Pack in the Pros

BJ Hill Finishes with the Most Sacks by a Rookie in Giants History

Published

8 months ago

January 5, 2019

Former NC State Defensive Tackle BJ Hill thrived as a rookie this season in his role as a starting defensive end in the Giants 3-4 scheme, ranking 2nd on the team in sacks (Olivier Vernon led the team with 7).

His 5.5 sacks are the most EVER by a Giants rookie, since sacks became an official category in 1982.

Pack in the Pros

NC State NFL Preseason Week 2 Report: Thursday & Friday

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2019

Matthew Bradham

Week 2 of the 2019 NFL Preseason kicked off on Thursday night, and quite a few former NC State players shined over the past two nights.

Quarterback Ryan Finley was exceptional on Thursday night, completing 20 of his 26 pass attempts for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns (0 interceptions) in the Bengals 23-13 victory over the Redskins. His QB Rating on the night was an impressive 115.9.

.@PackFootball should be proud of how Ryan Finley is playing for the Bengals tonight! Only a preseason game, but he's solving every problem w good decisions, pocket presence, and accurate throws. #CINvsWAS

— Trevor Matich (@TMatich) August 16, 2019

Watching #Bengals rookie QB Ryan Finley (4th Round Pick) makes it evident why team moved Jeff Driskel to WR. 8-8 on TD drive. Kid is 100% ready to backup Dalton. No need for 3 QBs on roster. Finley will be starting and potentially successful at some point this season.

— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) August 16, 2019

Ryan Finley notes:

-Excellent poise in pocket
-Two outstanding dig routes. Perfect touch/ball location around multiple defenders
-Still struggles w/velocity on outside lane throws. Needs to be perfect there from timing standpoint
-Ran the offense well, consistent good decisions

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 16, 2019

At this point, it looks like Finley has established himself as Andy Dalton’s backup.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt had 3 tackles, 1 Pass Deflection, and 1 QB Hit in Cincinnati’s 23-13 victory over Washington.

Nice high tackle by Germaine Pratt pic.twitter.com/So11aeKYoD

— Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) August 16, 2019

Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon was targeted twice in the Redskins 23-13 loss to the Bengals, and insanely called for offensive pass interference on both plays.

We are all DOOMED!!

1. Possibly the worst offensive pass interference call in history.

2. Theismann‘s reaction is 😂😂🤣

“WHAT???!!!”

3. Jay Gruden challenges it.

4. The call was upheld and the ruling on the field stands (??) 😶😶 pic.twitter.com/ZAuU5Ccuwf

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 16, 2019

And YES, this insane catch by Harmon was challenged by the Bengals, and flipped to offensive pass interference.

Kelvin Harmon just made an ABSURD catch. pic.twitter.com/lU4tYcYsZ8

— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) August 16, 2019

Harmon reminded the Twitterverse that there are no 50/50 balls thrown his direction. They are 90/10 balls.

90/10 pic.twitter.com/Boq3UZm2rv

— Kelvin Harmon (@Wide_Receiver3) August 16, 2019

Harmon’s coach Jay Gruden doesn’t want him to change a thing.

Jay Gruden STRONG in his defense of Kelvin Harmon on the penalties.

“I’ll continue to coach Kelvin Harmon to go get the football. That’s why we drafted him. If he can’t do what he did tonight, I don’t know what he can do.”

— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) August 16, 2019

Quarterback Jalan McClendon was 2-2 for 12 yards in Washington’s 23-13 loss to Cincinnati.

It was cool to see 4 former Wolfpack players chatting it up on Thursday.

A little NC State huddle: Germaine Pratt, Ryan Finley, Kelvin Harmon and Jalan McClendon. pic.twitter.com/iz20pEpVf8

— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) August 16, 2019

Quarterback Mike Glennon was dang near perfect on Thursday night, completing 11 of 14 for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns (0 interceptions) in the Raiders 33-26 victory over the Cardinals.

Glennon is solidifying himself as Derek Carr’s backup.

Punter AJ Cole had a boot on Thursday, averaging 49.4 yards per punt (5 punts) in Oakland’s 33-26 win over Arizona. Cole dropped 3 of his 5 punts inside the 20.

Place Kicker Stephen Hauschka made 1 of his 2 field goal attempts in the Bills 27-14 victory over the Panthers on Friday night, and was 3-3 on extra points. He made a 30-yard field goal, and missed a 48-yarder.

Defensive End B.J. Hill had 2 tackles in the Giants 32-13 victory over the Bears last night.

Pack in the Pros

AJ Cole is the Last Punter Standing in Oakland

Published

4 days ago

August 14, 2019

Matthew Bradham

Former NC State punter AJ Cole went to Rookie Minicamp with hardly any expectations of being signed. Honestly, the percentage of players there that get a contract are miniscule.

But in the end, Cole was one of the few from that were invited to Training Camp, still with no guarantee of a roster spot.

But uncertainty became certainty for Cole yesterday, when the Raiders waived Johnny Townsend, their punter from 2018, leaving the former Wolfpacker as the final punter still in the Oakland Raiders camp.

“To sign some players, you have to let some players go,” (Jon) Gruden (head coach) said Tuesday. “Hate to see Johnny [Townsend] go. We still think he’s a really good punter. A.J. Cole deserves to be our guy at this point.”

“Well, he has a tremendous leg,” (Rich) Bisaccia (Special Teams Coordinator) said. “He has a natural hang to him, kind of even on his bad ball he can kind of get away with it. He’s a high-hit guy on his contact on the ball and he’s really improved his holding as he’s come along. And he can kickoff, so it gives us a little bit of an advantage that way with having the ability to have two guys that can kickoff through preseason.” (Raiders)

Gruden on AJ Cole “He downed it inside the 20 a couple times. He put on an orbital display the other day against the Rams. We haven’t seen kicks like that since Lechler was here or King. The guy really has a live leg and it looks like he can directional punt and hold.”

— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) August 11, 2019

Cole’s 220 punts rank 3rd in NC State history, his 9,288 punting yards ranks 2nd, and his 42.2 yard average ranks 3rd.

Pack in the Pros

Trea Turner Extends On-Base Streak to 20 Games

Published

5 days ago

August 13, 2019

Matthew Bradham

Former NC State All-American Shortstop Trea Turner extended his on-base streak to 20 games last night, going 2-4, with a home run accompanied by 4 RBI’s.

Trea Turner just extended his on-base streak to 20 games…

…AND THE #NATS LEAD TO 4 WITH A 3-RUN HR.

BOTTOM 4 // #Nats 6, Reds 2 pic.twitter.com/pP8Jzkca7A

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 13, 2019

Turner is in a league of his own over the past 4 years.

#Nats shortstop Trea Turner is the only player in baseball with 10+ homers and 25+ stolen bases each of the past four seasons.

— Matt Weyrich (@MattWeyrichFBB) August 13, 2019

For a little of perspective of where Turner’s on-base streak stands in MLB history, check out the all-time list below.

Longest on-base streaks in Phillies history

	Player	Year(s)	Games	BA during
1.	Mike Schmidt	1981-82	56	.330
2.	Chuck Klein	1930	49	.409
3.	Bobby Abreau	2000-01	48	.330
4.	Odubel Herrera	2017-18	45	.355
5.	Chuck Klein	1931	44	.412
6.	Pete Rose	1982	41	.317
	Don Hurst	1929	41	.342
8.	Willie Montanez	1974	40	.377
9.	Jimmy Rollins	2005-06	38	.379
	Scott Rolen	1998-99	38	.286

On the year, Turner is hitting .290 with 11 home runs and 25 stolen bases.

Pack in the Pros

NC State NFL Preseason Week 1 Report: 8/11/19

Published

7 days ago

August 11, 2019

Matthew Bradham

The 1st Week of the 2019 NFL Preseason has wrapped up, and quite a few former NC State players were in action on Friday and Saturday.

If you missed our report from Thursday night, check it out here.

Running Back Jaylen Samuels looked like the ghost of Le’Veon Bell on Friday night in the Steelers 30-28 victory over the Bucs.

He's got the moves 😏 @JaySam1k pic.twitter.com/Q1FWVb1RiP

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 10, 2019

Samuels finished with 2 carries for 22 yards, and 1 reception for 9 yards.

Quarterback Ryan Finley was 13-18 for 109 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception (QB Rating: 82.9) in the Bengals 38-17 loss to the Chiefs. On his scoring drive, he was 12 of 13 for 100 yards. Finley is fighting to be Andy Dalton’s backup. After a rough go of it when he arrived in Cincinnati, this was a good step in that direction. He’s been primarily leading the 2nd team offense as of late.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt had 2 tackles in the Bengals 38-17 loss to the Chiefs.

Quarterback Mike Glennon was 17 of 25 for 200 yards with 2 interceptions (0 touchdowns/QB Rating: 58.8) in the Raiders 14-3 victory over the Rams.

Mike Glennon goes DEEP to @_ThaJizzleMan to get the @Raiders in the redzone!#LARvsOAK pic.twitter.com/Bve2QYpqTX

— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2019

Mike Glennon’s 2 INTs pic.twitter.com/HPD3Hwa1Hw

— Kris Wysong (@KrisWysong) August 11, 2019

Punter A.J. Cole had 4 punts that went for an average of 43 yards, pinning 2 of them down inside the 20-yard line (Long: 49 yards) in the Raiders 14-3 victory over the Rams

Defensive End Kentavius Street had 4 tackles and 2 tackles for loss in the 49ers 17-9 victory over the Cowboys.

Kentavius Street with the TFL great to see the #NCState player looking good out there coming off his injury last year#KentaviusStreet #49ers #DALvsSF pic.twitter.com/FRAEFZ0ivv

— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) August 11, 2019