North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Wolfpack Plugging Holes
3/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 27, 2006
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - In many respects, it appeared that nothing had really changed last week at NC State's Murphy Football Center. Seen working out were dynamic defensive ends Mario Williams and Manny Lawson. Tackle John McCargo was as strong and explosive as always. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch was showing off his darting speed, while another linebacker, Oliver Hoyte, was doing his thing. Not to be forgotten, cornerback Marcus Hudson again looked long, lean and fast. Unfortunately for NC State, however, all five of those players were putting there skills on display for someone other than their college coaches.
The watchful eyes of NFL coaches, general managers and player personnel directors made up the curious audience during NC State's `pro day,' an annual spring event that allows Wolfpack players interested in playing at the next level to again show off their athleticism and football playing potential.
The departure of Williams, Lawson, McCargo, Tulloch, Hoyte and Hudson has left a sizable gap in a Wolfpack defense that has been quite good and often very dominant over the last few years.
The two ends, in particular, carved their niche as perhaps the best perimeter pass-rushing combo NC State has ever had. Both will likely go very high in the draft later next month, further validating their individual excellence.
Tulloch's blazing speed and Hoyte's intensity will also be difficult to replace, especially at a position that Pack head coach Chuck Amato admits needs some near-term shoring up in the recruiting process.
As a fifth-year senior last season, Hudson established himself as one of the most physical corners in the ACC. As a result, his pro stock improved dramatically.
"We are trying to get the right pegs in the right holes, especially at the defensive line," Amato said. "Obviously, losing three players on the defensive front is a big area to address, but we also have some returning players with a good bit of experience."
Namely, tackles DeMario Pressley and Tank Tyler, who have logged a lot of minutes on the interior of the defensive line the last few years. The current roster doesn't feature any two players to match the caliber of Williams or Lawson, but that isn't to suggest that the cupboard is bare either. Players like Willie Young, Quentin Brown, John Amanchukwu and Littleton Wright have promising talent, it just remains to be seen if they'll be ready to produce at a high level by the time Appalachian State arrives for the season opener at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 2.
For them, every minute of every practice session between now and then will be vital.
At the linebacker positions, the names are even more unfamiliar. Youngsters like Kendrick Hays, Avery Vogt, Ernest Jones, Guerlin Dervil and Ray Michel are all listed on the spring depth chart at the outside linebacker spots. At the moment, only middle linebacker Pat Lowery has proven himself to be a reliable, consistent performer under game conditions. After being converted from safety to strong side linebacker and then starting nine games last fall, LeRue Rumph also has significant game experience.
"Not only do we need to solidify the starters, we need to develop depth at the linebacker spots," Amato said. "That will be a big key for us this spring."
Perhaps one of Amato's most notable achievements since becoming head coach more than six years ago has been his ability - through both coaching and recruiting - to turn the NC State program into one that now has a respected defensive reputation. For many years before his arrival, the Wolfpack was often challenged to sign the types of big and fast athletes on the defensive line that have now become more prevalent in the program.
NC State led the ACC in total defense in 2002, then was ranked No. 1 in the entire nation in 2004. Last year's unit allowed less than 300 yards per game and finished the season ranked third in the league.
Realistically, next fall's defense will be hard-pressed to equal any of those achievements, meaning the Pack offense will have to come alive and put more points on the board. Defense pretty much carried NC State in 2004 and 2005. Before that, it was the other way around when quarterback Philip Rivers anchored a powerful offensive unit that didn't get much support from a young defense in `03.
Next season, both will have to pull an equal share of the load since it's unlikely that either unit will be dominant, although with Andre Brown and Toney Baker toting the football, the Pack's running game certainly has the potential to be quite formidable.
And with a number of young, untested players learning the ropes at key defensive positions, a strong, clock-eating rushing attack might be exactly what the Pack needs, especially early in the fall.
The learning process will continue through spring practice, which culminates with annual spring game set for 4:00 p.m. on April 8th at Carter-Finley Stadium.
