JJ Hickson Back on Track



JJ Hickson/Photo: Bruce Ely/ Oregonian



Former NC State star JJ Hickson is trying to continue a career resurgence with the Portland Trailblazers. So far through 2012-13 NBA season the Trailblazer’s forward-center JJ Hickson for the Portland Trailblazers is averaging 12.2ppg, 11.0rpg, 0.8bpg, and 1.0apg through 38 games as a starter. Hickson career seemed to be off the rails after being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Sacramento Kings in 2011 and then the NBA lockout happened. During the lockout Hickson decided to play basketball in the Israeli basketball leaguefor Bnei HaSharon, but he ended up playing only one game for the team before returning to the United States. After the lockout was over he returned to the Kings and averaged 4.7ppg and 5.1rpg before being waived by Sacramento. After being waived Hickson was picked up by the Portland Trailblazers finishing the 2011season strong averaging 15.1ppg and 8.3rpg starting 10 of 19 games played. Before the beginning of the current season Hickson and the Trailblazers reached an agreement on a one year deal and so far he seems to be making the most of this opportunity.

Former Wolfpack Players Help Kickoff College All-Star Season

Safety Earl Wolff

Today, January 19, 2013, four North Carolina State football players start their journey towards an NFL career by participating in two college all-star games. In the East-West Shrine Game on the East squad will be 6’2” 205 pounds safety (30) Brandon Bishop and 6’ 207 pounds safety (27) Earl Wolff. The East squad will be coached by former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville, and the West team will be coached by former Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Leeman Bennett. The game will take place at 4pm in St. Petersburg, FL at Tropicana Field and can be seen on the NFL Network.

DE Brian Slay/GoPack.com

After watching that game you can enjoy the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at 6pm taking place in Los Angeles, CA at the Home Depot Center and can be seen on ESPN2. During the game look out for 6’1” 260 pounds defensive end (97) Brian Slay on the  American Team coached by former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards. On the other side 6’6” 312 pounds Offensive Guard (60) R.J. Mattes will line up for the National Team coached by former Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Kansas City Chief head coach Dick Vermeil.

Cash Following Dream In The Great White North



Alan Micael Cash/The Canadian Press



The Montreal Alouettes are tied for first place in the Eastern Division of the Canadian Football League and have clinched a playoff spot with four games left in the season. One reason for the success this season is a resurgent defense featuring first year player Alan Michael Cash. The former North Carolina State University defensive tackle the season has recorded 23 tackles and 6 sacks which ties him for the team lead with teammate LB Shea Emry. Also his 6 sacks are remarkable accomplishment for a defensive tackle and place him 4^th in the CFL for sacks. This is Cash’s first season with the team after being in camp with the Alouettes last year, and also Cash didn’t even show up on Montreal’s 46-man roster until Week 5 vs. the Argonauts.  Cash played 4 seasons at N.C. State from 2006-2009 for head coach Tom O’Brien and finished his career with 149 tackles and nine sacks.

NFL Week 5 Review



Manny Lawson


Ted Larsen – OG - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Buccaneers had a bye week.

 Jerricho Cotchery – WR - Pittsburgh Steelers - Had 1 reception for 7 yards while being targeted 1 times in the Steelers 16-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Manny Lawson – OLB - Cincinnati Bengals - Had 3 tackles in a 17-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Adrian Wilson – S - Arizona Cardinals – Wilson Recorded 1 tackle in the Cardinals 17-3 loss to the St Louis Rams.

Nate Irving – LB - Denver Broncos – Tallied 1 tackle in the Broncos' 31-21 loss to the New England Patriots.

Philip Rivers –QB - San Diego Chargers - Rivers completed 27 of 42 passes for 354 yards, 2 touchdowns in a 31-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Stephen Tulloch – MLB - Detroit Lions – Had a bye week.

Willie Young – DE - Detroit Lions - Had a bye week.

Andre Brown – RB - NY Giants – Had 1 kickoff return 13 yards in the Giants’ 41-27 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Markus Kuhn – DT - NY Giants - Had 2 tackles in the Giants’ 41-27 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Sean Locklear – OT - NY Giants – Locklear was the starting right tackle in the Giants’ 41-27 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Russell Wilson – QB - Seattle Seahawks – Wilson completed 19 of 25 passes for 221 yards, 1 touchdown, and had 5 rushes for 12 yards in a 16-12 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Steven Hauschka – PK - Seattle Seahawks - Hauschka went 1-1 on PATs and 3-3 on field goals in the Seahawks 16-12 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Mario Williams – DE - Buffalo Bills – Recorded 2 tackles in the Bills’45-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

T.J. Graham – WR – Buffalo Bills – Was targeted 3 times and had 2 receptions for 28 yards in their 45-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Terrell Manning – LB - Green Bay Packers – Was inactive in the Packers’ 30-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Leroy Harris – OG – Tennessee Titans – Started at right guard for the Titans in a 30-7 loss to the Vikings.

 J.R. Sweezy – OG – Seattle Seahawks – Played at right guard in the Seahawks 16-12 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Audie Cole – LB – Minnesota Vikings – Played but did not record any stats in the Vikings 30-7 win over the Tennessee Titans.

