Wolfpack NFL Week 3 Review

Ted Larsen – OG - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Was the starting right guard in the 16-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

 Jerricho Cotchery – WR - Pittsburgh Steelers - Had 1 reception for 9 yards while being targeted 1 times in a 34-31 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Manny Lawson – OLB - Cincinnati Bengals - Had 3 tackles in their 38-31 win over the Washington Redskins.

Adrian Wilson – S - Arizona Cardinals – Did not play due injury.

J.R. Sweezy/Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Nate Irving – LB - Denver Broncos – Had 1 tackles and a QB hurry in a 31-25 loss to the Houston Texans.

Philip Rivers –QB - San Diego Chargers - Rivers completed 21 of 38 passes for 173 yards, 1 interception, and a QB rating of 45.2 in a 27-3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Stephen Tulloch – MLB - Detroit Lions - Recorded 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, in a 41-44 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Willie Young – DE - Detroit Lions - Played but did not have any recordable stats in a 41-44 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Andre Brown – RB - NY Giants – Brown had 20 carries for 113 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 receptions for 17 yards in the Giants’ 36-7 win over to the Carolina Panthers.

Markus Kuhn – DT - NY Giants - Had one tackle in the Giant’s in the Giants’ 36-7 win over to the Carolina Panthers.

Sean Locklear – OT - NY Giants – Locklear was the starting left tackle in the Giants’ 36-7 win over to the Carolina Panthers.

Russell Wilson – QB - Seattle Seahawks – Wilson completed 10 of 21 passes for 130 yards, 2 touchdowns, a QB rating of 99.3, and had 3 rushes for 18 yards in a 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers. Wilson completed a Hail Mary pass to Golden Tate to win the game.

Steven Hauschka – PK - Seattle Seahawks - Hauschka went 2-2 on PATs in the Seahawks 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Mario Williams – DE - Buffalo Bills – Recorded 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 24-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

T.J. Graham – WR – Buffalo Bills – Was targeted 5 times and had 3 receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown in a 24-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Terrell Manning – LB - Green Bay Packers – Did not play in the Packers’ 14-12 loss to the Seahawks.

Leroy Harris – OG – Tennessee Titans – Started at right guard for the Titans in the 44-41 win over the Detroit Lions.

 J.R. Sweezy – OG – Seattle Seahawks – Started at right guard for the Seahawks in their 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Audie Cole – LB – Minnesota Vikings – Played in his first game of the season but had no recordable stats in the 24-13 win over the 49ers.

Wolfpack NFL Week 3 Preview

Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns – Bills DE Mario Williams will need to pressure rookie QB Brandon Weeden forcing the Cleveland signal caller to make mistakes. On offense the Bill are trying to get their passing attack going with WR T.J. Graham who saw his first action last week with 1 reception for 7 yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys – Buccaneers RG Ted Larsen will help lead the offense line to get the Tampa running game going and protect QB Josh Freeman from LB DeMarcus Ware.

Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee Titans – Titan’s RG Leroy Harris and the offensive line will try to provide some stability to a struggling Titans offense behind first year starter Jake Locker. Lions’ defenders LB Stephen Tulloch and DE Willie Young will try continue the Locker‘s struggles.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings face arguable the best team in the NFC if not the entire league in the 49ers. On defense LB Audie Cole will hope to see his first action of the season for the Vikings.

WR Jerricho Cotchery

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Redskins – The Bengals defense led by LB Manny Lawson will try to shut down rookie sensation QB Robert Griffin III.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals – The talented Eagles offense led by QB Michael Vick will face off against a stingy Cardinals defense led by S Adrian Wilson.  

Atlanta Falcons vs. San Diego Chargers – QB Philip Rivers has gotten the Chargers off to a 2-0 start and looks to have regained his All-Pro form. Today River will try to out duel QB Matt Ryan.

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos – The defense with LB Nate Irving will have the responsibility to slowing down the explosive Matt Schwab to Andre Johnson connection.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs., Oakland Raiders – QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Jerricho Cotchery will need to score points and control time off possession to compensate for a banged up defense.

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks – Rookie QB Russell Wilson had another solid game for the Seahawks last week and got his first professional victory. Wilson will look to continue improving as a starting QB and will be protected by RG J.R. Sweezy. To slow down the Seahawks momentum Packers’ LB Terrell Manning will look to make big plays on defense and special teams.

