Bidding Farewell to Blogger

Cardiac Pack is on the move to WordPress.

Go here to check it out.

I hope everyone who has read my blog in the past will continue to read at the new location. Same old blog, new place.

N&O Previews the Pack

News & Observer's Ethan Hyman

The News & Observer released its N.C. State preview this morning and decided to focus on Tom O'Brien and how he has tried to change the program since he's been in Raleigh.

Nothing earth-shattering but a good write-up from Ken Tysiac. Caulton Tudor wrote a column to go with the package and broke the news that N.C. State needs to keep Russell Wilson healthy and find a replacement for Nate Irving to be successfult his year. Is he serious? Could he not at least try and come up with something a little more original?

I hate to see the N&O waste space on a topic that everyone already knows. I would rather read about how much Willie Young and Toney Baker love how to fish than how important it is for Russell Wilson to stay healthy. I never would have guessed that the Pack will be better if Russell Wilson is on the field all year. Thanks for clearing that up Caulton.

On a more positive note, the season starts in 8 days. Next Thursday can't get here soon enough.

Phillip Rivers gets extension with Chargers

Per ESPN's Len Pasquarelli: Rivers gets extension with Chargers

The San Diego Chargers made a great decision by signing Phillip Rivers to a contract extension today. I'm glad to see perhaps the greatest Wolfpacker ever getting some boost for his bank account. The reported 6-year, $92 million dollar extension, which is rumored to be worth $38-39 million in guaranteed money, will make sure Rivers spends the better part of the next decade on the West Coast.

I had a discussion with my roommate this evening about the Rivers deal and he said he hopes Rivers finishes his career in San Diego. I don't know if that will happen, but I'd sure like to see it. He seems to fit in well and he's a player San Diego can continue to build around, especially after LT and potentially Merriman leave town.

It's always good to see someone from N.C. State succeed, and Rivers is the model of success at this point. I tip my hat to you, Mr. Rivers. Keep it up.

Adrian Wilson gets some press recognition

Former Wolfpacker and current Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson got some positive press Thursday courtesy of SI.com's John Lopez, who named Wilson the most indispensable member of the Arizona Cardinals.

SI.com's take:

The Cardinals never have had an identity, or at least not a positive one. Wilson embodies everything a franchise craves, within and outside the locker room. He leads. He's durable. He's a winner. He shows everyone else the work ethic necessary to succeed. And he's loyal, staying with the Cards despite opportunities to leave until he saw a Super Bowl run happen.

It's not a stretch to say that Wilson is among the most, if not the most important player in Cardinals history. He certainly is the most important since the move to Arizona in 1988.

He is underappreciated outside of Arizona. But imagine the raves and tickets to Canton that already would be punched for him if he had played in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles? Only nine players in NFL history have recorded as many as 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in a career. Wilson will become the 10th in 2009, presuming he stays healthy.

I, for one, am glad to see Adrian getting the credit he deserves for being one of the top safety's in the NFL. And I'm also glad to see that a writer can look past Larry Fitzgerald and others. Obviously Fitzgerald is talented and for many people the best WR in the league, but defense wins championships. It's glad to see a writer with his head screwed on straight. I've gotten too used to the N&O and WRAL clowns.

The article, which makes great points about several players in both the NFC and AFC who the average fan might not necessarily know, is worth the read. It also got me to thinking -- is Adrian Wilson the second best defensive player to come out of N.C. State in the last 20 years? Is he the best? I would assume most people would take Mario Williams, but maybe not. It's great to see that Adrian is playing as well as he has over the last three seasons while also being a great member of the Cardinals off the field.

Thursday Quick Hits

I've been doing lots of reading about the upcoming season and one of my favorite stops is the ACC blog on ESPN.com. Heather Dinich gets on my nerves because from time to time she can be completely ridiculous, but overall it's a good blog. One interesting little piece of information she posted Wednesday is that Russell Wilson is very close to breaking an ACC record. If Wilson can throw 22 more passes without throwing an interception he will break the ACC mark held by Drew Weatherford (seriously?).

Also on Wednesday, Dinich picked Wilson as her "Most Exciting Player" in the ACC.

From the blog:

His ability to keep plays alive and scramble and improvise makes Wilson one of the most exciting players in the conference to watch. Unless, of course, you're watching from a defender's perspective.

And, at least according to TOB, Wilson now knows how to slide.

