It is going to be hard not to actively follow Philip Rivers and Mario Williams and other NC State alums in the NFL this year. But, we only have so many resources and time.
Regardless, we couldn’t ignore this great piece in the Houston Chronicle today.
On the practice fields of Reliant Park, Texans rookie defensive end Mario Williams continues to cast an intimidating figure, offering an up-close-and-personal view of a hulking physical specimen with an almost incomprehensible combination of size, strength and speed.
If there is a general consensus on Williams, it’s that he has the work ethic to match his physical gifts, which explains why defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz stays within earshot of Williams with detailed instructions handy and why Williams’ linemates are as eager to witness his debut.
“We’ve seen it every day, so we know he’s going to do what he knows how to do and be really good,” defensive tackle Travis Johnson said. “You know we’ve got faith in him, so we’re really not worried about how he’s going to do.”
Said defensive tackle Robaire Smith, who is entering his seventh NFL season: “He’s one of the best athletes I’ve seen in this league. He’s still young, and he still has a lot to learn, but at the same time he’s the type that’s not bullheaded. He works hard, and he listens. Any time you have a guy like that, he’s always going to be a good player.
“I think it will be more of a treat for the fans. Like Travis said, we’ve been around him since minicamp, so we know what he can do. But it will be important for our fans, who were doubting him at first, that he shows them what he’s made of.”
NFL Notes:
* Manny Lawson and Marcus Hudson played last night for the San Franciso 49ers. Lawson was credited with two tackles. (Link)
* Jerricho Cotchery caught 3 balls for 19 yards in the first half of the Jets game. (Link)
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers was excited to square off against Brett Favre, and his performance did not disappoint. Fox Sports says that the Rivers era “Starts Strong for the Chargers” in this piece.
Rivers didn’t disappoint in his debut, throwing for 169 first-half yards and leading two early scoring drives in a 17-3 victory over Green Bay in Saturday night’s preseason opener for both teams.
“I thought he played excellent,” Schottenheimer said. “He played pretty much like I expect him to.”
The Chargers showed their faith in Rivers, a third-year pro, by letting Drew Brees leave for New Orleans during the offseason.
Cool in the pocket and crisp with his passes, Rivers completed 15-of-21 while playing the entire first half except for the final play. He connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson on the Chargers’ opening series to cap a 64-yard drive, then engineered an 18-play, 86-yard scoring march the first time they had the ball in the second quarter.
The Chicago-Tribue says that “Faith is Deep in Rivers” in San Diego:
Rivers’ work ethic and preparation have earned him the deep respect of teammates and coaches. Veterans usually are more skeptical of an untested quarterback who is trying to replace a player who won 21 of 32 starts and was football’s second-most accurate passer the last two years.
Listen to running back LaDainian Tomlinson:
“He’s going to be a great quarterback because the intangibles he has are what the great ones have. He’s smart. He’s able to anticipate what’s going on on the football field. He’s not a robot quarterback. He has something you can’t teach.”
Even before last night’s great performance by PR, the guys at Bolttalk.com proclaimed that “Rivers is the answer!”
