Saturday, January 28, 2012

Marshall football: Curry prepares for bowl, future in NFL

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Vinny Curry lugged his Marshall helmet and green pants to Mobile, Ala., where he has competed this week under the intense scrutiny of football talent evaluators in advance of Saturday's Senior Bowl.

Curry, who measured at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, has been judged on everything from his burst to his leverage by National Football League scouts.

The media has opined on his draft potential, but the former Herd pass rusher hasn't had the time to peruse the Internet and skim the write-ups and reports.

He isn't oblivious, though.

"All I know is what people send me on Twitter or text message me," Curry said in a phone interview from his hotel room Wednesday night. "When I hear good things, it's like a breath of fresh air. I'm just relieved."

Curry is wearing that familiar No. 99 while playing defensive end for the North team. He is being used on all special teams, too.

The North versus South contest will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and will be televised live on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. Saturday.

"Every play, every down is a job interview," Curry said. "Everybody we go against is good. It's the best all of the time. This is basically like the Pro Bowl for college players."

NFL scouts flock to practices to scribble notes about the prospects that are on display.

Curry met with general managers, coaches and scouts after practices, and media reports became more glowing as the week progressed. ?

Here is what some observers are saying about the former Marshall star: ?

  • Vic Ketchman, packers.com editor - "A day after leaping to prominence by darting into the backfield and forcing a fumble, the undersized pass rusher was the star of the day in the North squad's practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl game. Following the morning session, Curry was surrounded by scouts seeking personal information.
  • "He was quick, elusive, forceful and disruptive. He looked every part of a playmaker. Curry was the best of the tweeners in a Senior Bowl that is loaded with tweeners on both teams' rosters."

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Vinny Curry lugged his Marshall helmet and green pants to Mobile, Ala., where he has competed this week under the intense scrutiny of football talent evaluators in advance of Saturday's Senior Bowl.

    Curry, who measured at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, has been judged on everything from his burst to his leverage by National Football League scouts.

    The media has opined on his draft potential, but the former Herd pass rusher hasn't had the time to peruse the Internet and skim the write-ups and reports.

    He isn't oblivious, though.

    "All I know is what people send me on Twitter or text message me," Curry said in a phone interview from his hotel room Wednesday night. "When I hear good things, it's like a breath of fresh air. I'm just relieved."

    Curry is wearing that familiar No. 99 while playing defensive end for the North team. He is being used on all special teams, too.

    The North versus South contest will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and will be televised live on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. Saturday.

    "Every play, every down is a job interview," Curry said. "Everybody we go against is good. It's the best all of the time. This is basically like the Pro Bowl for college players."

    NFL scouts flock to practices to scribble notes about the prospects that are on display.

    Curry met with general managers, coaches and scouts after practices, and media reports became more glowing as the week progressed. ?

    Here is what some observers are saying about the former Marshall star: ?

  • Vic Ketchman, packers.com editor - "A day after leaping to prominence by darting into the backfield and forcing a fumble, the undersized pass rusher was the star of the day in the North squad's practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl game. Following the morning session, Curry was surrounded by scouts seeking personal information.
  • "He was quick, elusive, forceful and disruptive. He looked every part of a playmaker. Curry was the best of the tweeners in a Senior Bowl that is loaded with tweeners on both teams' rosters."

  • Tony Pauline, SI.com draft analyst - "Very athletic, very quick, natural pass rusher. Quick change of direction. Has all the attributes to make the change to outside linebacker in a 3-4."
  • New York Times NFL Blog - "Curry showed his quick burst off the edge and ability to penetrate against the run against top competition. There are still blemishes in his game, but he'll have many teams taking a second look at his tape."
  • Mike Mayock, NFL Network - "I like Vinny Curry. He plays with a great motor, great leverage. He gets up the field. He's quick. I think he's probably a second-round pick."
  • A Mock Draft by The Sporting News had Curry selected by the New England Patriots with the final pick of the first round.

    "I don't have a preference," the Neptune, N.J. native said.

    Curry finished with 77 tackles (22 for a loss), 11 sacks and seven forced fumbles as a senior. His 49 career tackles for a loss is the seventh-most in Marshall history and his 26.5 sacks are fourth best all-time at MU.

    Curry signed with Kevin Conner, who is CEO and President of University Sports Entertainment and Management. The agency is located in Atlanta, where Curry worked out prior to arriving at the Senior Bowl.

    His daily All-Star game activities include a morning meeting, 9:30 a.m. practice, an afternoon meeting and then a series of conversations with representatives from NFL teams.

    Curry is one of 14 players on the North roster (and 24 in the game) from non-BCS leagues.

    He is the fifth Marshall player to participate in the Senior Bowl, joining John Wade, Chad Pennington, Steve Sciullo and Lee Smith.

    Curry noticed three Marshall fans during Wednesday's workouts, which he appreciated.

    "I'm just trying to be the same guy I was at Marshall," Curry said. "The same Vinny with a smile on his face. Trying to make plays and make people proud."

    Contact sportswriter Chuck McGill at chuck.mcg...@dailymail.com or 304-348-1712. His blog is at blogs.dailymail.com/marshall.

    Source: http://dailymail.com/rssFeeds/201201260224

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