
by bigfatdrunk on May 7, 2010 10:50 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
This is from Pancakes, so take this as you will (1 hour after he initially guessed Bentley would start at SLB)
Zac diles will start n place if Cushing. He moves from the weak side.
Veteran Xavier adibi and rookie Darryl sharpton will compete on weak side.
I’m gonna guess that the good Reverend will beat out Adibi.
"Lord, beer me strength."
And Solomon's latest article supports this
Tennessee Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch went to Twitter to poke fun at Texans linebacker Zac Diles, who will switch positions to the strong side in Cushing’s absence.
MDC might have a heart attack….
"Lord, beer me strength."
big surprise
tit players being tits.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
On another note
If Cushing took roids in order to deal with the various injuries he had to deal with, I’ll have a much different opinion than if he took them just to bulk up.
IMO, what a pro athlete does to their body is their business.
Big Cat Country, The #1 Jaguars blog on the net
by Jonathan Loesche on May 7, 2010 10:57 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I can't really see the disconnect
I can understand the people who think that no matter who does steroids, they are cheaters and wrong. I may not agree with it, but I understand it.
I can also understand the point of view of people who think steroids are irrelevant at creating talent and are basically a means of staying on the field. A calculated risk of short-term health vs. long term health. That’s my boat.
But it’s suddenly okay if someone does steroids while they’re trying to stay on the field? That one doesn’t make sense to me. Wouldn’t he essentially be doing the same thing if he’d taken steroids all the time? Why does the point of view change just because someone is banged up?
Anyway, the only issue I have with the situation is that Cushing has gotta be an idiot to actually be caught.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
by riversmccown on May 8, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
He would have to be an idiot
Only under the assumption that nearly all players who use performance enhancing drugs in the NFL get caught… and if you believe that, I have beachfront property in Idaho i’d love to sell ya, the views are out of this world!
Realistically i’d wager at the very most 20% of the players violating the substance abuse policy ever get caught, and most likely it’s much lower than that. So with that in mind, it doesn’t take an “idiot” to think they could play the odds and come out on top.
As for morality or “right” and “wrong”, I think is just horse****. Athletes have been trying to get a leg up on the competition for as long as there’s been pro athletics. They’ve used Steroids, growth hormones, chemicals that accelerate the production of growth hormones, cocaine, and a variety of other drugs… Hell, early in the last century it was even common practice for athletes to draw their own blood the night before an event, put it on ice then re-inject the same blood back into their systems right before said event…
Point is as long as there’s been professional sports, athletes have been trying to get an edge on the competion, or to simply keep up. You’re naive at best if you for one second think that Cushing is in the minority in this. If you through out anyone who’s ever used a performance enhancer of any sort, you’d have difficulty building 1 quality NFL team.
If you through out anyone who’s ever used a performance enhancer of any sort, you’d have difficulty building 1 quality NFL team.
This is mostly true, although a bit exaggerated. I would just rather every player stopped taking them, but thats not going to happen till testing gets better. If the NFL really wants to get players off the juice I don’t think 4 games is a big enough suspension.
I’m not a fan of steroids, there are a lot of bad side effects, and I don’t like players feeling pressured to do them because they know others are.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
What?
I’m saying that he’s an idiot for getting caught PRECISELY because most players who use DON’T get caught.
Agree on moralizing athletics though. I’m over it.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
He was likely
taking the same precautions and masking agents all the players who don’t get caught use, so in what way did his idiocy get him caught? It’s not as if the players who successfully “cheat” the tests do so because of sheer brilliance, they just follow advice given to them by others, just as Cushing undoubtedly did… sometimes anomolies happen and miscalculations on dosing ect…, calling him a cheater i’d get because technically he did break an NFL policy, but there’s no evidence of intelligence being a factor in any way so is really nothing more than mudslinging.
And you know this how?
Speculation.
My thesis: if you get caught cheating, you probably weren’t too bright. Simple. Clear.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
That is pretty simple
But it’s also about the same as if I said “if you drive a Toyota pickup you’re a short bald fat guy”… Both are simple and clear, and both have no validity to them other than some people who cheat have in fact been morons and some people who’ve driven toyota trucks have been short bald fat guys.
So again, it’s nothing more than mudslinging… and that’s ok, but at least own it man.
Terrific comparison
They totally run by the same rules and everything. In fact, I know short bald fat guys have to take a random test every year, and if they fail it, they get a Toyota pickup. If we acknowledge that many players do steroids and don’t get caught, then what is the cause for the players that do get caught? False positives? Sometimes. Outright defiance? Probably not. Something in-between that probably wasn’t the best idea? Ding ding ding.
