The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1285691
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 ■ 45 "He probably was a little less talkative at first, but then as he got going and he began to develop a relationship with Philip and every- body in the room, it's back to just [the] busi- ness of the quarterback room," Colts quarter- backs coach Marcus Brady told IndyStar.com this summer. "Talking to Jacoby the other day, he said he and Philip text all the time. They've already begun building a good relationship." Rivers will become the third quarterback that has led the NFL in passing touchdowns in a single season to play with Brissett. He backed up Tom Brady, who has led the league in touchdown throws four separate times, as a rookie in New England after the Patriots selected him in the third round of the 2016 draft. Brissett was then traded to In- dianapolis in 2017 and started in place of an injured Andrew Luck, who led the league in passing touchdowns in 2014 before abruptly retiring prior to the 2019 season. Brissett earned the job once again in his absence. Rivers had the league's most touchdowns in 2008, and will also be the third former Pro Bowl quarterback that Brissett will be able to learn from as he enters the second season of his two-year, $30-million contract. "We need him to be who he is this year for us to get to where we want to go," Reich told IndyStar.com. "Whether that means he ends up playing some games or playing a number of plays, or even if he's just there to support Philip and this team, Jacoby will be a big part of our success." ■ Former Wolfpackers In The NFL Years in Current Name Position the NFL Team Garrett Bradbury C 1 Minnesota Vikings Started every regular-season and postseason contest and led the team with 989 regular-season snaps, which were 96.6 percent of the squad's possible plays. Was included on CBS Sports' 2020 NFL Break- out Team. Jacoby Brissett QB 4 Indianapolis Colts Only Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers threw fewer interceptions than Brissett's six among quarterbacks who started at least 15 games. He is the NFL's sec- ond-highest-paid reserve quarterback entering 2020. Juston Burris* S 4 Carolina Panthers Appeared in 14 contests and started nine for the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He tallied 32 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. The product of Broughton High School in Raleigh is a projected starter in the Panthers' secondary. Bradley Chubb LB 2 Denver Broncos The former Wolfpack great's second pro campaign ended early after suffering a torn ACL in week four. Chubb recorded his first sack of the season in that game before getting hurt. The 6-4, 275-pounder has started all 20 contests of his NFL career and was the league sack leader (12) among rookies in 2018. A.J. Cole P 1 Las Vegas Raiders Signed as an undrafted free agent and won the start - ing job in 2019. On 67 attempts, he averaged 46.0 yards per punt, which tied for 13th in the NFL. Ryan Finley QB 1 Cincinnati Bengals The fourth-rounder earned three starts in his rookie season. In his three appearances, he threw for 474 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 47.1 completion percentage. Mike Glennon* QB 6 Jacksonville Jaguars The Raiders' backup last season only appeared in two games and completed 6 of 10 passes for 56 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. Kelvin Harmon WR 1 Washington Caught 30 passes for 365 yards during his rookie season. He tore his ACL this offseason and will miss the 2020 campaign. Stephen Hauschka K 12 Free Agent The veteran was successful on 22 of 28 field goals for the season to help the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs for just the second time since 1999. He went 21 of 23 on tries within 49 yards, including a 47-yard game-tying connection to force overtime in the 22-19 loss at Houston in the AFC wild card play- off. Buffalo released Hauschka on Aug. 27. B. J. Hill DT 2 New York Giants Appeared in 16 games and started five, tallying 36 tackles, two stops for loss and one sack. Nyheim Hines RB 2 Indianapolis Colts Rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries, plus he had 44 receptions for 320 yards. Be - came the first in Colts history to return two punts for touchdowns in a game, achieving the feat in India- napolis' 38-6 win over the Carolina Panthers. He was the first to do so in the NFL since 2012. NFL Teams With Multiple Pack Pros In 2020 Team No. of Pack Pros Players Indianapolis 3 QB Philip Rivers, QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Nyheim Hines Jacksonville 3 QB Mike Glennon, S Josh Jones, OL Will Richardson New England 2 OG Joe Thuney, WR Jakobi Meyers Cincinnati 2 LB Germaine Pratt, QB Ryan Finley Denver 2 LB Bradley Chubb, OL Tyler Jones Washington 2 WR Kelvin Harmon, DE James Smith-Williams San Francisco 2 CB Dontae Johnson, DL Kentavius Street As of Aug. 30 PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in week four last season, but the young defender should bounce back after leading the league's rookies with 12 sacks in 2018. PHOTO BY GABRIEL CHRISTUS/COURTESY DENVER BRONCOS