If Wilson can stay healthy, emphasis on the IF, he could most certainly live up to the "Most Exciting Player" moniker. The UNC and Miami games last season are a perfect testament to the skill he possesses. As for the passing record, I really hope Russell can get to 270. Drew Weatherford does not deserve to hold any ACC passing record -- ever.

On a lighter note, the Winston-Salem Journal published a story this morning about how busy Wilson is because he plays both football and baseball. Aren't they about six months behind on this story? Every newspaper in North Carolina and Virginia who has any interest in N.C. State has written this story twice already. It's really kind of sad how often I've seen in it. But good press is better than by bad press any day of the week. Story

Wolfpack scrimmage again, continue to work

N.C. State held another scrimmage Tuesday evening and from the looks of the stats it appears the defense is continuing to progress. Russell Wilson and Mike Glennon threw three interceptions combined and the defense also blocked a punt and a field goal, returning the blocked punt for a touchdown.

O'Brien hasn't said as much lately about the linebacker position, but from the stats, it appears Sterling Lucas and Terrell Manning are both playing well. Audi Cole jumped off the stat sheet once again, hauling in 9 tackles and a sack. His development has made me feel much better about the loss of Nate Irving. Obviously it's still a huge loss, but the more I hear and read about Audi the more I'm put at ease.

As September 3 gets closer and closer, I've started to rethink some of my predictions from earlier in the summer and Spring Practice. With a healthy Nate Irving and relative health around the rest of the team, I felt like State could be an 8-4 team. With the departure of Dominique Ellis Jimmaul Simmons and the injury to Irving, I'm thinking it will be more like 7-5.

And I don't like making predictions about wins and losses because it always seems like you set yourself up for disappointment if the team doesn't perform. But I really do feel like this team can compete in every game and win more often than not. We shall see.

On the Wolfpack injury update, which I feel like gets updated daily, tight end Mario Carter is out for the South Carolina game at least and offensive lineman Denzelle Good is out for the season. Carter had a knee scope while Good re-injured his shoulder and had season-ending surgery.

I'm Baaaccckkk

After a layoff that was much longer than intended, I am officially back in action on the blog scene. Obviously I have been keeping up with N.C. State since May, but I've simply let life take over and got "too busy" to update this thing as often as I should.

In case you didn't know, I'm now a graduate of N.C. State. I received my degree in history this past May and have yet to find a full-time job. I've been working part-time since May at Golf Galaxy in Cary, N.C. and have been looking for any and every opportunity to write and stay fresh.

Alright, now that I got the proverbial life update out of the way, back to N.C. State.

For those who weren't aware, the Wolfpack take the new field at Carter-Finley Stadium in a little more than two weeks. TWO WEEKS!

I'm more excited for this season that I've been for any season since Phillip Rivers left Raleigh. The Pack has a legitimate chance to contend in the ACC and even with the loss of the Predator (Nate Irving), my expectations are still high. I'm not a big prediction maker, but personally I would be disappointed if State didn't make a mid to high ACC bowl.

TOB has the program headed in the right direction and things will only continue to get better.

Keep checking back in the coming days and weeks for more updates and news about N.C. State. Also, I'm expanding my presence by adding Twitter to my blogging repertoire. You can follow me at www.twitter.com/cardiacpackblog.

Got comments? Questions? Hit me up.

NCSU Frontcourt gets big boost with Painter commitment

The commitment of 6'9" 220 lb. Deshawn Painter to N.C. State Wednesday makes me feel so much better about where the Wolfpack is heading into basketball season in October. 

Ranked in the top-100 in the country by Scout.com, Painter could have an immediate impact on the lineup when he arrives in Raleigh. Painter's addition to the 2009 class, which includes six players total, has to make Sidney Lowe feel good. Even without John Wall I think the Pack will be fine. 

Following Painter's commitment, PackPride released a projected roster for the upcoming season. It features nine sophomores and freshmen and only two seniors. Things are most definitely looking up for Wolfpack basketball. 

Is Baseball making a run?

The baseball team hasn't looked great this season, to say the least. But the series win against the Tar Heels over the weekend has gone a long way to at least build some confidence heading into the final stretch of the season. The Pack still has a chance to make the ACC Tournament and once you're in that thing, anything can happen. 

N.C. State is going to have to sweep Clemson this weekend and have UNC sweep Boston College to make the postseason, but the team seems confident following its wins over Carolina. 

