Never too careful with Raiders’ Curry

By Anthony Carroll  |   Wednesday, July 26, 2006  |  Comments( 7 )

Oakland Raiders
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"I've been about 100 percent for the last month-and-a-half to two months," said wideout Ronald Curry.

This time around, however, the Oakland Raiders want Curry to be at 120 percent.

After claiming to be just 80 percent heading into the 2005 campaign, both Oakland and Curry will use the '06 stage as a platform to make amends. This time around, the Raiders organization is hoping a bit of extra healing time will raise Curry's health meter beyond full, hopefully keeping the wide receiver healthy for his first full season since 2003.

A four-year veteran of the NFL, Curry has spent much of the last two seasons off the field. Ironically, both his 2004 and 2005 seasons were cut short following home meetings with the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.

In '04, Curry fell late in the season, suffering a tear to his Achilles tendon during a December 5 loss against the Chiefs. As a result, the front office sent the young receiver to the injured reserve list just two days later. Despite missing the team's final four matchups, Curry finished the season as Oakland's second leading pass-catcher behind Jerry Porter, hauling in 50 passes for 679 yards and six touchdowns.

Last year, No. 89's season was cut much shorter. In a Week Two primetime meeting with Kansas City, Oakland dropped to 0-2 on the season; meanwhile, Curry dropped for his second consecutive season. Already having ruptured his Achilles tendon as a sophomore in college and junior in the NFL, the North Carolina alumnus was sent once more to the injured reserve list on October 19, for the second time of his young NFL career.

Immediately following his '05 injury, Curry remained optimistic, saying, "I think it's my ankle, I don't think it's the Achilles." Unfortunately, though, the 27-year-old was off on his calculation, later admitting that he started the season at around 80 percent.

Entering into the Raiders' first week of training camp, Curry has already assured coaches that he is fully recovered from his past injuries. "I had a scar that had to heal up, and instead of us starting at one month, we jumped right in like I would be ready in three months. And I wasn't," he explained. "This time, I got with some different guys, and everything was smooth. After six months, I was basically ready to go."

Despite his comments, head coach Art Shell and his supporting cast of coaches and trainers placed Curry on an injury list for this third consecutive season. This time, however, the move was a mere precautionary measure. Curry will sit atop the PUP--physically unable to perform--list for an indefinite amount of time, until trainers give Shell an explicit go-ahead.

At the early stages of the '06 training camp, keeping Curry off the field is a well-planned move for Oakland. Dealing with a recurring injury to a susceptible Achilles tendon area, the 6-3 wideout should be eased onto the playing field as delicately as possible. Despite great depth at the wide receiver position for the Silver and Black, losing Curry for his third successive season would hurt the offense greatly, as he emerged in '04 as one of Oakland's most explosive threats.

More importantly, though, watching Curry fall once more could mark the possible end of an uncompleted career.

A 31-game career with a countless amount of highlights.

- Ask Anthony a question: Visit RaidersLive.com for a chance to enter Anthony Carroll's Friday Mailbag - Get more on the Oakland Raiders at Realfootball365.com

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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CommentsComments: 7  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
frank wiley		12:02 PM
07/26/2006
Shell v.Porter will not be distraction.Porter is just a little sensitive and spolied.He will grow from this experience.He is not...
No.2
David Miller		12:06 PM
07/26/2006
I feel Cury is the suprise we are all waiting for in the raiders recieving corp. My hope is Gabriel moves into Porters spot...
No.3
christafur		01:12 PM
07/26/2006
I really like Curry, On the other hand Porter has already started? On espn.com he wants a trade. I am a Raider until I die, an...
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