Vinny Curry Outlines His Adjustment Challenges

August 11th, 2018

Interesting takes from Vinny Curry today, the free agent defensive end from the Eagles who will earn $6.5 million of Team Glazer loot this season.

The 30-year-old Super Bowl champion is finding Mike Smith’s Bucs defense to be a real adjustment. He used a slightly exasperated tone this morning, calling the defense “way different, totally different” from what he did in Philly.

“I’m trying to learn the scheme here but also not take what got me to this point in my career away,” Curry told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “You know what I’m saying? Trying to match the two and we’re just learning. That’s what you saw today, still trying to learn, still trying to be the attack player that I am but also trying to do it inside the scheme. Just trying to find that niche. That’s what training camp is about. That’s what free agency is about.”

It’s even been an adjustment for Curry to work alongside Gerald McCoy, who he explained is significantly different from Eagles stud defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

“Where it is, Gerald is a finesse [player],” Curry said. “He has all the moves that you can give — a D-end and a tackle together — where Fletcher is a power rusher and he can go speed if you want.

“We’re just trying to get to learn and get a feel for each other.”

Later, Curry stressed it would take time for the defensive line to gel, which is not what Bucs fans want to hear given the Saints, Eagles and Steelers on the schedule to open the season.

Curry also noted that his former Eagles teammate, new Bucs DT Beau Allen, is a perfectionist, a fast learner and mastered the Bucs’ playbook long before he did.

Joe certainly would have felt better hearing Curry say this Bucs defense is a perfect fit for him. But it is only Aug. 11. Plenty of time to find a rhythm.

38 Responses to “Vinny Curry Outlines His Adjustment Challenges”

  1. Bucnjim Says:

    There is that FREAKING word I can’t STAND when it pertains to an NFL player…….Finesse! Sounds like he is calling out all the pussies in the nicest possible way.

  2. Pryda... sec147 Says:

    Meh let’s see what happens.

  3. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Is Vinny Curry going to be Eric Curry?? Uh oh….

  4. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    At least he’s honest

  5. ndog Says:

    Well I hope Realist is reading this article cause it is clear not even half way through one training camp that a recently crowned Super Bowl Champion is saying that this defense is not an attacking style of defense.

    “That’s what you saw today, still trying to learn, still trying to be the attack player that I am but also trying to do it inside the scheme.”

    So being an attack player does not fit in this scheme? Quick question please tell me the last defense that was not an attacking, aggressive that was any good? It is simple as this to me if this defense is not good this year it is 100% on the coaches. I hope Realist tries to defend this comment from Curry as it is very clear that the real fans are right and this defense is passive period!!!!!!!

  6. SB Says:

    I think that once this DL ‘clicks’ then it is On like Donkey Kong!

  7. Stanglassman Says:

    A couple of questions that we need a clear answer from the coaches.

    With the additions on the DL and increased Qb pressure anticipated will we stop seeing 8–10 yard soft cushion coverage from our cbs?

    If Monkin continues calling games as well as he did game 1 will Dirk consider allowing him to continue on through the regular season?

    Follow up question.

    If not will Dirk learn from Monk and be more aggressive by calling passes on 1st down so 2nd down isn’t such a predictable passing down facing 2 & 8-10?

  8. Destinjohnny Says:

    Rush the passer play the run….
    Why complicate it ?

  9. AlteredEgo Says:

    Joe….can you explain Mike Smiths defense philosophy ?…I have never heard it explained

  10. Sweeptheleg Says:

    The downfall this season will once again be the defense.

    Mike smith doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. Does not make adjustments.

    Hope the offense can score 35 a game.

    When you read between the lines of what he’s saying it’s obvious.

  11. BuccaneerScotty Says:

    Anyone who doesn’t think it will take time for them to gel is a dumb ass!!!

  12. DB55 Says:

    Gerald is a finesse Player
    ————-
    Rotfl, but wtfdik!!!!!!!!!!

