Draft spotlight: Marshall DE Vinny Curry
Vinny Curry terrorized quarterbacks in Conference USA. (Associated Press)
VINNY CURRY
HT: 6-3
WT: 266
40-yard dash: 4.64 (at Pro Day Wednesday 3/14)
Vertical: 35.5 (3/14)
Bench Press: 28 repetitions (225 pounds) (3/14)
Hometown: Neptune, New Jersey
Key stats: 77 tackles; 22 tackles for losses, 11 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Let’s move on to the draft.
There are only a few matters left in free agency. What’s going to happen to Curtis Lofton, John Abraham and Todd McClure?
The Falcons are still reportedly interested in defensive end Kendall Langford, but he’s in Cincinnati today talking to the Bengals.
We’ll do this little DRAFT SPOTLIGHT feature leading up to the April 26-28 draft. We’ll try to take a look a guys who’ll be available when the Falcons draft with the 55th pick in the second round.
I haven’t been in the mood to do a Mock Draft since the Falcons don’t have a first round pick. That kind of takes the fun out of it.
But here’s some information from Mr. Curry, who was a team captain for the Thundering Herd as a senior.
Q: How did you perform at the Senior Bowl?
A: My goal going into the Senior Bowl was just to prove to the world that I’m legit and I can play with the best of them. It definitely was a great experience, and I felt like I did a pretty good job for the most part. I just (want to) continue to build on that success.
Q: Do you have to keep proving yourself because you played at Marshall?
A: Oh yeah. Oh yeah. But I like stuff like that. I love being the underdog. I feel the underdog always works harder, always has something to prove. That’s my personality. I feel like I always have something to prove. I just love to work, I love to get better.
Q: Was your production consistent?
A: Oh yeah. That’s one thing about me. Our coaching staff preached competitive excellence. Basically, can you make a play when your number is called? For the most part, me being a team leader I had to always be at competitive excellence, no matter what it was. So I would definitely say yes.
Q: How did you get so many forced fumbles?
A: This year, coming into the season, everybody knew I was coming off a really hot junior year. Basically I knew what I was getting myself into this year as a senior with game planning and double teams and triple teams and chips and sometimes quadruple teams … So my defensive line coach, Fred Tate, he sat me down one day. He said, ‘What you going to do, man?’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘You got to do something else to separate yourself from the rest of the defensive linemen in the country.’ So I worked on stripping every day. If you look at my strips or forced fumbles, they’re not really from the quarterbacks. I only had one quarterback forced fumble. The rest came from running backs and chasing down screen plays. I worked hard at that.
Q: You had a lot of tackles for loss too. Do play honest in terms of playing against the run?
A: Oh yes sir. That’s another thing that I pride myself on, stopping the run and then getting after the quarterback. I feel like I’m an all-around player. . . I’m just striving on proving that each day.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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141 comments Add your comment
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
3:06 pm
Titans and Broncos looking at Abraham
SINCE66
March 15th, 2012
3:08 pm
The Falcons will win about the same number of games in the coming season as they did last year.
So shut up and quit whining. I can’t stand to see grown men cry.
Just always keep this in mind, we’re talking about the Falcons.
warfalcons
March 15th, 2012
3:10 pm
D’ville Phil,they do not put ball in the air that much in this player league,learn more about football beffore you post.DAMM all you know it all.
welikebaseball2
March 15th, 2012
3:28 pm
So, the top two free agent offensive linemen are off the board as well as the top DE. Two of our need areas (o-line & DE) haven’t been addressed. Let me guess, a “new scheme” will make a difference. Scheme only maximizes the talent you have, it doesn’t create talent.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
3:32 pm
Jay-You think posting a couple of stats makes you know what you are talking about? You don’t make the first decision at Flowery Branch. If you wanna take Michael Turner off of your little Fantasy team then do so. Your a fan, buy your ticket get your face painted and sit in the stands with the fans. Don’t play GM, your not qualified for that position. Every time you come on the blogs and post your silly little comments you sound like a whiner. When your a whiner, people wanna make you wear an eye patch. When you wear an eye patch people think your a tough. When people think your a tough they wonder why you whine so much. Don’t be a whiner.
slydog
March 15th, 2012
3:43 pm
@GDawg
Yes I’m a Dawg, but in reality, those picks make all the sense in the world for the Falcons. All 3 fits their needs at their current draft position and, if you think about it, what other player in those slots will help the Falcons, except Lamichael James (if available)? No one. But I know it sounds bias. Anyway, I think the Falcons just handled free agency badly, and it will force them to re-scheme. That’s why they are pursuing Kendall Langford, primarily a run-stopper. I think Paul Soliei received more money returning to Miami than the Falcons were offering, assuming they offered. They should have franchised Lofton, and let Grimes walk. They are plenty of cheaper options in the secondary in FA and the draft is full of good corners.
