Depth chart talk – NC State releases depth chart for opener

'11 Football22

Depth chart posted here and Tom O’Brien held his first ‘weekly press conference’ this afternoon.

There is some bad news and some good news. Let’s start with the bad news because…well…because we are NC State fans:

* Reserve linebacker, Sterling Lucas, will miss the 2011 season. On one hand, this stinks a lot. The Wolfpack is very thin at linebacker and we have not just gotten more thin…especially as it relates to experience (as Lucas is a redshirt-senior). On the other hand, if Lucas can get another year of eligibility, his presence on next year’s roster will be a welcome addition to help blunt the blow of losing Audie Cole.

* State is listing FIVE freshmen on the two-deep. In addition to the three expected starters on special teams, Michael Peek is listed as the back-up strongside linebacker and Tyrell Burriss is listed as a back-up at cornerback. OUCH!! The obvious question is, ‘Where is Rashard Smith?’ (who is listed as the #2 punt returner)

Now on to some observations and some good news:

* Duran Christophe is listed to start on the offensive line, obviously brushing off his injury sooner than expected.

* It is very nice to see Tobias Palmer lay claim to a back-up spot at wide receiver. Palmer’s speed and elusiveness will hopefully provide us a weapon that is a different than we have seen in recent years.

* Brian Slay is slated to replace the injured JR Sweezy at defensive tackle as expected.

* It was a little bit of a suprise to see Darryl Cato-Bishop leaping McKay Frandsen at the defensive end opposite Jeff Rieskamp. I am choosing to believe that this is all about DCB’s strong performance which helps me sleep well about the general strength of the defensive line.

PLEASE take some time to participate in some of the dozens of conversations happening on our message forums. Summer is now over and it is time for everyone to contribute a little and get even more conversations flowing! Thanks!

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22 Responses to Depth chart talk – NC State releases depth chart for opener

  1. phillypacker 08/29/2011 at 2:10 PM #

    A few roster questions and comments:

    1. Check out lowly regarded Art Norman, #2 on depth chat at DE
    2. Is Overgard that good that he can keep Rob Crisp from starting? Is Crisp a slow developer?
    3. Who is Tyrell Burris? Are we that thin at Boundary Corner or is Burris that good?
    4. Ditto with Ryan Cheek and Michael Peek at WLB and SLB and Dean Haynes backing up Wolff at FS. Are these good signs or bad?
    5. When will Rashard Smith return? OR was he bested by other CBs? He is returning punts, I think.
    6. Ricky Dowdy off the 2-deep at LB?
    7. Creecy is a redshirt? Brandon Barnes a bust?

  2. phillypacker 08/29/2011 at 2:11 PM #

    Lingering questions/comments:

    1. Check out lowly regarded (according to # of stahs) Art Norman, #2 on depth chat at DE
    2. Is Overgard that good that he can keep Rob Crisp from starting? Is Crisp a slow developer?
    3. Who is Tyrell Burris? Are we that thin at Boundary Corner or is Burris that good?
    4. Ditto with Ryan Cheek and Michael Peek at WLB and SLB and Dean Haynes backing up Wolff at FS. Are these good signs or bad?
    5. When will Rashard Smith return? OR was he bested by other CBs? He is returning punts, I think.
    6. Ricky Dowdy off the 2-deep at LB?
    7. Creecy is a redshirt? Brandon Barnes a bust?

  3. cWOhLFrPAiCKs 08/29/2011 at 2:24 PM #

    5. I read somewhere that Smith was spending time at WR in practice.

    Not sure what that says about the depth in the secondary, maybe the coaches were satisfied with the depth they have and were more concerned with what they were seeing at WR.

    [generic observations]The offense will be the big question mark this year and if they can avoid turning the ball over and help control field position I think the defense will carry us. If the offense gels quickly and someone(s) emerge at WR, we could have a really good year. But if no one steps up and the O-Line can’t give Glennon time in the pocket, it will be a long year.[/generic observations]

  4. Packfan28 08/29/2011 at 2:52 PM #

    Just saw on twitter Creecy is listed as the #3 back. Unless he improved significantly during the off season, James Washington is a 3rd down back at best. Presumably he knows the blocking schemes better than the others, and will help keep MG from getting killed, but I sure hope Creecy steps up and / or Moose gets back quickly.

