Billy Davis: Marcus Smith's Injury Not Major, Vinny Curry To Take Reps At OLB
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Eagles' defensive coordinator Billy Davis addressed Marcus Smith's injury and the Eagles' thinning depth at outside linebacker on Friday at the NovaCare Complex, where the Eagles concluded a three-day joint practice session with the Baltimore Ravens.
"He's not going to be out here this week and it isn't anything major, but he's really disappointed, he really was taking some big steps and was coming along, and now he has a setback," Davis said about Smith, the Eagles 2014 first-round draft pick out of Louisville. "That's all it is. How long the setback is, we'll know more information as the weeks go on. I don't know the extent of (the injury). It's the kind of injuries over the years where it takes one guy two weeks, another guy three. We don't know the severity. We've been cross-training guys (at outside linebacker)."
With Smith out possibly two to three weeks, and the Travis Long gone for the season with a torn ACL, the Eagles have been looking at inside linebackers Brad Jones, Emmanuel Acho and defensive end Vinny Curry to take reps at outside linebacker.
"I'm excited and Vinny is excited about seeing him out there," Davis said. "We worked on it the off-season and slowly leaked him in and the last couple of weeks he's gotten in more and more. This week we gave him a lot and in the game we'll give him some (more reps at outside linebacker). Vinny is doing a good job. It's a process. The more reps we give him the better he'll get at it. He's a bright-eyed guy who is excited about the opportunity. Acho can more out there, and Brad Jones can move out there to get some snaps."
Curry was a situational pass rusher last year. Davis said Curry will continue to fulfill that role. He just emphasized that Curry's role will be expanded.
"It depends on how fast he grasps it, (Curry) could play (outside linebacker) on first and second downs," Davis admitted. "Trent (Cole) is probably the most accurate comparison to Vinny, because they're so much alike (physically), big, powerful defensive linemen that move forward. Moving backward came more natural to Brandon (Graham). So I think Vinny and Trent are a closer comparison. And he's been in the system, so the words make sense to him. Jones and Acho can play both (inside and outside linebacker)."
Curry seems excited about the prospects of playing outside linebacker. Curry, who played outside linebacker at Marshall, said this move won't be anything new.
Asked if this will affect his role as a pass rusher, Curry answered with an emphatic "No, no. no. I bounce back and forth a little bit (between the defensive line coaching room and linebacker coaching room). Me and Brandon Graham, we're two different type of (defensive) ends. Trent is about I'm-going-to-come-get-you guy. I have to put my hands on you. I have to touch the opponent."
