First reported by ProFootballTalk.com and later confirmed by The News Tribune/The Olympian, Curry, 25, agreed to restructure his rookie contract, cutting the deal from six years to four.
According to the report, in return for giving up $5 million in guaranteed salary Curry was due to make in 2012, he can become a free agent at the end of that season – two years earlier than his previous contract.
By this season’s end, Curry will have earned $28.25 million from the original $60 million, six-year contract he signed with Seattle’s previous regime in August 2009.
Because Curry’s salary is not guaranteed in 2012, the Seahawks could release him in February with no further financial obligation. The restructured deal also makes it easier for Seattle to move Curry in a trade.
Considered by many draft analysts as the safest choice in the 2009 draft, the Seahawks selected the Wake Forest product fourth overall ahead of quarterback Mark Sanchez (taken fifth by the Jets) and receiver Michael Crabtree (10th by the 49ers).
Curry has been healthy for the most part, playing in 30 of 32 regular season games. And he hasn’t had any off-field issues.
But his production has been a disappointment. Curry has 51/2 sacks and one interception – in the playoffs last season against Chicago – to his credit in two seasons. He was fifth on the team in total tackles with 73 in 2010.
At 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, Curry is blessed with great strength and speed, but his athleticism has never fully transferred to explosive plays on the field.
Further, Curry has not always been pleased with the way Seattle has used him.
The Seahawks chose to take him off the field in third-down situations because of his struggles in coverage last year, and the coaches have dabbled with using him as a pass rusher because of his powerful build and straight-ahead speed.
The final straw for coach Pete Carroll may have been Curry receiving a personal foul penalty after ripping off the helmet of Vikings offensive lineman Ryan Cook and tossing it toward the Minnesota sideline in the first half of Saturday’s home exhibition game.
Carroll said he took Curry out of the game for his actions, and he has not hesitated to get rid of players who do not mesh with his team’s culture, including T.J. Houshmandzadeh and former Trojans LenDale White and Lawrence Jackson.
HAWKS SIGN VOBORA
The Seahawks announced they signed linebacker David Vobora on Monday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The fourth-year pro started 16 games during his three seasons in St. Louis, including five in 2010, finishing with 36 combined tackles and two sacks.
Vobora, 25, signing with Seattle is a homecoming of sorts – a native of Eugene, Ore., he starred at the University of Idaho.
Vobora reportedly worked out for Seattle on Monday morning. The Seahawks considered signing other veteran linebackers, including Ben Leber, who ended up signing a deal with the Rams two weeks ago.
With Leber signed, the Rams released Vobora, a restricted free agent drafted with the 252nd – and final – pick in 2008 by St. Louis.
At 6-1, 240 pounds, Vobora projects as a weakside outside linebacker in Seattle’s 4-3 defensive scheme.
To make room for Vobora on the 90-man roster, Seattle released running back Vai Taua.
BRYANT FEELS READY
One of the players that Carroll had a close eye on Saturday against Minnesota was defensive end Red Bryant.
Playing in his first game since suffering a knee injury that required season-ending surgery on his medial collateral ligament in October, Bryant made it through a half of action unscathed.
Carroll had kept the Texas A&M product out of practice the first two weeks of training camp, letting him work with trainers to get into better shape, along with taking a cautious approach with Bryant coming off major knee surgery.
But Bryant finished with a pass deflection against the Vikings, and said his leg felt great.
“I felt a little bit rusty,” Bryant said. “As the game started progressing, I started feeling more and more comfortable. I’m excited to play next week against Denver.”
Staff writer Doug Pacey contributed to this report
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
