The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/49933
■ PACK PROS after the Bills switched to a 3-4 base de- fense. McCargo has noted that he is much more comfortable in a four-man front, which the Bucs utilize. "I put in a good workout for these eight weeks," McCargo told The St. Petersburg Times on Nov. 8. "So, as much as they need me, I'm ready to go. I think it helps to come in in shape, and I think it helps to come in at a stable weight. When I came in the first time [during the preseason], I was a little heavy. I didn't give myself the best opportunity to stick around. "I don't want to do that again. I wanted to make sure I lost weight and did every- thing I could to make a team. I think the biggest thing is coming in underweight and coming in in shape, ready to rock." ■ NFL Player Updates Through Dec. 5 • Andre Brown (Played at NC State from 2005-08), RB, New York Giants: Spent the first 13 weeks of the season on the 6-6 Giants' practice squad. • Jerricho Cotchery (2000-03), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Appeared in nine games for the 9-3 Steelers and hauled in six passes for 83 yards and a score … Also rushed once for three yards. • Leroy Harris (2003-06), OL, Tennessee Titans: Started all 12 games at left guard for the 7-5 Titans … Tennessee was second in the league with just 17 sacks allowed while running back Chris Johnson ranked 14th in the league with 852 rushing yards. • Steven Hauschka (2007), K, Seattle Seahawks: Through 12 games, converted 18 of 21 (85.7 percent) field goal attempts with a long of 52 yards and 22 of 22 point after tries for the 5-7 Seahawks … Recorded 20 touchbacks on 52 kickoffs and had an average of 67.0 yards per kickoff … Led the Seahawks and was tied for 25th in the NFL with 76 points scored … Stood eighth in the league for average kickoff distance, tied for 13th in field goal percentage, tied for 20th in field goals made, 22nd for number of touchbacks and 25th for touchback percentage (38.5 percent). • Anthony Hill (2004-08), TE, Indianapolis Colts: Started his second straight game in the 0-12 Colts' 31-24 loss at New England Dec. 4 … Hauled in a five-yard pass for his first reception of the year and second of his career … Has appeared in three contests since signing with the Colts Nov. 9 … Spent the first nine weeks of the season on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad after being cut by the Houston Texans in the preseason. • Nate Irving (2007-10), LB, Denver Broncos: Appeared in all 12 contests for the 7-5 Broncos … Totaled four tackles. • Scott Kooistra (2000-02), OL, Minnesota Vi- kings: Was placed on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury in the 2-10 Vikings' second preseason tilt and will miss the entire season. • Ted Larsen (2006-09), OL, Tampa Bay Bucca- neers: Saw action in all 12 games for the 4-8 Buccaneers … Made three starts at left guard. • Manny Lawson (2002-05), LB, Cincinnati Ben- gals: Through 12 games, made 11 starts for the 7-5 Bengals … Recorded 37 tackles (22 solo), 0.5 sacks and four pass deflections. • Sean Locklear (2000-03), OL, Washington Red- skins: Played in six games with three starts for the 4-8 76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Through 12 games, Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch ranked 31st in the NFL in tackles (78), and he had already set career highs in sacks (three) and interceptions (two). PHOTO COURTESY DETROIT LIONS Redskins … Will likely step into the starting role at left tackle for the final four weeks of the season after starter Trent Williams was suspended due to a failed drug test. • John McCargo (2003-05), DT, Tampa Bay Buc- caneers: Since being added to Tampa Bay's roster for the third time this season, appeared in three games and totaled five stops for the 4-8 Buccaneers … Was signed to the Bucs' active roster Nov. 8, but was cut on Nov. 9 … Appeared in a pair of preseason games with the Bucs, making one start and compiling seven tackles, one sack and a forced fumble before being cut. • DeMario Pressley (2004-07), DT, Carolina Pan- thers: Was signed to the 4-8 Panthers' practice squad Dec. 6, after both of Carolina's starting defensive tackles were placed on injured reserve. • Philip Rivers (2000-03), QB, San Diego Char- gers: Enjoyed his best game of the season in a 38-14 win at Jacksonville Dec. 5, completing 22 of 28 passes (78.6 percent) for 294 yards with three scores and no picks, and a passer rating of 146.1 … In 12 starts, connected on 278 of 447 throws (62.2 percent) for 3,505 yards with 19 touchdowns and an NFL-high 17 interceptions … Compiled a quarterback rating of 84.9 on the season, which would mark his lowest mark for a season since 2007 (82.4) — his second campaign as a starter … Ranked sixth in the NFL in passing yards, tied for eighth in touchdown throws, 10th in completion percentage and 14th in passer rating. • Stephen Tulloch (2003-05), LB, Detroit Lions: Started 12 games for the 7-5 Lions and logged 78 tackles (58 solo), 3.0 sacks, five passes defended and hauled in two interceptions … The interception and sack totals are career bests … Tied for 31st in the league in total tackles and tied for 30th in solo stops. • Mario Williams (2003-05), LB, Houston Texans: Tore his pectoral muscle in an Oct. 9 loss to Oakland and will miss the rest of the season … Finished the season with five starts, 11 tackles, five sacks, a defended pass and an interception from his new outside linebacker position for the 9-3 Texans … Was tied for the AFC lead in sacks at the time of his injury. • Adrian Wilson (1998-00), S, Arizona Cardinals: Logged 12 starts for the 5-7 Cardinals … Tallied 44 tack- les (36 solo), an interception and nine pass deflections. • Willie Young (2006-09), DE, Detroit Lions: Ap- peared in 10 games as a reserve for the 7-5 Lions … Totaled 12 tackles (eight solo), 2.0 sacks and one pass defended. ■