jay
March 15th, 2012
3:50 pm
@Chub Rock, Seriously bruh, lol. You are the one whining. I posted stats and you are talking about hitting someone in the eye on the internet, ha! Turner has had one too many little debbies and his tip toeing azz is looking a lot like Jamal Anderson before he got hurt. Either way I know what I see on a week in and week out basis with Turner. Against bad teams he flourishes. When we need him he’s no where to be found. Now two years ago he was a beast, but this is a what have you done for me lately sport. As for Flowery Branch, the decision makers have already said they will be cutting his playing time. They aren’t saying that because they think he’s all world.
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
3:51 pm
Lofton in New Orleans, how are they affording all these new players I really just don’t understand could someone on here anyone explain this to me.
WS
March 15th, 2012
3:58 pm
You UGA lovers. Pushing Boykin, I saw him take a dive to kept from tackling Quick Six, SC lineman running a fake punt, rather than tackle him. Don’t need him!!
slydog
March 15th, 2012
4:08 pm
@Weak Sister, I mean WS…lol. Her did take a dive. But DB’s do that 90% of the time anyway. The Falcons can use Boykin for KR/PR, and occaissionally a nickel or dime package. And what exactly would a blogger like you do against Melvin Ingram oving at full speed? LMFAO
RockFalcon
March 15th, 2012
4:16 pm
Getting sicker and sicker each time I log into NFL.com and see all these good free agents signed with other teams. Kind of wondering if I made a mistake by renewing my season tickets. We have so many blaring needs. DE, LB, S, CB, OT, C and the list is growing day by day.
Big Crimson 75
March 15th, 2012
4:23 pm
sly — I’m all for a 3 – 4 scheme. That’s been Nolan’s scheme most places He’s been. I think it would definitely benefit Players like Biermann – Babineaux & Dent. Not sure it would benefit Edwards or Spoon — although Spoon can adapt. It certainly should help our pass rush!!
JSS — I’m not saying DeCoud is the 2nd coming. But to completely dismiss the guy as a non-factor is in-accurate. Yes, He was benched…..then immediately returned as a stater the next week.
My point with DeCoud — He’s better than Sanders or Schill. Plus, let’s see what he can do with some Coaching. BVG had no business running a Defense in the NFL.
falconfiend
March 15th, 2012
4:52 pm
Frank Alexander had a heck of career at oklahoma, he knows how to get to the quarterback.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
4:58 pm
No idiot savant…their reducing his touches because they are going more and more to the pass. See this is exactly what I mean you don’t know squat about what you are talking about. No team wants their #1 RB to get pounded on for 320 plus times a season. There are only so many carries in every RB. You in your couch potatoes GM role have once again made up some silly logic for the reason Turner’s touches may reduce. If you have a quality back you don’t run him in the ground year after year you try to extend him because you want what he provides. The Falcon fan base be better off without you in it. Be gone crab. If you were anything more than a part time fan you would know Coach has said he wants to reduce Turner’s carries every off season but it doesn’t always work that way now does it. I love how you come in here thinking just because you watched a game on TV you know how to build a football team. You’ve probably never worn a jockstrap in your life unless you were trying on your big brother’s after you got out of band practice. The end of my last post was a take on the commercial. I’m sure your too busy playing couch potatoes GM to know what I was saying there LOL. If I wanted to say anything about knocking you out I would skip straight to the point Holmes.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
5:10 pm
Jay-You know this post was for you.
Gettin' Nervous
March 15th, 2012
5:34 pm
Enough already. It is about time for the front office to offer SOME sort of update to the faithful. Williams and Nicks go away; OK, I get it. But when other, more plausible possibilities like Grubbs are picked up (by the Saints no less!) while Falcons stand apparently motionless, well, a fan could start to fret a bit.
Are we even sure the front office folks are home? Do we need to initiate an Amber Alert for Thomas D.?
The team asks fans to be supportive, but that’s a two-way street. Say something!
old qb
March 15th, 2012
5:40 pm
If Abraham leaves we have zero pass rush. I love the four-three defense, but Nolan has no choice with this bunch to use the three-four with Biermann being our pass rusher. When it comes to Edwards the standard line from the coaches is “He played the run really well”–That’s french for he’s ad dud trying to rush the passer.
