North Carolina State University Athletics
Chat Wrap: Philip Rivers
6/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 14, 2002
Philip Rivers: I am here and ready for your questions. Let's get started.
Jonathan (Raleigh, NC): Philip, As a Wolfpack fan, I am EXCITED about the upcoming football season for many reasons. What about the 2002 season and your offense excites you most?
Philip Rivers: The main thing is the talent we have at WR and the numbers we have there. We have 6 or 7 guys that can run and have experience. I think we can do some special things throwing the ball. Plus, the offensive line really jelled during the spring. They have it going now and they will be ready.
Denver: Phillip - Like most fans I've been following you since you were a freshmen. Obviously you have had an outstanding career so far, but what is the main thing that you work on the most to prepare for the next two years and the NFL? Is it mechanics or armstrength?
Philip Rivers: I have been working since last year on my footwork and quickness in the pocket. But I am really working on my reads as well so I don't have to force any of my throws and hopefully make the right decisions.
Victor (Harlem): Philip, I think you're an amazing talent and think Heisman's in your future. Who do you think are the dark horses in the wide-open ACC?
Philip Rivers: I think it will be wide-open but I thought the same thing last year and Maryland blew everyone away. But I like our team and we are pushing toward our goal of a conference title.
Brian (Orange, CA): You have a very unique delivery. How many coaches have tried to change your throwing style, and have you addapted any of those changes?
Philip Rivers: They really haven't. If it's not broke, don't fix it. My coaches feel that if it is getting to the right guys and accurate and I am not hurting myself, don't fool with it. It is natural for me, so I am sticking with it and am trying to improve all the time.
Chris J. (Clayton,NC): Philip what are your pre-game rituals?
Philip Rivers: Not any in particular. I like to be the last one to leave the pregame meal. No real reason why. I also like to talk a walk on the field when we first arrive. So it is just some little things to get ready to play.
Mark, New London NC: Philip, Do you think the experience that your young receivers gained last year will allow you to throw deep more this season?
Philip Rivers: I think the experience they gained will help us be a better offense. As far as going deep, we have to take what the defense gives us and we have to just stick with running our team offense. We have had success with it so we will stick with it and try and improve on it.
Allen (Raleigh): First off, good luck in the upcoming season. We are all excited and waiting for the season to start!!! My question is how is this year's offensive line looking and will there be much change to our offensive scheme from last year? GO PACK!!!
Philip Rivers: The offensive line really looks good, they are working really hard. They are a close bunch of guys, it is a real close nit offense.
The scheme will be the same, the same thing that got us a lot of wins. We feel if we execute and concentrate, we can have a pretty good offense.
RK (Chicago): I am a hardcore seminole. so dont mind me asking if you are dreading the day the noles come back for payback?
Philip Rivers: I can't wait!
That will be the last game of the year so we are looking forward to it. It is a long ways away and we have a lot of games in front of us so we can't look ahead. But we do have it marked on our calendar.
Keith (Chapel Hill): Don't let the city fool ya, Huge Pack fan here. Wanted to know what was the main focus for you as a player as to what you wanted to improve in your personal game during the off-season that would help benefit the team the most? Go Pack!!!
Philip Rivers: Like I said earlier, I worked hard on my footwork and quickness. I watched a lot of film from last year trying to understand the reads I made. I have also been working one on one with our recievers so we are all on the same page. There is always room for improvement.
Winston Salem: Hey Philip, I am big fan of you and the wolfpack, but I bleed deacon gold and black. That was a great game in Winston last year, I was on the hill to witness it. My question is that with the rise of Maryland and Wake, do you expect the ACC to be even more competitive this year than usual?
Philip Rivers: I really do. It was very competitive last year and Maryland surprised all of us. But this year, it is anyone's championship. FSU has been the front runner for a long time, but I think things have evened out. We are setting our goals high and shooting for them.
Matt, Monroe NY: Phillp, I think I am the biggest N.C.State fan here in NY. I was wondering, how do you think the team's offense will be different now, with the loss of Ray Robinson? Thanks! I will be watching, or listening over the internet, to all the Pack's games. GO PACK!!
Philip Rivers: We are going to stick with our normal offense. All the backs are good at catching the ball out of the backfield and are all good runners. They know they all have to pick up their games and we expect them all to be great runners for us.
Eric (Raleigh): Philip, I know the so called "experts," are claiming that the Pack has a no better than a marginal shot this year to finish in the top half of the ACC. But with the addition of quality athletic depth at receiver and a high quality workhorse in the backfield, do you think the NC State offense has the ability to carry this team and finish the season at number one or two in the conference?
Philip Rivers: You win championships with defense, but we feel we have to hold our own on offense for us to be successful. We are a very close team and we will play as a team. We know we have to score one more point than our defense gives up. We like our chances of winning the ACC.
Albuquerque: How are you guys preparing for the first game of the season vs. New Mexico?
Philip Rivers: They are a good team and we know that. We are excited to play that game. They are fast and like to throw the ball. They are probably used to the offense we run. It will be a fun game and one we are looking forward to it. With what both teams do on offense, it should be a very exciting game.
Mark Appleby, Raleigh: What do you think will be your biggest improvement from your sophmore to your upcoming junior season? (I don't think there is much room for improvement, however!)
Philip Rivers: I think my completition percentage. That is important to me. But I hope everyone sees an improvement in my leadership ability. Seniors are our leaders, but the QB has to be the leader on offense. So that is what I am concentrating on.
We are working hard and have been for awhile and we know Aug. 24 will sneak up on us real quick.
Joe Gaddy (Mt. Gilead): Philip, On a normal day, what is your routine like during the summer?
Philip Rivers: I am working at a golf course from 7-11 and then class until 1. Then I head to a workout with the team. So it is definitely a lot of work but a lot of fun. Summer is the time to get better and get closer to your teammates, and we are definitely doing that.
Philip Rivers: That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the support and the questions. We are excited about the upcoming season and we are looking forward to doing some damage in the ACC.
Take care everyone.