Yes, I am out to trash our best defensive player last year. In fact, I’m not even really a Texans fan. I live in Bangalore and answer phone calls for AT&T. Look, I appreciate that you’re stretching really hard here to try and make “Cushing has gotta be an idiot to actually get caught” be a statement of inherent value of his actual intelligence as a person rather than a statement of the actions that led to this event happening, and that’s cute, but trolling semantics isn’t gonna win you any points.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
So I guess we know what kind of car BFD drives.
Ohh, yea!
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
by tehGrindCrusher on May 9, 2010 4:54 AM CDT up reply actions
psh, are you kidding me?
he’s probably driving one of those “smart” cars.
by typhoon.infamous on May 9, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree
They know the risk from a health standpoint. If they’re willing to sacrifice that to increase their prowess on the field they’re all good in my book.
Vae Victis!
That is, if it didn't screw over your team when you're caught.
That part is somewhat selfish.
Vae Victis!
This is not a surprise, but a sad and disappointing announcement nonetheless
Didn’t want Cushing drafted, but like others have stated, once he was on board I got in his corner and cheered like crazy because his play was over the top outstanding. After a while, completely forgot about the pre-draft roids whispers. It’s easy to believe what you want to believe.
This completely explains the Sharpton pick. Hope that the Graham pick doesn’t mean that we’re in for some bad OD news sooner than later.
It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on May 7, 2010 10:59 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
geeeeeeez.
we don’t even KNOW what substances he took yet, the story just broke earlier!
having said that, i’m still on the fence. i remember when good ol’ andy tested positive, and he got off clean because he used HGH to recover from an injury. it’s within the realm of possibility that cush did the same thing. in order for cush to be the best player that he can be (as a texan) he needed to learn this sooner than later. no shortcuts in the NFL. better he learn it now, do his 4 games and grow from it, than getting busted mid-season and sucking the wind out of a playoff run.
There is a master key and a spare key for the office. Dwight has them both. When I asked, "what if you die, Dwight? How will we get into the office?" He said, "if I'm dead, you guys have been dead for weeks."
http://www.twitter.com/doobieman21
by chrisd21 on May 7, 2010 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I wrote on his facebook....
“Son, I am disappoint” haha
I hope he proves he didn’t need them, but it makes me sad.
Earl Campbell is the perfect combination of assmass and weightspeed. - Papabear
did you pair that up with the picture?
by Jordann on May 7, 2010 11:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
-1000
come on cush doesn’t have popeye arms…
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
and that is not due to spinach...
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
Do we know it was for sure steroids? An Eagles DB was suspended 4 games for PEDs last year and all he took was a legal over the counter diuretic. Albiet one that might be used as a masking agent… but still, it’s not the same as actual steroids.
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If its a masking agent
It might as well be steroids
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
Taylor Mays
If Cushing was juicing, Mays was juicing. Very little doubt in my mind.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
Shit. Piss. Tits. Rape a kitten.
Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com
by HoustonDiehards on May 8, 2010 12:31 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Rape a kitten?
Don’t give Big Ben any ideas there…
"Lord, beer me strength."
by TexansDC on May 8, 2010 12:42 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Ben Ruthlessbanger....
…definitely doesn’t need any more inspiration.
is Wayne Brady gonna have to rape a bitch?
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
OK I already posted in the Fanshot but i will again here...
I posted on Cush’s FB, I said that I am disappointed, not shocked maybe the MLB has made me jaded… I also said he needs to come back and show everyone that it wasn’t the juice it was just his beastlyness… On the other hand like many have stated we don’t even know what he tested positive for exactly…
maybe he was taking that shit they sell to increase your penis size, I have heard it can make you test positive because it is HGH…
Also in response to Nolander: out of all the people I expected to say Fuck Cushing you were not one of them… also don’t give BFD any ideas…
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
What worries me
is that he has said in interviews before he’s not ever been a roider. If this instance was for a recovery from injury, that’s a different story. If he’s been doing this as long as rumored, that means one of the staples of our defense lied to Smithiak and us as well.
Man, I hope it was the first. I have a hard time believing Houston (myself included) will find it easy to forgive him if he lied to us. Roids, I can forgive. Lying to us for that extra bit of contract money? That’s just exploiting us.
Our football teams in Texas are like our people. The Texans are like the honest, hard-working, blue-collar men that earned what they had and built this state into the place it is. The Cowboys are like the politicians and tycoons that just act like buffoons and make everyone hate us. Essentially, Bob McNair=Stephen F. Austin, Jerry Jones=Sam Houston.
So what did he take?
After being nicked up all year, could it simply be that something associated with his recovery just “slipped through” and it wasn’t noticed it was on the banned substances list? It seems to happen from time to time – players get the wrong shot, it gets noticed, they get suspended, but its not like they’re roid-ing up all hardcore like the buffoons at the gym.
We don’t know and probably won’t know the circumstances. Maybe I should make more out of this or maybe I’m naive, but I doubt he was just trying to figure out how much he can get away with or cover up. I think its an anomaly and I’m giving Cushing the benefit of the doubt.