Even if they do get Curry in the second round he is not a rookie Reggie White or even Fred Dean. That leaves us still with zero-pass rush. Vance Walker has as good a chance at sacks as Sidbury. Cliff Mathews was hurt, but at least he’s built like a defensive end. Play him (we won’t get to anyone as he’s too slow, but at least he’ll look good not getting there).
The Falcons are afraid of Abraham’s age and groin problems. Sign him because he’s a heck of a player when he’s healthy and you simply don’t have a backup plan unless you get Chuck Smith out of retirement.
Frankly, this is a mess because there’s no free agent money under the cap and you have no first round draft pick because of Julio. Maybe he can play both ways and get a few sacks on defense. TD really screwed up this glaring need and Ithink i’ts Arthur Blank’s stubbornness to go after Julio.
old qb
March 15th, 2012
5:53 pm
And while I’m here I would like to find out what happened with our chasing Channing Crowder? Did he retire or something. He could be valuable. Steven Nicholas plays, even starts, is around the ball, and rarely makes a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and his next sack will be his first. Crowder at least has credentials and since we’re chasing guys that have been out of footbal for a year or so why not go after one that would immediately upgrade the offense: Hines Ward? Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas triple-teaming a defensive back can’t do the damage Ward does. You can get him for a reasonable price so he can finish his career in his hometown, he’s got better hands across the middle than any of our boys, and if some idiot out there doesn’t think we’ll be running four receiver sets this coming year go back to the single-wing. Hey, I didn’t say Georgia Tech.
JoFo
March 15th, 2012
5:58 pm
Latest news! FALCONS get no one!
JSS
March 15th, 2012
6:15 pm
That DeCoud, Schillinger, and NE cast-off Sanders are choices is an indictment of the GM. That you people are 1. willing to accept that he was re-upped (hello Michael Jenkins part deaux) and 2. that you don’t see that other teams game plan for his tendencies and defiencies is an big indictment of Falcons fans! Brian Van Gorder’s game planning or Emmit Thomas nor Tim Lewis coaching (nor lack herewith) has nothing to do with a player being 15 yards from a reception and then running by said who is running directly at said safety with plenty of of time to react. If happened once, OK, better luck next time. But when it happens on multiple occasions against multiple teams, hey it is on the player!!! DeCoud is the problem!
jay
March 15th, 2012
8:32 pm
@chub rock – were you one of the women out in front of Turner’s house fighting, lol? You don’t hear the Vikings, Titans, 49er’s, Texans, Bucs, Eagles, Jags, etc talking about reducing touches. Whatever the case I’m done with you.You are a very aggressive internet thug and that’s something I don’t have time for. I will bow down to the Great Chub Rock, he and only he knows anything about football.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
9:52 pm
jay-I don’t want any man bending over or bowing for me OK. You and you life partner can keep that amongst yourselves. Maybe he can teach you about the game of football when he’s done. If you ask I’m sure he’ll tell.
slydog
March 15th, 2012
9:58 pm
Forget Michael “The Simmer” Turner, what if Tampa Bay drafts Trent Richardson at #5?
JSS
March 15th, 2012
11:03 pm
The 49ers don’t have to talk about reducing touches because they did last year. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter while it may seem they increased number of carries actually shared more equatiblly the load, Gore actually made it through 15 of the 16 games, out 1,863 yards on the ground,they had 444 carries between (Gore, Hunter, and Smith), 282 carries while he accounted for 1,211. Hunter ran for a considerable 479 yards on 112 carries compared to the 77 carries Brain Westbrook had the season before. Smith had 52 carries for 179 (we’ll never see that from Ryan)… So that part of your argument holds no water…
The Eagles augmented maybe the most versatile back in the NFC LeSean McCoy by drafting Dion Lewis from Pittsburgh. Reid has said that most use both of their backs more and in more creative ways to take pressure off of Vick. Ha ha, are you sure you watched the Texans last year? That team had a two head monster in Arian Foster and Ben Tate! And the Vikings have always split touches with Adrian Peterson and with Chester Taylor first and now with Toby Gerhardt… Maurice Jones-Drew (because he is all they’ve got) has been a workhorse, but he is a unique skill set (pocket hercules)…
JSS
March 15th, 2012
11:04 pm
Ledbetter…
Check your filter if you ever stop back by… Thanks…
Draft spotlight: Marshall DE Vinny Curry | NFL Online News
March 16th, 2012
5:16 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Curry, draft, Marshall, spotlight, Vinny. Bookmark the permalink. ← Top-100 free-agent tracker (ProFootballWeekly.com) [...]
