Scott Pioli Being Uninterested In Aaron Curry Is No Surprise

I noticed after we broke the news that the Oakland Raiders had traded for Aaron Curry that a few folks were upset that the Chiefs didn’t make a play for the former first-round pick.

While I am usually one to call for Pioli to make aggressive moves to improve the KC’s depth, the fact that he didn’t go after Curry really comes as no surprise.

The most obvious reason is, of course, that Pioli must not have been all that impressed with Curry when he was coming out of college. After all, the Chiefs had need at linebacker in 2009 and Pioli instead decided to draft Tyson Jackson. Curry was selected immediately after Jackson by the Seahawks.

If Pioli passed on Curry when he was supposed to be one of the safest picks in the draft, why would he give up future draft picks for him now after he has failed to live up to expectations for a couple of years?

Also, keep in mind that Curry has a monster contract. Like Tyson Jackson, his current level of play does not warrant that type of money. In Jackson’s case, it is reasonable to keep hoping he will live up to those numbers but only because he is already on the team. It would be really foolish for the Chiefs to saddle themselves with another big contract. Sure, the team has money, but would you rather have them spend it on Curry or Dwayne Bow?

Had the Seahawks cut Curry, I would have been all for the Chiefs going after him. Once cut, his contract would have been toast and he would have come at a bargain. In that case, he would have been low risk and high reward, much like Jared Gaither.

I am not always crazy about the way Pioli does business but in this instance I have side with the GM. If he is going to give away draft picks and a big contract, I would much rather him give it to a player that has played at a high enough level to deserve that type of green.

Is there a chance that Curry, only in his third season as a pro, will eventually live up to his potential as a Raider? Sure, he might.

Then again, if he doesn’t, the Raiders will be out a bunch of money and out two draft picks.

Better them than us.