National Football Post new mock draft has us taking ... - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

VJCPatriot · 01-19-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

I rate him based on what I saw of him on the field. He looked great chasing QB's and plays that went away from him. He struggled with anchoring and making plays when the opposing offense came at him.

Fair enough. So his strength is weak side pursuit but you're saying he wasn't good at shedding blocks or stopping the run going straight at him?
How does that compare to Cushing?

***patchick*** · 01-19-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstater1

I'm just seriously doubting that anyone could go from the picture on the left to the one on the right in a couple years without the use of enhancements.

With full caveats that I am just repeating gossip here and have NO special knowledge of the situation, here's the story I've pieced together:

In high school, Cushing went through a very dramatic physical transformation that led teammates and opponents alike to assume he was self-medicating. He was recruited by USC, where a rigorous testing regimen began. Early in his USC career he suffered a series of tissue injuries and appeared to lose muscle mass and gain breast tissue, all of which are typical of a post-steroid period. Then he built his physique back up to an impressive degree, indicating either a new strength and nutrition regimen or a new undetectable doping program, or both.

Is it possible he's 100% clean? Sure. Is it likely? And do we care? I leave those as questions for the reader.

***tanked_as_usual*** · 01-19-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

I'm not sure if you saw any USC games where Cushings played inside while Malalauga was hurt, but he looked pitiful on the inside. It was painful to watch.

then I guess there's no reason to assume the pats will draft him........not in round 1, anyway........he just doesn't look the part as an OLB for the pats

VJCPatriot · 01-19-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patchick

With full caveats that I am just repeating gossip here and have NO special knowledge of the situation, here's the story I've pieced together:

In high school, Cushing went through a very dramatic physical transformation that led teammates and opponents alike to assume he was self-medicating. He was recruited by USC, where a rigorous testing regimen began. Early in his USC career he suffered a series of tissue injuries and appeared to lose muscle mass and gain breast tissue, all of which are typical of a post-steroid period. Then he built his physique back up to an impressive degree, indicating either a new strength and nutrition regimen or a new undetectable doping program, or both.

Is it possible he's 100% clean? Sure. Is it likely? And do we care? I leave those as questions for the reader.

Dude, if he's using an illegal way to build up his body, we have every reason to care. Look at how much flak Harrison got for using HGH to recover faster from injuries. Look at Merriman. Look at the suspensions they got. I don't think Kraft would want to draft a player who knowingly 'doped up' to get to where he is. If Cushing is 100% clean, he still has other issues, all prospects do. But at least he wouldn't have a CHARACTER issue against him.

PatsFan2 · 01-19-2009, 10:01 AM

I don't like the sound of this "Manufactured athlete who should test well but don't look all that impressive on film and often looks like DE in a LB body".

I think i am leaning toward others...i want ELite Speed from our LB positions.

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 01-19-2009, 12:26 PM

patchick = "dude?"

MetalBleachers · 01-19-2009, 12:37 PM

For some reason, I like Matthews over Cushing, maybe for the value and the upside. I see Cushing as more of a Keith Rivers or Lofa type, someone productive in a different system. I'm also becoming a fan of Larry Kruger.
Even the name is menacing.