But let's give Curtis a little respect. He proved this season that he can be a solid starting wideout in this league.
Part of his problem is that he's a tad undersized - 5-11 and only about 185 pounds.
"For a little guy," offensive tackle Jon Runyan said when asked his impressions of Curtis, "he's strong and he's not scared of anything. The only problem is he's a little on the small side."
Another part of his problem is that he's white, which, in most people's minds, translates to slow.
Curtis is one of just five white starting wide receivers in the league. But the notion that he's slow is a fallacy. He ran a 4.41 40 at his predraft workout in 2003. That's faster than Javon Walker (4.43), faster than Deion Branch (4.51), faster than Bernard Berrian (4.59), faster than Reggie Wayne (4.55), faster than Larry Fitzgerald (4.52), faster than many receivers who are considered more dangerous vertical threats than the Utah native.
"Everybody gets stereotyped," an AFC personnel man said. "I'm don't know that it's malicious. Sometimes it is. But sometimes, you almost get trained. You take for granted that that's what it is. Like the John Fogerty song says, 'It must be true because I heard it on the radio.'
"Curtis can run. If he's not 4.4 speed, he's 4.4 quick. He's a good [No.] 2 receiver. He's just not real big, and big seems to be in vogue right now. So maybe that's part of the issue with him. Smaller guys are viewed as Wes Welkers and slot guys."
My Analysis: Wow, he's even earned the respect of his black teammates and coaches who are traditionally slow to come around to a white at a forbidden position, but is still hated by the fans and media. I don't get this writers point that 5'11 is too small. Steve Smith was possibly the best in the league before a let down year this year and he is 5'9.
Kevin Curtis is a top 15 WR in this league IMO! He may be Pro-bowl good if McNabb who at least has given Curtis credit for being a good player would look his way more! Jay Feeley seemed to throw to Curtis more than Donovan! When McNabb had his best game Curtis caught 11 catches for over 200 yards and 3 TDs.