N.C. State ranked 96th nationally in pass defense last season. The permanent losses of cornerback Dominique Ellis and safety Jimmaul Simmons, and the temporary loss of linebacker Nate Irving, do not help that cause.
But if you're going to have a weakness in the ACC, pass defense is the first bullet you'd bite.
Quiz time.
How many ACC offenses ranked in the top 50 in passing?
How many ACC quarterbacks ranked in the top 50 in total offense? Or pass efficiency?
The answers are: none, none and one. In the case of the latter, unless he transfers, State doesn't have to worry about facing the one (Russell Wilson).
The point of the quiz? State's deficiencies on pass defense are not a reason to give up on the '09 season. If the Wolfpack moved to a quarterback-happy conference like the Big 12, then maybe, but even with the experience returning at quarterback in the ACC, the league title will not be won by the secondary.
Wilson (41) was the only ACC quarterback ranked in the top 50 in efficiency and was the highest-ranked ACC player in total offense (60).
Of the seven other ACC quarterbacks ranked in the top 100 in efficiency, three (58, Cullen Harper, Clemson; 94, Marc Verica, UVa; 97, Robert Marve, Miami) are either no longer starting or no longer in the league.
Yeah, but there must be great receivers in the ACC, right? Well, there was one in UNC's Hakeem Nicks, but he's in the NFL. Nicks ranked 12th nationally in receiving yardage in '08. The other three receivers ranked in the top 100 are out of eligibility.
So, in short, State doesn't have to face the best quarterback in the league and there isn't a single receiver of statistical importance in the entire league.
Yep, State fan, it's time to jump off the ship because a corner transferred and a backup safety went home.
Focus.
Passing offense (NCAA rank)
58. Clemson
64. Maryland
65. N.C. State
69. Virginia
74. UNC
75. Duke
77. Miami
82. FSU
87. Wake Forest
93. BC
111. VT
116. GT
Passing efficiency (NCAA rank)
41. Russell Wilson, State
58. Cullen Harper, Clem
59. Riley Skinner, Wake
64. Thad Lewis, Duke
74. Chris Turner, Md
86. Christian Ponder, FSU
94. Marc Verica, UVa
97. Robert Marve, Miami
Not ranked in the top 100: Tyrod Taylor, VT; Chris Crane, BC; T.J. Yates, UNC (didn't play in enough games); Josh Nesbitt, GT
Comments
*sigh* we'll move on, i suppose
Fri, 08/07/2009 - 11:11 — alexm2203I go to state and I'm waiting for us to get out of this slump...
indoor lighting | home lighting | crystal chandeliers | energy efficient lighting | Swarovski
just doing my part...
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 17:40 — izzykareemA lovely collection of Citadel Fight Songs GO DOGS Go Dogs, Go down the Field, Let’s win this game! Fight’em and Bite’em, The Corps sings your fame! Rah – Rah – Rah! Fight on and never yield, It’s plain to see That the Corps will take the Dogs To Vic – to – ry! ALL HAIL TO THE BULLDOGS by Lee M. Glaze, Citadel Class of 1986 All Hail to the Bulldogs, March to victory Long live The Citadel, so proud are we. And yield, we will never. We’re Blue/White forever. We will fight, we will win, we will conquer in the end, A Bulldog triumph today. THE CITADEL RAMBLE The Citadel has a bulldog With short and grizzly hair. Carolina has a gamecock-- Now wouldn't they make a pair? And when they get together There's bound to be a scrap. Just watch that Citadel Bulldog Wipe that gamecock off the map! CHORUS Oh! they rambled, they rambled. They rambled all around. In and out of town, Oh! they rambled, they rambled. They rambled 'till the Bulldogs cut `em down. THE FIGHTING LIGHT BRIGADE We're here cheering loudly, as the Brigadiers parade. Bucks, we claim you proudly as THE FIGHTING LIGHT BRIGADE! March on, ye valiant warriors; your courage shall not fade; As we yell, we yell like hell for you, THE FIGHTING LIGHT BRIGADE! THE CITADEL FOREVER While now we pass in review, marching along, We praise thee, O Citadel, in our lusty song, As bearing the colors proud, we pledge anew, To thee, our Alma Mater dear, Allegiance proud and true. With brave, loyal hearts aflame, we march away, To train for the victories that we must win some day; When passing in life's review, Mem'ries of thee, O Citadel, shall our inspiration be.