Andre Brown Gets First Start (Giants vs Panthers)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

The NFL Network Thursday Night Football game this week will feature the New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers. The Panthers got their first win of the season last week against the New Orleans Saints behind a stout rushing attack led by QB Cameron Newton. The Giants defensive line including former NC State DT Markus Kuhn will have the responsibility of trying to stop Carolina’s vaunted running game. The Panthers’ defense is led by LB Jon Beson and will try to stop a Giants’ offense that exploded in the second half of their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants’ offense will be without several starters (RB Ahmed Bradshaw, WR Hakeem Nicks, OT David Diehl), but they will still have the leadership of Eli Manning and WR Victor Cruz. To counter the running game of the Panthers the G-men will rely on their own rushing attack that will feature former Wolfpack players OT Sean Locklear and RB Andre Brown. Brown will get his first NFL start after a breakout performance last week helping the team achieve their first win of the season. The winner of this NFC contest could have an advantage when it comes to playoff positioning at the end of the season.

Pack Players NFL NFL Week 2 Review

Ted Larsen – OG - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Was the starting right guard in the 41-34 loss to the New York Giants.

 Jerricho Cotchery – WR - Pittsburgh Steelers - Had 1 reception for 6 yards while being targeted 2 times in a 27-10 win over the New York Jets.

Manny Lawson – OLB - Cincinnati Bengals - Tallied 3 tackles in their 34-27 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Adrian Wilson – S - Arizona Cardinals - Wilson had 3 tackles and in the 20-18 win over the New England Patriots.

Nate Irving – LB - Denver Broncos – Had 2 tackles in a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Ted Larsen

Philip Rivers –QB - San Diego Chargers - Rivers completed 24 of 32 passes for 231 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a QB rating of 119.8 in a 38-10 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Stephen Tulloch – MLB - Detroit Lions - Had 5 tackles in a 27-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Willie Young – DE - Detroit Lions - Played but did not have any recordable stats in a 27-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Andre Brown – RB - NY Giants – Brown had 13 carries for 71 yards, a touchdown, and 2 point conversion in the Giants’ 41-34 win over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Markus Kuhn – DT - NY Giants - Recorded one tackle in the Giants' 41-34 win over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sean Locklear – OT - NY Giants – Locklear was the starting left tackle in the Giants’ 41-34 win over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Russell Wilson – QB - Seattle Seahawks – Wilson completed 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards, 1 touchdown, a QB rating of 112.7, and had 4 rushes for 28 yards in a 27-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Steven Hauschka – PK - Seattle Seahawks - Was 2-2 on field goals and was 3-3 on PATs in the Seahawks 27-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Mario Williams – DE - Buffalo Bills – Recorded 2 tackles and a fumble recovery in a 35-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

T.J. Graham – WR – Buffalo Bills – Was targeted 1 time and had 1 reception for 7 yards in a 35-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Terrell Manning – LB - Green Bay Packers – Did not play due to injury, concussion.

Leroy Harris – OG – Tennessee Titans – Started at right guard for the Titans in their 38-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

 J.R. Sweezy – OG – Seattle Seahawks – Started at right guard for the Seahawks in their 27-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Audie Cole – LB – Minnesota Vikings – Did Not Play.

Andre Brown Comes Through

RB Andre Brown/Rich Kane/Icon SMI

The New York Giants found themselves down 14 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into the fourth quarter and without starting running back Ahmed Bradshaw, who went down in the second quarter with a neck injury. The coaches turned to reserve running back Andre Brown. The running back responded by delivering 13 carries for 71 yards, a touchdown, and a two point conversion. Brown’s touchdown was the game winner coming with 31 seconds left in the game. Andre was originally a fourth round draft pick out of North Carolina State University by the Giants in 2009. Brown has bounced around the league to four different teams (Broncos, Colts, Panthers, and Redskins) before returning to the Giants in 2011. Brown spent last season on the practice squad and earned a Super Bowl ring as the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl. At the beginning of the year there were question on whether Brown would even make the 53 man roster, since making the team he has been a solid contributor on special teams.

NFL Week 2 Preview

 Let’s look at former players that will be in action during week 2 of the NFL season.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills – After an embarrassing loss in week one DE Mario Williams and the Buffalo Bills look to erase those memories and bounce back in week 2. Williams and the defense will have to make some big plays if they want to defeat the Chiefs. WR T. J. Graham will see if he will see the first regular season action.