  5. baxter 08/29/2011 at 3:18 PM #

    I’m not surprised Peek and Burris landed on the two deep. There were scattered murmors here and there that Burris has been turning heads in practice. He and Peek were the last two commits last year and both were guys I thought were perfect for the schemes. Peek is said to have been really laying the lumber out there, and he reminds me a lot of a Kuechely type of guy. Seems heady and hits hard. Was originally slated for Navy before Tenuta convinced him to come here. Was the guy I was most high on as far as signing day sleeper.

    I’m pleased with this two deep, and its the best its looked in a long time. There are always going to be some depth issues, but I really like where we are. As far as Crisp, he’s a true Sophomore going against a RS Sr, so I’m not surprised (nor will I be surprised if Crisp gets a lot of PT this year anyway). I think Haynes is going to be good backing up Wolff, both guys love to hit and hit hard, and as Dean catches up with the guys as far as experience, I expect him to be solid next season.

  6. StateFans 08/29/2011 at 3:36 PM #

    I think some of the holes on the depth chart are TOB’s motivational

  7. baxter 08/29/2011 at 3:48 PM #

    JW is not a 3rd down back, he’s a 1/2nd down back. You’d rather have a guy like Curtis or Tony running hard on 3rd downs and shorter yardage. Also, he’s a RsFr, it takes a whole lot of things to occur for a RsFr to start over Jr/Srs. Remember, as a RB in this offense, pass protection is a priority and that is not the easiest thing to learn. The injuries last year allowed Dean and Moose to start early. I expect the stable this season to run very, very hard behind this line.

  8. RW4H22 08/29/2011 at 4:12 PM #

    Lucas played as a true freshman and has not taken a redshirt year. He is eligible to do so this season.

  9. packalum44 08/29/2011 at 4:15 PM #

    Ouch I hate to see Lucas out. That stings. Makes Sweezy’s return all the more important.

    I suppose the silver lining is that we’ll have Lucas and Byrd around next year (both were relatively highly regarded recruits).

    At the same time, props to the true freshman who earned a 2 deep spot. TOB must really like those guys. It shows young recruits that, if you’re good enough, you’ll play.

  10. Packfan28 08/29/2011 at 4:26 PM #

    Baxter, when I said Washington is a 3rd down back, I was being kind. He is definitely not a 1st and 2nd down back. TOB has a propensity to run it on 1st down, and with Washington it is always going to be 2nd and long or 3rd and long. He isn’t fast, he isn’t elusive, and he gets tackled easily. That puts way too much stress on the offense. The only reason I said 3rd down is he can catch the ball out of the backfield, and also pass blocks better than the other two. TOB obviously agrees with you, but I think this does not bode well.

  11. SaccoV 08/29/2011 at 5:17 PM #

    I’m agreeing with StateFans on this one. I think given our opponent is Liberty, TOB is using the Depth Chart to motivate those who he considers to be under-achieving at this point. I think we can look forward to a much different depth chart come Wake Forest. Also, how late can a coach red-shirt a player? If he has an extra week or so, then he might be using this depth chart for that reason. I hate that Lucas is out. He seemed to be on the verge of being very special last year.

  12. StateFans 08/29/2011 at 5:41 PM #

    Washington is the best back we have at picking up coverages and blocking.

  13. choppack1 08/29/2011 at 7:58 PM #

    Thankyou SF – TOB has been pretty consistent – you have to know the offense and your blocking schemes to get the most time at this gig.

    I haven’t been a huge fan of Washington’s running ability – however, he obviously does something right – and I think it’s pretty obvious if you’ve been following this staff – they expect a certain approach, and they award the guys who follow it. It’s not very Amato or Butch of them – but it’s put a lot of solid players in the pros.

  14. tjfoose1 08/29/2011 at 9:42 PM #

    “2. Is Overgard that good that he can keep
    Rob Crisp from starting? Is Crisp a slow
    developer?”

    I noticed a flaw in Crisp’s game last year and commented on it at the time. He never fully corrected it. Until he does, he will not start, esp now with Glennon at QB. Crisp good get him killed.

  15. packalum44 08/29/2011 at 9:47 PM #

    Washington is the only back we have that can take it to the house. Curtis and Greene won’t be outrunning D-I safeties but are better between the tackles.

    However, don’t forget Washington is young. He started as a true freshman and will be better than last time you watched him.

  16. tjfoose1 08/29/2011 at 9:56 PM #

    Oops, never mention the flaw. He’s slow, too slow, on drop back pass protection. He was routinely beaten off the edge by simple speed rushes.

