The Draft Season:Beyond the Clock

01st May2012

DRAFT SEASON Recap: Vinny Curry

by Bobby Deren

Over the last few months, I have followed a few select players through the entire NFL Draft process as part of research for my next book DRAFT SEASON: Beyond the Clock. This past weekend marked the end of a long and exhausting road for these young men. Some were drafted, some signed free agent contracts and one young man joined a team he had dreamed of playing for since he was a boy.

That fortunate individual was Vinny Curry of Marshall. His boyhood dream came true when he became a Philadelphia Eagle with the 59th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

I was not only able to follow Vinny’s journey firsthand, but I also trained alongside him during a one-week period in Atlanta during the second week of February.

Following that extraordinary week and upon the suggestion of Vinny, I wrote a short ebook on the experience. The result was DRAFT SEASON: Preparing for the NFL, which is now available HERE.

Now, as I begin to write DRAFT SEASON: Beyond the Clock, I will encapsulate Vinny’s journey from the beginning to the end of that four-month period. But more so than the x’s and o’s involved with that season, I will reveal the faces underneath the football helmets and more of the person than the player.

Vinny’s Draft Season did not end with a first-round selection like he had hoped, but one of the things I learned was that was in the game of life, he will always be a first-round pick no matter how many people would be draft eligible.

The Draft Season is truly an exhausting and stressful time for these young men and it was remarkable how Vinny handled himself through all the ups and downs.

Philadelphia Eagles fans should get ready to welcome more than just a great player. This season, they will be able to cheer for someone who is just as great off the field.

Category : Daily Journal, Draft Season News, Vinny Curry

Tags : Bobby Deren, Draft Season, Draft Season: Preparing for the NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Vinny Curry

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25th Feb2012

Vinny Curry training photos

by Bobby Deren

Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry is out at the NFL Scouting Combine ready to prove his among the elite defensive ends in the 2012 NFL Draft. Prior to his arrival in Indianapolis, Curry was busy training at Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta. Here’s a look at Curry in action.

Category : Featured Players, Photos, Vinny Curry

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19th Feb2012

NFL Combine Spotlight: Vinny Curry

by Bobby Deren

Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry is set to embark on a week out in Indianapolis where he will perform in front of NFL scouts, coaches and GM’s at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine.

He is fresh off a strong Senior Bowl performance in which he racked up two sacks following a stellar week of practice.

Curry trains at CES in Atlanta

“A lot of people get caught up on what school you came from and stuff,” Curry said. “But I went out there at the Senior Bowl and proved to a lot of people that I can play with the best of them. I work just a hard as the next person from a BCS school.”

Curry will again be alongside some top talent at the NFL Scouting Combine as a deep group of defensive ends will join him in Indianapolis.

“I’m anxious to do well there,” Curry said. “I want to test very well and I’m really eager to just keep on working hard.”

Curry has been training at Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta, where he is not only sharpening his skills as a defensive end but also showing he has the ability to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Curry has been taking his share of reps as a linebacker in weekly 7-on-7’s and also during some positional drills.

“I could play that spot if they want me to,” Curry stated. “If they give me the chance, I’ll show them I can get it done there too.”

That could go a long way in helping Curry land in the first round of the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.

“If he can show he’s capable of being a 3-4 linebacker, that will go a long ways toward getting him into the back end of that first round,” said NFL Draft expert Scott Wright of DraftCountdown.com. “That would double the number of teams who would be interested in him. If you have that scheme diversity where you can play both, it’s obviously going to double your options.”

Curry will soon find himself out in the Midwest as his journey through the Draft Season continues. And it is a determination he developed early on in his playing career that fathered the belief that he would one day play in the NFL.

“When I stepped on a college campus, I knew I could play in the NFL,” said Curry. “I was determined. Anybody who knows me knows I am a go-getter. I know I have my doubters, but I always like to prove people wrong.”

Category : Featured Players, Vinny Curry

Tags : NFL Combine, Senior Bowl, Vinny Curry

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02nd Feb2012

Training Photos

by Bobby Deren

Training continues at Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta, Georgia as the NFL Scouting Combine is now only three weeks away.

Virginia Tech WR Jarett Boykin

Kansas State safety Tysyn Hartman

Vinny Curry

Virginia Tech WR Danny Coale

Colorado's Conrad Obi and Vinny Curry of Marshall

Category : Danny Coale, Photos, Tysyn Hartman, Vinny Curry

Tags : Conrad Obi, Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykin, Tysyn Hartman, Vinny Curry

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01st Feb2012

All-star games big for Draft Season big men

by Bobby Deren

Two of the biggest all-star games of the college post season have played out very well for two of the big men featured in The Draft Season.

The East West Shrine Game was very good to Missouri’s Dominique Hamilton and a week later, the Senior Bowl was equally as good for Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry.