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Both teams are coming into this game searching for their first win of the season. For the Bengals to get that first win LB Manny Lawson and the rest of the defense will need to pressure rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden into making mistakes.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts – The Vikings look to continue the momentum off a week 1 victory. The Minnesota defense has to try and confuse rookie QB Andrew Luck and LB Audie Cole looks for his first action of the season.

Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots – The Patriots look like the Patriots of the Super Bowl years with a dominating performance in a week 1 win. Safety Adrian Wilson and the Cardinals defense has to slow down QB Tom Brady and the high powered New England offense if they hope to go to 2-0.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants – OG Ted Larsen and the Buccaneers will try to reach 2-0 taking advantage of a Giants team trying to rebound from a loss to divisional foe Dallas Cowboys. Now OT Sean Locklear and RB Andre Brown have to help QB Eli Manning get the Giants’ offense firing on all cylinders to avoid a 0-2 start. DT Markus Kuhn and the defensive line have to shut down the Tampa Bay rushing attack and make them one dimensional.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks – Rookie QB Russell Wilson had a good game last week but if the team hopes to defeat the Cowboys Wilson will have to play better this week. Rookie OG J.R. Sweezy need to help Wilson by slowing down the Dallas pass rush giving him time to find his receivers.

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Jets looked impressive during a week 1 victory while the Steelers struggled on both sides of the ball in a loss last week. WR Jerricho Cotchery will help QB Ben Roethlisberger get the offense on track with the Jets’ All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis out for the game.

Tennessee Titans vs. San Diego Chargers – The Titans really struggled on offense last week in an opening season loss. OG Leroy Harris and the Titan’s offensive line have to protect QB Jake Locker to help him feel more comfortable in the pocket. QB Philip Rivers played well in a week 1 victory. Rivers will try to continue and improve on his week 1 performance and get the Bolts off to a 2-0 start.

Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers – Both teams enter the game coming of week 1 wins. For the Lions to continue their winning ways LB Stephen Tulloch and DE Willie Young has to shut down the 49ers’ running game and force QB Alex Smith to beat them.

Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons – Monday Night football has the high profile matchup of QB Peyton Manning against QB Matt Ryan. Both players looked good in week 1 leading their teams to victory. Linebacker Nate Irving along with the rest of the Broncos’ defense will try to get after Matt Ryan.

Packers And Bears Preview

Photo by Matt Becker/Green Bay Packers.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers – Tonight the NFL oldest rivalry will be rekindled at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers enters the game tonight 0-1 after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in week one. The Bears come into the game with momentum after an easy win over the Indianapolis Colts. This is huge game for both teams the Bears have a chance to send a division rival off with a 0-2 start, and for the Packers it’s imperative for them to avoid the 0-2 start if they want to make the playoffs. Of the 68 teams that started 0-2 since the 2000 season only six made the playoffs. Since the NFL went to the 16-game format in 1978 only 27 teams have made the playoffs. The matchup everyone will be watching is the Bears’ QB Jay Cutler going up against the Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers. But the Packers defense and special teams will have to outperform those of the Chicago Bears if they wish to avoid the 0-2 start. Look for Terrell Manning to see action during tonight’s game especially on the special teams. Manning played a big role in the week one matchup with a controversial block on a 78 yard punt return for a touchdown. The game will air tonight at 8pm on the NFL Network.

Week 1 NFL Review

Here is a look at how former Wolfpack football players performed in week 1 of the NFL season.


Ted Larsen – OG - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Was the starting right guard in the 16-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

 Jerricho Cotchery – WR - Pittsburgh Steelers -.While Cotchery saw playing time he did not have a catch in the Steelers’ 31-19 loss to Denver.

Manny Lawson – OLB - Cincinnati Bengals - .Recorded six tackles for the Bengals in their 44-13 loss at Baltimore.

Adrian Wilson – S - Arizona Cardinals - Wilson had two tackles and an interception in the win over Seattle.

Nate Irving – LB - Denver Broncos – Saw playing time but did not have any stats in Denver’s 31-19 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Philip Rivers –QB - San Diego Chargers - Rivers completed 24-of-33 passes, totaling 231 yards and a touchdown in a 22-14 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Stephen Tulloch – MLB - Detroit Lions - .Had nine tackles in a 27-23 win over the St Louis Rams.

Manny Lawson from Bengalsgab.com

Willie Young – DE - Detroit Lions -.Played but did not have any recordable stats in the win over the St Louis Rams.

