The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/947448
74 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS 2017 NFL Season Wrap Up A look back at how former NC State players fared in the NFL this past season: • David Amerson (Played at NC State from 2010-12), CB, Kansas City Chiefs: Started all six games he played in for the 6-10 Raiders … Posted 18 tackles and four passes defended, but was cut after the season … Signed with AFC West rival Kansas City less than two weeks after being released. • Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), QB, Indianapolis Colts: Played in every game and started 15 under center for the 4-12 Colts … Completed 276 of 469 passes (58.8 percent) for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions for a passer rating of 81.7 … Also rushed for 260 yards and four scores. • Juston Burris (2012-15), CB, New York Jets: Ap - peared in 14 games for the 5-11 Jets … Tallied 21 tackles, one forced fumble and two passes defended, including an interception he returned 48 yards. • Matt Dayes (2013-16), RB, Cleveland Browns: The rookie played in every contest for the 0-16 Browns … Rushed five times for 13 yards, caught four passes for 29 yards, notched eight special teams tackles and returned 18 kickoffs for 437 yards (24.3-yard average). • Mike Glennon (2009-12), QB, Chicago Bears: Started the first four games for the 5-11 Bears … Completed 93 of 140 throws (66.4 percent) for 833 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions for a passer rating of 76.9. • David Grinnage (2013-15), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: After spending time on the 10-6 Jaguars' practice squad, he was signed to a reserve/future contract in January. • Steven Hauschka (2007), K, Buffalo Bills: Made 29 of 33 field goals (87.9 percent) for the 9-7 Bills … Also provided the team's lone points in the playoffs, a 10-3 loss to Jacksonville … Made all 15 kicks from inside of 40 yards and was 14 of 18 from beyond that distance, including 7 of 9 from 50 yards or more … Ranked second in the league with seven makes from 50-plus yards … Set an NFL record by converting on 13 straight kicks from at least 50 yards before missing his first since the 2014 season … Also ranked 11th in the league in field goal percentage among kickers with double-digit attempts and was 15th in scoring (116 points) … His career field goal accuracy now sits at 87.3 percent, which ranks fourth in NFL history. • Dontae Johnson (2010-13), CB, San Francisco 49ers: Started every game for the 6-10 49ers … Set career highs with 77 tackles and seven passes broken up … Also picked off a pass, which he returned 50 yards for his second NFL touchdown. • Josh Jones (2014-16), S, Green Bay Packers: The rookie played in all 16 games with seven starts for the 7-9 Packers … Logged 71 tackles (60 solo), two sacks, an interception and five passes defended. • Ted Larsen (2006-09), OL, Miami Dolphins: The veteran started all eight games he played in for the 6-10 Dolphins after returning from injured reserve. • T.Y. McGill (2011-14), DT, Kansas City Chiefs: Ap - peared in three games and posted one stop for the 0-16 Browns, then signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs in January. • Philip Rivers (2000-03), QB, Los Angeles Chargers: Started every game for the 12th straight campaign … Completed 360 of 575 passes (62.6 percent) for 4,515 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a passer rating of 96.0 … Trailed Tom Brady by just 62 yards for the league lead in passing yards … Tied for fifth in touchdown throws and ranked ninth among qualified passers in quarterback rating. • J.R. Sweezy (2008-11), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Started 14 games at right guard for the 5-11 Buccaneers. • Joe Thuney (2012-15), OL, New England Patriots: The left guard started every game for the second straight year for the AFC champions. • Jack Tocho (2013-16), S, Minnesota Vikings: Spent the year on the 13-3 Vikings' practice squad. • Russell Wilson (2007-09), QB, Seattle Seahawks: Started every game for the sixth consecutive campaign … Completed 339 of 553 throws (61.3 percent) for 3,983 yards with 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a passer rating of 95.4 … Also rushed for 586 yards and three touchdowns for the 9-7 Seahawks … Led the NFL in passing scores, ranked ninth in passing yards and 10th in passer rating among qualified quarterbacks. • Willie Young (2006-09), LB, Chicago Bears: The vet - eran was placed on season-ending injured reserve after he played in the first four games with two starts … Prior to the injury, he notched seven tackles and two sacks for the 5-11 Bears. ■ NBA Player Updates Through Feb. 26 • Dennis Smith Jr. (Played at NC State from 2016-17), G, Dallas Mavericks: In 53 games played for the 19-42 Mavericks, the rookie point guard has averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game … Went into the All-Star break with a streak of 22 straight games with at least 10 points; three of his four double-doubles and his triple-double came during that span. For the second straight year, Joe Thuney started every game at left guard and played in the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. PHOTO COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS