The upcoming Bye Week thread, 10/27/2013

[Keith]

The loss of Cushing is gutting. Any late season runs towards the playoffs may have been possible if the team was healthy, but without Cushing and no viable replacement, I don't see it. So much for learning from last season.

Shame since the Colts offense took a major hit in losing Reggie Wayne. His stats aren't too gaudy (38-503-2 thru seven games), but he was clearly their top WR. I don't see T.Y. Hilton or Darrius Heyward-Bey as being able to step up as the WR1 in that offense, though both are talented receivers. Coby Fleener is a young TE who has been inconsistent, and the trade for RB Trent Richardson hasn't been the boon to the running game most expected (3.0 YPC and 46 YPG since the trade).

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Keith

The loss of Cushing is gutting. Any late season runs towards the playoffs may have been possible if the team was healthy, but without Cushing and no viable replacement, I don't see it. So much for learning from last season.

Yep, check out Pro Football Focus' run stop percentage stat:

PFF’s Signature Stat Run Stop Percentage (RSP) tries to take away [the limitations of raw tackle stats] by recording only valuable tackles as stops and then taking those as a percentage of how many run snaps were played. What we define as a valuable tackle, or a stop, is any tackle that prevents the offense from gaining 40% of the required yardage on first down, 60% on second down, and 100% on third or fourth down.

Cushing is second in the NFL with a run stop percentage of 18.1%. Sharpton is 47th (third from the bottom of those listed) with 5%.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by Keith

The loss of Cushing is gutting. Any late season runs towards the playoffs may have been possible if the team was healthy, but without Cushing and no viable replacement, I don't see it. So much for learning from last season.

Not that this is the answer. Just thought your post was a good lead-in...

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TEXANS TO SIGN TAVARAS GOODEN(RotoWire)Gooden is expected to sign with Houston, My Fox Houston reports.

Analysis: The Texans are looking for some depth at linebacker after losing Brian Cushing (knee) and waiving Tim Dobbins. Gooden and Jeff Tarpinian are expected to join the Texans for this week's preparation for Indianapolis.
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I'm actually surprised they're not raiding other teams PS's by now.