Today's the big day. Cmon Mr. Manning, run with the Pack!

8/3/2007 8:23:51 AM

8/3/2007 8:47:41 AM

t-minus 4 hrs

8/3/2007 9:00:30 AM

He will be running with the pack!
just wait and see

8/3/2007 9:49:47 AM

is it on ESPNU?

8/3/2007 10:08:12 AM

^dont think so

8/3/2007 10:46:56 AM

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/658656.html

Chip Alexander and Robbi Pickeral, Staff Writers
N.C. State's Tom O'Brien and North Carolina's Butch Davis have hired coaching staffs, met the alumni and recruited. They've conducted spring drills, held summer camps and thumbed those last "HOW R U?" text messages to high school players. Today, it really begins.
O'Brien will take to the field in Raleigh and Davis in Chapel Hill as preseason practice opens for the Wolfpack and the Tar Heels. On what could be a scorching day, the sweat will flow, coaches' whistles blow and intensity and focus be demanded.

A year ago, Chuck Amato was coaching the Pack and John Bunting the Heels. Both were fired, and Davis and O'Brien have excited their respective fan bases.

But preseason practice often is about answering questions. So it will be with the Pack and Heels.

NORTH CAROLINA

Practice starts: Today; closed to public

First game: Sept. 1, vs. James Madison, 6 p.m.

Ticket information: http://www.tarheelblue.com

1. WHO WILL START AT QUARTERBACK?

Redshirt freshman T.J. Yates emerged as the starter in the spring game, but coach Butch Davis has made it clear that the competition -- which also includes sophomore Cameron Sexton and incoming freshman Mike Paulus -- is wide open. Davis said he would like to narrow the candidates to two within the first 10 days.

2. HOW IS DAVIS' HEALTH?

The coach, who had a cancerous growth removed from his mouth in March, finished precautionary chemotherapy treatments in May. His hair is growing back, and he says he is cancer-free. He worked with a trainer throughout the summer, walking up to four miles a day, and repeatedly has said he feels great.

North Carolina

3. WHO WILL EMERGE AT RUNNING BACK?

With the graduation of Ronnie McGill and dismissal of Barrington Edwards, only eight tailback carries return from 2006 -- seven by walk-on Justin Warren and one by sophomore Richie Rich. Rich and Anthony Elzy are listed as co-starters, but Johnny White, Anthony Parker-Boyd and incoming freshman Ryan Houston will compete.

4. HOW MANY FRESHMEN WILL PLAY?

Coach Butch Davis likes playing guys early, he said -- but only if it's in their best interests, meaning only if they get to play a significant amount of snaps. There are some potential impact players in the Class of '07, including defensive tackle Marvin Austin, wide receiver Greg Little, quarterback Mike Paulus and tailback Ryan Houston. But with a new coach, everyone will be competing for playing time.

5. CAN CONNOR BARTH STAY PERFECT (AGAIN)?

The senior -- who cut his trademark surfer locks over the summer -- was the only kicker in the country with a 1.000 field-goal percentage last season, going 10-for-10. Davis said he thinks the Wilmington native has the leg to play in the NFL; if the Tar Heels are in close games, Barth will have a chance to prove it.

N.C. STATE

Practice starts: Today; closed to public

First game: Sept. 1, vs Central Florida, 6 p.m.

Ticket information: http://www.gopack.com

1. Will Daniel Evans start at QB?

O'Brien says he may wait until the week of the opener before choosing a starter but also says a decision could come sooner. Judging by the spring game, it's Evans' job to lose. But Harrison Beck, a transfer from Nebraska, may be the best athlete at the position. Redshirt freshman Justin Burke may be the smartest.

2. WHAT ABOUT THE KICKING GAME?

The graduation of John Deraney, left, meant State lost its place-kicker, punter and kickoff man in one fell swoop. O'Brien seems set to turn the punting over to a junior college transfer, Jeff Ruiz. Place-kicker Josh Czajkowski, a redshirt freshman, was solid in the spring.

3. HOW WILL O'BRIEN HANDLE THE MCCULLER SITUATION?

Offensive lineman Jeraill McCuller faces charges of driving while impaired, speeding and reckless driving, and he is due in court in early September. Coach Tom O'Brien arrived at NCSU promising strict discipline but has not said what disciplinary action he will take with McCuller, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound sophomore who should start at right tackle. Should be interesting.

