Chiefs Babb: Aaron Curry would be perfect fit for the Chiefs, but …

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-22-2009, 10:40 PM

Aaron Curry would be perfect fit for the Chiefs, but …
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

The discussion has resumed, and they’re talking about Aaron Curry again. More praise. Always with the praise.

Whatever the former Wake Forest linebacker has done, in a previous life or in preparing for the NFL draft, it appears that he has done a few things right.

“The safest pick in the draft,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay says.

“An exceptional talent,” CBS analyst Randy Cross says.

“A heck of a football player,” says former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, another ESPN analyst.

They can’t find one cross word to say about Curry, and that’s an odd thing considering that teams selecting in the top five in this weekend’s draft seem to like Curry but are in constant search for alternatives. Detroit has toyed with making him the No. 1 overall selection, but quarterback Matt Stafford is there and the Lions haven’t had a franchise quarterback in decades. And the Chiefs were one of the NFL’s most linebacker-starved teams in 2008, but they’re considering a move to the 3-4 defense, and the word is that Curry doesn’t fit that profile. That rushing the passer isn’t his strength. Besides, Kansas City’s top need might be offensive line.

Curry will be drafted somewhere in the top 10 and most likely in the top five. But the Chiefs, who are picking at No. 3 and have for months been predicted to select Curry, might have a need too pressing to select an outside linebacker, no matter how perfect he appears to be.

“It’s hard to find any glaring weaknesses,” McShay says.

Not that Curry hasn’t been put through his share of tests, and darn if he hasn’t passed them all. He weighed 254 pounds at the NFL combine, acing the size test. Then he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, leaving no doubt in the speed exam.

Then it must be character, right? That’s the killer. In the age of failed drug tests by draft prospects, questionable deals with agents and a game consumed with question marks …

“Aaron just likes to do his part,” his mother, Chris Curry, writes in a text message.

She’s referring to Aaron’s decision last week to invite a child with leukemia to follow him to New York this weekend, the boy’s expenses paid, and sit with Curry while the 23-year-old’s name is called to hold up a jersey and punch his ticket to collect upward of $35 million from an NFL team. Sure enough, Curry passed the character test.

“A leader,” McShay beams.

The Chiefs’ issue wouldn’t be with Curry but rather that Kansas City’s new direction might not have a place for him. If the Chiefs indeed start experimenting with the 3-4 defense, Curry’s specialties are more suited to the 4-3. The Chiefs also added two veteran linebackers, Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas, in offseason acquisitions.

The Chiefs also acquired quarterback Matt Cassel, a $14 million man this season, and a passer without a suitable wall of linemen in front of him. Like Detroit, the Chiefs haven’t had a franchise quarterback in decades, and now that they might have him, they want to protect him. Kansas City might decide by Saturday that drafting an offensive tackle, assuming they can’t trade the No. 3 overall pick, is more pressing than grabbing an outside linebacker.

Cross, the CBS analyst, thinks the Chiefs would make a mistake to pass on Curry — if the Lions pass on him first. St. Louis, which possesses the No. 2 overall pick, is expected to select an offensive tackle, either Virginia’s Eugene Monroe or Baylor’s Jason Smith, to strengthen the Rams’ line after they released Orlando Pace.

Curry had only 2 1/2 sacks in his senior season at Wake Forest, and that’s hardly a number that might send goose bumps through the Chiefs’ front office. Cross admits that Curry might not emerge into the pass-rushing force, but the analyst says Curry’s other talents are elite — and would improve Kansas City’s defense, a particular weakness last year, immediately. Look at Lance Briggs, Cross says, the Chicago linebacker who has been named to four Pro Bowls despite never finishing a season with more than two sacks. Cross says Curry could be the next Briggs, and who would complain about that?

“And you know what?” Cross says, another inevitable compliment approaching. “That kind of might be limiting Aaron Curry. If you end up with Aaron Curry, three years later people will be ecstatic.”

McShay compares Curry to San Francisco’s Patrick Willis and Tennessee’s Keith Bulluck. It is hardly bad company for the youngster, even if it’s not enough to make him any team’s sure thing.

The Chiefs, of course, haven’t issued any whispers to suggest which way they might be leaning. But then again, lean in close when Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli discusses what he’s looking for in a draft prospect.

“Better be smart,” Pioli says, “and they had better be dependable.”

If Pioli is dropping hints, then his words sound familiar. Now it’s just a question of whether a player that appears to have no flaws can find a place in a crowded and needy top five.

