Brian Cushing Wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

In a non-surprise, Texans outside lineman Brian Cushing won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He received 39 out of 50 first place votes. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd was second (6 votes), Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews was third (3 votes) and Washington linebacker/defensive end Brian Orakpo was fourth (2 votes).

Cushing made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and led the AFC with 134 tackles. He led all linebackers with 4 interceptions and had 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and a safety. He was nominated for Pepsi Rookie of the Week 5 times this season but never won it. He's the second Houston linebacker in four years to win the award, with middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans winning it in 2006.

Since 1999, linebackers have won the award 9 out of the last 10 years with a defensive end winning it once. Typically at the linebacker position it is easier to put up eye catching statistics compared to some other defensive positions, but perhaps not as much at the 4-3 strongside linebacker spot that Cushing played. But Cushing isn't just a numbers guy. So many of his playmaking moments came at key points in games that led to wins.

On Cushing, Texans coach Gary Kubiak noted before the award was announced:

He brought an element to our team that, I don't want to say it's been missing, but he brought another element to our football team. His love for the game, his passion, his play, playing beat up, all these things, playing like a 10-year vet from the day he stepped on the field. The players respect what he does with the game and how he goes about his business. So 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.

Translating the coach speak? "The Texans defense didn't make plays and wasn't physical enough, and Cushing brings the wood."

And at this NFL "Mic'd Up" video from HoustonTexans.com shows, he is pretty funny and not afraid of giving himself and his teammates concussions:

Redskin fans may not be terribly happy that Orakpo finished out of the top three, but given wins and losses, this may be another thing to blame on Zorn.