Andre Brown – RB - NY Giants – Brown had two kickoff returns for 29 yards in the Giants’ 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Markus Kuhn – DT - NY Giants - Recorded one tackle in the Giant’s 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Sean Locklear – OT - NY Giants – Locklear was the starting left tackle in the Giants’ 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Russell Wilson – QB - Seattle Seahawks – Wilson completed 18 of 34 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and had eight rushes for 20 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

J.R. Sweezy – OG - Seattle Seahawks – Sweezy started at right guard for the Seahawks in their 20-16 loss against the Arizona Cardinals.

Steven Hauschka – PK - Seattle Seahawks - Was 3-4 on field goals and was 1-1 on PATs in the Seahawks 20-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Mario Williams – DE - Buffalo Bills – In Williams’s first game with Buffalo he had one tackle in the lost to the NY Jets.

Terrell Manning – LB - Green Bay Packers – Saw playing time on special teams but did not have any recordable stats in the 30-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Minnesota Vikings’ linebacker Audie Cole and Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver T.J. Graham were inactive this week.

A Wolfpack Preview Of Week One Of The NFL

The NFL season gets underway this weekend with a full slate of games on Sunday and with Monday Night Football getting started. Here is a quick look at the games this weekend with former NC State football players involved.

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets – In this AFC East showdown defensive end Mario Williams will try to regain his All-Pro form after missing most of last season with an injury after coming over from the Houston Texans. Rookie T.J. Graham in his first NFL game will look to get in the game and use his speed to provide a deep ball threat for quarterback Ryan Fitapatrick.

Stephen Tulloch

St Louis Rams vs. Detroit Lions – The Lions will have two former Pack players contributing to their defense in this contest. Starting middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch is a leader and quarterback of the defense. Defensive end Willie young will look to continue his impressive play in the preseason in this first game.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings – Seventh round draft pick inside linebacker Audie Cole not only made the roster, but has positioned himself as second team middle linebacker behind Jasper Brinkley. Cole could see some action on defense and on special teams.

New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans – The Titans offensive line will be anchored by starting right guard Leroy Harris. The sixth year pro has played all the offensive line positions during his career with the Titans.

San Fransisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers – Rookie linebacker Terrell Manning who played outside linebacker while at NC State made the roster as the reserve middle linebacker. Look for Manning to see most of his playing time on special teams.

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Buccaneers will start a new era under new head coach Greg Schiano and with offensive lineman Ted Larsen moving into the starting lineup. Larsen a third year pro will be the starting right guard when Tampa Bay faces off against division rival Carolina Panthers.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos – For the Steelers nine year veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will provide veteran leadership to a young receiving corps while the team adjusts to first year offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s scheme.  Second year reserve linebacker Nate Irving for the Broncos looks for his playing time to increase after seeing action all sixteen games last season.

Philip Rivers

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens – Veteran outside linebacker Manny Lawson enters his second season with the Bengals. Lawson will provide leadership to the young upstart team.

San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders – Quarterback Philip Rivers look to bounce back from a subpar season last year and return to his Pro Bowl form. Rivers will be helped by the return of his favorite target tight end Antonio Gates.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals – The Seahawks will start the season with rookie Russell Wilson at quarterback. Wilson might not possess the ideal height for a pro quarterback but his maturity, accuracy, and athleticism more than makes up for his lack of size. Wilson will not be the only rookie starting for the Seahawks rookie J.R. Sweezy will start at right guard. Sweezy a defensive tackle in college has made the transition to offensive lineman successfully. Kicker Steven Hauschka handles the kickoff, extra point, and field goal duties for the Seahawks. The Cardinals looking to get back to their Super Bowl form or the 2008-09 season will lean on the leadership of starting safety Adrian Wilson. Wilson entering his twelfth year in the league will look to show he has not lost a step and he is still a playmaker.

Wolfpack Trio In NFL Opener

THOMAS E. FRANKLIN/NorthJersey.com

  Tonight the National Football League will kick off the 2012 season with the New York Giants versus the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
  The defending Super Bowl champions New York Giants will also have a ceremony celebrating their title win from last season plus also receiving their Super Bowl rings.
  In tonight’s contest there will be several former North Carolina State University football players looking to contribute to the Giants on field success this season. Third year running back Andre Brown, who spent last year on the Giants’ practice squad, made the roster as a backup running back and special teams player. Offensive tackle Sean Locker is a nine year veteran and will be the backup left tackle to Will Beatty. Rookie defensive tackle Markus Kuhn will see action in the defensive line rotation as reserve right defensive tackle behind Rocky Bernard.