N.C. State's Mike Glennon looks to pass during the first day of the Wolfpack's spring football practice. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
Check out our photo gallery from the first day of practice
N.C. State's first spring practice opened Thursday morning without Russell Wilson or Nate Irving, the leaders of last year's nine-win team.
Mike Glennon takes over at quarterback for Wilson and Audi Cole moves inside to replace Irving at linebacker.
Not that anyone in red was particularly concerned about the team's ability to produce new leaders.
"I've always thought Mike is awesome," senior tight end George Bryan said. "I've never had any worries about what Russell decided to do. Mike looks great."
Glennon, a junior, will have the reins to the offense during the spring, and maybe in the fall. At least for now, Wilson is off playing baseball in spring training with the Colorado Rockies.
Neither coach Tom O'Brien nor Glennon are talking like they expect Wilson to return for his final season of eligibility.
O'Brien praised Glennon's talent and work ethic on Thursday and Glennon talked about his wait, three seasons, to become the No. 1 quarterback.
O'Brien's biggest concern for Glennon was his tempo.
"I think he was going a little too fast today, probably a little bit too excited to be out here," O'Brien said. "He's just got to relax and play. He's got a ton of ability and he just has to make it work for him."
Glennon said he had to wait longer to start than he thought, when he signed out of high school as one of the best quarterback prospects in the country in 2008.
"I thought it would be a little different but at the same time it was good for me because I learned a lot from Russell," Glennon said. "Now I think I'm ready to take over this team."
There were the usual dropped passes and missed routes from any first day of practice, but in general, O'Brien was pleased with attitude of his team, which is coming off its best season since 2002.
"The whole key to spring is getting better each and every day," O'Brien said. "This is a starting point, we have to learn from today and we have to continue to get better."
Comments
RW vs MG
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 15:57 — ab3623For what it's worth, I had mixed emotions these last three seasons. I was surprised and excited about RW each year, but I kept thinking, this kid MG is really, really good!
Finally, MG will get his chance. Maybe he will be great, but I really believe he will at least be competent - and we have a lot of other great players.
If RW comes back? Well, I don't know if he should start or be backup. It occurs to me that as a professional baseball player with a future in front of him, he might want to be a backup. Why not? Let MG lead the team with RW as a backup, ready to go but not risking his baseball future unless necessary. And Coach O'B. and RW can decide what is "necessary." One of the things I like most about Coach O'B. is that he cares for his players, and that observation goes back to BC and his career, not just here with us.
So - let it play out. I see a good season for the "Wufs."
And I see a good BB season coming, too!
Wilson playing as backup
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 17:54 — chrismg1Wilson playing as backup would be horrible for Glennon. Whats the over/under on the "we want Russell" chants if Glennon starts to struggle?
maybe in the Fall?
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 13:35 — SurferI thought if RW came back he is to be the backup?
not a problem
Fri, 03/18/2011 - 09:44 — JPDOhioThe only way RW comes back in the fall is if he fails miserably this year in baseball. And Russell has never failed miserably at anything.