As previously mentioned, the Associated Press isn’t stripping Texans linebacker Brian Cushing of his 2009 defensive rookie of the year award. Instead, they’ll simply be redoing the vote, with Cushing as a candidate. It makes sense, given that: (1) Cushing won the award; and (2) he tested positive during the season for a banned substance.
We’re told that the AP also will be redoing the All-Pro voting for the position of outside linebacker.
Cushing technically qualified for the second team, finishing third with five votes. The Mulligan most likely won’t affect the first-teamers; Elvis Dumervil received 46 votes, and DeMarcus Ware garnered 37.
If Cushing’s five votes go elsewhere, the jockeying for the second team could get interesting.
LaMarr Woodley received four votes, and James Harrison and Lance Briggs got three. Anthony Spencer and Shaun Phillips each got one vote.
Either way, it’ll be interesting to see whether Cushing gets any votes for either honor and, if so, how many.