WS
March 16th, 2012
7:12 am
Our Falcons down fall started when Mr Blanks wanted to run Falcons. Dan Reeves is old school and he was not going to let Blanks run team . Blanks fire Reeves, hire Larry( Rich Mckay), they hire baby boy jimmie/ He did good with Reeves players at first, as time went by they got bad.Then he hired Hit and run Petrino. After Petrino ran, he finish out the the stooges. Hiring Curly(Thomas Dumgoff) , Mo( Mike Smith).
After the princess left Ms Blanks took all the teams gold. They started improving our falcons by letting out main player walk.Abe and Lofton. I still can not see how our falcons have improved? Bucs have, Saints have. They fixed our our team with new coaches. How did that help falcons when you still have Mo telling DC and MM what too do. THey got tired of his BS and left. Three stooges went down to Jax, which is a power team, last in NFL and hire all thier coaches them could get and all the players Jags cut. This is way to build a superbowl team.
I have been a falcon fan from 66, seem it all. I think this is the worst management they have ever had Just my view. What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WS
March 16th, 2012
7:30 am
Sly dog, weak thick head , that has UGA written all over you. We have pr and Ko returners on team. Stop trying to get the UGA players on falcons. Only Home town players that have panned out has been Booking and Walker. Go back to 80’s add Al Richardson.They came from Tech as I recall.I do not recall any bull pups making team. Other than Stockey on practice squad. Brown being cut.
I see alot of dogs with other teams, but falcons have a history of not making the right picks when it comes to dogs.
Terrel Davis was not good enough for dogs, did well with Broncos, Ware was not used but first year, Richt put on bench, but he is good enough to run in superbowl with Gaints.
We are going to see how bad your UGA players are. Dent will not even beat a has been for MLB for Hawks. He will be backing him up!!!! Det the UGa out , we need football players
old man
March 16th, 2012
7:54 am
We have too many players earning right at the franchise tag number:
Ryan, 93%
Grimes, 100%
Gonzales, 109%
White, 84%
Turner, 91%
I’m guessing most teams have maybe 2 or 3 players making in the range of 85+ percent of the franchise number. So we don’t have enough cap room to sign enough players in the 50-85 percent range.
BIGDAWGFAN
March 16th, 2012
9:47 am
WELL BILLS GOT MARIO $100 MIL
Jimmy Crack
March 16th, 2012
3:03 pm
And we got Abe back until he’s a senior. Sweet.
GHunt
March 17th, 2012
2:32 am
Even if Curry is available at #55, Guru Dimitroff will not draft him. He will definately take a TE.
Disgusted
March 17th, 2012
8:10 am
We need a hard hitting safety, re-signing De Coud was a mistake.
I would take Curry if he is the best player on the board. Dimitroff cannot afford to muck up this draft like he has so many times with top picks (Baker, Jerry for example).
Disgusted
March 17th, 2012
8:12 am
Abe was about as good as they could come up with for what was available.
He is old, but they went out and got Tatupu who was injured all of 2011.
And William Moore has been a disappointment due to injury.
They did not help themselves at OT.
marko
March 17th, 2012
11:39 am
Vinny’s not a well kept secret. We’d have to be pretty lucky to have him last 54 picks.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 17th, 2012
1:30 pm
Dimitroff should be fired, or at least get some pointers from Rick Sund. His team actually wins in the playoffs.
hbcuclassics
March 17th, 2012
10:59 pm
HBCU Classic Sports –
2012 Draft Board Preview (1-10)
1. Ryan Davis 6’3, 245 DE Bethune
2. Adrian Hamilton 6’3, 250 DE Prairie View
3. Christian Thompson 6’2, 220 SS SC State
4. Mario Louis 6’1, 190 WR Grambling
5. Dominique Ellis 6’0, 185 CB SC State
6. Donavan Robinson 6’2, 230 LB Jackson St
7. Reggie Sandilands 6’1, 230 LB Bethune
8. Ryan Lewis 6’3, 225 LB Bethune
9. Sanford Banks 6’5, 300 OL Grambling
10. Micah Pellerin 6’0, 196 DB Hampton
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
techduck
March 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
Hey dol ,are you sure this is the (falcons Spot light player vinny) or is it (yours) just because you think he is the best player at his position
Z-ro
March 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
try and sign Odell Thurman he doesnt drink anymore!! as for the draft leave Boykin where he is we don need anymore undersized corners we need length corners who stand a chance of swatting a pass away Brent is good but his pick all come in zone i dont think he has too many man2man picks he’s gonna look pretty ordinary in Nolans D
STRETCH
March 19th, 2012
12:38 pm
Wow, Peyton Manning a Bronco?! Teebow on the way out..ESPN!
BIGDAWGFAN
March 19th, 2012
7:33 pm
hey lets get Tebow