4. WILL THE OFFENSIVE LINE BE A PROBLEM?

The Pack has lost senior tight end Anthony Hill, out for the season after knee surgery. McCuller's status may be in doubt. For the Pack's running game to click, it needs its best blockers on the field. Marcus Stone moves up to No. 1 at tight end, but he's a converted quarterback. The backup at right tackle is senior Garrett Kline, who has not played a snap at NCSU.

5. WILL THE PACK MIX UP ITS DEFENSIVE FRONTS?

O'Brien and defensive coordinator Mike Archer know the answer but aren't tipping their hand. State plans to open in a 4-3 front, but Archer is a 3-4 disciple, and defensive end Willie Young is capable of dropping back off the line into a 3-4 look. Let Central Florida coach George O'Leary worry about that one.

8/3/2007 12:14:12 PM

Will anyone w/ premium access post updates?

8/3/2007 1:02:28 PM

pp says nc state.

8/3/2007 1:17:18 PM

^Is that official yet, or still speculation?

8/3/2007 1:18:09 PM

so says james, from the press conference.

8/3/2007 1:18:28 PM

^what he said

[Edited on August 3, 2007 at 1:19 PM. Reason : d]

8/3/2007 1:18:35 PM

it's official......state

8/3/2007 1:18:37 PM

sick

Red Tom

8/3/2007 1:19:35 PM

Wow, Thank God thats finally over.

8/3/2007 1:19:50 PM

Kick ass. #1 and #2 players in the State, and much needed LB depth.

8/3/2007 1:22:20 PM

hopefully he can sway some other big time recruits here if we win some games this year.

if we could somehow pull out a win over louisville and go to a bowl, i cant imagine how much we could get done with recruiting this year.

but then again, the odds of that are .001%

8/3/2007 1:34:58 PM

Manning should have a big domino effect. He is very highly respected by other recruits. This is great news! Outstanding job by TOB and Co.

8/3/2007 1:36:01 PM

We're already getting it done.

I'm satisfied with a top-20 class. Now, when Red Tom turns this ship around and we're devastating folks, the kids will be knocking down our door.

But we already have an extremely exciting class. Very nice.

8/3/2007 1:37:21 PM

#1 offensive & #1 defensive player in NC to State....I like it

not to mention they got Manning out of a UNC pipeline at Scotland County

a good season could mean some more kickass recruiting closer to signing day in '08

8/3/2007 1:37:25 PM

noice

8/3/2007 1:58:47 PM

keep the ball rolling...we need some lineman

WELCOME TO THE PACK MANNING....you are gonna love our fans, we are fucking psychotic

8/3/2007 2:00:08 PM

lawl nvrmind

[Edited on August 3, 2007 at 2:05 PM. Reason : .]

8/3/2007 2:02:47 PM

Yes sir!

8/3/2007 2:38:31 PM

gg Red Tom

Alls I gots ta say is get your LTRs now because once he takes us into the spotlight the prices will skyrocket....

8/3/2007 2:51:57 PM

FUCK YEAH! gg Red Tom. Tom O'Brien must have his very own TAG body spray that attracts recruits to him.


http://northcarolinastate.scout.com/a.z?s=178&p=2&c=664339
There's a video interview on that page. Terrell said he followed his heart and State is where he wanted to be. He said he'd also work on his buddy Dwayne Allen.

Jackie Chan when asked about the good news, while riding his segway, gave it the thumbs up.


[Edited on August 3, 2007 at 5:07 PM. Reason : ]

8/3/2007 4:48:36 PM

"I just felt the S come on my chest." -T. Manning

"I've got my eye on a buddy of mine...Dwayne Allen. I've got a strange feeling he's got the same feeling [about NC State]" -T. Manning

"HELL YEAH!!" -me

8/3/2007 5:42:04 PM

8/3/2007 6:29:36 PM

this is huge.....hopefully this has another domino effect like last time

8/3/2007 6:43:11 PM

Sweet this was a big sign....biggest thing TOB has done yet.

8/3/2007 7:23:25 PM

So far 3 verbals from 3 talented LBs...gotta love that early momentum!

8/3/2007 7:35:27 PM

Quote :

"biggest thing TOB has done yet."

that's debatable, but indeed a huge verbal.

8/3/2007 7:58:52 PM

It's pretty big, but getting Barnes the #1 player in the state was just a little bit bigger. Of course one could make the claim that getting Manning the #2 player in the state and #6 WLB in the nation was just as big b/c of our lack of depth at LB and our eventual switch to the 3-4 defense. Either way we got the #1 and #2 players in the State and Bitch Davis is shaking in his boots b/c he knows he won't be able to recruit at North Carolina as easily as he did at Miami. It's also great to know that besides getting the #1 LB in the state, we also got the #2 LB in the state in Dwayne Maddox. Plus we got Beasley, from Florida, who I hear is a beast.