    #McIceCream #WeakHavoc

  13. Sweeptheleg Says:

    Gel or no gel this is a 6 win team.

  14. Realist Says:

    He’s just not used to the playbook yet that’s all, hopefully we won’t be depending on him for passing downs with jpp and a restructured Spence

  15. Dooshlarue Says:

    Buckner can’t possibly be liking this.

  16. Joel Says:

    Bust.

  17. Dewey Selmon Says:

    Maybe he needs to show up 2 hours early and meet with Smitty like Kwon did.

  18. Buc1987 Says:

    Oh boy.

  19. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Swaggy Curry?

  20. BucEmUp Says:

    Maybe he should just come out and say the dbs playing s soft leaving bail out passes wide open to the opposing receivers it makes it twice as hard to sack the qb.

    Or maybe he won’t and we will just see the proof in the pudding that Mike Smith SUCKS and his scheme is garbage crap that n dline can perform in like I’ve been saying since the day he was hired.

    LOVIE SMITH 2.0……FIRE MIKE SMITH!!!

  21. ‘74 bucs fan Says:

    That was not good news

  22. Reach87 Says:

    1st preseason (preseason) game. This is the first week of a 2 month process. Some of these reactionary comments (bust, 6-10, finesse) are funny. Likewise, assesding the playcalling is also premature. Good game because we got the win and apparently no major injuries. I think I’m gonna let things play out at least past the first few preseason games. PS: not sure the qb would call that sack and slam by #93 a soft or finesse move. Go Bucs!

  23. Joel Says:

    Duh… everyone thinks these are instant “upgrades”.

    They’re not. Curry shined in Philly. This isn’t Philly. Our coaching staff is a joke.

  24. jmarkbuc Says:

    The saddest thing is we got a few cast off players and that was an upgrade.

    That being said, a great or even good coach can take ok talent and get good to great results from them. That’s what they’re paid to do.

    Smitty is just cashing in a favor from Dork…his coaching career is over come 2019. Bank on it. Dork will be going with him, with a bag of Glazer loot. Good work if you can get it.

    #Americastemporarystaff

  25. OneBuc55 Says:

    Vinny Curry = Michael Johnson

    I hope to God I’m wrong…

  26. Anonymous Says:

    JPP doesn’t seem to have a problem working with McCoy. Hope that Curry picks it up soon. I have a feeling that McCoy may be asked to bulrush at times in the Buckner defense to give the DE’s a chance to converge on the QB. But the DE’s will have to also find their own path to the QB.
    At the end of the day I hope Curry picks up the defense and plays to the best of his ability.

  27. OneBuc55 Says:

    If our corners keep giving receivers 10 yard cushions on critical downs none of our pass-rushers stand a chance…I’m no NFL coach but, I just don’t understand the logic in it…

  28. The Buc Realist Says:

    Wow!!! it looks like the pendulum has swung once again for the sheep!!!!!! From the “status woe” to hold them responsible, to the “look at this playoff roster” !!!! guess what sheep, JPP is learning the plays as well!!!! as stated the more they know the faster they will play!!!!! But it is a process!!!! it looks good on paper but now they have to put in the work!!!!!!!!! The Bucs just rebuilt the D-line with a 3rd round draft pick, picked up two salary cut casualties, a free agent ( that most never heard of) and a 1st round draft pick!!!!

    Thank you Mr Curry for being honest!!!!! Thx for giving the sheep a peak into the work they have to put in to play as a team!!!!!

    Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!

  29. BucEmUp Says:

    Onebuc you don’t have to be an nil coach its common sense. My 70 year old mother and 10 year old daughter both have asked by our corners “play so far away from the receivers, why don’t they play closer than that?”

    Its really common sense, a joke.

    Mark you are right on the mark….hes cashing in a favor from his buddy. They have been together since Jacksonville. This has nothing to do with being a good coach and everything to do with familiarity and being a good friend.

  30. Buddy Says:

    Why in the hell did he mention free agency? Anybody catch that? That’s what free agency is for or about? Hmm

    I feel uncomfortable……..