04-22-2009, 10:40 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3037187	Babb: Aaron Curry would be perfect fit for the Chiefs, but … Aaron Curry would be perfect fit for the Chiefs, but … By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star The discussion has resumed, and they’re talking about Aaron Curry again. More praise. Always with the praise. Whatever the former Wake Forest linebacker has done, in a previous life or in preparing for the NFL draft, it appears that he has done a few things right. “The safest pick in the draft,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay says. “An exceptional talent,” CBS analyst Randy Cross says. “A heck of a football player,” says former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, another ESPN analyst. They can’t find one cross word to say about Curry, and that’s an odd thing considering that teams selecting in the top five in this weekend’s draft seem to like Curry but are in constant search for alternatives. Detroit has toyed with making him the No. 1 overall selection, but quarterback Matt Stafford is there and the Lions haven’t had a franchise quarterback in decades. And the Chiefs were one of the NFL’s most linebacker-starved teams in 2008, but they’re considering a move to the 3-4 defense, and the word is that Curry doesn’t fit that profile. That rushing the passer isn’t his strength. Besides, Kansas City’s top need might be offensive line. Curry will be drafted somewhere in the top 10 and most likely in the top five. But the Chiefs, who are picking at No. 3 and have for months been predicted to select Curry, might have a need too pressing to select an outside linebacker, no matter how perfect he appears to be. “It’s hard to find any glaring weaknesses,” McShay says. Not that Curry hasn’t been put through his share of tests, and darn if he hasn’t passed them all. He weighed 254 pounds at the NFL combine, acing the size test. Then he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, leaving no doubt in the speed exam. Then it must be character, right? That’s the killer. In the age of failed drug tests by draft prospects, questionable deals with agents and a game consumed with question marks … “Aaron just likes to do his part,” his mother, Chris Curry, writes in a text message. She’s referring to Aaron’s decision last week to invite a child with leukemia to follow him to New York this weekend, the boy’s expenses paid, and sit with Curry while the 23-year-old’s name is called to hold up a jersey and punch his ticket to collect upward of $35 million from an NFL team. Sure enough, Curry passed the character test. “A leader,” McShay beams. The Chiefs’ issue wouldn’t be with Curry but rather that Kansas City’s new direction might not have a place for him. If the Chiefs indeed start experimenting with the 3-4 defense, Curry’s specialties are more suited to the 4-3. The Chiefs also added two veteran linebackers, Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas, in offseason acquisitions. The Chiefs also acquired quarterback Matt Cassel, a $14 million man this season, and a passer without a suitable wall of linemen in front of him. Like Detroit, the Chiefs haven’t had a franchise quarterback in decades, and now that they might have him, they want to protect him. Kansas City might decide by Saturday that drafting an offensive tackle, assuming they can’t trade the No. 3 overall pick, is more pressing than grabbing an outside linebacker. Cross, the CBS analyst, thinks the Chiefs would make a mistake to pass on Curry — if the Lions pass on him first. St. Louis, which possesses the No. 2 overall pick, is expected to select an offensive tackle, either Virginia’s Eugene Monroe or Baylor’s Jason Smith, to strengthen the Rams’ line after they released Orlando Pace. Curry had only 2 1/2 sacks in his senior season at Wake Forest, and that’s hardly a number that might send goose bumps through the Chiefs’ front office. Cross admits that Curry might not emerge into the pass-rushing force, but the analyst says Curry’s other talents are elite — and would improve Kansas City’s defense, a particular weakness last year, immediately. Look at Lance Briggs, Cross says, the Chicago linebacker who has been named to four Pro Bowls despite never finishing a season with more than two sacks. Cross says Curry could be the next Briggs, and who would complain about that? “And you know what?” Cross says, another inevitable compliment approaching. “That kind of might be limiting Aaron Curry. If you end up with Aaron Curry, three years later people will be ecstatic.” McShay compares Curry to San Francisco’s Patrick Willis and Tennessee’s Keith Bulluck. It is hardly bad company for the youngster, even if it’s not enough to make him any team’s sure thing. The Chiefs, of course, haven’t issued any whispers to suggest which way they might be leaning. But then again, lean in close when Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli discusses what he’s looking for in a draft prospect. “Better be smart,” Pioli says, “and they had better be dependable.” If Pioli is dropping hints, then his words sound familiar. Now it’s just a question of whether a player that appears to have no flaws can find a place in a crowded and needy top five.
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