GoPack - Baseball hopes to seize momentum

I don't see the baseball team making the ACC Tournament, but if it can play well to close out the season it will go a long way in helping the young players who will be back next year. 

Thoughts on graduation

Today is officially my last day as a student at N.C. State and the fact that I'm graduating tomorrow is beginning to sink in. It's not so much that "wow I'm ready to graduate and conquer the world feeling," it's actually the "holy crap I'm graduating and have no job" feeling. 

But as I look back on my time at N.C. State, it's filled with positive memories. Not so many positive memories regarding my beloved Wolfpack, but positive memories nonetheless. 

While my time in Raleigh wasn't filled with bowl games or NCAA Tournament appearances, I have a feeling there will be many more in the near future. 

Football is where it needs to be and Tom O'Brien has the Pack on the right track for continued success. J.P. Giglio picking N.C. State to win the Atlantic Division this fall is no surprise and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the Pack did it. I'm not getting my hopes quite that high, but you never know. It could happen. 

The basketball program, while still very frustrating, is moving in the right direction. It's just painfully slow at this point. The incoming recruting class will play well and the recruiting during the next two years will make or break the Sidney Lowe era. If he gets some players, he could be here for a while. If not, he may only have a couple years left. But it is getting better -- slowly. 

Sorry for the graduation sob story, but I was just doing some reflecting on life and what the last four years have been like. 

John Wall is an idiot

WRAL

I am officially over John Wall and his hype. 

He just doesn't understand what he's got in front of him. Like hundreds of other kids, he's putting his future (which looked about as bright as the sun) on the line. 

At this point I could care less if N.C. State gets him. We don't need trash in the program. I know the breaking and entering charge wasn't anything to serious and he didn't technically steal anything, but come on. Why even put yourself in the position to do anything stupid? This proves State doesn't need him. 

Technician's Sports Report Card

In Monday's exam issue of Technician, the sports staff did the normal end of the semester grading for spring sports.

Check it out.

N.C. State Athletics Grades

Also, take a look at Taylor Auten's (former Sports Editor) farewell column. He pretty much calls out Charita Stubbs, Lee Fowler and Chancellor Oblinger.

I tend to agree with Auten on most, if not all, of what he says. Some of the stuff that has gone in Athletics during my time in Raleigh is just ridiculous.

Hill, Brown go in 4th round

Andre Brown and Anthony Hill had to wait quite a while to hear their names called in the NFL Draft, but they both got picked up in the second half of the fourth round this afternoon.

Hill ended up getting drafted ahead of Brown, which surprised me somewhat. Hill, who was the 122nd overall pick and the 22nd pick in the fourth round, will be joining his former N.C. State teammate Mario Williams in Houston.

All the buzz surrounding Andre made me think he would go in the late second or third round, but it just didn't work out. The New York Giants made Brown the 29th pick of the fourth round and the 129h pick overall.

I'm glad the two of them got picked up and I think both have the potential to have successful careers. It will be interesting to see how preseason work and training camp go for the duo.

Back in action

I apologize for my absence the last few days. It's the last week of classes in my college career and I've had a ton of work to do. It's been busy.

But I haven't forgotten about posting.

Stay tuned for more very soon.

Reunion coverage coming later

I'm headed out to the practice facility this afternoon to talk to former Wolfpack players for Technician about the upcoming Spring Game and season to get a feel for what these guys think and expect.

Hopefully some big names will be there. Mario, Jericho, Manny and others were there last year.

Taylor Auten (Technician) and myself may get a chance to do some video interviews with some players so check back later for that.

Harper named new women's basketball coach

PackPride Coverage

GoPack Coverage

The new era in Wolfpack women's basketball started officially this afternoon when Lee Fowler announced Kellie Harper as the replacement for the late Kay Yow. 

As I've said before, I like the hire. Harper will do well and won't forget Yow's legacy with the Pack. 

On a more somber note, here's Stephanie Glance's prepared statement about not being hired. 

"I would like to thank NC State University for affording me the chance to be a part of such a fine institution for the last 15 years. I am saddened today that I will not have the opportunity to be the next head coach for the women's basketball program. I would like to especially thank the fans, former players, and coaches from around the country who have sent letters, emails, and made phone calls on my behalf. Thank you sincerely for your support!

"I am MOST grateful for the lessons learned from the legendary Coach Kay Yow! These will stay with me for a lifetime!

