Brian Damage
04-23-2009, 12:46 AM
Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry said he's "more than happy" to accept a below-market deal if it means the Lions would select him as the top overall player in Saturday's NFL draft.
The Lions are negotiating with several players, including Curry, Georgia QB Matthew Stafford and Baylor OT Jason Smith, to become the first player selected. They want whomever is selected to sign a deal before the draft.
Asked on Sirius satellite radio if he would sign a deal worth less than the $30 million last year's top pick, Jake Long, got, Curry emphatically said yes.
"I'd be more than happy to accept that deal," Curry said.
If Curry is willing to go low on a contract figure, he might be able to edge out Stafford, who's projected by many analysts as the likely pick but who would probably want more than $30 million guaranteed.
Curry said he has been in direct contact with Lions GM Martin Mayhew and has lobbied to become the first overall selection.
"I’ve actually been able to exchange text messages with Mr. Mayhew himself, just discussing the whole situation," Curry said. "He gave me some birthday wishes on my birthday and we talked about just how things would be if me, (and Lions linebackers) Ernie Sims and Julian Peterson were together in one room, just to be able to go out there and wreak havoc.
"I told him I look forward to talking to him very soon."
http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/04/aaron-curry-willing-to-accept-below-market-deal-to-be-lions-no-1-pick.html?loc=interstitialskip
The Lions are negotiating with several players, including Curry, Georgia QB Matthew Stafford and Baylor OT Jason Smith, to become the first player selected. They want whomever is selected to sign a deal before the draft.
Asked on Sirius satellite radio if he would sign a deal worth less than the $30 million last year's top pick, Jake Long, got, Curry emphatically said yes.
"I'd be more than happy to accept that deal," Curry said.
If Curry is willing to go low on a contract figure, he might be able to edge out Stafford, who's projected by many analysts as the likely pick but who would probably want more than $30 million guaranteed.
Curry said he has been in direct contact with Lions GM Martin Mayhew and has lobbied to become the first overall selection.
"I’ve actually been able to exchange text messages with Mr. Mayhew himself, just discussing the whole situation," Curry said. "He gave me some birthday wishes on my birthday and we talked about just how things would be if me, (and Lions linebackers) Ernie Sims and Julian Peterson were together in one room, just to be able to go out there and wreak havoc.
"I told him I look forward to talking to him very soon."
http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/04/aaron-curry-willing-to-accept-below-market-deal-to-be-lions-no-1-pick.html?loc=interstitialskip