  31. Dreambig Says:

    Fins Oline looked world class against our Dline. Hope that gelling process happens sooner rather than later. No sense turning on Mike Smith just yet. The year before last, it was our Defense that was looking good and shutting down Russel Wilson while Seattle had on of the best offenses. They were pretty awsome for a 3-4 game stretch. Last years collapse was unexpected given the promise they showed the year before. The leash should be short on MS though.

  32. Bucsfanman Says:

    DB55- Dude,give it up. You act like we didn’t already know that GMC was a finesse player! You act like it’s some kind of sick vindication.
    I think the point of this is that Smitty’s defensive scheme is suspect. We’re relying on the same DC with THEE worst defense last year to flip the script. When players say stuff like this, it makes me real nervous.

  33. Bucwatcher Says:

    “Trying to be the attack player that I am…”
    “BUT within this scheme…” Curry.

    Sounds like Mike Smith defense is NOT about attacking. I haven’t heard ONE player say anything positive about this defensive scheme.

    “Receivers are wide open, as usual. But it’s not their fault. We only ran TWO types of coverages.”…from another DT from last year that was cut.

  34. OneBuc55 Says:

    BucemUp I believe your right…

    This has nothing to do with coaching; this is all about relationships…

    I hate to say it but I think the game has passed Smitty by…I thought good coaches played to the strength of their personel…Wether it’s being stubborn, or just lacking the abilty to adapt to change; I hate when coaches are so hung up on “their scheme” that they repeatedly attempt to force a square peg into a round hole, and then wonder why it doesn’t fit…

    People love to rag on Jameis’ winning percentage but the Bucs defense since he arrived in Tampa has been atrocious…Yeah he has a tendency to turn the ball over at times, but alot of it happens when he’s trying to make a play….I think it has alot to do with the fact the he simply may not trust his defense to stop anybody…

    Truth be told, during Lovie Smiths tenure and now Koetters, our defense has been lit up seemingly on a weekly basis…and the sad part of it is with the exception of the NFC South QBs alot of these QBs imo have been average at best…

  35. BucEmUp Says:

    Oh you know it…..I put raheem in that bunch as well. All soft zone. There is a reason we run it more than everyone in the meanwhile having the worst secondary and pass rush in the league Its not a coincidence

  36. Jmarkbuc Says:

    What a horrible, albeit truthful interview with Curry.

    At least he didn’t say we just need to work on our communication. That would’ve made me throw up in my mouth.

    The only communication we need is ” Mike, thanks for your time here, but we’ve decided to go in another direction”

  37. SOEbuc Says:

    Uhhhh…that’s encouraging. But let’s do dis Vinny!

  38. Owlykat Says:

    Buckner is all about attacking the offense and we saw him teaching the DL how to do it during the practices. Also PFF picked it up right away and it has shown in his chemistry with McCoy and they “both looked good against Miami. However, Curry and Beau Allen were backups with Philly and if you ever look at their Pro Football Focus scores last year you can see why they were backups and that is just how they played against Miami. That is where they need to be for us too. They definitely were not tough against the run as they were advertised. I believe that Vea will end up playing inside with McCoy and Vea’s backup should be Stevie T. Beau should be practicing as McCoy’s backup. Vinny should be practicing as Gholston’s backup and Vinny likely doesn’t have a great wonderlick score so Gholston, who does know this defense and has been a dependable run stuffer needs to stay after practice and teach Vinny how to play in this defense. Spence needs to be our situational rusher on passing downs until he can prove his shoulder is solid and he is big enough to stop the run too. He may be able to beat out Gholston and start every down. However, as long as Smitty gets away with making our three pressing CBs play off the WRs our pass rushers will only rarely be able to get to the QB and teams will pick our simpleton zone coverages apart. Koetter just needs to tell Smitty to knock off playing off because it will cost both of their jobs so he will make a change if he keeps it up.