    He sometimes over compensated and forgot the basics, practically jumping back to cover the edge, but at the expenses of leaving the inside wide open. I still remember 3 distinct times he got RW crushed doing this.

    The Western Carolina end abused him, but granted, it was his first game as a true freshman.

    It doesn’t hurt that Overgaard is good, solid, and dependable. While Crisp definitely has the (much) bigger upside, TOB knows Overgaard won’t expose Glennon to crushing hits 3-4 times a game.

    That said, Crisp is still just a true sophomore, playing tackle… and it is much easier to play in the interior if the line during early development than on the edge.

  17. SouthernWolf 08/29/2011 at 11:07 PM #

    “Baxter, when I said Washington is a 3rd down back, I was being kind. He is definitely not a 1st and 2nd down back. TOB has a propensity to run it on 1st down, and with Washington it is always going to be 2nd and long or 3rd and long. He isn’t fast, he isn’t elusive, and he gets tackled easily. That puts way too much stress on the offense. The only reason I said 3rd down is he can catch the ball out of the backfield, and also pass blocks better than the other two. TOB obviously agrees with you, but I think this does not bode well.”

    “Washington is the best back we have at picking up coverages and blocking.”

    I do not know where these opinions are coming from. Washington has been a terrible pass blocker. In fact, last year his pass blocking was so bad that he lost his position in camp to two true freshmen (Haynes, and Greene). This guy has a couple of seasons under his belt and he failed miserably during his freshmen and sophomore campaigns at pass blocking. In addition to youthful errors such as being out of position, or not picking up the right block, he also showed inability to block. I remember multiple instances of him getting trucked, hurdled, stiffed, and swatted away by onrushing defenders barely slowing them at all. I think it was against florida state freshmen year he tried to block a linebacker and got thrown into Russell, who was like 2 yards away and knocked him down. did you guys see him block well at the spring game? Because if he has made progress that would be excellent, but the past two years his blocking has been atrocious.
    Ohh and my old roommate just reminded me that against Pitt, he tried to cut block a linebacker but went too low too early and the dude hoped over him like he wasn’t even there, luckily the ever-present Russell Wilson saw what happened, juked the dude got some space and heaved an incompletion

  18. howlie 08/30/2011 at 6:51 AM #

    As I understand, Washington played most, if not all, of last year with a pretty severe hamstring injury. He speed was greatly effected, & he was ‘shaky’ in being ‘anchored’ in his blocking stance early in the season.

    A relative was hinting on PP over the summer that JW was “back” and had regained a blistering speed to make him among the fastest again on the team, & to “prepare to be amazed.” Being listed as the starter is no motivational ploy by TOB, & is no indicator he’s a paper tiger in blocking. Whatever you thought before, the depth chart declares that TOB declares that he has earned his stripes as the starter.

    We’ll see. And hopefully, we’ll share the amazement.

  19. Pack78 08/30/2011 at 7:24 AM #

    ^Agreed-JW showed flashes last year and I look forward to seeing his speed as a healthy RB; also, he understands the required pass blocking schemes upon which this staff places such a high priority-let’s see how this plays out…

  20. Wolfacct 08/30/2011 at 8:42 AM #

    This comment may be a little off-topic, but with respect to Crisp, wasn’t he a 5-star? Based on the above comments and analysis, there are some serious flaws that he needs to correct before earning the starting spot. Goes to the point that recruiting “stars” are not that significant. If anyone can develop Crisp and help him reach his potential, it is TOB and his staff.

  21. packhammer 08/30/2011 at 9:42 AM #

    Underwood has the size to do some good things, including pass protection. He has the experience as well. Anyway, after looking to leave and coming back I would really love to see him meet with some success this year. Can see him getting in a bunch of games late and racking up some yards when the defenses are worn down a bit. If our O line is getting it done maybe he will turn out to be a very underrated and good weapon.

  22. JSRy2k 08/30/2011 at 1:15 PM #

    – I feel like Burriss as backup CB in an experienced and relatively deep secondary is more a commentary on his ability than our team’s lack.
    – Cato-Bishop was a guy I felt might be a sleeper prospect when he came in. Both his personal physical and game statistical numbers were good, and he was a quality basketball player in HS, but he came in under the radar from a lesser football state (MA).
    – For as much of a stud Crisp was supposed to be, it’s surprising to see him still backing up … is this a sign of an improved OL?

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