Cushing wins AP Defensive Rookie of the Year

[Archer]

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- From the first practice in training camp until the last game, Brian Cushing was a tackling machine for the Houston Texans.

That's exactly what the team sought when it chose the linebacker from Southern Cal 15th overall in the draft last April. What the Texans also got is The Associated Press 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

Cushing was a runaway winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Cushing received 39 votes Tuesday, easily beating Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd, who had six, and became the second Texans linebacker in four seasons to win the award. DeMeco Ryans took it in 2006.

"I'm just a much smarter football player," Cushing said. "I'm much more advanced than I was this time last year and it was just a good way to start out a career. I'm happy about how everything turned out this year. Of course the playoffs would have been nice, but now we know what we have to do for next season."

This season, Cushing had 133 tackles, 86 of them primary, according to the Texans, who went 9-7, their first winning record. He also had five sacks, four interceptions and forced two fumbles, numbers that normally belong to a seasoned veteran.

Which is exactly how the 22-year-old Cushing played.

"He brought another element to our football team: his love for the game, his passion, his play, playing beat up, all these things," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He played like a 10-year vet from the day he stepped on the field. Our players respect what he does with the game and how he goes about his business. We're very fortunate to have him and we're going to have him here for a long, long time. What a year. He was exceptional."

Nobody can understand or appreciate what Cushing accomplished better than Ryans, who made a similar impact in '06.

"Brian is a special player," Ryans said. "I saw when he first stepped on the field that he could be a special player for us. Just to watch him grow week in and week out, I'm just so proud of him. He's like my little brother out there. I'm always out there talking to him about how we can be great as a unit. I say it to him every week, 'Let's go out and be great and be the best linebackers in the league' and that's our motto and that's our goal."

They're closing in on it.

Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews, who also went to Southern Cal and was a first-round draft pick, earned three votes. Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo got the other two.

Cushing is the seventh straight linebacker voted top defensive rookie and the ninth in 10 years. Last year's winner was New England's Jerod Mayo.

 

[Argath]

Brian Oarkpo sets the record for sacks in a season by a rookie but because he is on the skins he gets shafted. How he got just 2 votes is beyond me

 

[Senser81]

Brian Oarkpo sets the record for sacks in a season by a rookie but because he is on the skins he gets shafted. How he got just 2 votes is beyond me

Orakpo had a very good season, but he didn't set the rookie record for sacks. I believe Leslie O'Neal still holds the rookie record with 12.5 in 1986.

 

[Derrville]

Maybe its because

50 tack
1 FF
0 INT
4-12

 

[Argath]

Orakpo had a very good season, but he didn't set the rookie record for sacks. I believe Leslie O'Neal still holds the rookie record with 12.5 in 1986.

My mistake, I could have swore I read somewhere he had the record.


Turns out we're both wrong. It was Jevon Kearse in 1999 with 14.5

 

[Argath]

Maybe its because

50 tack
1 FF
0 INT
4-12

You failed to mention his 11 sacks

For not only an NFL rookie, but a position rookie, I'd say those are some pretty beastly stats. He played DE in college, he's playing primarily OLB on the skins for the first time.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

I gotta give credit to all 3 of USC's starting linebackers from last year.. I didnt expect any of them to be nearly as important this early as they have been, they've all turned into vital parts of their teams defense very early in their careers. Brian Cushing not only was deserving of ROTY, he was one of the best LBers in the entire NFL in his first season. Very impressive.

 

[Derrville]

You failed to mention his 11 sacks

For not only an NFL rookie, but a position rookie, I'd say those are some pretty beastly stats. He played DE in college, he's playing primarily OLB on the skins for the first time.

Ya because id take the almost 100 more tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and forced two fumbles over 11 sacks anyday.

 

[f16harm]

My mistake, I could have swore I read somewhere he had the record.


Turns out we're both wrong. It was Jevon Kearse in 1999 with 14.5

That's the only year Kearse played, right?


Brian Cushing is a fucking beast, loved this kid coming out.

 

[SuperKevin]

Poor Jairus Byrd

 

[Blade]

Good for Cushing...well deserved.

 

[Tailback U]

Well deserved, Cushing is ranked as a top 10 LB in every category.

He played through some injuries all year, too, and was the most important factor in turning around the Texans horrid run-defense.

 

[Tailback U]

Well deserved, Cushing is ranked in the top 10 linebackers in every category.

He played through some injuries all year, too, and completely turned around that Texans front 7 almost single-handedly.

 

[Argath]

Ya because id take the almost 100 more tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and forced two fumbles over 11 sacks anyday.

touche

 

[Leftwich]

I agree Cushing deserves the award but Orakpo got shafted with only 2 votes.

 

[killgod]

I agree Cushing deserves the award but Orakpo got shafted with only 2 votes.

So more people should have voted for the guy that DIDN'T deserve to win?

 

[Sandy Eggo]

So more people should have voted for the guy that DIDN'T deserve to win?

Yes, exactly.

But yeah Cushing definitely deserved it, had a great year for a rookie.

 

[Senser81]

So more people should have voted for the guy that DIDN'T deserve to win?

Yeah, its like the baseball HOF voting when Jim Clancy gets 4 votes and some idiot Sabremetric guy complains that Clancy deserved at least 6 votes.

 

[Juggernaut]

Well deserved, he greatly improved their defense and was a big reason the Texans have finally had a above .500 season.

 

[Palooza]

Another phenomenal human being makes their way out of New Jersey for success. Go him.