Eagles Look To Give Vinny Curry More Snaps
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Vinny Curry had nine sacks for the Eagles in 2014. Imagine what Curry's sack total would be if he was more than a part-time player.
Curry did not start a single game last season, but still emerged as one of the team's top pass-rushing threats. If the Eagles coaching staff gets its way, Curry will see more snaps in 2015.
As the team continued its work at mini-camp on Wednesday, Chip Kelly revealed he is giving Curry snaps at outside linebacker, as the coach is looking for more ways to get Curry on the field.
"Vinny is doing a hell of a job," said Kelly. "He's playing a little bit of outside, a little bit of inside. I think he's expanded his role in terms of where we can deploy him, but I see that happening."
Curry has always been a team player, and never complains about his part-time status. While Curry realizes the coaches are trying to get him on the field more, he is taking his new opportunity in stride.
"They move all of us around," Curry said. "It's just not me moving to different positions. It's all the guys moving in different positions. It's not like I'm singled out. The whole crew is moving around trying to get their feet wet in different spots."
Many of Curry's teammates would also like to see the four-year defensive standout receive more playing time. Linebacker Connor Barwin had a monster sack season of his own last year, as he took down opposing quarterbacks 14.5 times in 2014. Barwin had high praise for Curry, and believes he can be even better as his career progresses.
"His ceiling is really high," said Barwin. "He's still young. "There's still so much room for him to grow mentally. What does make any pass rusher good and what makes him good is that he's relentless and he plays fast."
Curry admitted he won't be dropping into pass coverage as a linebacker, but he knows his new role will give him an opportunity to play more. While Curry would be happy to see more playing time, he is keeping the same business-like approach to practice every day.
"I'm a team player," Curry said. "I'm willing to learn anything just to show how much I'm willing to do to help the team out and just be a part of the guys. Anything they want me to do, I'm going to do."
The Eagles will wrap up their mini-camp on Thursday.