A Quick Look At Wolfpack Players In NFL Week 5

Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants – The Giants offense will feature RB Andre Brown and OT Sean Locklear to help QB Eli Manning. On defense DT Markus Kuhn will be part of the defensive line rotation looking to get after rookie QB Brandon Weeden.

Buffalo Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers – The Bills offense will face on of the NFL‘s best defenses in the 49ers and will need WR T.J. Graham to build on his best game of his young career. DE Mario Williams and the Bills defense must shut down San Francisco’s running game and force QB Alex Smith to make plays to win the game.

Jerricho Cotchery: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America

Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings – OG Leroy Harris will try to get the Titans’ offense on track against a Vikings defense and LB Audie Cole who will look to see action in the defense rotation.

Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Watch for LB Manny Lawson to lead a Bengals defense against Miami’s rookie QB Ryan Tannihill. The Bengals want to pressure Tannehill and force him to make mistakes.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – In the battle for Pennsylvania QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Jerricho Cotchery will led the Steelers against a stingy Philadelphia Eagles defense.  

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints –This game will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL going head to head in Philip Rivers and Drew Brees.  Rivers will lead the Chargers into Louisiana against a 0-4 Saints team with a team and defense in turmoil.

Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots – The Peyton Manning -Tom Brady rivalry gets rekindled but this time with Manning leading the Broncos into Gillette Stadium. Broncos LB Nate Irving missed last week with an injury and will probably be a game time decision.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers – The Seahawks with rookie QB Russell Wilson and OG J.R. Sweezy fly across country to take on the Carolina Panthers and QB Cam Newton. Wilson and Sweezy will try to get the Seahawks offense on track against a weak Panthers’ defense.  Kicker Steven Hauschka is 7 of 8 on field goals and 7 for 7 on extra points for 28 points on the season.

Green Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts – The Packers will face number 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck in this contest.  LB Terrell Manning will look to contribute on special teams for Green Bay.

Week 4 NFL Review

Ted Larsen – OG - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Was the starting right guard in the Buccaneers' 24-22 loss to the Washington Redskins.

 Jerricho Cotchery – WR - Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers had a bye week.

Manny Lawson – OLB - Cincinnati Bengals - Had 4 tackles and a sack in their 27-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Adrian Wilson – S - Arizona Cardinals – Wilson finished with 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in the Cardinals' 24-21 overtime victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Nate Irving – LB - Denver Broncos – Did not play due to an injury.

Philip Rivers –QB - San Diego Chargers - Rivers completed 18 of 23 passes for 209 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in a 37-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Stephen Tulloch – MLB - Detroit Lions - Recorded 6 tackles in a 20-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Willie Young – DE - Detroit Lions – Young had 1 tackle in the Lions’ 20-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Andre Brown – RB - NY Giants – Brown had 5 carries for 14 yards and 1 reception for 4 yards in the Giants’ 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Markus Kuhn – DT - NY Giants – Kuhn had no recordable stats in the Giants’ 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sean Locklear – OT - NY Giants – Locklear was the starting left tackle in the Giants’ 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Russell Wilson – QB - Seattle Seahawks – Wilson completed 17 of 25 passes for 160 yards, 3 interceptions, and had 7 rushes for 14 yards in a 19-13 loss to the St Louis Rams.

Steven Hauschka – PK - Seattle Seahawks - Hauschka went 1 for 1 on PATs and 2 for 2 on field goals in the Seahawks' 19-13 loss to the St Louis Rams.

Mario Williams – DE - Buffalo Bills – Recorded 2 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in the Bills’ 52-28 loss to the New England Patriots.

T.J. Graham – WR – Buffalo Bills – Graham gathered in 4 receptions for 34 yards in his first career start in the Bills’ 52-28 loss to the New England Patriots.

Terrell Manning – LB - Green Bay Packers – Was inactive in the Packers’ 28-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Leroy Harris – OG – Tennessee Titans – Started at right guard for the Titans in the 38-14 loss to the Houston Texans.

 J.R. Sweezy – OG – Seattle Seahawks – Played at right guard for the Seahawks in their 19-13 loss to the St Louis Rams.

Audie Cole – LB – Minnesota Vikings – Cole was active for his second game but had no recordable stats in the 20-13 win over the Lions.

Cardinals And Rams On Thursday Night Football

Adrian Wilson/David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic

Arizona Cardinals vs. St Louis Rams – Tonight, October 4, 2012, S Adrian Wilson will lead the 4-0 Arizona Cardinals into St Louis to face QB Sam Bradford and the 2-2 Rams. This is a crucial NFC West matchup with both teams being undefeated in conference play at 1-0. Wilson on the season ha s 15 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception. Both teams come into the game with struggling offenses, but each team has stingy defenses that will give them a chance for victory. Arizona ranks third in the NFL with 15.2 points allowed per game, ranks fourth with 10 turnovers, and ranks first with six fumble recoveries. The Rams under first year head coach Jeff Fischer rank second in the league with eight interceptions.