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Numbers or not, Vinny Curry an absolute beast
By Reuben Frank | NBC Sports Philadelphia January 26, 2018 9:33 AM
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The normally affable Vinny Curry hasn't done many interviews this year.
"When you guys come in, I walk out," Curry said with a laugh. "I just wanted to keep my head down this year and work hard and do my job."
Curry has done his job quite well, even though the sack numbers might not show it.
Since about the midpoint of the season, Curry has been an absolute beast. His playing time has increased, his production has increased, and in the postseason wins over the Falcons and Vikings, he's played some of the best football of his life.
"Trying to make an impact on every game," Curry said. "Playoff games, like Dawk says, your level has to go up. You got to tap into something you ain’t never tapped into.
"One more left. I’m excited to see what’s on the next level."
Curry is playing more than at any point in his six-year career. His playing time has gone from eight percent as a rookie in Andy Reid's final year to 26, 32 and 35 percent in three years under Chip Kelly and Bill Davis to 43 and 56 percent the last two years under Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz.
But over the last seven games, that figure has increased to 63 percent. And in those seven games, Curry has a remarkable 26 quarterback hurries.
The Eagles' defensive line is playing lights out right now, and Curry has been in the middle of all of it.
“I’m a starter," Curry said. "That’s the difference everybody’s seeing. I’m a starter. Last year I just wasn’t healthy, I wasn’t myself. Was trying to fight through things, and I understood that.
"This year, just worked hard all offseason, came in and just do your job. And look where we're at."
Where they're at is one win from a parade.
Curry, who had never started an NFL game before this year, started all 16 this year for the NFL's fourth-ranked defense. It was a huge step for the former second-round pick out of Marshall.
More than anything, it showed that Curry finally had a coaching staff that believed in him.
"To be a starter on a defense like this means so much to me," he said. "I worked my ass off this offseason, and there's nothing I want more than one more win and see these fans to go buck wild."
Curry is one of only six players remaining on the active roster who played under Reid (injured Jason Peters would be the seventh).
It's been an up-and-down career for Curry, who had 9.0 sacks in 2014 but just 9.0 in three years since. But in this case, the sack numbers don't tell the true story.
Curry has been a difference maker this year, especially down the stretch.
"This moment right now right here … what’s today’s date?" Curry said. "The 25th? The 25th, bro! It's Jan. 25 and we’re still playing football. That means everything. That means everything.
"Just goes to show you how special this is. Doug has been coaching his ass off. What we have here is so special. I've never seen chemistry like this before. Everybody hangs with each other on and off the field. It’s crazy. To see the closeness, it’s ridiculous (see story). From the youngest guy on the team to the oldest guy on the team."
Curry grew up an avid Eagles fan in Central Jersey, so he knows exactly what all of this means to Eagles fans.
And just imagine how much it means to him.
"This year Doug made a thing … 'Are you committed or are you half-way into it?'" Curry said. "You’ve got to be committed or you’re not going to be here. Check your ego at the door.
"We have a defensive line rotation, and that’s what it is. Just make the plays count when you’re in there and have fun. You’ve got to be committed. It’s not a one-man sport. It’s all about the team.
“It feels great. It’s forever. My No. 1 thing was work my ass off this offseason and just be accountable. The rest will take care of itself.”
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