Bill O’Brien Hoping For A Good Season From Brian Cushing
By Randy Gurzi
Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien spent a good bit of time discussing the state of the franchise while he was attending the NFL Owner’s Meeting last week. One thing that the second year head coach seemed to be particularly optimistic about was the potential of having a healthy Brian Cushing at the middle linebacker spot for the team in 2015.
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Cushing was drafted 15th overall in 2009, after a stellar career at USC. The Trojan linebacker did not disappoint during his rookie season.
Cushing was credited with 133 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions. For his efforts he was awarded the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
That same year, he also managed to play in all 16 games, something he has only accomplished one other time, which was in 2011.
Again in 2011 Cushing put up over 100 tackles and added two interceptions and four sacks. Then the injuries really took a toll and in 2012 and 2013 he played a combined 12 games for Houston.
In 2012 Cushing suffered a torn ACL and was lost for the season in early October. The defensive star returned in 2013 only to suffer a broken leg, this time in late October, and again saw his season cut short.
After rehabbing the injured leg, Cushing played in 14 games in 2014 which is plenty of reason for optimism about his ability to suit up in 2015 and beyond.
After a slow start, the linebacker got rolling and had 72 tackles and a sack on the year. O’Brien spoke about how the veteran improved upon his conditioning and play as the year went on.
"“Early in our year, it took him awhile to come back from the lower extremity injuries that he had,” O’Briein said. “As the year went on, he got a couple treatments. Things that made him feel better. And he really took off at the end of the year.”"
If O’Brien is able to get the impact he expects out of the 28 year-old fans can be genuinly excited about the prospects of the Houston defense.