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Sports Illustrated’s Jonathan Jones wrote an intersting piece this morning. He wrote a letter to Philip Rivers asking him to please consider waiving his no-trade clause and move on from the Chargers.

On one hand you admire the former Wolfpack legend’s loyalty to the Chargers, but that doesn’t mean Sports Illustrated doesn’t have a point. Rivers is an elite quarterback stuck on a team that simply can’t do much right lately.

Is playing for the Chargers hurting his stock? Is it hurting his standing as a potential hall of fame quarterback? These are a few questions that maybe we should start thinking about as State fans. Rivers has the potential to be NC State’s first NFL hall of famer, but losing season after losing season isn’t going to help that cause. So obviously we should be wanting him to leave San Diego, right? …Well, not so fast.

When Rivers decided to come to NC State over several other top tier schools, we applauded his confidence and drive to take an underdog and make them a contender. Now, however, are we asking him to do something different in San Diego because it benefits us (so we can brag that we have a QB in the NFL Hall of Fame)? As State fans, do we only root for the underdog and for loyalty when it’s self-serving, or are those qualities that we truly have regardless.

Just a few things to ponder as you read what SI had to say.

Here are some highlights of that letter:

“You may not know it because you love San Diego so much. You may not understand it because of your deep loyalty to the Chargers and their fans. But it’s time, Philip. It’s time for you to leave.You’re not getting any younger and your team isn’t getting any better. As bad as last season’s 4–12 record was, 2016 may be even worse.”

“You’ve given so much to this franchise, including your ACL in the 2007 AFC Championship Game. The 42,557 passing yards are the fifth-most among active quarterbacks, and the four in front of you are guaranteed to go into the Hall of Fame. And of the 13 players in front of you on the all-time list, 11 are either in the Hall or will eventually find their way there. But my concern here is for you. I’m not convinced you’re going to make it to Canton if you don’t get out of your current situation. The statistics are there, but your final years where you can really state your case are washing away into the Pacific.”

“Your loyalty to this franchise is unquestioned. You signed a four-year extension last year with the specter of a team moving to Los Angeles staring the Chargers in the face. You believed in the team and stuck around, and you’re being repaid with heartbreaking loss after heartbreaking loss.“You try to laugh to keep from crying,” you said after your team fumbled away another fourth-quarter lead. You deserve better, Philip.”

What do you think? Should Rivers stay loyal to the Chargers, or should he look for a better opportunity to play out his final years in the NFL?

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Pack in the Pros

Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is Receiving Interest from NFL Teams

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3 days ago

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April 13, 2024

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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is receiving interest from NFL teams. Thus far, those teams are the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, and Broncos.

Last season as a Senior, Jackson had 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for the Wolfpack. His Run Defense grade on PFF was 80.6, ranking 4th on the team.

According to current projections, Jackson projects to be taken on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, or picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.

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Former All-NC State Forward Richard Howell Named Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach at Green Hope

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5 days ago

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April 11, 2024

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Former All-ACC NC State Forward Richard Howell has been named the new Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach at Green Hope High School right down the road in Cary, North Carolina.

“I am thrilled to join the Green Hope family and lead the varsity men’s basketball team,” Coach Howell expressed. “My journey in basketball has been incredibly rewarding, and I am excited to share my knowledge and passion for the game with the talented athletes at Green Hope.”

Principal Alison Cleveland commented on the hire, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Coach Howell to Green Hope High School. His impressive background and dedication to the game will undoubtedly inspire our student-athletes to reach new heights both on and off the court.” (Green Hope)

Howell earned 1st Team All-ACC honors as a member of the Wolfpack back in 2013, when he averaged 12.7 points and 10.9 boards per game. His 1,055 career rebounds rank 5th in NC State history, and his 392 offensive boards rank 1st.

On December 15th, 2012, Howell snagged 19 rebounds, which is tied for the 2nd most in a single game in program history. Howell played 132 career games for the Wolfpack, which ranks 5th in NC State history.

After graduating from NC State, Howell had a couple of stints in the D-League (now called the G-League), but ultimately had a long career overseas, playing in Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and Israel from 2013-2023.

Congratulations Richard! Raise up some talent and send them down the road to NC State!

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T-Wolves Sign Former NC State Forward TJ Warren for Remainder of the Season

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3 weeks ago

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March 27, 2024

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Back during the first week of March, former All-ACC NC State Forward TJ Warren signed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After finding success as a scoring option off the bench, the T-Wolves signed him to another 10-day contract.

With only 11 games remaining in the regular season, Minnesota went ahead and signed him for the rest of regular season yesterday.

In the 7 games Warren has played for the T-Wolves, he has averaged 4.1 points per game in 14.0 minutes of play, shooting 47.8% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc.

Warren has not played in Minnesota’s past two games, but he has a chance to prove his worth once again tonight in the T-Wolves matchup vs. the Pistons. As things currently stand, Minnesota sits in 3rd place in the Western Conference.

Here’s a look at the former ACC Player of the Year’s stats over 10 seasons.

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Former NC State All-American Nyheim Hines Signs 1-Year Deal With Cleveland

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1 month ago

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March 13, 2024

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Former NC State All-American Nyheim Hines has signed a 1-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth up to $3.5 million.

Maybe Cleveland will use Hines to his full potential. If you’re not using him as a Swiss Army Knife in the passing game, you’re wasting an opportunity.

The former All-ACC Running Back Hines missed all of last season due to a torn ACL he suffered in a boating accident.

This will be Hines’ 7th season in the NFL.

When you look at what former NC State players have done in the NFL, Hines ranks in the Top-10 in Rushing and Receiving.

His 1,015 rushing yards ranks 7th in school history and his 10 rushing touchdowns rank 9th. Hines’ 240 receptions rank 8th and his 1,778 receiving yards rank 10th.

In the return game, he’s one of the best to represent NC State in the NFL as well. His 1,015 punt return yards ranks 2nd in school history and his 817 kickoff return yards rank 6th. Hines’ 2 punts returned for TD’s ranks 3rd, and his 2 kickoffs taken to the house ranks 1st.

 

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