Brian Cushing

[nickw308810]

I have seen a lot of people on here that absolutely do not want him on the Patriots and I am prett confused why. I posted this on another thread but didn't really get the responses I was looking for, so I figured I would try again.

When I watch him play I see a guy who would be almost perfect at SILB next to Mayo. He already is used to playing on the strongside as he was the SLB for USC, but also spent time at MLB and the "elephant" DE, making him one of/if not the most versatile defender in the draft.

He is great against the run and does a very good job taking on and shedding blockers to get to the ball. He is an explosive athlete who can really lay the lumber and is a pretty good special teams player as well. A smart, instinctive player, he also is solid at blitzing up the middle.

If you look at the numbers listed on CBS Sportsline NFL Draft - 2009 Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com Football you will see that Cushing's numbers come pretty close to Barwin's, who we all must admit is an athletic freak. (For the record I'd love Cushing at 23 and Barwin at 34).

OVR Pos. Rank Player Pos. School Ht. Wt. Proj. Rd. Stock 40 Time Bench Reps Vert. Jump Twenty Yard Ten Yard Broad Jump Shuttle Cone
15 2 Brian Cushing OLB Southern California 6-3 243 1 same 4.64 30 35 2.62 1.53 10'00" 4.22 6.84
31 4 Connor Barwin OLB Cincinnati 6-4 256 1-2 up 4.59 21 40 1/2 2.68 1.53 10'08" 4.18 6.87

I wouldn't doubt that at one point in his career he took something he wasn't supposed to, but it wasn't recently as all his drug tests have shown, so I don't seeing that being a problem anymore. He also had durability concerns, but after playing all of last season seemed to work through those as well.

The guy has been starting at USC, a perennial powerhouse, on a great defense since his freshman season. He is flat out a football player. Some experts talk about him not being fluid in coverage, but he proved at USC that he could match up with TEs. I think a lot of the talk about his hips came from the fact that Matthews was so fluid -but we aren't looking for another Mayo, we are looking for someone to partner him for the next decade, and that's where I think Cushing fits better than any other backer in this draft.

 

[dryheat44]

He's my favorite of the USC linebackers. I'd consider him late in the second round. As an OLB.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

He's 243 and a weightroom demon who spends several thousand dollars a year on supplements, just how much more weight can he add? His durability has been called into question and while his weight is the same as Mayo's playing weight last season, Mayo had room to add additional muscle weight - Cushing doesn't give you the confidence he can add more muscle. Bruschi plays at 247 (and I think he's heavier since the stroke), Ted Johnson was over 250, Adalius is 270...I expect Guyton and Mayo to both bulk up another 5-10 lbs as Coach Woicik's conditioning takes effect.

Like Heat, I consider Cushing is the best of the four USC backers right now, but he looks more like a SLB in a 4-3 and not like a NE SILB.

 

[Metaphors]

Like Heat, I consider Cushing is the best of the four USC backers right now, but he looks more like a SLB in a 4-3 and not like a NE SILB.

What makes you say this? And please try not to use the words "Ted Johnson" or "Two-down" as this will invalidate any points you are trying to make. If Cushing isn't your choice at ILB, who is?

I'm not necessarily sold on Cushing myself but I certainly wouldn't say he is a bad fit for the Pats.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What makes you say this? And please try not to use the words "Ted Johnson" or "Two-down" as this will invalidate any points you are trying to make. If Cushing isn't your choice at ILB, who is?

I'm not necessarily sold on Cushing myself but I certainly wouldn't say he is a bad fit for the Pats.

Day Two:

Jason Williams
Tyrone McKenzie
Jason Phillips
Robert Francois
Mike Rivera

Now validate Cushing.

 

[mayoclinic]

I have seen a lot of people on here that absolutely do not want him on the Patriots and I am prett confused why. I posted this on another thread but didn't really get the responses I was looking for, so I figured I would try again.