Its not like he was banging Mindy McCready when she was 16 and wearing his Yankees cap all ghetto (and being an asshole to his kids and whatever else I hate Clemens for).
So as I browse these comments
I am struck by the odd, defensive posture. So much justification “well, maybe he only did it to stay healthy!” “I’m with Cush!” “Let’s not get on to him!” “Not jumping off the bandwagon!” so little condemnation.
To this I say bullshit. The man- and he’s a grown goddamn man, not some idiot kid- took steroids. This is going to have a profoundly negative impact on our team. As someone who is an integral part of the team and relishes his position as such, he should rightly be condemned. And that has nothing to do with whatever moral judgment you choose to place on his steroid use. That’s actually completely beside the point, because the NFL already made that judgment call.
The Houston Texans, who traditionally start very poorly anyway due to Kubiak’s inability to remember how to coach until week 3, will be even weaker without one of their best player on defense for the first four games of the year. This is no joke, this is potentially playoff run ending kind of stuff, particularly given our schedule. if you believe, as I do, that most of the improvement in our defense last year came from improved talent, e.g. Cushing, Quin, Pollard, then this becomes even more problematic. Because without Cushing, whose play I admired despite despising the pick initially (partially because of concerns about days like this), we are a worse football team. This makes me angry, because I do not like to watch the Texans suck. I’ve had my quota of that this decade.
It pisses me off that we’re going to be a worse football team. And it pisses me off that he made us a worse football team. Also, if the front office knew about this before they drafted him, their wisdom should rightly be drawn into question. If it was a calculated risk, fine, but they lost this bet.
So yeah, let’s not do the whole reactionary defensive thing. Let’s be honest. This sucks. In my opinion, there’s no defense for any of them, because the consequences make the “rationale” of their sins irrelevant from my perspective. My acknowledging that has nothing to do with my fandom, just reality. Feel free to disagree.
by JimboTexan on May 8, 2010 11:30 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
i dont think is the end of the world
we just made an offense that was one of the best in the league better by adding an every down back and made what, in my opinion the weakest part of our defense (secondary) better by drafting Kareem. the loss of Cushing hurts, but i dont think it ends our shot at the playoffs.
living the Texas dream
thank you
You put it more eloquently then I have. Of course I have a blinding rage reaction to steroids as someone who loves baseball and has had to go through steroid scandal after steroid scandal.
The bottom line is that steroids are against the rules. He knew it, he took them, he got suspended 4 games. Don’t even start with the “well maybe he took something and didn’t know what was in it crap”, the league and every team I’m sure have lists of verified good substances you can take. If you take something of that list you are a moron.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
If we go 2-2 in those 4
I’ll put down the bleach..if we go 3-1, I’ll make a sacrifical lamb offering to Durga.
Of course, we could easily go 0-4, in which case I’ll start looking for a new team.
by leacheatsbabies on May 8, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions
Jordann was right
that was the sound of people jumping off the bandwagon.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
I'm still expecting 3-1
Heck, this may be a blessing in disguise. As I said before, Cushing couldn’t hang with the TEs (Clark, Witten, Davis/Cooley). Frank Bush gets to re-think how he wants to cover them….
"Lord, beer me strength."
I was laughing at some comments I saw on stampede blue
About how good of games Clark is going to have. Their logic was that since he did so well against Cushing he will probably do better against whoever will replace them.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
I don't like the idea of Frank Bush trying to get creative on schemes
if we’re getting burned over the middle of the field, he’ll bring in Reeves, Mccain and try to zone our problems away.
All I know is Peyton Manning is going to do open-heart surgery on the middle of our defense on opening day. He already knows Cushing won’t be on the strongside, and worst he knows one of our linebackers at will or sam is going to be a wide-eyed rookie scared out of his mind or an inexperienced career backup….I don’t like our chances in that game boys.
by leacheatsbabies on May 8, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
It's okay, Frank Bush doesn't know how to get creative on schemes anyway
Wouldn’t worry about it.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
It might very well be over the counter supplements
Perfectly legal, but in some cases may contained banned substances. It has happened before. Here is a link to the banned substances list: http://www.scribd.com/doc/14066951/NFL-Prohibited-Substances
That just doesn't fly anymore though
The league and teams generally have a list of approved supplements. If its not on that list, then they probably should steer clear of it.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
There was plenty of speculation that he was juicing in high school.
I currently go to Rutgers University (in New Brunswick, NJ) and I have plenty of friends who grew up around the area that Cushing grew up in. Pretty much every single person I talk to tells me that everyone “suspected he was doing it and it seemed kind of obvious.” There was apparently a period of time where he gained a lot of weight (fat) and it’s now assumed that that period of time was when he chose not to use steroids for a cycle. I don’t want to throw rumors around but there are too many people here who think he juiced to just take it solely as a rumor. Some of the kids I’ve talked to played against him in high school and they’re amazed that this was coming out now and did not come out sooner.
