07-25-2017, 07:31 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2017, 10:56 AM by JBLAZE_THE_BOSS.)
There may be a lot of things that can’t be determined from preseason games, but if there is one thing that can be determined by the play of the Yellowknife Wraiths, it’s this: not only was Kevin Cushing not a major draft steal, he looks a lot more like a bust. Scouts generally agreed that Cushing was not an NSFL-ready starter, but that with his quick learning and flexibility, he would soon be ready to play as one of the better linebackers. They also agreed that Cushing was, far and away, the best linebacker in the draft class. Cushing only built on that assessment by claiming to be the best linebacker and safety in the Season Two NSFL Draft.
Let’s start with the second claim, because it is much easier to disprove, as well as partially accurate. Cushing was deemed to be better than the next-highest linebacker by a wide margin. Drafted 13th overall, there was a considerable gap between the boastful University of Houston prospect and the next one off the board, Luke Washington. Washington fell all the way to the fifth round, where the Philadelphia Liberty drafted him with the 34th overall pick. Through two preseason games, it’s been clear that Washington has a lot of work to do, and likely isn’t doing enough of it, managing only five tackles and nothing else. What makes that even worse is that the Liberty allowed 55 points through those two games, so Washington had plenty of time on the field. By contrast, Cushing has managed ten tackles through the two games. Oddly, he has zero passes defensed and zero interceptions, despite that being his biggest claim to fame. Still, with double the tackles of the next-highest linebacker draftee, it seems Cushing was a high-value prospect.
Unfortunately, the next two linebackers drafted were much, much better. At 40th overall, the last pick of the fifth round, the Arizona Outlaws selected Luke Luechly. Of all the linebackers drafted, Luechly was deemed the most NSFL-ready, though with a much lower ceiling. Naturally, the Outlaws weren’t as concerned with landing an eventual Pro Bowler, given that they already possessed the powerful duo of Jaylon Lee and Harrif Ernston. It seemed they were satisfied with someone who could be ready to come in and fill a role, and Luechly has clearly done that and more. Over two games, Luechly amassed 12 tackles and one pass defensed. It’s a very impressive start, and the Outlaws have to be pleased with his performance. Admittedly, though, the difference between him and Cushing is pretty minor, so let’s look at someone else.
James Wright went to Baltimore with the 45th overall pick. Scouts were divided on what to make of Wright, who seemed to possess high strength and intelligence, but lacked the speed and agility to make plays. It seemed difficult to imagine a system where he would thrive, but it seemed that Baltimore found one. In his two appearances, Wright has amassed 14 tackles, 1 for a loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defensed, and one interception, which happened to be returned for a touchdown. We hope Kevin Cushing is reading this, because those are the kind of numbers he was telling GMs to expect from him.
It would also only be fair to mention Perry Tucker. Drafted as a tight end with the 21st overall pick, the well-rounded prospect quickly found himself redundant when Paul DiMirio was drafted two spots later at 23. Tucker was asked to convert to linebacker, which he agreed to. Such a change would come with low initial expectations, since that is far from a minor transition, but Tucker has hardly looked like an out of position player so far with 11 tackles, one for a loss, and a sack.
It would seem, with two preseason games in the bag, that Cushing may very well only be the fourth best linebacker in the Season Two NSFL Draft. However, there is more to Cushing than what is shown here. From the very beginning, Cushing has demonstrated something else he can offer prospective NSFL teams: drama. Unlike his other claims, Cushing has delivered on this one.
Despite not being the player he claimed to be, he still certainly expects to be treated like one, something that veteran teammates Lindarius Shelton and Reginald Hampshireton have taken clear notice of. There was optimism when Cushing signed a three year, 1.5 million dollar deal, as teammates and fans alike hoped it was an indication of humility. However, there are rumors that the low deal was a requirement in order to secure lucrative advertising deals in Canada. In addition, there seem to be more images of Cushing posing in “Failadelphia” shirts than there are of him practicing. Add to that his reported constant barges into the coaches’ and GM’s offices, and there seems to be a lack of focus on just doing his job, instead trying to take jobs he hasn’t earned. Last season, for example, Shelton played the role of middle linebacker, and played it well, finishing with 118 tackles, the 4th most in the league. This year, however, the powerful run-stopper has been asked to move to the right side of the field in order to accommodate Cushing’s ego. Many teams experiment in preseason, but the fact that Cushing has played the middle in both games suggests this isn’t a simple experiment, but really preparation for the game plan once the season starts. It should be noted that Shelton has made 22 tackles over the two starts, and Hampshireton another 14. Whether this lack of production is due to growing pains in a new system, too many distractions from football, or just a lack of talent at the professional level, the numbers just aren’t there, but the problems clearly are. If Cushing doesn’t improve quickly, his career will be very short. After all, not only is Cushing [i]not[/]i the best linebacker in the league, he’s far from being the best on the team, and it’s about time he learned it.
