Wolfpackers in the NFL

As we head into football season, it is time for a little peek into former NC State players currently competing in the NFL. This link does a great job of providing a list with some quick updates on each player. (Please note that Toney Baker was cut last night by the Denver Broncos.)

Andre Brown (RB) New York Giants – Brown is in his second year in the NFL as a member of the New York Giants. Last season, Brown suffered an Achilles injury that kept him out all season. The New York Daily, reports that Brown made a nice leaping catch and looked fast in practice Monday.

Brian Clark (WR) Detroit Lions – Clark is in his sixth season in the NFL, with his best season coming last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year, Clark recorded six receptions for 65 yards. He is looking to make a splash this season with the Lions after spending his first five seasons with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively.

Jerricho Cotchery (WR) New York Jets – Cotchery is in his seventh year in the NFL all with the Jets. Last season, Cotchery caught 57 passes for 821 yards while scoring three touchdowns. In his first preseason game Cotchery recorded 3 receptions for 32 yards.

Leroy Harris (OL) Tennessee Titans – Harris, in his fourth season in the NFL, is slated to be the starter at left tackle. He played in 15 of 16 games for the Titans last season.

Steven Hauschka (PK) Detroit Lions – After spending the past two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Hauschka is looking for a fresh start with the Detroit Lions. Last season he made 9 out of 13 field goals while connecting on 27 of 28 extra point attempts. Hauschka is in his third season in the NFL.

Anthony Hill (TE) Houston Texans – Hill is entering his second season with the Texans. Hill played in five games last season and recorded a reception against the Indianapolis Colts. He is currently on the Active/Physically Unable to perform list, due to a knee injury but hopes to be reactivated soon so he can resume training.

Antoine Holmes (DT) Washington Redskins – Holmes is looking forward to his first season in the NFL after spending last season as a member of the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He is now a member of the Washington Redskins after being signed in the offseason.

Torry Holt (WR) New England Patriots – Holt was signed in the offseason by the New England Patriots, but has unfortunately been placed on injured reserve after suffering a significant knee injury. Last season, Holt had 51 receptions for 722 yards.

Marcus Hudson (CB) Carolina Panthers – Hudson is entering his fifth season in the NFL. Hudson spent the first four years of his professional career with the San Francisco 49ers, but is now a member of the Carolina Panthers. Hudson recorded 21 stops for the Panthers last season with a season high seven tackles in a loss against the Houston Texans.

Scott Kooistra (OT) Cleveland Browns – Kooistra is in his eighth season in the NFL, in which he has spent his first seven with the Cincinnati Bengals, but is now a member of the Cleveland Browns. He is looking to have a more significant role on his new team after being limited last year due to injury.

Ted Larsen (C) New England Patriots – After being drafted in sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft as the 205th pick, Larsen is looking forward to his first season with the New England Patriots. He was a mainstay on the offensive line last season for the Wolfpack, starting all 12 games at Center.

Manny Lawson (LB) San Francisco 49ers – Lawson is returning to training camp this year with some added confidence after setting career highs in solo tackles (51) as well as assists (17) last season. Lawson, in his fifth year in the NFL, is looking to make even more of an impact this season as he is slated as the starter at outside linebacker.

Sean Locklear (OT) Seattle Seahawks – Locklear remains a mainstay on the Seattle Seahawks offensive line as he returns for his seventh season at offensive tackle. Locklear is looking to lead a young group of offensive lineman under new head coach Pete Carroll.

John McCargo (DT) Buffalo Bills – The former Wolfpack defensive tackle is looking to reinvent himself as a dominant force on the Buffalo Bills defense. Last season, he recorded 11 stops for the Bills. McCargo tallied a season- high five tackles in games against both the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.

Jeraill McCuller (OT) Philadelphia Eagles – McCuller, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles only a few days after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. He was a mainstay on the Wolfpack offensive line last season while also serving as one of the team’s captains.

DaJuan Morgan (S) Kansas City Chiefs – Entering his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Morgan is looking for a more significant role this year. He played in 13 of 15 games last season for the Chiefs, with a season high eight tackles in a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

DeMario Pressley (DT) New Orleans Saints – After winning a Super Bowl ring last season, Pressley is returning to the New Orleans Saints for the third consecutive season. After being hampered by injuries in his rookie season, Pressley made 15 tackles for the Saints with a season-high five tackles in a win against the St. Louis Rams.

Philip Rivers (QB) San Diego Chargers – Former Wolfpack All-American, Rivers is entering his seventh season with the San Diego Chargers. Rivers set career- highs last season in completions (317), attempts (486), and also passing yards (4,254). He was selected to the Pro Bowl last season, but was unable to play in the event due to an injury.