Spin Doctor
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 14:32 — heelsno1Losing quality players in the defensive secondary is not a favorable development for any football team...period.
Trying to put a positive spin on this development strikes me as utter nonsense. Football is often a game of attrition, so you must always be prepared to line up and play hard with the players available.
Moreover, last year's statistics are completely irrelevant to the upcoming season. A better way to paint a rosier picture is by competing well and winning often. Saying that, I truly hope that NC State wins their division, then falters against UNC in the season finale (which TOB deplores) and loses again to the Heels in the ACC Championship game. Now, that would be a glass that is completely full.
whoa, slow down there buddy.
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 16:37 — mad_maxwhoa, slow down there buddy. BMFD just needs to focus on beating ncsu ONCE in a season. let's not get ahead of ourselves. hah j/k, i know you're just talking about what you hope for, not what you expect. in all honesty, as much as i love to see unc lose every game they play in, i would be completely thrilled to see state and unc square off in the championship.
The DL...
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 13:40 — willncsushould be able to create more pressure this year. That should help out with the weak secondary.
Locker room material
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:58 — SurferWow. "So, in short, State doesn't have to face the best quarterback in the league and there isn't a single receiver of statistical importance in the entire league." Huh? I know RW had a good year last year, but is he already the best quarterback in the league this year? "No single receiver of statistical importance in the entire league"? I know you mean returning, but you can bet that many will take exception to this.
perpetual hypocracy
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 16:33 — mad_maxso, what about last year surfer, when you and the rest of tarheel nation were boasting about tj yates and how he was the best in the league. and this was after he threw more INTs than TDs in the previous year! now all of a sudden it's a crime to project RW as the best qb in the league? especially after he became the first freshman to ever be named first team all-acc qb. typical one-sided post from you surfer.
?
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 10:49 — Heels20I don't know of a single Carolina fan that said TJ Yates was going to be the best in the league last year...
Inertia
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 09:47 — SurferYo, max, why are you always so mad? I never boasted about how TJ was the best in the league last year. Actually, he missed too many games to be included in the Statistics JPG referenced. Yes, he was leading the ACC and 12th nationally in passing efficiency through three games last year until he was injured, but I am sure the competition was not yet up to par. (oops)
I don’t think that it is a crime to project RW as the best QB in the league, I just think that it is somewhat premature to state as a fact, since the first game has yet to be played. I think that he is a great QB and even a better person, from what I have seen. I know he missed some games last year, but UNC’s team passing percentage (56.88) was better than State’s (50.26) last year.
My point was that, the statements made by JPG, "So, in short, State doesn't have to face the best quarterback in the league and there isn't a single receiver of statistical importance in the entire league.", would be perfect motivational material for other teams in the league.
Oh yea, I do like my side.
BTW, it’s Hypocrisy
well
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 16:15 — joegiglio (author)If my imaginary football team was playing in the ACC, I'm sure that would make a bulletin board and they would really take it out on my imaginary players.
But by all means, if you can find a statistically relevant receiver in the ACC, returning or otherwise, show me the way.
— JPG
Right
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 16:32 — SurferI imagine that that would be quite interesting.
Regarding the receivers, I think that is what they would like to prove this season.... that they are statistically relevant.
Nice Perspective J.P.
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 00:56 — davegh96Obviously you know that NC State fans tend to be a little emotional. OK, very emotional. We get excited very easily and we get depressed very easily. This blog post was a nice reminder that it is still OK to be excited about the season. For me, my glass is still half full. Heck, my glass is about to spill over. Football season is less than a month away and the Pack is finally expected to make some noice. Thanks for the pick-me-up J.P. Oh yeah....GO PACK!
Rivals Radio
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 20:15 — gvillegatrwas anyone listening to college rivals radio this morning or the replay this afternoon when they did the interview with Wilson from UNC. they also brought in another personality and they talked for a few minutes about UNC.
anyway, they took a few calls from the peanut gallery and of course one of them was an ncsu fan. he was from Pinehurst. I thought it was going to be a somewhat intellectual call. I was wrong.
First of all, his southern twang made me feel like I was born in NYC! (and mine is pretty strong) his comment was, "I hear you guys talking about how vaunted the UNC defense is going to be this year but we beat em 41-10 last season!" that was it.
Typical.
Find something else to hang your hat on, ncsu fans!
This post...
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 08:35 — wolfpackcaniacThis post was necessary.