When I watch him play I see a guy who would be almost perfect at SILB next to Mayo. He already is used to playing on the strongside as he was the SLB for USC, but also spent time at MLB and the "elephant" DE, making him one of/if not the most versatile defender in the draft.

He is great against the run and does a very good job taking on and shedding blockers to get to the ball. He is an explosive athlete who can really lay the lumber and is a pretty good special teams player as well. A smart, instinctive player, he also is solid at blitzing up the middle.

If you look at the numbers listed on CBS Sportsline NFL Draft - 2009 Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com Football you will see that Cushing's numbers come pretty close to Barwin's, who we all must admit is an athletic freak. (For the record I'd love Cushing at 23 and Barwin at 34).

OVR Pos. Rank Player Pos. School Ht. Wt. Proj. Rd. Stock 40 Time Bench Reps Vert. Jump Twenty Yard Ten Yard Broad Jump Shuttle Cone
15 2 Brian Cushing OLB Southern California 6-3 243 1 same 4.64 30 35 2.62 1.53 10'00" 4.22 6.84
31 4 Connor Barwin OLB Cincinnati 6-4 256 1-2 up 4.59 21 40 1/2 2.68 1.53 10'08" 4.18 6.87

I wouldn't doubt that at one point in his career he took something he wasn't supposed to, but it wasn't recently as all his drug tests have shown, so I don't seeing that being a problem anymore. He also had durability concerns, but after playing all of last season seemed to work through those as well.

The guy has been starting at USC, a perennial powerhouse, on a great defense since his freshman season. He is flat out a football player. Some experts talk about him not being fluid in coverage, but he proved at USC that he could match up with TEs. I think a lot of the talk about his hips came from the fact that Matthews was so fluid -but we aren't looking for another Mayo, we are looking for someone to partner him for the next decade, and that's where I think Cushing fits better than any other backer in this draft.

First, I'm scared of Cushing with the supplement and steroid questions. Despite the combine test result being a false scare, I think that Cushing has significant questions in this area, and I personally am convinced that he bulked up on steroids at one point in his career. The physical changes he underwent (particularly the breast enlargement, followed by the rapid muscle development) are not easily explained otherwise.

Second, there is the injury issue. Cushing has been brittle much of his career. He had a healthy senior year, but a lot of difficulty staying on the field before that. Steroids could be an issue here as well, as they affect wound healing and blood flow, leading to bone and muscle damage.

Third, there is his playing style. I'm not a big fan of any of the 3 USC backers fitting in for the Pats because Pete Carroll's system is so different from Belichick's. These guys just aren't very good at taking on blockers. What I saw of Cushing playing MLB when Maualuga was injured did not impress me. While he has fairly good workout numbers, he looks stiff and his movement doesn't particularly impress me (comared with Matthews, who is much more fluid).

The bottom line for me is that I don't see enough upside to his playing style to overcome the concerns I have about steroid use and injury susceptibility. They may turn out to be totally in the past, and he may end up being a solid and injury-free player the rest of his career, but for me those are red flags that scare me off. I'll pass.

Regarding ILB in this draft, Aaron Curry would be a terrific SILB but is out of reach. I'm not a big Maualuga fan. Robert Ayers and Clay Matthews both intrigue me - combine their strengths and you have the ideal SILB. I worry about Matthews being able to take on blockers, but I would probably give him a shot. Later on I like Jason Williams and Jason Phillips.

I'm not convinced we need to get an SILB out of this draft. Adalius Thomas always offers the option of moving inside. If we get a good OLB out of the draft, if Shawn Crable develops, if we sign Jason Taylor - any or all of those things could increase the chance that AD might move back inside, where he would be a better SILB complement to Mayo than anyone in this draft other than Aaron Curry.

 

[BelichickFan]

From the "Draft Audibles" link I just started a thread for :

"If you watched (USC LB Brian) Cushing at his pro day, he opened up the wrong way twice in drills. He did the same thing once at the Combine. He’s a meathead. Rey Maualuga is going to need some reps, too. It won’t be instant for him. The safest linebacker of that group is Clay Matthews."

