Raiders have acquired former 1st round pick Aaron Curry from the Seahawks for two future draft picks.
The compensation is a 7th round pick in 2012 and a conditional mid-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Aaron Curry was much heralded coming out of college but has been a non-impact player so far in his career. Curry has struggled to defend the pass and hasn't added much as a pass rusher either. However, the Raiders likely traded Curry for his ability to stop the run. Curry has been decently successful at stopping the run since he entered the league despite occasional struggles.
The most likely scenario is that Curry is used in running situations to start as the staff work with Curry on other areas of his game.
With Matt Shaughnessy's status in doubt the Raiders have worked out defensive ends and linebackers in successive weeks. The Raiders ultimately decided against signing these players. Kamerion Wimbley has been lining up more at defensive end with Shaughnessy out and that may continue as Curry sees time at Wimbley's strong-side linebacker position.
While traditionally the strong-side linebacker would cover the tight end the Raiders are more likely to cover pass catching tight ends with a safety.
McClain missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury the severity of which is currently unknown. If McClain were to miss time the Raiders could turn to Darryl Blackstock or slide Curry into the middle linebacker spot. The Raiders would certainly be able to more creatively shield Curry from having to drop into coverage if he played in the middle.
The trade is a low risk, high reward move and Curry's draft status will not hang over his head in Oakland as it did in Seattle. Don't expect Curry to be a plug-in starter unless the Raiders have injuries that force him to play, but he should help the Raiders shore up the run defense.
I wouldn't expect Curry to move to the weak-side and challenge for Quentin Groves spot because of his deficiencies in pass coverage.
The compensation is a 7th round pick in 2012 and a conditional mid-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Aaron Curry was much heralded coming out of college but has been a non-impact player so far in his career. Curry has struggled to defend the pass and hasn't added much as a pass rusher either. However, the Raiders likely traded Curry for his ability to stop the run. Curry has been decently successful at stopping the run since he entered the league despite occasional struggles.
The most likely scenario is that Curry is used in running situations to start as the staff work with Curry on other areas of his game.
With Matt Shaughnessy's status in doubt the Raiders have worked out defensive ends and linebackers in successive weeks. The Raiders ultimately decided against signing these players. Kamerion Wimbley has been lining up more at defensive end with Shaughnessy out and that may continue as Curry sees time at Wimbley's strong-side linebacker position.
While traditionally the strong-side linebacker would cover the tight end the Raiders are more likely to cover pass catching tight ends with a safety.
McClain missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury the severity of which is currently unknown. If McClain were to miss time the Raiders could turn to Darryl Blackstock or slide Curry into the middle linebacker spot. The Raiders would certainly be able to more creatively shield Curry from having to drop into coverage if he played in the middle.
The trade is a low risk, high reward move and Curry's draft status will not hang over his head in Oakland as it did in Seattle. Don't expect Curry to be a plug-in starter unless the Raiders have injuries that force him to play, but he should help the Raiders shore up the run defense.
I wouldn't expect Curry to move to the weak-side and challenge for Quentin Groves spot because of his deficiencies in pass coverage.
Maybe McClain moves outside and Curry inside
ReplyDeleteNot smart enough to play in the NFL
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