|
|||
|
By Dave Allen
Curtis was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of this year's NFL draft as the No. 74 overall pick. Before the NFL Scout Combine, Scout Camp, where prospective recruits go to show their skills off before the draft, scouts expected him to be recruited in later rounds, but Curtis showed so much potential that predictions soared to the second and third rounds. What was it that the scouts saw in him? According to Rams head coach Mike Martz, "He's got terrific speed, terrific change of direction, body control and he's got exceptional hands." In reference to Curtis' 48 out of 50 score on the Wonderlic intelligence test that athletes took at the NFL Combine, Martz also said, "When you throw into the mix that he's got the highest test score we've ever seen--we think he can learn more than just one or two postions." After Martz discovered that the Rams had acquired Curtis in the third round he was so excited that he said he might break into dance. Then he did. He started swinging his hips and thrusting out his arms, and said, "Things are going very well for us. I'm trying to restrain myself." Shortly after making the selection official, Martz told reporters it felt like Christmas, and called the pick a perfect fit and a terrific value. He joked about the smarts of Curtis and said that his astounding 48 on the Wonderlic probably qualified him as smarter than the combined forces of the St. Louis offensive staff. "[For] the things that we look for in a receiver, we would grade him with very high marks," he said. Curtis was also enthusiastic about the selection. "It's perfect. I couldn't think of a better offense to go to," he said. "It's a great organization. I couldn't have been more excited than to play for a team like the Rams." Initially, most people anticipated that Curtis would be competing for the Rams No. 4 receiver position, as All-Pro receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt had secured the No.1 and No. 2 positions. Troy Edwards, who is returning from last season, was assumed to be the automatic No. 3, but as training camp passed Curtis secured the spot over Edwards and the other four receivers competing for the third starting position. According to Mary Curtis, Kevin's proud mother, "He'd had a hamstring injury during training camp and wasn't able to play much, but he got better and in the preseason games he really impressed some people and secured the position behind Bruce and Holt." An advantage that Curtis may have had over some of the other new recruits, other than his physical talent, was that Utah State ran a Rams' style passing game. Aggies offensive coordinator, Bob Cole, had attended a few of the Rams' minicamps before installing the Aggie offense. His mother says that his biggest advantages are his dedication and hard work."I remember times when we were going to do something but he couldn't come because he decided that he needed to go work out," she said. Curtis' collegiate accomplishments in the USU offense were phenomenal, even though nobody anticpated that he'd be such an asset to the team. His accomplishments so far with the Rams may seem surprising, but he they shouldn't be, because he has continually proven to be a nice surprise to his coaches, teammates and fans over the years. After playing two years at Snow Junior College in 1997 and 1998, he served a two-year Mormon mission in the London area, and found that when he got back in 2000 his scholarship offer at Brigham Young University was no longer available. He then went to Utah State and walked on to the team as a redshirt. In 2001 he merely hoped to earn a starting spot on the team. He didn't only earn a spot as a starter, but he also earned a spot in school history by setting a new record with 100 receptions and 1,531 yards. He also led the NCAA in receptions per game every week of the season, finishing with an average of 9.1 receptions per game. In just two years as an Aggie, Curtis set the school's career receiving records with 171 catches and 2,789 yards. His receiving yardage also put him in second place in state record books. Even though Curtis had some downs along the way, he always found his way to the top. His mother said, "Kevin didn't get a lot of the opportunities that he deserved, even in high school. He always had go about things the hard way, but that's what has made him so mentally tough." He's the type of person who knows what he wants and does exactly what he has to, to get it," she said. He always had the same NFL aspirations as any player, but his development surprised even himself at times. Concerning his success, he said, "I've never, ever tried to put a limit on myself." He knew he'd have to push himself with the Rams if he wanted to play, but his mom said that they never doubted at this point that he could make it because he's overcome every other obstacle that got in his way. "I definitely have to put it all on the line," he said. "This is as talented a receiver corps as there is in the NFL. I just can't come out here and take it easy. I've got to fight and try to earn [my] spot." The accomplishments of Curtis can be inspirational to anyone, and his journey has offered Utah sports fans a new tie to the NFL. For now fans need to have a little patience though. Curtis was the leading receiver in total yards, yards per reception and he also had the longest reception for the Rams in the preseason, but in the last game he was injured when he was kicked in the calf. An X-ray determined that the injury was more serious than perceived. He had fractured his fibula and would be out four to six weeks. "The doctor [team physician Matt Matava] grabbed me and showed me the X-ray," Martz said. "It was fractured. They just thought it was a bruise. He was up and walking around, and seemed to be fine...It's a shame. He was having such a terrific preseason and had been playing so well. It was hard to take. I was just so excited about him. I just know how he's going to fit for us." Martz was extremely disappointed that he lost Curtis just before the regular season. After one of the preseason games in which Curtis caught a 66-yard touchdown pass, the coach said, "He is going to play a lot in every game. We need to get him ready to play. Obviously, he showed the other night he can make plays, and we want to get him in a position to do that." After the bad news, he also said, "This is a great receiver who will take your breath away. In time, I think he's going to be on the level of Ike [Bruce] and Torry [Holt, the Rams No. 1 and No. 2 All-Pro receivers]." His smarts are an asset that Curtis as well as the Rams are grateful for. Curtis said he has been asked to learn all three of the Rams' receiving spots, including slot receiver, but he doesn't mind. "If I can learn them all, then I'm more valuable,"he said. Both Curtis and his mother are grateful for his USU experience. "We don't think he would have had the opportunity that he did anywhere else," she said. "At Utah State, education is important," Curtis said. "I think I'm pretty intelligent. I do well on my tests. Hopefully it will pay off when it comes to learning this offense." Local fans are getting more and more anxious to see Curtis play. Lars Latimer, a USU student, and self-proclaimed sports fanatic said, "I watch the Rams' highlights every week hoping to see him out on the field. I'm sure he's going to get a lot of playing time. "I just hope he can get his speed back, cause he can fly." Latimer said. Another fan, Dale Burnett, of Logan said, "It's cool to see a guy that I used to see around campus, playing professional football." Only time will tell how this bright young man will perform this season, and for the rest of his career. But it is something that many Utahns are excited to witness as they watch their son, brother, friend, classmate and neighbor suit up and play with the big boys.
|
||