NFL Draft - NFL draft preview and analysis from Pro Football Weekly

 

[nickw308810]

First off let me thank everyone for all the good replies. Now let me address a couple of them.

He's 243 and a weightroom demon who spends several thousand dollars a year on supplements, just how much more weight can he add? His durability has been called into question and while his weight is the same as Mayo's playing weight last season, Mayo had room to add additional muscle weight - Cushing doesn't give you the confidence he can add more muscle. Bruschi plays at 247 (and I think he's heavier since the stroke), Ted Johnson was over 250, Adalius is 270...I expect Guyton and Mayo to both bulk up another 5-10 lbs as Coach Woicik's conditioning takes effect.

Like Heat, I consider Cushing is the best of the four USC backers right now, but he looks more like a SLB in a 4-3 and not like a NE SILB.

You make a very good point and I agree that he probably can't add too much more weight, but I guess my question is, considering his strength, how much weight does he really need to add? IMO he is already very good taking on blockers and is a sure tackler.

 

[nickw308810]

First, I'm scared of Cushing with the supplement and steroid questions. Despite the combine test result being a false scare, I think that Cushing has significant questions in this area, and I personally am convinced that he bulked up on steroids at one point in his career. The physical changes he underwent (particularly the breast enlargement, followed by the rapid muscle development) are not easily explained otherwise.

Second, there is the injury issue. Cushing has been brittle much of his career. He had a healthy senior year, but a lot of difficulty staying on the field before that. Steroids could be an issue here as well, as they affect wound healing and blood flow, leading to bone and muscle damage.

Third, there is his playing style. I'm not a big fan of any of the 3 USC backers fitting in for the Pats because Pete Carroll's system is so different from Belichick's. These guys just aren't very good at taking on blockers. What I saw of Cushing playing MLB when Maualuga was injured did not impress me. While he has fairly good workout numbers, he looks stiff and his movement doesn't particularly impress me (comared with Matthews, who is much more fluid).

The bottom line for me is that I don't see enough upside to his playing style to overcome the concerns I have about steroid use and injury susceptibility. They may turn out to be totally in the past, and he may end up being a solid and injury-free player the rest of his career, but for me those are red flags that scare me off. I'll pass.

Regarding ILB in this draft, Aaron Curry would be a terrific SILB but is out of reach. I'm not a big Maualuga fan. Robert Ayers and Clay Matthews both intrigue me - combine their strengths and you have the ideal SILB. I worry about Matthews being able to take on blockers, but I would probably give him a shot. Later on I like Jason Williams and Jason Phillips.

I'm not convinced we need to get an SILB out of this draft. Adalius Thomas always offers the option of moving inside. If we get a good OLB out of the draft, if Shawn Crable develops, if we sign Jason Taylor - any or all of those things could increase the chance that AD might move back inside, where he would be a better SILB complement to Mayo than anyone in this draft other than Aaron Curry.

The steroid and durability questions are legit concerns and I wouldn't doubt if you were right that he was taking something earlier in his career. But it also is possible to bulk up the way he did in a top collegiate strength and conditioning program if you are a gym rat like he is and take quality and legal supplements. I mean I have no clue which way he did it, I am just saying it is possible that he (and Matthews for that matter) are clean.

I think you are unfairly grouping Cushing in with Matthews and Rey M. when it comes to being able to take on blockers. I saw him time and time again take on blocks and make the tackle even when the 300+ lb offensive lineman got their hands on him. And while he might not be as fluid as Matthews, he is still more than fluid and athletic enough to be able to excel. Considering what I have seen of Matthews ability to take on blockers and stuff the run, I think he would be more similiar to Laurinitis as a 3-4 SILB prospect, which most agree with are talents that don't necessarily fit our system.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

First there is no doubt in my mind that he is a football player and a very good football player.

