Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly loves to have versatile football players on his roster. Players such as Malcolm Jenkins, Walter Thurmond, Fletcher Cox and Darren Sproles are all prime examples of players who have the ability to play multiple positions.
Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry is trying to join that group of multifunctional football players.
Curry is expected to take snaps at both defensive end and outside linebacker positions on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
Curry was drafted by the Eagles by former head coach Andy Reid in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Brandon Graham and Curry were drafted to be the next defensive ends of the future in Reid's 4-3 defense. A year later, Reid gets fired and Kelly installs a 3-4 defensive scheme.
Instead of letting go of Curry, defensive coordinator Bill Davis found a way to usitlize Curry's ability to rush the passer. Curry got stronger and ultimately became a situational pass rusher. In just over 30 percent of the Eagles defensive snaps in 2014, Curry accounted for 19 tackles, nine sacks and four forced fumbles.
"My biggest thing is, [shoot], if it's going to get me more opportunity to sack the quarterback, or get after the quarterback, or get more rushes," Curry said, "I'm all for it."
Curry was propelled into playing outside linebacker this preseason after injuries were sustained to Marcus Smith and others. If Smith is unable to play against Atlanta, Kelly says don't be surprised if you see a lot of Curry at outside linebacker spot.
"Vinny is out there full-time now," Kelly said in a press conference on Wednesday. "So you've got Vinny, you've got Brad Jones and you've got Bryan Braman if Smitty can't go."
Although Curry is practicing a lot with the line backing unit, Kelly suggests that Curry won't have much problems moving back to defensive end when needed because he has three years of experience at that position.
One of the biggest challenges for the 6'3", 290-pound Curry, will be dropping back in pass coverage.
"I'm working on it," Curry said. "Getting better every day. I won't say I'm Deion Sanders. But I definitely look fluid and not out of place."
Since Curry is in the final year of his rookie contract, more playing is exactly what he's looking for. It will be interesting to see how he performs on Monday night in the Georgia Dome.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