Stephen Tulloch (LB) Tennessee Titans – The fifth year veteran had an amazing season for the Tennessee Titans last season as he notched a career- high 121 tackles with 94 of them being solo tackles. After posting such great numbers last season, Tulloch as slated as the starter at middle linebacker and looks to lead a young defensive unit.

Tank Tyler (DT) Carolina Panthers – Tyler has come over to the Carolina Panthers after being traded mid-season by the Kansas City Chiefs. He recorded 30 stops last year at defensive tackle for the Chiefs and Panthers.

Mario Williams (DE) Houston Texans – The former No. 1 overall pick in 2006, finished last season with 43 tackles, 9 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles which was good enough for him to be named an AFC Pro Bowl starter at defensive end.

Brian Williams (CB) Atlanta Falcons – Williams is entering his ninth season in the NFL and his second season with the Atlanta Falcons. Last season he recorded 18 tackles in limited action after suffering a season ending injury in the fifth game of the season.

Adrian Wilson (S) Arizona Cardinals – The former Wolfpack standout had another stellar season last year as he was named an NFC Pro Bowl starter. Wilson, now in his tenth season in the NFL, finished last season with 74 tackles while also setting a new career high with 5 interceptions.

Willie Young (DE) Detroit Lions – Heading into his first season in the NFL, Young is excited about the opportunity to play professionally after being drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 213th pick in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Last season, Young served as one of the Wolfpack’s captains while also being a significant performer on defense at his defensive end position.

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12 Responses to Wolfpackers in the NFL

  1. Mr. Wuf 08/24/2010 at 7:10 AM #

    Baker was cut from the Broncos recently. Hopefully he can land somewhere or on a practice squad in hopes of making a team next year.

  2. StateFans 08/24/2010 at 9:14 AM #

    We Tweeted about Baker last night and also shared the bad news on the message boards. I should have made the edit in this entry. Thanks.

  3. StateofthePack 08/24/2010 at 9:22 AM #

    That is quite a collection of talent that has passed through Raleigh since around 2000. The amount of quality defensive players that Amato’s staff identified and delivered into the league is impressive.

  4. T-FIC 08/24/2010 at 11:24 AM #

    Baker should have stayed one more year.

  5. iBeenPacked 08/24/2010 at 11:59 AM #

    I missed the PR tackle the other night and can’t find it on the net. Anyone have a link to that?

  6. jbwbubba 08/24/2010 at 12:13 PM #

    Torry Holt is no longer with the Patriots; they reached an injury settlement and he was released.

  7. mafpack 08/24/2010 at 12:57 PM #

    As with everything else iBeenPacked, its on the forums 🙂

    http://www.statefansnationforums.com/topic.php?id=2390

    Quick link to the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ZrS-7ZXTM

  8. iBeenPacked 08/24/2010 at 2:56 PM #

    ^thanks mafpack. between the kids and the hausfrau, the only time i get to do any surfing is on telecommute days, so am not as familiar with the site as most of the packfans here.

    the real fight will be on Saturdays this fall when i requistion the computer to watch the pack on espn360…

  9. packof81 08/24/2010 at 4:49 PM #

    StateofthePack said, “The amount of quality defensive players that Amato’s staff identified and delivered into the league is impressive.”

    Yes, it is.

    Why is NCSU able to send so many players to the NFL and yet have such mediocre to poor seasons?

  10. StateofthePack 08/24/2010 at 5:21 PM #

    That is a great question packof81. I think most people feel the same way, myself included. That is probably the biggest gripe with the Amato era, the fact that the results ultimately didn’t match the talent on the field. One could also make the point that the #’s of NFL type caliber players on the defensive side of the ball the last 3 or 4 years is lacking what most competitive teams in our conference have had or what we had during the earlier part of the decade. In O’Brien’s defense, I think the offensive side of the ball the past 2 seasons has dramatically improved.

  11. BJD95 08/25/2010 at 11:09 AM #

    It is amazing how many different ways NC State can find a way to be mediocre.

    I never would have bet that Brian Clark would have a 6-year NFL career. I really tip my hat to him for carving out a lasting role.

  12. Texpack 08/25/2010 at 2:24 PM #

    Here is my obligatory Frank Bush post.
    Don’t forget about Frank Bush whose Texans defense was the 4th rated defense in the NFL over the final 13 games of the 2009 season. This could be a big time break through year for the Texans if they can overcome a very tough schedule. Frank Bush’s defense will have to play top 10 football from the opening kickoff of week 1 for that to happen.

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