Regardless of what position he plays on the Pats defense, he will need to be taught technique, and lots of it.

(Watch Mayo in the first Miami game get shredded by the big Miami OL. Then watch him in the second Miami game, he shacks and sheds the Miami OL almost perfectly. Technique is taught and acquired through repetition.)

My issue with him is simple. He is not natural 240 plus pound athlete. He looks very tight to me. And history tells us that overly muscular tightly muscled guys tend to spend a lot of time in NFL training rooms.

Years ago the Colts took a Washington Huskie DT Entman 1st overall in the draft that year. He was a bigger Cushing (Very muscular and very tight) and his body literally exploded to pieces in the NFL.

And there are literally hundreds of other examples of overly muscular and tightly muscled guys falling apart in the NFL and I think a lot of teams will consider that when drafting Orakpo, which is why I see him falling some next Saturday.

 

[TriplecHamp]

First there is no doubt in my mind that he is a football player and a very good football player.

Regardless of what position he plays on the Pats defense, he will need to be taught technique, and lots of it.

(Watch Mayo in the first Miami game get shredded by the big Miami OL. Then watch him in the second Miami game, he shacks and sheds the Miami OL almost perfectly. Technique is taught and acquired through repetition.)

My issue with him is simple. He is not natural 240 plus pound athlete. He looks very tight to me. And history tells us that overly muscular tightly muscled guys tend to spend a lot of time in NFL training rooms.

Years ago the Colts took a Washington Huskie DT Entman 1st overall in the draft that year. He was a bigger Cushing (Very muscular and very tight) and his body literally exploded to pieces in the NFL.

And there are literally hundreds of other examples of overly muscular and tightly muscled guys falling apart in the NFL and I think a lot of teams will consider that when drafting Orakpo, which is why I see him falling some next Saturday.

And Hundreds of examples of the opposite. DeMarcus Ware is big, Pat Willis is Bigger, and Joey Porter is HUGE! Muscles have nothing to do with hip tightness.

 

[BritPat]

He's 243 and a weightroom demon who spends several thousand dollars a year on supplements, just how much more weight can he add? His durability has been called into question and while his weight is the same as Mayo's playing weight last season, Mayo had room to add additional muscle weight - Cushing doesn't give you the confidence he can add more muscle. Bruschi plays at 247 (and I think he's heavier since the stroke), Ted Johnson was over 250, Adalius is 270...I expect Guyton and Mayo to both bulk up another 5-10 lbs as Coach Woicik's conditioning takes effect.

Like Heat, I consider Cushing is the best of the four USC backers right now, but he looks more like a SLB in a 4-3 and not like a NE SILB.

I once had a dog and it was named Bingo.

 

[Revman]

Good choice.Versatility his strength. Pat's love versatility-I would not discount him at 23. I like Hood,Mack, and Maulaluga as my favorite 3. I just think those are 3 of the smartest choices that may be around at 23.I am going on record to say-barring injury-the 3 I have listed will be 3 of about 7 that will contribute as rookies and eventually become primary players out of this draft. I think the rule of thumb is about 15% of round oners pan out as good choices.

 

[Belichicknumber1]

I really hope Belichick stays away from this guy. He spends hundreds of dollars a month putting god knows what into his body. I just don't think the Pats need a guy like Cushing and the package that come with him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

First off let me thank everyone for all the good replies. Now let me address a couple of them.



You make a very good point and I agree that he probably can't add too much more weight, but I guess my question is, considering his strength, how much weight does he really need to add? IMO he is already very good taking on blockers and is a sure tackler.

Of the four USC Linebackers, his game is the closest to what NE does, but I don't see first round value in what he brings, mid-to-late second and he starts to have possibilities. I hope he's not embarrassed in the greenroom, if I was advising one of these kids, I'd tell them to stay as far away from NYC and TV cameras as they can get on draft day.

 

[stinkypete]

If Cushing is there at #23 I'd be stunned.

 

[nickw308810]

I came across this in the regular form, an excellent post by Box about what it takes to be a 3-4 ILB and thought it would apply to this discussion.

Originally posted by Box_O_Rocks
- An ILB needs to be able to take on blockers such as...
-Offensive Linemen trying to block the second level to create a rush lane;
-Tight Ends lead blocking for the runner;
-Full Backs lead blocking for the runner;
-and Wide Receivers cracking back to clear an outside lane.
-The ILB can either stack & shed the blocker(s) to make the tackle, or just stack him to close the hole and redirect the runner, or slip around the blocker with good hand technique and quickness to beat the runner into the hole.
- The ILB needs to be STRONG or capable of getting stronger, QUICK with great feet for moving through trash without getting tripped up and beating blockers with quick hands to keep them from locking onto him, SMART to not only make play calls and adjustments, but to also read and understand blocking schemes, ALERT and AWARE to read and adjust and to find the ball amidst a sea of big bodies.
- That's the run game. He also needs to learn to cover Running Backs, Tight Ends, and Wide Receivers working within his area.
-- He needs to understand coverages,
-- his role in the coverage,
-- and be capable of playing his assignment in Man and Zone.
-- He needs to be able to find the ball in the air.
- It helps if he can generate a pass rush, but it's not as important a function for an ILB.
- Finally, he needs to be able to TACKLE - the most critical skill of them all and one too often overlooked (like with Maualuga's fan club who discount all the missed tackles he doesn't make).

All of the ILB's skillset applies to the OLB, the big difference is the OLB really needs to be able to get pressure on the Quarterback in the passing game. Sacks are nice, but there are other ways to create pressure (clogging the throwing lane, collapsing the pocket, hurrying the throw, forcing the passer to move and reset his feet, stripping the ball out of his hands to force a fumble, and batting the ball down at the Line of Scrimmage).

This was a GREAT review. Now here is part of Cushing's scouting report from CBS Sportsline/NFL DRAFT SCOUT.

Scouting Report
Body Structure: Cushing has the size and frame to play any of the three linebacker positions. He displays solid upper body muscle development with good arm length, and large, natural hands. He has an athletic physique that will fill out further. He has a tight waist and hips and a strong lower frame with minimal body fat (10.8 percent).

Athletic Ability: Cushing has adequate speed with good balance and change of direction agility. While known more for his power than having blazing speed, he does a nice job of moving down the line and has good playing quickness, thanks to loose hips and the ability to avoid on the move. He shows good power and pop on contact and makes plays all over the field with his smooth, long stride, but can sometimes get outside himself and over-pursue. His problem is staying healthy enough to remain on the field, as he has missed a considerable amount of time due to injuries.

Football Sense: Cushing has good eyes to locate the ball, reminding some of former USC standout Duane Bickett (Colts). He closes on the ball with good urgency and picks things up well on the field. He is able to read hats and track the ball with good urgency and is perfectly capable of handling the mental aspect of the game. He has played in a variety of roles and positions at USC, showing that he has the ability to easily learn on the fly.

Character: Cushing is a quiet person off the field, very business-like in his approach to the game. He gets good family support and is not the type that will beat his chest after a good play or draw attention to himself. He has a solid work ethic and while reserved in his personal life, he is very confident of his ability to play the game.

Competitiveness: Cushing is the type that gives 100 percent effort. He is at a different level than his teammates, as he will not hesitate to sacrifice his body to make the play. The problem is, he will get a bit reckless, leading to durability issues. The game comes easy to him, thanks to his above average instincts and while he is not outward with his emotions, he plays with good toughness and plays until the whistle.

Work Habits: Cushing shows great energy in practices and games. He plays at full speed and with a high adrenalin rush. He has good leadership skills and his example sets the tone for others to play up to their level.

Key and Diagnostic Skills: It is very hard for a quarterback to get Cushing to bite on misdirection or play-action fakes. He has a keen sense for the ball, especially on plays in front of him and playing the run. He is alert dropping back in zone coverage. He shows awareness sifting through trash and his anticipation skills will generally see him get to the ball quicker than most, but even with his loose hips he does struggle to recover when he over-pursues. He has a good grasp of the playbook at several positions and does a good job of finishing his assignments.

Playing Strength and Explosion: Cushing's weight room strength does not always translate to the field. He tries to avoid blocks too much when he should be using his upper body strength to beat his opponent. He does play square, but can be positioned at the Xs when he fails to keep his hands inside his frame. He is just too inconsistent taking on and shedding blocks and is better served playing on the move than battling in the trenches. He has the arm length to get separation, but needs to take on blockers better and utilize his strength instead of trying to use his adequate quickness to avoid and slip past blocks.

Lateral Pursuit/Range: Cushing shows a good flow to the ball, as his ability to get to the edge allows him to generate solid outside containment vs. the run. He can cut through traffic and being a former safety, he still has the ability to get wide for plays. He uses his hands well to avoid low blocks on the move, but will get a bit reckless at times and out-run the play, where despite loose hips he does take some time to recover. He takes good angles and shows good effort in pursuit.

Use of Hands: Cushing uses his hands well to avoid blocks on the move, but despite good weight room strength he will struggle to shed when his hands get outside his frame (leaves his body exposed). He has the upper body strength to rip and shed vs. tight ends and smaller blockers, but sometimes gets too caught up in one-on-one battles. He just needs to do a better job of jumping around and eluding offensive linemen rather than taking them on, as he does not have the punch to stun. He is not a natural hands catcher, resulting in more deflections than interceptions.

Tackling Ability: Even though he might lack the strong punch to shed, Cushing is an impact type of wrap-up tackler, as it is rare for a ball carrier to break free when he engulfs his opponent. He is a very effective open-field tackler, thanks to his ability to break down and read hats. He will get reckless at times and try to hurt people, but that leads to missed tackles. He is better when he uses his long arms to secure, but on the move he can strike and explode on contact.

Run Defense: Cushing is a much better tackler on the move than when trying to make plays in-line. He holds his ground well at the point of attack, but gets caught up in the battle too much and is slow to shed vs. inside running plays. He fills quickly, but is best when unblocked. When he slips through and avoids blocks shooting the gaps, he is able to use his quickness to close. But, when he gets out of position he struggles to get back into the play. Against the outside running game, he excels at getting containment. He has the speed to close and the range to make plays at the opposite sideline. He does a nice job of keeping his feet when getting wide for the play and tracks the ball well along the perimeter. He takes good angles to the ball and shows the alertness to avoid on the move.

Pass Defense: As a former defensive back, Cushing gets back in coverage better than most linebackers. He has good vision locating the ball and does a nice job of anticipating the quarterback. He does not get great depth to cover in the deep third of the zone, but in the short area he has the containment skills to make plays in front of him. He does look a little tight in his movement coming out of his backpedal, but does a good job when asked to just cover the tight end or running back. He does a good job of shadowing underneath, but with that slight hips stiffness he might not be as effective in deep man coverage.

Zone Defense: Cushing shows good instincts, but lacks great depth in his pass drops and is a bit slow coming out of his turns. He will make plays on the ball, but does not have the natural hands to secure the interception. He just needs to be quicker coming out of his breaks, but he is good at anticipating where the ball will go.

Pass Rush and Blitz: Cushing is used quite a bit on stunts through the gaps, but is not really an explosive pass rusher, posting just four sacks in his last 23 games. He is more of a bull rusher that is a one-move type and needs to show more variety in his moves in order to get better success attacking the pocket. He can find the rush land, bring heat and close on the quarterbacks when taking the route through the "A" and "B" gaps, but needs to use his hands better to get free when blockers get into his body.

It sounds like the scouting report fits what we are looking for in a 3-4 ILB pretty well. He could use some pass defense work, but I think any player we draft is going to need improvement in some area.

