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When coaching regimes change, there is typically a massive turnover. It is a fact of life, especially in the NFL. The Eagles' biggest casualty of the new Chip Kelly regime seems to be second-year defensive end Vinny Curry, but his lack of value stems deeper than a coaching change. On Tuesday, Birds 24/7 writer Tim McManus published an article chronicling the lack of opportunity the Eagles have given Curry since selecting him with the 59th overall pick in last year's draft. McManus also spoke to Curry's agent, who is open to the Marshall alum being dealt to another squad. Curry's representation believes that a move would be good for all parties involved, but really that is only true for his client because of how the Eagles' have handled the former Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.
Curry was drafted with talent like quarterback Russell Wilson, cornerback Casey Hayward and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton still left on the board last year. He was then introduced on the day of Eagles' legend Brian Dawkins' retirement press conference and paraded around the NovaCare Complex as a life-long Philadelphia fan, who was living his dream. Following all of that, the Eagles essentially clipped his wings until Week 12 of the regular season and he was used sparingly after his debut. Then-defensive line coach Jim Washburn protected his prize pupil Jason Babin from his future replacement in Curry, like he was Tom Cruise shielding Dakota Fanning in that awful remake of "War of the Worlds." Then-head coach Andy Reid let it happen.
Once Washburn was fired days after Babin's dismissal and hours after Curry's debut, the Neptune, New Jersey native was used in a rotation. In six games, Curry had just nine tackles but showed flashes. While Reid was gone just days after the season, Curry still seemed in limbo. When Billy Davis arrived in Philadelphia to work for the newly-hired Kelly, Curry's Eagles future seemed even more clouded.
The Eagles had several opportunities to get rid of Curry, who gain weight to accommodate the new scheme but was still passed over for Cedric Thornton and Clifton Geathers. A move would have made sense, especially after his preseason performance. In four preseason games, he had seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and a force fumble. After showcasing him, you would think he would be part of the defense or be dealt a fresh start.
Curry was not given his "new beginning" during final cuts, nor was he active during Monday's win against the Redskins. Kelly told reporters following the game that the defense was only going to use six defensive linemen and that is why Curry was not used. The new head coach essentially implied that Curry is low on the defensive line totem pole, despite his preseason performance and his draft pedigree.
When you take into account Curry's agent claiming that a trade would be a win-win for the player and the Eagles, you have to consider the value of the second-year defender to other teams. The Eagles have basically killed all opportunities of finding value for the former second-round pick, within 18 months of drafting him. Keep in mind, this is the same team that has dropped all three of its Day 1 and 2 draft picks from 2011 in a matter of two years.
While several fans will want to trade Curry and a pick for a decent secondary star, the truth is that Curry has minimal value. Unlike a young quarterback, rotational defensive ends are not worth overpaying for. The 25-year old has proven worthless to the Eagles by almost their own admission, so why would anyone else want him for a hefty price? You may argue that a move to a team with a 4-3 defense would make him a welcomed addition, but of those teams, who would blow Howie Roseman's socks off? And if they could, why have they avoid a deal thus far?
The Eagles can tell us all that opponents will dictate the inactive list, but if Curry was considered a valuable player, he would not be on the bench. A clean break would be great for the player, who dreamed of playing for the franchise, but dealing him and the potential compensation would be a major moral loss for the Eagles.