HOUSTON – Punishing hits. Blood dripping from his forehead after head-butting an opponent sans helmet. Intimidating words that Brian Cushing backed up at every turn.
That’s the legacy of the retired Texans Pro Bowl middle linebacker and former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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And Cushing is thoroughly enjoying his view of the Texans’ top-ranked defense built in the vision of Demeco Ryans, his former teammate and Pro Bowl linebacker.
“I love it,” Cushing told KPRC 2 after a recent appearance at U.S. Coins and Jewelry. “Obviously, I’m a defensive guy. Really more from the game, understanding really how critical and important a good defense is. You look at a lot of championship teams and they’ve all got a really legit defense, because it’s such a huge part of the game to be able to limit high-powered offenses and really get the ball back for your offense, then you can essentially control the clock.
“The defense is tremendous. You look at it like a personnel standpoint, they don’t even do that much pressure, or fire zones because they’ve got guys. This is what I’m doing, and I’m going to win and disguise a lot, and you just let your your top guys go play top-level football. And it’s really, just really cool and fun to watch.”
When Cushing, a former first-round draft pick and All-American from USC who piled up 664 career tackles, nine forced fumbles, 13 1/2 sacks, eight interceptions and one touchdown in nine NFL seasons, was plying his trade for the Texans, he teamed up with Ryans.
Now, Ryans is the coach of the Texans with three consecutive playoff appearances and two AFC South division titles in his first three seasons.
Cushing saw this coming a long time ago, while Ryans was still playing linebacker for coach Gary Kubiak. And he’s optimistic about the Texans’ outlook and chances to be a Super Bowl contender.
“It’s the least surprising thing,” Cushing said. “Four years ago, I would tell you this is right. He was planning. We just had this sense that, ‘Man, he’s gonna be a great coach one day. He’s a great mentor, really a great idol, guy to look up to, does everything right and just does it with such authentic passion. It’s hard to fake. It’s hard to replicate. when you love it that much. It’s pretty evident. It’s really true. I think his stamp, or his mark is a no-nonsense guy, players coach. He wants to win, and he’s dead serious about it.
“There wasn’t a better candidate out there, not even close, just from a mindset standpoint, familiarity, the character and accountability he’s going to demand from others, but he’s also going to show it himself, right? A lot of these guys can say all this, but they kind of live a different life. Whatever DeMeco is preaching, he’s living 100%. I think that kind of role model, and that example is so critical to an NFL team. Especially for the young guys coming in and seeing how this guy operates. He talks it, but he walks it and leads by example. Super happy for him. He’s looking for excellent and he’s not gonna stop until he gets there.”
Cushing approves of the work he’s seen from Azeez Al-Shaair, the newest Texans Pro Bowl middle linebacker.
Al-Shaair, signed to a three-year, $54 million extension this offseason, plays the game with a hard-hitting edge and a cerebral nature.
“I think a really good middle linebacker can kind of be overlooked,” Al-Shaair said. “It’s vital how good a linebacker is, not only just as a player, but a leader, something that can communicate really well, some that can hold himself and others accountable. Azeez with DeMeco, I think that’s an extension of him. You’ve got to communicate.
“You really, truly are the quarterback of the defense. It’s a different drum when he’s not out there, and the passion, the intensity, just the aggressiveness, is not quite the same when he’s not there. And that’s stuff you can’t really measure, right? No stat is going to be able to tell you what that means. Every single player in the locker room will tell you how important it is to have him out there leading the defense, playing middle linebacker.”
Cushing enjoyed meeting the fans who lined up for hours to meet him at the grand reopening of U.S. Coins and Jewelry.
“It was great, man,” Cushing said. “Anytime I can get involved back in the community, especially the place where I played entire career and now live, been able to start a family, raise a family here, Houston has become really special to us. So, you know, just seeing some people, some familiar faces, some new faces, and everybody coming out, it’s always really unique and really cool and kind of just a cool reminder of what the city is all about.”
Cushing and his wife, Megan, stay busy with her gym and, of course, their sons’ busy schedule of games and practices.
‘We’re tied up in sports 24/7, depending on the season,“ Cushing said. ”I really want the kids to be multi-sport athletes. I think you get a little bit from each one of them, and can learn and kind of develop and be happy.“
Cushing stays in top shape with a dedicated workout regimen. Could he line up for a few snaps in a pinch if Ryans needed help at linebacker?
“It would be a little challenging,” Cushing said with a laugh. “Besides that, I’d probably be out of breath and sore for about six months, but would still love to, love to contribute and get back out there.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com