 

[Deus Irae]

When a player is physically maxed out in college and his best characteristics are things which other players will improve upon in the pros, that's got to be a red flag. It's not a guarantee of failure, but it's definitely something to take into consideration.

 

[Mogamedogz]

I have seen a lot of people on here that absolutely do not want him on the Patriots and I am pretty confused why.

THIS

+ THIS

= THIS

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I came across this in the regular form, an excellent post by Box about what it takes to be a 3-4 ILB and thought it would apply to this discussion.

This was a GREAT review. Now here is part of Cushing's scouting report from CBS Sportsline/NFL DRAFT SCOUT.

It sounds like the scouting report fits what we are looking for in a 3-4 ILB pretty well. He could use some pass defense work, but I think any player we draft is going to need improvement in some area.

Thank you.

Here's the part of Cushing's scouting report that jumped out at me:

Playing Strength and Explosion: Cushing's weight room strength does not always translate to the field. He tries to avoid blocks too much when he should be using his upper body strength to beat his opponent. He does play square, but can be positioned at the Xs when he fails to keep his hands inside his frame. He is just too inconsistent taking on and shedding blocks and is better served playing on the move than battling in the trenches. He has the arm length to get separation, but needs to take on blockers better and utilize his strength instead of trying to use his adequate quickness to avoid and slip past blocks.

Use of Hands: Cushing uses his hands well to avoid blocks on the move, but despite good weight room strength he will struggle to shed when his hands get outside his frame (leaves his body exposed). He has the upper body strength to rip and shed vs. tight ends and smaller blockers, but sometimes gets too caught up in one-on-one battles. He just needs to do a better job of jumping around and eluding offensive linemen rather than taking them on, as he does not have the punch to stun. He is not a natural hands catcher, resulting in more deflections than interceptions.

Run Defense: Cushing is a much better tackler on the move than when trying to make plays in-line. He holds his ground well at the point of attack, but gets caught up in the battle too much and is slow to shed vs. inside running plays. He fills quickly, but is best when unblocked. When he slips through and avoids blocks shooting the gaps, he is able to use his quickness to close. But, when he gets out of position he struggles to get back into the play. Against the outside running game, he excels at getting containment. He has the speed to close and the range to make plays at the opposite sideline. He does a nice job of keeping his feet when getting wide for the play and tracks the ball well along the perimeter. He takes good angles to the ball and shows the alertness to avoid on the move.

As long as we're talking about an ILB who is going to be engaging OL on just about every run play, this profile fails to measure up. I like the kid, if I was a Bills fan I'd be excited to see him drafted, I don't see him as a good NE ILB fit.

Compare these notes from Mayo's profile:

Shows functional strength at the point of attack, taking on the lineman or fullback with aggression, but does struggle some vs. double teams....Has stack-and-control ability taking on the fullback and is good with his hand placement trying to reroute tight ends and backs when pressing...Lacks the ideal bulk to avoid being absorbed vs. combo blocks, but does a good job of keeping position and separating from the isolated blocker....Difficult for blockers to locate, as he's always moving....Can avoid trash on his way to cut off the ballcarrier....Better tackling outside than inside against bigger blockers, but he hits with good force upon initial contact and does a nice job staying in control....Has good speed and weight-room strength, but he needs to be more active with his hands in attempts to shed, as he can be absorbed by bigger blockers....Not stout enough to stack and control in tight areas, as he does not keep his hands active enough to handle double teams...Showed improved hand usage as a junior....Must be more aggressive using his hands to get into the blocker's chest, as the opponent can lock on and push him around at times.

We saw all of that in 2008 as he learned how to play ILB for NE. As his hands got better toward the end of the season he was more effective engaging blockers. Most of us agree the Pats need to find a SILB, Cushing reads to be less able to play inside then Mayo did from the profiles - SILB needs to be better at battling blockers. BB can find players as good or better than Cushing later in the draft, let Houston or NO or someone else put him to work and use that #1 pick on a better fit for NE.