Eagles switch to 4-3 defense is main reason why Vinny Curry re-signed

Vinny Curry has a lot of potential. He’s had a lot of potential for his entire career, ever since he was drafted by Andy Reid in the second round of the 2012 draft.

The Eagles are finally looking to cash in on Curry’s potential, announcing a monster, $47.25 million deal Wednesday afternoon for a 27-year-old defensive end who has only played 35 percent of defensive snaps.

“I really can’t see myself playing anywhere else,” Curry, who had 3.5 sacks last season, said.”At the end of the day I bleed green, that’s just what it is.”

Under Chip Kelly and Billy Davis, Curry was a change of pace pass-rusher in the 3-4 defense, a style he never played prior and is not particularly fond of. He split time with another Eagles free agent Cedric Thornton, who appears will likely become an unrestricted free agent this spring.

“That style of defense is something I’ve played my entire life,” Curry said of the more conventional 4-3.”That’s like taking a point guard and trying to make him a [power forward]. He’s going to score all day but in terms of boxing out he isn’t going to get the job done.”

Hailing from Neptune, NJ, just 90 minutes from South Philly, Curry really wanted to stay with the Birds. But the hiring of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator and a change to the 4-3 defense is the biggest reason he’s sticking around until 2020 (if he plays out his entire five-year deal).

“He’s going to put me in a positionto dowhatIlove to do, it’s golden for me,” Curry said of Schwartz.

So, with such a big deal it is safe to assume Curry will be the starter opposite Fletcher Cox (who could be the next contract the Eagles announce) at defensive end, right?

“Every year I tell myself ‘you’re gonna be starter this year,’ I said it again in year five,” he told the media Wednesday.”That’s the way Iprepare, that’s the way I train, it’s good for the room it’s good for competition.

“But at the end of they day you have to beat some guys out.”