The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
174 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS Three To Watch In 2017 RETURNING FROM INJURY J.R. Sweezy, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers After seven-time Pro Bowler Logan Mankins retired following the 2015 season, the Buccaneers ex- pected to replace the stalwart at left guard with this former Wolfpack defensive lineman who had spent his first four professional campaigns playing guard (and playing it quite well, although he normally lined up on the right side) for the Seattle Seahawks. However, Sweezy never got on the field in Tampa due to a back injury that required surgery. He called it "the hardest year of my life," and "pretty much the worst possible scenario." Despite switching sides of the ball as he entered the highest level of football, Sweezy had missed only five games in his first four years in the league and became a mainstay in the Seattle starting lineup over his final three years, opening 46 of a possible 48 regular-season contests. The Seahawks went 35-13 during that time and won Super Bowl XLVIII. Despite last year's injuries, the Bucs are just happy to have Sweezy back on the field this preseason. Head coach Dirk Koetter called Sweezy "one of our top free agent gets from the year before," and noted that he has "looked awesome" in OTAs. And with veteran right guard Ali Marpet sliding to center, Sweezy is back at home on the right side. Following last year's 9-7 record and second-place finish in the NFC South, Tampa appears to be heading in the right direction. The return of Sweezy and his bull - dog mentality up front should make the path a little clearer. Sweezy started 49 games in his first four years with the Seahawks despite never playing on the offensive line at NC State, but he missed all of last year with a back injury after signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent. PHOTO COURTESY TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Jones was the Green Bay Packers' second pick of the 2017 NFL Draft and has turned heads already in organized training activities. PHOTO COURTESY EVAN SIEGLE/GREEN BAY PACKERS ROOKIE ON THE RISE Josh Jones, S, Green Bay Packers The Packers used their first four draft picks on defense, and after trading out of the first round a pair of second-round selections were used on defensive backs. If they are going to repeat what they did in 2010, when they won the Super Bowl, they have to get better on that side of the ball. The Wolfpack rookie has a chance to play a big role in a defensive turnaround. After safety Micah Hyde left for the Bills as a free agent this offseason, Jones is the heir apparent to the versatile defender who played safety, perimeter cornerback and in the slot with extensive action on special teams. Although Jones isn't expected to line up much on the outside, the athletic 6-1, 220-pounder is also playing some linebacker while turning heads during organized training activities (OTAs). Hyde also saw action at nickel linebacker, which could be a role perfectly suited for Jones, who is both bigger and faster than Hyde (Jones clocked a 4.41 40- yard dash at the combine, compared to the 4.52 from the 6-0, 197-pound Hyde). "The guy who has drawn the most attention, however, is second-round pick Jones, who spends his time in the classroom with the safeties but is also playing a combination safety/ linebacker position that [defensive coordinator Dom] Capers began using with [starting safety] Morgan Burnett last year," The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel rep orted in mid-June. "Jones has seen more snaps than just about anybody in the minicamp and probably will see that continue in training camp." The extended work, thanks to Jones' versatility, might continue throughout the fall and winter, too. Glennon signed a three-year, $45-million deal with the Bears in the offseason. PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO BEARS NEW OPPORTUNITY Mike Glennon, QB, Chicago Bears The fifth-year pro has been competing against a quality quarterback more often than not since enrolling at NC State. During his first two years in Raleigh, he lost position battles with Russell Wilson. When he arrived in Tampa Bay after being selected with a third-round pick, Josh Freeman was the incumbent. Glennon eventually won the job and threw 619 passes in 19 appearances over the 2013 and 2014 seasons, but then the Bucs spent the No. 1 overall choice on Jameis Winston. However, Glennon pushed Winston and was the ideal backup, evidenced by the Buccaneers offering to make him the highest-paid backup in the league this offseason. The signal-caller wanted a chance to start, though, and the Chicago Bears gave him that (plus 45 million other reasons) to head north. The Bears then traded up to draft Mitch Trubisky out of North Carolina in this April's NFL Draft with the No. 2 pick, putting Glennon in an all-too-familiar situation. However, Glennon is still the favorite to at least open the season as the Bears' starting quarterback.