The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/368728
48 ■ THE WOLFPACKER and scored 32 touchdowns. They added six field goals, which ranked NC State second to last nationally by allowing foes to score on 95 percent of their red zone possessions. Again, improvements must start up front, but an uptick in turnovers would also be greatly beneficial. 3. Help The Quarterback Redshirt junior quarterback Jacoby Bris- sett was named the starter as soon as he arrived on campus in the spring of 2013, although he had to sit out last season. That has led to high expectations be- ing heaped on the former four-star signal- caller, but he won't be able to do it all him- self. When Doeren first arrived in Raleigh and talked about his offensive philosophy, he noted that his quarterback didn't always need to win the game, but he should never lose it. That means that the most important duty for Brissett will be taking care of the ball. The Pack simply can't afford to throw 15 interceptions again, especially if it's against just 14 touchdown passes, like in 2013. Although Brissett will be a full-time starting quarterback for the first time, the coaches are confident he'll have plenty of help around him to improve the passing production. "I've said from the start that it's nice to have a guy like Jacoby back there, but it's not his job to make all the plays," Doeren said. "The linemen have to protect him, it's the quarterback's job to distribute the football and it's those players' jobs to make plays." The coach noted that his team now goes at least seven deep at wide receiver with athletes the staff feels can make plays. They already see at least three tight ends and four running backs that can also make a positive impact this fall. "I do think that we have better skill and depth; we didn't have that last year," Do- eren said. "[Brissett] can't do it by himself and we aren't going to ask him to. I think that's the biggest thing that our team un- derstands — it's 11 people who have to do their jobs every single play." 4. Disrupt Opponents With A Deep Defen- sive Front The Pack did not put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks last year — notch- ing just 20 sacks — and that must change. With the defensive line entering the cam- paign as the second-most experienced unit on the squad with 70 combined starts — the offensive line boasts 71 — it all starts with the big men. Defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen has always said he wants his linemen to disrupt opponents, and with a switch to the 4-2-5, pressure will definitely have to be manu- factured up front. They will also need to be stout against the run after the defense allowed an aver- age of 180.2 rushing yards per game last year. In its eight ACC contests, NCSU ranked dead last in the league by allowing an average of 217.4 yards per game and 5.7 yards per rush. That's not a formula for winning foot- ball, but optimism starts with a deeper de- fensive line. There will be no shortage of competition for snaps at tackle — Monty Nelson was a revelation as a true freshman last fall, classmate Kenton Gibbs drew rave reviews before tearing his Achilles tendon and early enrollee B.J. Hill started with the first-team defense in the spring game. That doesn't even take into account seniors T.Y. McGill and Thomas Teal, who enter their final campaign with 182 combined tackles, including 39 for loss and 13.5 sacks. Fifth-year senior Art Norman and red- shirt junior Mike Rose lead the way at defensive end. Depth still needs to emerge, but redshirt sophomore Drew Davis made huge strides this offseason, and rookie Kentavius Street — the headliner of the recruiting class — should contribute from day one. Other rookies, like defensive tackle Jus- tin Jones, could make an early impact up front, which means this might be the Pack's most talented defensive line since 2005, when three Wolfpackers were selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. 5. Finish This offseason, the team donned shirts that read in big letters on the front, "unfin- ished business." According to Doeren, the emphasis has been on the word finish for his squad since the end of last year. The Pack was within single digits in the fourth quarter of five of their nine losses in 2013. "Finishing is a big thing for us," he said. "We got into a lot of situations where we were a play or two plays away from finish- ing a game. We need to be able to finish those type of games. "The finish aspect of everything we do [is the focus]. I think that's the biggest thing we've been talking about — finishing drives, finishing in the red zone, finishing on third downs, finishing quarters, finish- ing halves and finishing games." ■ "I think adversity brings out a couple of things in people. I think it brings an opportunity to get better for me and for our team; that's what we've stressed." ■ Doeren Talented newcomers such as true freshman tackle B.J. Hill have boosted the depth of the defensive front, which could lead to improved run defense and more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN