NC State NFL Preseason Week 2 Report: Thursday & Friday

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.