O'Brien wants competition in spring
Miami head coach Randy Shannon meets with N.C. State head coach Tom O'Brien before kick off on November 29, 2008.
Mar 16, 2009
Tom O’Brien wants some old-fashioned competition in NC State’s spring football practice - even at quarterback.
When asked about redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Glennon’s status, O’Brien said, “I hope he competes for the job and tries to take it away from Russell (Wilson).”
That will be easier said than done, considering Wilson made first-team all-ACC as a freshman quarterback.
But Wilson is injured – a sprained knee suffered in the PapaJohns.com bowl – and he has yet to be cleared for full contact drills, although that could come as soon as next week.
O’Brien expressed concern that Wilson’s all-out style of play could make him vulnerable to even more injuries.
“There’s a lot of things decision-making-wise that he has to get better at that will keep him from some of these injury situations,” O’Brien said, referring specifically to Wilson’s tendency to run with the ball.
As for the running game itself, NC State again has an injury to deal with as senior Jamelle Eugene will miss spring practice with a shoulder injury.
But the news is not all bad for the Wolfpack backfield. Senior Toney Baker has been cleared for all drills and appears ready to return after missing essentially two seasons with a knee injury.
“You have to give him credit,” O’Brien said. “He stuck with it. He didn’t miss any rehabs. He was always around and always working to get himself to this point.”
The Wolfpack will begin spring practice on March 20. NC State’s spring football game will be held April 18, and O’Brien plans to dedicate the game to the memory of the late Kay Yow. Fans in attendance will be asked to donate $1 to Yow’s cancer charity fund.