Ground control to Major Tom Ground control to Major Tom:
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
Ground control to Major Tom: Commencing countdown engine's on
Check ig-nition and may God's love be with you

This is ground control to Major Tom, you've really made the grade!
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear,
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

This is Major Tom to ground con-trol, I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in the most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here am I sitting in a tin can, far above the world
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do

8/3/2007 9:57:12 PM

Quote :

"getting Barnes the #1 player in the state was just a little bit bigger."

Especially because Barnes agreed to come despite us having three very, very talented running backs here already.

And you can't forget landing an Elite 11 QB.

8/3/2007 10:07:48 PM

To put it into perspective, Florida coach Urban Meyer flew up to little old Bunn just to see Barnes. He also had an offer from USC which is where Reggie Bush, his idol, went. Pete Carroll was telling him he could be the next Reggie Bush type of player at USC. Barnes had offers from over 40 schools.

Manning had offers from Florida, Bama, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and North Carolina and others. Besides Carolina, that's some pretty impressive company that we beat out for Manning's services. As someone said perfectly, "that's some pretty high cotton we are walking amongst."



[Edited on August 3, 2007 at 10:32 PM. Reason : ]

8/3/2007 10:21:11 PM

Man I'm ready for some Wolf Pack football!!! I'll be a freshman this year, so I'm not really familiar with the ticket procedure. Do I have to go to any of the games against "smaller teams" if I want to go to the big time games? I'd rather not waste my time going to the easy games at the beginning of the season because I know we'll kick their butt anyway!

8/3/2007 10:33:29 PM

i dunno, i bought it.

[Edited on August 3, 2007 at 10:45 PM. Reason : whatever]

8/3/2007 10:41:53 PM

its times like these that I miss rymnNshitknickles

8/3/2007 10:42:38 PM

The trolling these days is just getting weaker and weaker.

8/3/2007 10:44:03 PM

Barnes is a talent (just that, an unproven talent) than any coach in the country would love to get, regardless of region in the country. Kid will be used early and often, not necessarily at RB IMO, like Blackman in his career here. I'd expect Barnes to be a Special Teams disaster for opposing teams his true frosh year and work his way into the offense as the season progresses.

8/3/2007 11:05:11 PM

Short of his actual play on the field, the offer list is the best way to tell that the guy is going to be good.

8/3/2007 11:09:38 PM

damn i am going to Atlanta this week with some family and i wont have any internet access. I dont know if i can live without recruiting info for an entire week



and yes Walter you can go to the big games without going to the small games. BUuuuut it is state football so if u dont want to go to EVERY home game then u are a faaaaaaag

8/3/2007 11:33:09 PM

In all honesty, anyone with "kenan" in their name shouldn't cast stones

8/3/2007 11:34:28 PM

ahhhhh touche

8/3/2007 11:37:27 PM

Quote :

"BUuuuut it is state football so if u dont want to go to EVERY home game then u are a faaaaaaag"

hahah

8/3/2007 11:43:57 PM

the verbal from Manning jumped us up 7 spots in the team recruiting rankings. From 27 to 20. With that said, does it seem like we are a little behind right now in # of verbals we have gotten. We are the only team in the top 20 in single digits with recruits landed. The plus side is, we are the only side in the top 20 with single digit recruits landed. We will move up the ladder pretty quickly if and when the rest of the verbals flow in.

8/4/2007 1:25:05 PM

Quote :

"I'd rather not waste my time going to the easy games at the beginning of the season because I know we'll kick their butt anyway!"

go to every game and enjoy those 4 years of free tickets

8/4/2007 1:29:19 PM

Quote :

"go to every game and enjoy those 4 years of free tickets"

This cannot be emphasized enough.

8/4/2007 2:42:37 PM

they technicallyyyyy arent free

8/4/2007 2:51:11 PM

Quote :

"With that said, does it seem like we are a little behind right now in # of verbals we have gotten."

I am without a doubt no expert, but I am happy with the # of quality guys we have right now. I mean unc has 4 verbals at this point. It will take some time to build up a reputation that the top 25 recruiting schools have. Right now we have a new coaching staff that is proven at other schools, but not here just yet. That being said, I am pumped about our future.

8/4/2007 3:00:10 PM