"I wish her successor the best."

Reports: Harper to be named basketball coach

I didn't want to jump on the rumor train during the weekend because you never know what Ahtletic Departments are thinking when they are doing job searches, but it seems pretty much a done deal that Kellie Harper is going to be named the women's basketball coach very soon. 

I think this is a good hire for the Pack. Harper is a young, energetic coach who can bring instant enthusiasm and energy to the program. She's done a good job at Western Carolina and the connections to UT make me thing she knows basketball. 

Though some may feel Fowler screwed up this search by not hiring Glance, I think the move outside the program is a good one. A fresh start so to speak...

WRAL Report

The N.C. State Board of Trustees meets on Thursday and Friday and the Wolfpack could be on the brink of hiring Kellie Harper as the Wolfpack’s new women’s basketball coach, WRAL has learned.

Western Carolina confirmed Tuesday that Harper, the Catamounts’ coach, has interviewed for the Wolfpack coaching job.

A source close to the search told WRAL’s Jeff Gravley they were "99 percent sure" Harper's name would go to the board for approval. Harper is a former University of Tennessee guard who won three national titles at the school from 1996-98. Western Carolina reached the NCAA Tournament.

QBs shine in second scrimmage

No surprise here. Russell and Mike dominated the average N.C. State secondary for the second straight scrimmage and make me feel even more confident about our offense this year. 

O'Brien expressed some concern about the offensive line play as of right now, but I think they will get it worked out by summer camp. 

I think the front seven on the defensive side of the ball will be solid despite the lack of depth on  the defensive line. Provided everyone stays healthy, which would be nice for once, things will be fine. The secondary still worries me, but at least I know the offense is going to put up points. 

Toney Baker's health is going to be huge moving into the summer and fall. If he can stay on the field he has a great chance to contribute. He was one of the best high school running backs in the country for a reason, he's talented. I just hope his knees hold up. 

Stats of note:

Russell Wilson 9 of 11, 78 yards

Mike Glennon 16 of 19, 143 yards, 1 TD

Toney Baker 8 carries, 19 yards - 6 catches, 68 yards

Audi Cole 8 tackles, 1 sack

Glance out? Women's basketball search continues...

On Friday, media outlets all over Raleigh reported that Stephanie Glance is no longer in contention for the head coaching position for women's basketball. 

If this is true, Lee Fowler has a very tough job ahead of him. The whole women's job as a whole seems like a lose lose for Fowler and potentially whoever gets the job. 

I thought Fowler would hire Glance right away and end the speculation following the end of the season. Glance seemed like the obvious choice and was Yow's chosen successor so to speak. But the more I thought about it the more I started to believe that the hire just wasn't that easy. If Fowler had hired Glance early and the next couple of years would have gone south, what would have happened at that point? Firing Glance two years into her job would have been tough. That being said, it's surprising me that Fowler isn't hiring Glance. I thought he would make the easy choice. 

Who knows what he's going to do now. He said the decision would come by mid-April and Monday is the 13th, so I expect a decision soon. Hopefully he brings someone in who recognizes the importance of Yow who can also build a new bridge for the program. 

A ton going on...

I'm back in action after a few days off. I was mourning the Tar Heel victory...

There is a lot going in N.C. State news.

First and foremost, TOB signed offensive lineman Robert Crisp, the No. 1 recruit in N.C. for the 2010 class. This is huge for the football program and the 2010 class. I think it proves TOB can get big name recruits in the state and not lose them to the blue school. I've heard that O'Brien has told Crisp he's the best lineman ever recruited by an O'Brien staff. If true, Crisp is the real deal because O'Brien recruited several studs while at Boston College. 

There should be more recruits coming soon with the signing of Crisp. 

In baseball, the Wolfpack picked up a huge victory over UNCW Tuesday evening in Raleigh to give Elliott Avent his 700th win. Wilmington is a solid club and for State to win the game 10-2 is huge for confidence heading through the rest of the season.The Pack have been disappointing so far, but I still think the team has the potential to be pretty good. Only time will tell...

The next big news, probably coming in the next few days, is the John Wall decision. If he ends up in Raleigh I'll be shocked, but very, very happy. A few days ago Wall said he didn't have a leader but I still believe he will follow Calipari to Kentucky. Who knows. I wish an 18-year-old and his decision on where to play basketball didn't have such an impact on my daily routine.

More coming soon...