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Bucs raid Eagles defensive line again, this time agreeing with free agent defensive end Vinny Curry

A few days after locking up Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen, the Bucs reached an agreement with his Super Bowl teammate Vinny Curry and released Robert Ayers
 
WILL VRAGOVIC   |   Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) has his pass swatted down by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) in the fourth quarter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) has his pass swatted down by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) in the fourth quarter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013.
Published March 17, 2018|Updated March 17, 2018

The Bucs targeted the Super Bowl champion Eagles again Saturday to improve their pass rush, this time reaching an agreement with defensive end Vinny Curry on a three-year,  $27-million contract.

Curry became expendable last week when he refused to take a pay cut after the Eagles signed Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett.

In a move that would seem to be connected, the Bucs released defensive end Robert Ayers. The 32-year-old Ayers, who had only two sacks last season, was due a $1-million roster bonus Sunday.

Curry, 29, is the second Eagles defensive lineman to sign as a free agent this week. His contract includes $11.5-million in guarantees against injury.

The Bucs began the signing period by locking up defensive tackle Beau Allen with a three-year, $15-million contract.

In his first full season a starter for the Eagles, Curry compiled 42 tackles and three sacks as an interior pass rusher.

A second-round pick by the Eagles in 2012 out of Marshall, Curry has  22 sacks in six seasons. His career high came in 2014 when he had nine.

The Bucs were last in the NFL in sacks with only 22 last season. Curry is the third defensive lineman to sign with Tampa Bay since Wednesday, joining Allen and Bears defensive tackle Mitch Unrein.