Cushing's Suspension

[Mr. E]

4 games for violating the League's substance policy.

Cushing is claiming that it does not involve steroids.


Honestly - why is anyone in the media reacting with shock to this? Wasn't this a major concern about Cushing prior to last year's draft? Some questions about what he may be putting into his body?

Personally, I am not going to damn the kid or act all holier-than-thou over the situation. If he f*cked up, I hope that he learns his lesson and it doesn't happen again. If it is not a steroid issue, then I'd like to know what the substance is. I am actually very curious about some substances that can lead to suspensions, especially if they are over-the-counter.

We are losing him for a brutal 4-game stretch, including the game against the 'Girls; so that part pisses me off. I hope that we can weather the storm without him, and that someone tries to bring his intensity to the defense in his absence.

[Icness]

I'm very curious how well he plays next year once he's back. Most people think he's been juicing for years, so I wonder if he'll be the same player without them. Assuming he actually stops...

[RaoulDuke79]

Well, he always seemed like a bit of a douche, and while he is a big part of the team I love, I can't defend him at all, especially after reading this garbage:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 04517.html

As for Cushing, give him credit for one thing. As we've seen athletes march to microphones to explain how cheating isn't really cheating, Cushing tried something completely new. He blamed a positive test for hCG on tumors.

He didn't use the word cancer, but he implied it when he said: "I played the whole season thinking this could not only be my last season, but my last year".

If he's lying, he'll be guilty of an act so despicable as to defy comprehension. Then again, he was cornered. HCG is a hormone found mostly in women and frequently used by steroid users to increase low testosterone levels.

If a male has elevated levels of hCG, there seems to be two likely explanations: testicular cancer or steroid use.

"I was told the only way it could get into your body was through injection or a tumor, Cushing said. "I personally don't inject myself with anything."

Nothing annoys me more than these clowns insulting our intelligence by lying to us, and implying that it is because he has a tumor is pretty low. That's a whole new level of low. That's pathetic.

I hope the team will be able to make up for his play during his suspension, and if they decide to cut ties with him(I'd be shocked if they did), I would definitely not blame them. I too will be curious to see how he plays when he does return. I will find it pretty impossible to cheer for him personally, but I will remain a fan of the Texans regardless.

[Icness]

I heard Richard Justice on a radio spot this morning and he said Bob McNair is "ticked off more than anyone can imagine" and was "visibly angry and emotional" when Cushing spewed that BS.

I like your attitude raoul--support the team even though they have a complete jackass player. I had to do that for a long time with Albert Belle on the Indians.

[RaoulDuke79]

I heard Richard Justice on a radio spot this morning and he said Bob McNair is "ticked off more than anyone can imagine" and was "visibly angry and emotional" when Cushing spewed that BS.

If that is true, then I can very easily see them cutting ties with him. They seem very set on only drafting/signing players with good character on and off the field. It would be surprising, and disappointing, to see them break from that to support this guy given the situation. Testing positive is one thing, and is somewhat forgivable(perhaps), but using the excuse he has decided to use is disgusting. It is one thing to lie, and that is bad enough, but to imply what he is implying is disgraceful. The guy was a beast on the field last season(and to what extent that was due to him juicing I don't know), but he apparently has zero class or integrity and I can't support someone like that no matter how good he is.

See: Roger Clemens(only this is much worse IMO, as Clemens never implied he had cancer as a means to cover his ass).

I'd love to know what some of the players feel about this situation, I can't imagine they're very pleased, and I guarantee Kubiak is pissed.

Anyways, apparently they made a mistake in drafting him, but that in no way diminishes my support for the Texans. In fact, I would admire them even more if they decide to get rid of him.

It's just sad to see this happen. I'm curious to see how our defense will respond in his absence, and if we do part ways with him I wonder where he will end up?

[RaoulDuke79]

I also just want to add, if by some miracle he is telling the truth(LOL), I will gladly retract any negative statements I have made about him. Obviously I don't wish anything bad on anyone, and while I personally don't believe a word he says, if it turned out to be true I'd be more concerned about his personal health than his football career.

Having said that, I still think he's full of it.

[KiDdFrESh]

This is nothing new with Cushing. He's been rumored to be on the juice since his HS football days and at USC. So this should be no surprise to anyone especially the Texans. I'm sure they knew that drafting him would come with risks but it would also come with production and results. Dude is so sick that he STILL won Defensive MVP after the re-vote. With him and Ryans locked up long term we are set at the LB position.

On a side note, did Andre get his new contract yet?

[RaoulDuke79]

Honesty, character, integrity: unimportant attributes, as long the guy is good!

Look, juice all you want guys, just don't lie to me when you get caught, and have enough decency and integrity to not make your lie something as despicable as implying you might have tumors.

Thanks.

Also, him being re-voted as Defensive ROTY is just another sign of the media's lack of integrity.

I am not sure what the deal is with Andre but I doubt he gets a new contract before the season. I base that on absolutely nothing though!

[Mr. E]

So...how is this "Overexerted Athlete Syndrome," or whatever he's calling it, going to fly over?

What I found interesting is that he is the first NFL player to ever pop for this particular substance. There is no precedent for it and they can't compare the results to anything else. I'm thinking that Bob McNair has to at least believe in the plausibility of the story (if not the story itself) if he's making that trip up to HQ to argue this.

I think that the suspension stands; and unlike you guys, I'm glad that we have an **** on the team. We've been way too nice for too long. We have needed an out-and-out heel on the Defense who brings the attitude and intensity Cushing does.

He and Demeco are like "Good Cop/Bad Cop!"

[czarleon09]

We're going to have to change this thread to "Cushing's and Brown's Suspension" now

[RaoulDuke79]

That's fantastic. Just in time for Dallas. Excellent.

[Icness]

I'm hearing whispers that Brown's substance is one of those internet male enhancement drugs. Dude is a noted playboy so it has plausibility, but I refuse to believe he's that stupid.
Rashad Butler, meet Demarcus Ware. Can you say two tight ends and a boatload of screens?

[Icness]

Sure looks like Cushing lost his edge without the juice. No sacks, no INTs, no longer has the dynamic closing burst.

I'm trying to sort out how much is his loss of manly vigor and how much is the crap around and behind him.