Curry is held by Ohio State's Mike Adams at the Senior Bowl

Hamilton went down to St. Petersburg, Fla., for the Shrine Game week and made good use of his 6-foot-5, 320-pound frame.

“He showed he was versatile,” said draft expert Scott Wright of DraftCountdown.com. “I think his best position is going to be playing the 5-technique in a 3-4. He’s a big kid. I definitely think he’s got a chance to be drafted. He could even go as early as the fifth round.”

Wright expounded on why he believes Hamilton’s stock is on the rise.

“The reason is that versatility. He has a big frame, he’s an athletic kid and there is scheme diversity. Those three things are a good thing to have in your corner on draft day.”

Wright was able to get an up close and personal look at Curry last week in Mobile, Ala., at the Senior Bowl. Curry impressed scouts, coaches and draft gurus with a strong performance against some elite competition.

“His motor never stops. I think we saw in the game, he had two sacks,” Wright said. “He’s one of those guys that gets it done between the lines. A big reason for that is the competitiveness and a non-stop motor. He never quits. He will play to the whistle and beyond if need be.”

Curry is also rapidly gaining popularity among those who follow the NFL Draft very closely. Wright was able to elaborate a bit on the sentiment of those fans and their take on Curry.

“I know a lot of fan bases are hoping he is a target for their teams. He’s a guy that draftniks really like. He’s a guy a lot of draftniks are hoping their teams land.”

Category : Dominique Hamilton, Vinny Curry

Tags : Dominique Hamilton, NFL Draft, Senior Bowl, Shrine Game, Vinny Curry

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28th Jan2012

Vinny Curry Senior Bowl Photo Album

by Bobby Deren

Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry spent the last week at the Senior Bowl and here is a look at him in action.

Category : Featured Players, Photos, Vinny Curry

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26th Jan2012

A big day for Vinny Curry

by Bobby Deren

For Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, the hard work is paying off. After a strong practice on Wednesday, he was mobbed by scouts and reporters once the morning session had ended.

Scouts from the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders spent a great deal of time huddled around Curry, who welcomed every question with a smile.

Curry beats Cal's Mitchell Schwartz during Wednesday's practice

“I love it,” Curry said after practice. “This is just an amazing experience.”

The week in Mobile is turning into a productive one for Curry, who is looking to grab a spot in the illustrious first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The experience is also turning out to be a memorable one.

“I felt really good all week,” Curry said. “So far, it’s been amazing to me. The Senior Bowl is definitely what it’s hyped up to be. It’s definitely everything I expected and a little bit more. I’m just trying to showcase my talents.”

Curry has made some noise throughout the week but on Wednesday, he made his biggest impact of the week.

“Every day, my goal is to get better. This being the third day I am a little more comfortable and I’m just going even harder. Today we had a couple scoops and scores, guys high-fiving each other. That’s just great.”

Curry also made it a point to enjoy another day of work out on the field, something that was apparent when he took off his helmet and falashed a recurring smile.

“It’s all about fun. If you don’t have fun, you’ll be too timid. I’m having a lot of fun.”

Category : Featured Players, Vinny Curry

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24th Jan2012

Curry’s journey moves on to the Senior Bowl

by Bobby Deren

The journey to the NFL has been a long, winding one for Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry. This week, that road has led him to Mobile, Ala., where he is taking part in the 2012 Senior Bowl.

“It’s just a blessing to be among the nation’s top college football players,” said Curry. “I’m glad to be here doing well. So far, it’s just a good experience.”

Curry takes the field on the first day of practice

Many of the players who will take the field with Curry this week have enjoyed a much smoother road on the way to the NFL. Coming out of Neptune, NJ, Curry was an All-State player but fell under the old prop 48 rule deeming him inelligible.

Curry would not be deterred.

He prepped for a year at Harmony Community School in Cincinnati and went on to have a stellar career at Marshall.

That path prepared him for more than just football.

Curry evidenced that preparation on Monday when he talked about the weeklong interviews he has already started with NFL scouts, coaches and general managers.

“Oh yeah, I’m prepared,” Curry said in a confident tone. “I prepare for everything. So far, it’s better than what I expected.”

On the field, Curry stood in with the best in the country on day one. But he didn’t come to Mobile to prove that he just belonged.

“I’m just looking to solidify myself as one of the best d-ends here,” he said. “I want to let it be known that I can play with the best of them in college.”

There is also a love of the game that has also helped Curry make it to this point.

“I love the game and I just like to have fun,” Curry said. “Everything’s going good. I’ve prepared fort this and I’m ready. I feel good.”

This week in Mobile will serve as predecessor for February’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis where Curry will be reacquainted with the same faces he will see throughout this week.

“The first day was good, the competition was good and I’m just excited for the rest of the week.”

Category : Featured Players, Vinny Curry

Tags : NFL Draft, Senior Bowl, Vinny Curry

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15th Jan2012