NFL combine: Rennie Curran left early after coaches got fired
Rennie Curran was a tackling machine at Georgia. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
Indianapolis – University of Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran said he left school early in part because three defensive coaches were fired.
“I really had to sit down and make a list of pros and cons,” Curran said. “It really came down to the fact that my defensive coaches got fired. My linebacker coach (John Jancek), the defensive coordinator (Willie Martinez) and the defensive end coach (Jon Fabris) and they were bringing in a new system.”
Curran had 298 tackles over three seasons. He started 30 of 37 games. He measured 5-10 ½ and weighed-in at 235 pounds.
About the only knock on him is his height.
“Every one knows that it’s a little bit of a beauty contest,” Curran said. “I might not look as good as some of the guys who are 6-3 and 6-4 like the Rolando McClains and the Brandon Spikes, but I feel I can put my stats up against anybody. I feel that my film will speak for itself.”
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is a fan.
“There are people out there that are going to question his height,” Dimitroff said. “Rennie is a really good football player. He has a really good feel for the game.”
Curran thinks he can overcome his height issue.
“I know that there are people out there that think he’s too small, but let’s toss that aside because there are players at a number of positions who were an inch shorter or a half of step slower and they end up being hall of famers,” Dimitroff said.
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61 comments Add your comment
john '90
March 1st, 2010
12:23 pm
Wish Rennie the best. Met him at the team’s hotel against Bama in ‘07. He was a very polite and mannered young man off the field and played with tremendous heart on the field. Anyone who questions that must have watched different games than me.
He’s battled the “too short” stigma his whole life. Personally, I wouldn’t bet against him in the NFL. Paid talent scouts recognize players who can break on the ball like Rennie does. DC’s shuttle in players for specific plays; Curran’s skill set certainly qualifies to stop some of those plays, imho.
George G.
March 1st, 2010
12:46 pm
Big South Mike:
A “National Championship year?” With a freshmen QB, six new starters on defense and a new DC? Surely you kid. UGA will be lucky to make a New Years Day bowl game.
Debose
March 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
He left early because during and after the 5 loss season his weekly envelopes stopped coming from the alumni so he has to go to the NFL to support his kid.
Geaux on Rennie
March 1st, 2010
1:45 pm
dawgs 01
Check again.
PitBull.....
March 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
Bottom Line this simply by realizing that he played, and started in the SEC, became all conference, and an All American while playing in the SEC the home of the last four, and six of the BCS national championship teams this decade. Rennie go do your thing, but realize this, don’t let emotions cloud your judgement at the next level, IT’S A BUSINESS, treat it that way!
JC in Powder Springs
March 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
Hate to see a good Dawg like Curran leave, but it’s part of college football. I don’t see other LB’s leaving the Dawgs to follow Jancek or Martinez to their next destinations. So I’m sorry Rennie, but that excuse doesn’t hold water. Why not simply say you wanted to go pro – there’s no dishonor in wanting to be paid for performing in a capitalist society.
Old School Dawg
March 1st, 2010
2:15 pm
He made all his tackles on wrong side of the line of scrimmage, couldn’t fill gaps with consistency, lacked ability in pass d to get to spot whether it be proper drop or cover flat, missed too many tackles because of taking wrong angle. No matter how hard he works he can’t overcome size deficiency. Can’t recognize reads near as quick and doesn’t stick and scrape to free himself once contacted. Maybe great guy and team leader but all his accolades and honors are because he is a number compiler. If you average 15 tackles a game with most of those coming after 5 – 8 yard gains, then your D is in trouble but you’ll have a great stat line. In a 3-4 D, he’ll be asked to be more physical, quicker and smarter. Probably good thing he’s going pro, but I’ll doubt he be drafted before a late round. We didn’t know how good a backer we had last year with Ellerbe but watch him shine last year with the Ravens, great D coaching does wonders.
Mike S
March 1st, 2010
3:03 pm
for Rennie this decision was a no brainer. HE had already proven everything he needed to prove at the college level. Having to learn an entirely new defensive scheme for next year was a risk he did not have to take.
his draft stock is high now, why take the chance on lowering it in a new Defense. better to take the money and run so to speak, learn the new system at the next level.
SEADawg
March 1st, 2010
8:50 pm
I swear, the way you fools choose to flaunt your ignorance off in public is amazing.
“Hind tit”- no Rennie will won’t quit if his NFL team makes coaching changes, but that’s probably because *UNLIKE THE SITUATION HERE*, he would have more than a single year to adapt to those changes.
Old School Dawg – did you ever play linebacker? Apparently not, because it’s really not a Linebacker’s responsiblity to make TFLs unless they are on the blitz, so your comment about ‘wrong side of the line of scrimmage’ is false. Second, ‘missed too many tackles because of pursuit angles’? Seriously? Exactly what would his stat line have looked like if he made these phantom tackles you accuse him of missing? Setting DI records every year, I suppose?
Seriously. You call yourself a Dawg fan, then do the world a favor and STFU about our players and coaching staff. On an anonymous Internet forum, you can’t *prove* that your opinion carries any weight whatsoever, and you just make real fans look bad. Get out from your mom’s basement, grow up, and focus on building yourself and those you care about up, rather than displaying your petty jealousy and small-mindedness by trying to tear people you don’t even know down.
Brookwood
March 17th, 2010
6:15 pm
Great job Rennie! Way to go out there and represent Brookwood High School.
Cobra44
April 24th, 2010
12:29 am
Rennie is going to be an impact player in the nfl. He has great potential and with the right team, typically 4-3 defense, he is going to be the next ray lewis. All this hatred towards him, is going to fuel him to prove everybody wrong. Just watch!!!