The Oakland Raiders pulled a fast one on everyone when they traded for Kamerion Wimbley for a third round choice. They might have done it again for a lot less with yesterday's trade for Aaron Curry of the Seattle Seahawks. The No. 4 overall choice in the 2009 draft has been labeled an early bust in his career after pocketing approximately $35 million and being chosen so early. But now the Raiders get to enjoy the reward without much in the way of risk. If it works, it works. If not, it's cost them some money and a couple of low round draft choices.
The word is that Curry's price was a ridiculously low one -- a 7th round choice this season and a conditional 5th rounder next season -- and it's no wonder the Raiders were willing to risk it. But it was their division rivals, a team that was supposedly interested in Curry as well back in that 2009 draft, that should have pulled the trigger. With a risk so low and money to spend, it just makes sense.
Curry has failed to generate the impact plays he made at Wake Forest so far and his pass rushing abilities have translated into 5.5 sacks in his career. But he's also been misused by a group in Seattle that didn't choose him in the first place with the new regime led by Pete Carroll. Thus Curry's been an outsider since shortly after his rookie season.
The Chiefs could have used Curry in their linebacking corps, since they were already shorthanded heading into the season. The Chiefs signed Brandon Siler from the Chargers, but Siler was the first of several Chiefs that would soon go on Injured Reserve for the season, nullifying the athleticism, the competition and the depth added with his signing. Curry's potential is still there for the right scheme and coach, and the Raiders should be excited about the ability to work with him.
For the Chiefs, it's the same head-scratching move -- or lack of a move, rather -- that makes you wonder why there's around $30 million still sitting there in the first place. The Curry move isn't a make-or-break move for the franchise, but if the Pioli way is leveraging trade chips, finding bargains, buying low and selling high, then it seems a move that would ultimately be Shane Bannon for Aaron Curry is one that should be made 10 times out of 10.