North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Gearing Up
8/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Two-a-days are over and so is the portion of the preseason known as fall camp. From here on out, NC State's nationally ranked college football team will be switching into its normal game-week routine. And while the preseason discussions have centered around a big game against Ohio State on September 13th and the Wolfpack's championship aspirations, the team itself is beginning to focus full bore on the Western Carolina club it will host in the season opener one week from Saturday.
"We're all looking forward to it," said Chuck Amato, who is starting his fourth season as NC State's head coach. "Whenever you're starting the season, no matter who it is that you're playing, you're looking forward to that game because it's a barometer; it gives you a gauge on where you are and how things are going. Most people say you make your biggest improvement between your first and second game and that's probably because you see the things that you have to work on. Sometimes your strength and weaknesses get hidden when you go against each other."
After working in full pads with a hard practice on Monday, Amato said the Pack would gradually scale back the intensity level of its workouts as next week progresses. By Thursday, the players will be in shorts and helmets in a practice that will be dedicated primarily to walking through the game plan.
"We've done all the hitting now," Amato said on Friday.
And while he won't label it a weakness, Amato continues to express concerns over a defensive line that will feature a lot of new faces this season. Game one will at least provide some helpful feedback on where that unit stands and just how far it needs to go.
"I'm not crying wolf; I'm just concerned our defensive front is so inexperienced and so young," Amato said. "Before the season's out, we could very easily have two true freshmen and a redshirt freshman starting on the defensive line. I've coached enough games to know that that's not the way you lead the nation in total defense."
The current depth chart shows a true freshman in Mario Williams at one starting defensive end with redshirt freshman John McCargo slated to start at defensive tackle. Joining them on the first team defensive line are sophomore end Renaldo Moses and senior tackle Alan Halloway.
Between them, the 10 defensive linemen listed on the three-deep have made zero college starts. Only Halloway and end Sheldon Lewin have experienced what could be considered significant playing time.
The injury list is also a little bit longer than Amato would like it to be at this time of year. Jerricho Cotchery, a first-team All-ACC wide receiver a year ago, is being called questionable with a shoulder injury that has prevented him from doing very much the last two weeks.
"We're hopeful, but I don't know," Amato said of Cotchery's status. "He's doing stuff in practice. We know what Jerricho can do. He doesn't have to do anything except run and keep his conditioning. He's been in this offense for three years and he knows what it is. What [the injury] did do was to give the young players so much more of an opportunity at that position. We're planning on him playing, but we may go out there next Thursday and he can't raise his arm above his head."
The rest of NC State's injury list as of Friday:
OT Chris Colmer-Probable; brachial plexus injury.
C Brandon Sanders-Questionable; high ankle sprain
OT Derek Morris-Doubtful; broken toe
C Kalani Heppe-Questionable; high ankle sprain
OL Brian Archie-Out; shoulder injury
WR Andy Bertrand-Questionable; groin injury
