The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1407083
2021 NFL Preview Longest-Tenured Pack Pros With one more season, Philip Rivers would have set a record for the longest-serving for- mer NC State player in the NFL. If former Pack center Ted Larsen plays this fall, he will join a list of five others tying for the seventh-longest tenure in the league. Rank Player Years (Seasons Played) 1. QB Philip Rivers 2004-20 (17) OL Jim Ritcher 1980-96 3. QB Roman Gabriel 1962-77 (16) 4. K Stephen Hauschka 2008-20 (13) QB Erik Kramer 1987-99 S Adrian Wilson 2001-13 7. WR Jerricho Cotchery 2004-15 (12) OL Darrell Dess 1958-69 LB Vaughan Johnson 1984-95 DB Dewayne Washington 1994-05 DB Perry Williams 1983-94 Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines totaled 862 yards (380 rushing) and seven touchdowns from scrimmage last season. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), Tennessee Titans During his rookie season, Murchison had five stops (one solo) in nine games played. LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), Cincinnati Bengals Finished last season with 89 tackles (55 solo), including five for a loss, and two passes broken up while starting 15 of 16 games. OT Will Richardson Jr. (2015-17), Jacksonville Jaguars Richardson played in every game last season, but all but one of those appear - ances came as a reserve. After missing his rookie season with an injury, he has played 31 games over the past two years with three starts. RB Jaylen Samuels (2014-17), Pittsburgh Steelers Samuels has been put on the club's practice squad after being cut from its 53-man roster. Last year, he had nine receptions for 46 yards and eight carries for 24 yards in 14 games played, including one start. In three years, he has 459 yards and a TD rushing with 82 receptions for 550 yards and four scores. DE James Smith-Williams (2016-19), Washington Smith-Williams played 13 games in his rookie season and had seven tackles (2.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks). DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), San Francisco 49ers Had 12 tackles (five solo, one for loss) in 15 games played (two starts) last sea - son, the first extensive action of his career. OL J.R. Sweezy (2008-11), Free Agent The NFL veteran signed in early August with New Orleans after starting at guard for most of the past two years for the Arizona Cardinals but did not make the team. Sweezy has started 104 games and played in 13 more since being drafted in the seventh round by Seattle in 2012. He has played for the Seahawks (2012-15, 2018), Buccaneers (2016-17) and Cardinals (2019-20) before trying out for the Saints. OG Joe Thuney (2012-15), Kansas City Chiefs After starting every game since joining the New England Patriots as a rookie in 2016, Thuney signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs in the offseason. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (2013-14/Finished at USF), Green Bay Packers Last year, Valdes-Scantling had 33 receptions for 675 yards and six touchdowns in 16 regular-season contests, including 14 starts. He has 97 receptions for 1,723 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with Green Bay. QB Russell Wilson (2007-09/Finished at Wisconsin), Seattle Seahawks Despite some reported acrimony in the offseason, Wilson remains with the Seahawks, where he is set to begin his 10th season as a starter. In his career, he has completed 2,820 of 4,335 passes for 33,946 yards and 267 touchdowns with 81 interceptions, and has also rushed for 4,506 yards and 21 scores. ■ Philip Rivers was a nine-time Pro Bowler in his 17-year career while playing for the San Diego/ Los Angeles Chargers (16 seasons) and Indianapolis Colts (one season). PHOTO COURTESY LOS ANGELES CHARGERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 ■ 41