And life goes on Mr. Gat. (relax)
absolutley
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 09:01 — gvillegatrlife goes on. no question. that was sorta my point. It doesn't matter where you are or what publication you're reading or what radio statio you are lsitening to, all ncsu fans can say is "41-10."
and yet...
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 09:30 — wolfpackcaniacAnd yet you still get bothered by it enough to post about it completely off topic. Who cares? Stop worrying about it. If someone says 41-10 or 31-27 or bagel-cream cheese, just let it slide and don't subject the rest of us to your little afternoon commute pity party.
Now....... back on topic. I am also glass 3/4 full on the Wolfpack's football season. I have faith that the secondary will learn quickly. They will have to, starting out against a big time opponent on primetime.
Opponent
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:45 — SurferBig time opponent? I thought they started with South Carolina?
your opinion is allowed
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 15:47 — wolfpackcaniacYour opinion is allowed on this board, but I will respectfully submit that the majority of the nation disagrees with you.
Let's break it down.
NCSU vs USC:
1. Thursday night (OPENING NIGHT for the entire country!)
2. Primetime ESPN!
3. 2 major conference programs on the rise.
It will be a good test to start the season (I almost wish we were playing a cupcake like the Heels to get the team running smoothly, but obviously the Wolfpack have higher goals and to achieve them you have to play better competition). I'll be anxiously awaiting Sept 3, but I'll be holding my breath those first few drives hoping both our offense and defense clicks.
Re: Opponent
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:55 — gvillegatryea, Surfer, you didn't know? USC is a big time opponent! 4-4 in conference and 7-6 overall ... getting embarassed in their bowl game by Iowa I believe. to boot, I believe they have one conference title in their illustrious history. BIG TIME!!
it's definitely big time
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 16:28 — mad_maxit's definitely big time compared to what most schools usually open their season with. heck, even we start off with a 1-aa a lot of the time. just get off your high horse and worry about the citadel. you guys know for damn sure that if unc opened against usc, it would be dubbed (by yourselves) the biggest opener in the history of the acc. remember, it's your fan base that is trying to make uconn out to be a national powerhouse.
Right on
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 13:01 — SurferThanks g'ville. Now I get it, a winning record = Big Time.
Surfer
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 13:15 — Heels20Don't forget about Stephen Garcia. He hasn't been a bust at all...
Spurrier
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 13:36 — gvillegatrwith all his offensive genius, how could he only produce one player in 4 complete years of football at that dump? even he should be able to come up with more than just McKinley at WR??
one word, "FOOOORRRRREEEEE!"
the besuty of it all is the school has always been avg in their best years of football so he has pulled the wool over everyone in the low country! Beautiful is what it is!!
Jump ship? No, but
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 18:51 — HeHateMeTooJump ship? No, but definitely reason for concern. Even before the loss of Simmons and Ellis, the defensive secondary was by far, the weakest unit on State's squad.
Also, as Heels20 pointed out, though facing all those weak passing offenses in 2008, State still finished 97th* (out of 120) against the pass.
State has now lost 3 significant contributors (Gray, Ellis, Simmons) from that squad. Replacements must be found from a pool comprised of only the untested, unproven, and unheralded.
On the positive side, last year's low ranking in pass defense can be partially attributed to scheme, as the Wolfpack routinely employed "bend, don't brake" philosophies to help minimize the effect of depth and talent shortcomings in the secondary. But then again, that scheme was due to depth and talent shortcomings in the secondary.
I imagine similar game plans will be used this year - give the receivers a 5-7 yard cushion, sometimes even in short yardage situations, and wait for the offense to make a mistake and/or a big defensive play (another reason Irving was so huge last year - he is a playmaker). Hold the ball on offense, and when necessary, just try to outscore the opponent.
With that said, to help mitigate the weaknesses in the secondary, State definitely needs a steep learning curve from the DB's this year, for Clem Johnson to stay healthy, and probably a pleasant surprise somewhere else with a DB playing beyond current expectations.
And as always, a strong pass rush can mask weakness in the backfield. Willie Young and crew will need to it step up and deliver.
Jump ship, never. But hopefully State fans will understand the situation and not boo their own team when they see soft zones and wide open receivers in quick outs and screens.
*cfbstats.com
Is the glass half empty, or
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 16:40 — Heels20Is the glass half empty, or is it half full? NC State ranked 96th in pass defense last year against these horrible passing teams. With Deandre Morgan, Clem Johnson, Justin Byers and Koyal George returning as the DBs, couldn't 96th last year mean even worse this year now that 10 teams return starting QBs?