The Philadelphia Eagles Should Not Start Vinny Curry

Despite the fact that Vinny Curry was signed to a 5-year, 47,250,000 dollar contract this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles should not start the defensive end.

When defensive end Vinny Curry was signed to a 5-year extension this off-season, fans and coaches were excited. It was a move that had the potential to give the Philadelphia Eagles an elite pass rusher for years to come. Curry’s been a fan favorite for years, racking up 16.5 sacks over three season. These stats don’t seem spectacular until you take a second glance.

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When the Eagles drafted Curry in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, they drafted him to play in a 4-3 defense, just like he did in college. This meant that he would line up in front of the tackle, and rush the passer from the edge.

Fast forward one season, Andy Reid was fired and in came head coach coach Chip Kelly.

Kelly, as well as newly acquired defensive coordinator Billy Davis would eventually implement a 3-4 defensive system. This meant that Curry would have to line up in between the tackle and the guard, otherwise known as the “B gap”.

It was here that Curry would struggle, as he didn’t have the size a defensive end typically needs to play in the 3-4 nor did he have the coverage skills to be an outside linebacker. So, Curry was relegated to backup. Still, while playing in a position he wasn’t accustomed to, he still managed to put up 5.5 sacks per year.

Enter new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz who brings with him his version of the 4-3, and fans are excited for many reasons. One of which being Curry, and his other defensive teammates are now back to playing in positions they feel comfortable playing, and many are assuming Curry will end up with a double-digit sack total.

That’s probably not going to happen. That’s not because he doesn’t have the skill to do so as much as it’s about the lack of playing time Curry should receive.

Even in Curry signing a massive deal and the expectation of a breakout this season, there are a few things that evidence that he shouldn’t be the starter. Why you ask? Look at Brandon Graham for instance. When the Eagles released Trent Cole, they re-signed Brandon Graham, and much like Curry, everyone assumed Graham would breakout, considering he had 5.5 sacks in the season he was the backup to Cole.

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Unfortunately, that total would only increase by one the following year as Graham finished with 6.5 sacks. He spent most of the season fatigued and unable to perform at a high level for entire games. Playing in sub-packages was more of what he was used to, but towards the end of the season, he looked better and finally got used to it the starting role.

Curry now finds himself in the same position and is in danger of the same result. Starting at the beginning of the 2016 NFL season would be a mistake. He has the skill. He’s good enough, but he’s spent his career as a sub-package player. Being a starter is the opposite end of the spectrum entirely.

Curry should and will be the starter at some point, but that time isn’t be now. The better plan would be for the Eagles to rotate two players, notably Graham and Connor Barwin. Then you’d be able to ease Curry in. That would bring the team more success.