Safety Jimmaul Simmons has left N.C. State's team and is withdrawing from school, coach Tom O'Brien said Monday.
Defensive end A.J. Ferguson, who would have been a freshman, also won't be with the team in the fall, O'Brien said.
Aside from those two personnel nuggets, little news came out of N.C. State's first practice session Monday.
Here are some observations from practice, which was open to the media until its thunderstorm-soaked early conclusion:
- Quarterback Russell Wilson looks strong and healthy, none the worse for wear after spending the spring and summer playing baseball. He said he weighs 208 pounds - a little less than last year at this time - and has spent a lot of time in the weight room. Looking at him, it's easy to believe.
- With Matt Kushner back from last season's knee injury, the Wolfpack is in great shape at tight end. Sophomore George Bryan has incredible hands and is back after a promising season, and redshirt freshman Mario Carter has demonstrated a lot of ability.
- The punter position could be one of N.C. State's biggest headaches this fall. Neither senior Jeff Ruiz nor freshman Chris Ward looked especially impressive in the first practice - but it's still early.
- Freshman Morgan Alexander, who was recruited as an "athlete," has started his career with the wide receivers. That's one of N.C. State's deepest positions, so Alexander is unlikely to play immediately. But he demonstrated quickness and good hands in his opening practice, even though he is small at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds.
Comments
The Over
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 20:06 — gvillegatrI'll take the "over" in every ncsu football game this season. The defense was already going to be shaby, but it appears it won't be any better than last years now. Will we see Hawaii like games in the ACC?? To Be Continued!
i think too many people are
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 23:27 — mad_maxi think too many people are underestimating the defense of nc state. sure there are some question marks in the secondary and nate irving is injured, but we've got the depth and experience at LB this year to survive without irving, and just because there are questions in the secondary doesn't mean those questions won't be answered. people act like the only reason we won any games last year is because russel wilson was scoring...not even close to being true! remember the ecu game? state never would have had a chance if it weren't for those two incredible goal line stands in the 4th quarter. and the unc game? it wasn't russel wilson that caused those 6 turnovers. heck, even in the bowl game against rutgers, state's D was fighting till the end, even after wilson went out...made two huge interceptions. with guys like willie young returning, how could you think the pack is gonna be less than shabby on d this year?
Well...
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 23:46 — Heels20Where should I start? How about the game against South Carolina? State played pretty good defense...until Smelley came in. They made him look like a superstar. Then, let's fast forward to win Irving went down. BC's mediocre offense scored 38 against State. That was with Jeremy Gray at corner (not the 5'8'' Koyal George). Then, there was the 27 by Maryland, including the 3 that came from the drive at the end of the game where it appeared as though State's secondary had folded.
Furthermore, the 96th pass defense in the country and the 26.1 points allowed per game don't help. Losing guys like Ellis, Simmons and Gray from the secondary also hurt. Iriving's presence on the field was crucial as well.
To your credit, State's D was the worst last year when Wilson was down (South Carolina, USF). Although he is a QB, State's inability to keep drives alive led to a tired defense and more scoring opportunities for the opposition. If Wilson can stay healthy, that won't be as big of a problem next year. At the same time, a defense where Koyal George is a starter and Bobby Floyd is a key contributor is going to get thrown all over. The corners lack height and the safeties lack depth. Ray Michel has some solid experience and Maddox has gotten in a little bit, but guys like Terrell Manning are going to have to learn fast.
That last paragraph...
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 09:21 — JPDOhioPretty much sums it up. I will add though that State's success will revolve around its offensive and defensive lines. (Isn't that always the case?)
If the O-line can open holes for the running backs and protect the QB's, State will light up the scoreboard and keep the defense off the field. Fatigue at the end of the game won't be a problem. If the D-line can stop the run and get to the QB, it will take the pressure off the secondary. The best secondary in the world can't stop the passing game if the QB has all day to throw.
I also will be surprised if at least one of the new starters at LB doesn't turn out to be the next Nate Irving. That is a tall order, but there is a lot of talent and potential at that position.
So basically this means...
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 13:50 — Heels20every game will be a shootout. Wilson with 200+ passing yards per game and an NC State secondary giving up 200+ passing yards per game.
The loss of Simmons probably won't effect the starters too much. However, it adds to already-horrible depth issues at the position. Now 5'9'' Bobby Floyd is back in the mix.
why cant they put Alexander
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 09:07 — aideanwhy cant they put Alexander at safetey and let him learn that position? Is it usual for this many guys to leave schools/not enroll around the country, makes me wonder if TOB or NC State suspends them but doesn't tell the press.
oops
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 09:09 — aideanoops
Can't prove it....
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 12:50 — JPDOhioBut I think it is pretty common. When you are dealing with about 100 18-22 year olds, a handful are bound to leave for various reasons that may have something or nothing to do with football.
The number that have left State does not seem like a lot to me in total, although the fact that two were in a defensive secondary that was already thin is worrysome. Does that mean they were feeling the pressure to perform and couldn't take it at a young age? Or was it something totally unrelated to football? We probably will never know.