North Carolina State University Athletics
TONY HAYNES: Wolfpack Trying to Maximize Talent
8/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
BY TONY HAYNES
RALEIGH Armed with the knowledge that NC State would be losing six outstanding players on defense and a handful of reliable skill players from the offense, head coach Chuck Amato and his staff went into spring practice trying to figure out how best to fill some of those holes. The goal, within reason of course, was to somehow maximize the talent on the roster in an effort to replace the likes of receiver Tramain Hall and tight end T.J. Williams on offense and linebacker Stephen Tulloch on defense. One solution for Amato was to figure out a way to get his best players on the field for as many snaps as possible. But what happens when as many as four of your best players actually play the same position?
At NC State, that particular position happened to be running back.
The arm-twisting started prior to spring practice when Darrell Blackman was convinced to try wide receiver. Then later in the spring, Reggie Davis, after spending the first three years of his career at running back, tried his hand at linebacker.
And although both players had proven themselves to be tough, productive backs during their careers, it had became painfully obvious after last season that returning sophomores Toney
The position switches will now allow Blackman and Davis to spend most of their Saturday’s helping NC State win football games instead of watching 75 percent of the game on the sidelines while
Blackman’s move to receiver makes perfect sense simply because he may very well have the best hands on the team.
“The toughest thing has been learning the routes and all the keys you need to know at the receiver position,” Blackman said. “I’m pretty happy with the switch. It’s going to give me more of a chance to get my hands on the ball and I can get out in the open space a little more. It’s been a good change for me.”
Blackman has already proven that he knows what to do in open space. After leading the ACC and ranking third in the nation in punt returns as a freshman, he was the ACC’s top kick returner with a 29.1 yard average last season.
Blackman’s run after the catch potential could quickly make him one of quarterback Marcus Stone’s favorite targets in 2006.
“Words can’t really explain what that kid can do,” Stone said. “Darrell is just so explosive. He can catch and he’s fast. He’s going to be great for us this year.”
As freshmen, the two former
In 2005, NC State had more tight ends that also doubled as H-backs, a hybrid between tight end and fullback. But the departure of T.J. Williams and John Ritcher will leave the Pack with fewer options at tight end, meaning
“It’s going to be huge,”
Already in practice,
“It’s kind of weird seeing that No. 20 over there on defense,” Blackman said. “We’re used to being in the backfield together and running plays. It’s kind of shock to see that jersey over there on the defensive side.”
Said
