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.