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
Maybe
But it’s also common practice for power lifters, or any serious lifter wanting to add muscle mass, to go through stages of gaining and then cutting. To gain weight, whether you want it to be all muscle or not, you have to overeat… give your body more energy than it can consume so that you can get peak muscle growth. Then after you gain the muscle you go through a period of cutting fat and getting a leaner muscle mass….
It could have been an example of Cushing going off roids then blowing up without the suped up hormones… but it could also easilly hve been the beginning of a serious lifting regimine that was the catalyst of him being the athlete he is now…
"I don't want to throw rumors around"
Well, then don’t.
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
by tehGrindCrusher on May 9, 2010 4:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Juiced in High school, Juiced In College....Now juiced in NFL,,
His career is pretty much over. Nothing more than a Meeriman, Bosworth cheat. When they stop using their careers all go down hil, fast.
Set a record by getting banned for the 8th time!
After rehab I saw the light and promise to be kinder and gentler!
Probation is a very slippery slope!
Bosworth and Merriman’s carrers went down hill due to injuries… you could argue that without the roids their bodies couldn’t sustain the pounding and heal itself properly week to week, but it was definitely injuries in both cases that caused their decline… and injuries for the most part are pretty random.
I truly believe steroids can give a player an extra edge
HOWEVER, I don’t think players like Giambi, A Rod, Bonds etc where only good because of steroids. There are plenty of things steroids don’t help you with.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
Some quick facts on Bonds and the man who he stole his title from:
Bonds in Pittsburgh hit 176 HRs in 7 yrs for an avg. of 25.14 HRs/yr
IN SF he hit 586 HRs in 15 yrs for avg of 39.07 HRs/yr
Career: 762 for avg of 34.63 HRS/ yr
His max HRs in a season was 73 in 2001 when he was 37 yrs of age.
the change in his hrs was drastic going from hitting 20’s and low 30’s for the first 7 yrs of his career to hitting mid 30’s to uper 40’s until 2005 with the exception of his 73 in 2001
Hank Aaron was with the braves for his entire 23 yr career but i will split it up by the first 7 because berry was in the league for 22 yrs.
1st 7 yrs: 219 HRS for an avg of 31.29 HRs/YR
last 16 yrs: 536 HRs for an avg of 33.5 HRs/yr
Career: 755 HRs for an avg of 32.83 hrs/yr
Interesting note is that while Hank’s AVG went up it wasnt by 14 HRs/yr.
I believe that Steroids did make Barry Bonds hit the long ball more often… it is in the stats. BTW Hank hit his career most when he was 37 as well a whopping 47 HRS in 1971…
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
Bosworth had a career?
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
An acting career at least
had a few movies & good commercials, those were the highlights of his “career”
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 9, 2010 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey it could be worse
What would you all say if Rothberger, Ray Lewis, Mike Vick or others like them were on the team?
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
What would I say?
I would say “Did Jerry Jones buy the Texans?”
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 8, 2010 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe they'll make up for all the people jumping off the bandwagon.
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
by tehGrindCrusher on May 9, 2010 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I, for one, am enjoying the extra room...
…but the level of discourse seems to be plummeting.
And THAT is an accomplishment. I long for the halcyon days of “…Hair across your ass much?” and “Who sandblasted your vadge?”
The level now seems to be more of a “Oh YEAH F U!!! You homo!” variety… It just lacks… creativity… pity.
^This
Maybe there should be some sort of reading/writing comprehension test before you’re allowed to post here. Anything to make the mods work harder – lord knows they have too much free time on their hands :)
To which they'll reply "Fuck You with the white horse Tebow will ride in on"
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on May 9, 2010 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
dont forget that Tebow glued a narwahl tusk to the head of the white horse...
just to prove he was God’s chosen one.
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
Now that's
What I’m talking about.
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
by tehGrindCrusher on May 10, 2010 12:53 AM CDT up reply actions
His head has gotten bigger since going in the first round
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
Am I missing something?
Maybe I just like to give someone the benefit of the doubt, but the articles I have read stated “a banned substance”….where did it say ‘roids or PED’s? Or did I scan said articles to quickly and miss the fine print?
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
Checking in from Niners Nation where we're having a bit of discussion on this as well
I don’t think it’s positive that he took steroids this year. HGC is found naturally in the body and Schefter has reported that the levels he was tested at would not have sent red flags up last year. He also played most of the season after failing that first drug test, so you know he was being tested regularly (probably multiple times a week), yet stayed clean.
I don’t see a guy on steroids in those pictures, just a guy who’s kept himself in shape.
I was right, you were wrong.
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