RENTON, Wash. (AP) -Aaron Curry is so eager to learn every trick to pass rushing in the NFL, he’s going on YouTube to study Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White.
The Seahawks’ rookie, drafted No. 4 overall, is so anxious that the outside linebacker’s skilled hands were shaking before his first pro game Saturday. It was like he was a kid again playing at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, N.C.
“I was really nervous pregame. It was amazing just to be out there,” Curry said after signing balls, shirts and helmets for 30 minutes following practice Monday, the ninth day of his career.
Yes, Curry is still so young, just 23, the self-described Mama’s boy was cherishing the box of Jujubes a fan gave him following practice.
“My favorite candy, of all time,” he said, grinning.
And two days later, he was still wowed by seeing his idol across the field in San Diego.
s of my life I’ve actually watched that on TV,” Curry said, excitedly. “To see him do that in real life was amazing!”
Even more amazing to Curry: Merriman sought out Curry after the game.
“I was surprised that he even knew who I was,” Curry said. “You know, big superstar.”
The Seahawks are expecting amazing, big-superstar-type things from Curry this season. They have handed him a contract with $34 million guaranteed. And they’ve given him the job that used to be Julian Peterson’s, until Seattle traded the Pro Bowler to Detroit before the draft.
No wonder Curry played about three quarters of the preseason win over the Chargers on Saturday night, about two quarters longer than all other Seahawks starters. He was everywhere – at outside linebacker next to three-time Pro Bowl middle man Lofa Tatupu; at right end on long-yardage situations to hone pass-rushing skills the Seahawks feel were underused at Wake Forest; even as a sixth defensive back in dime defenses.
“And that’s without having any pass rushes against linemen in practice,” Seahawks coach Jim Mora marveled, recalling Curry didn’t sign his mammoth deal until the eighth day of camp.
It was Curry’s first game since a college bowl game last December in Washington, when he played Navy in his finale at Wake Forest.
How big of a leap was it from the EagleBank Bowl to facing the Chargers?
triple option,” Curry said, smiling. “Every time I rushed the passer, I learned something new.”
His position coach said Curry can count on more extended duty in the final three preseason games, including Saturday in his home debut against the Denver Broncos.
“No question, because he’s got to be ready,” linebackers coach Zerick Rollins said.
Rollins, entering his fourth season in his current job, spent a long first week with Curry in late-night meetings and study sessions. Saturday night in San Diego, it appeared to Rollins that Curry was thinking too much, at times, but the coach isn’t concerned. He called it a part of a natural learning process for all rookies – especially ones thrust into a starting job after missing 12 practices of camp, on an attacking defense that is putting added responsibilities onto linebackers.
Ask fellow starting outside linebacker Leroy Hill how long it took him to stop thinking and just play during his rookie season in 2005, and the former third-round pick out of Clemson laughs. He even blows air out of pressed lips to scoff.
“I didn’t, man, my whole rookie year,” said Hill, who with Tatupu started as rookies in the Super Bowl four seasons ago. “I didn’t want to mess up, with all the coaches and teammates counting on me. I finally got comfortable in my second year.”
ntended when they traded a Pro Bowler and then guaranteed a rookie $34 million weeks before his first real snap. Rollins’ study buddy is the franchise’s highest draft choice since Shawn Springs in 1997.
“I have a lot of faith in Coach Z in preparing me for every Sunday game,” Curry said. “(He will make sure) that I will be able to go out there every Sunday and fly around without thinking.”
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