((1,005 words))
GRADED
Let’s start with the second claim, because it is much easier to disprove, as well as partially accurate. Cushing was deemed to be better than the next-highest linebacker by a wide margin. Drafted 13th overall, there was a considerable gap between the boastful University of Houston prospect and the next one off the board, Luke Washington. Washington fell all the way to the fifth round, where the Philadelphia Liberty drafted him with the 34th overall pick. Through two preseason games, it’s been clear that Washington has a lot of work to do, and likely isn’t doing enough of it, managing only five tackles and nothing else. What makes that even worse is that the Liberty allowed 55 points through those two games, so Washington had plenty of time on the field. By contrast, Cushing has managed ten tackles through the two games. Oddly, he has zero passes defensed and zero interceptions, despite that being his biggest claim to fame. Still, with double the tackles of the next-highest linebacker draftee, it seems Cushing was a high-value prospect.
Unfortunately, the next two linebackers drafted were much, much better. At 40th overall, the last pick of the fifth round, the Arizona Outlaws selected Luke Luechly. Of all the linebackers drafted, Luechly was deemed the most NSFL-ready, though with a much lower ceiling. Naturally, the Outlaws weren’t as concerned with landing an eventual Pro Bowler, given that they already possessed the powerful duo of Jaylon Lee and Harrif Ernston. It seemed they were satisfied with someone who could be ready to come in and fill a role, and Luechly has clearly done that and more. Over two games, Luechly amassed 12 tackles and one pass defensed. It’s a very impressive start, and the Outlaws have to be pleased with his performance. Admittedly, though, the difference between him and Cushing is pretty minor, so let’s look at someone else.
James Wright went to Baltimore with the 45th overall pick. Scouts were divided on what to make of Wright, who seemed to possess high strength and intelligence, but lacked the speed and agility to make plays. It seemed difficult to imagine a system where he would thrive, but it seemed that Baltimore found one. In his two appearances, Wright has amassed 14 tackles, 1 for a loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defensed, and one interception, which happened to be returned for a touchdown. We hope Kevin Cushing is reading this, because those are the kind of numbers he was telling GMs to expect from him.
It would also only be fair to mention Perry Tucker. Drafted as a tight end with the 21st overall pick, the well-rounded prospect quickly found himself redundant when Paul DiMirio was drafted two spots later at 23. Tucker was asked to convert to linebacker, which he agreed to. Such a change would come with low initial expectations, since that is far from a minor transition, but Tucker has hardly looked like an out of position player so far with 11 tackles, one for a loss, and a sack.
It would seem, with two preseason games in the bag, that Cushing may very well only be the fourth best linebacker in the Season Two NSFL Draft. However, there is more to Cushing than what is shown here. From the very beginning, Cushing has demonstrated something else he can offer prospective NSFL teams: drama. Unlike his other claims, Cushing has delivered on this one.
Despite not being the player he claimed to be, he still certainly expects to be treated like one, something that veteran teammates Lindarius Shelton and Reginald Hampshireton have taken clear notice of. There was optimism when Cushing signed a three year, 1.5 million dollar deal, as teammates and fans alike hoped it was an indication of humility. However, there are rumors that the low deal was a requirement in order to secure lucrative advertising deals in Canada. In addition, there seem to be more images of Cushing posing in “Failadelphia” shirts than there are of him practicing. Add to that his reported constant barges into the coaches’ and GM’s offices, and there seems to be a lack of focus on just doing his job, instead trying to take jobs he hasn’t earned. Last season, for example, Shelton played the role of middle linebacker, and played it well, finishing with 118 tackles, the 4th most in the league. This year, however, the powerful run-stopper has been asked to move to the right side of the field in order to accommodate Cushing’s ego. Many teams experiment in preseason, but the fact that Cushing has played the middle in both games suggests this isn’t a simple experiment, but really preparation for the game plan once the season starts. It should be noted that Shelton has made 22 tackles over the two starts, and Hampshireton another 14. Whether this lack of production is due to growing pains in a new system, too many distractions from football, or just a lack of talent at the professional level, the numbers just aren’t there, but the problems clearly are. If Cushing doesn’t improve quickly, his career will be very short. After all, not only is Cushing [i]not[/]i the best linebacker in the league, he’s far from being the best on the team, and it’s about time he learned it.
((1,005 words))
GRADED
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