God Almighty lashes out at State, again.

God hates State

“They are now the objects of that very same anger and wrath of God, that is expressed in the torments of hell. And the reason why they do not go down to hell at each moment, is not because God, in whose power they are, is not then very angry with them; as he is with many miserable creatures now tormented in hell, who there feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath. Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth: yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, who it may be are at ease, than he is with many of those who are now in the flames of hell.”

– Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien announced that Junior tailback Jamelle Eugene, last year’s team most valuable player, will miss the South Carolina game because of an ankle injury.

“…O’Brien also listed two players who have left the program and will look to transfer elsewhere: sophomore linebacker Thomas Barnes, who played in 10 games last year as a true freshman, and freshman defensive tackle Kyle Linney, who enrolled in January after signing with the Wolfpack in the spring of 2007.

Offensive lineman Sam Jones, who signed to play with the Wolfpack in February, still has some work to do to meet NCAA qualifications and will enroll at State in January, O’Brien said.

Finally, in what O’Brien said was “his decision,” senior offensive guard Curtis Crouch, who was listed as the backup right guard, will not make the trip to South Carolina. Redshirt freshman Henry Lawson will play behind starter Meares Green at right guard.”

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64 Responses to God Almighty lashes out at State, again.

  1. packalum44 08/26/2008 at 9:36 PM #

    Winning or losing hinges on Russel Wilson

  2. Noah 08/26/2008 at 9:48 PM #

    Plan C at RB is Brandon Barnes, who has been impressive.

    I love it when people cherry-pick my posts and talk about how negative I am…completely ignoring where I said things will get better.

    Look, what the hell did you expect? Chuck Amato spent three years filling the roster with crap. Why are you surprised that it takes time to get rid of that crap and then replace it and coach it and train it with quality players??

  3. RBCRowdy 08/26/2008 at 9:54 PM #

    USC has a good SEC defense and the o-line, not the RB, will determine how well we move the ball.

  4. redfred2 08/26/2008 at 9:56 PM #

    It’s definitely not a good time to bring it up or to site the factors involved, but I’m am going to go ahead and get this out of the way, and say that I am still not convinced about TOB.

    I’d say I’m more positive than not, simply because that’s my nature, but I do have my reservations about the overall picture. I do believe that TOB is a good coach, I just don’t know if the place where he’s employed right now, even requires that of him though.

  5. b 08/26/2008 at 10:06 PM #

    Not negative, just brutally honest and sincere with guardedly pessimistic overtones.

  6. ChiefJoJo 08/26/2008 at 10:08 PM #

    Jesus, this is ridiculous. Bowens, Walker, C Johnson, out for season, Baker doubtful for the season, Eugene out for SC, Crouch not making the trip, a half dozen players (Linney, Barnes…) transferring… whoever said they want to hear some good news, you picked the wrong damn thread.

    Crouch needs to figure this things out, because seniors aren’t supposed to be benched and/or disciplined right before a game like this. Is he pouting? I guess we haven’t weeded everyone out yet, huh? I am going to try really hard to just remember that we need to take the long view about program building here, and not worry about this or that game. Thursday could get ugly, I’m afraid.

  7. redfred2 08/26/2008 at 10:32 PM #

    “I love it when people cherry-pick my posts and talk about how negative I am…completely ignoring where I said things will get better.”

    I did notice that you said “things will get better”, I just ignored it though. Seems that when you’re at you’re absolute negative best, that’s when NC STATE rises above. Works kind of like a good luck charm, for me anyway. You’re a long time State fan, you definitely have more than reason enough to back your viewpoint.

    Just having fun, nothing personal meant. Lighten up man.

  8. Ismael 08/26/2008 at 10:44 PM #

    whoever said (i can scroll up but i choose not to) think positive, stop watching Dr. Phil and Oprah. This is Div1 football and some serious issues are going on.

    It’s not only losing players, i.e. physical bodies, its the morale that it imparts to everyone in the program, who are, i am sure, sicker and more tired than we are of hearing about season ending injuries, who the hell gets their draw broken nowadays?? wearing a helmet!!! My only guess is that some UNX DWI-er was driving a little too close to the practice field when Clem Johnson got the better end of hitting the little scion car, he just got a broken jaw out of it.

    Mack Brown went 1-10 two straight years. If we win 2-3 games this year, that might not be as important as seriously seeing if the team is playing with more discipline and poise. THOSE are about the only positives I am actually going to be looking for.

  9. inhoc... 08/26/2008 at 10:45 PM #

    is baker really out for the entire year? again? what the hell happened to his knee. was it re-injured? if he just got it scoped, it shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks before hes back. wasnt javon walker going to start?

  10. BJD95 08/26/2008 at 10:48 PM #

    Mack Brown inherited a steaming pile of crap, too. There should be absolutely no second guessing of TOB, as he has proven to be a good coach.

    It amazes me that anyone could still think that Chuck Amato shouldn’t have been fired.

  11. CStanley 08/26/2008 at 10:58 PM #

    I’m trying to think positive here…

    Still trying…

    Still trying………..

  12. CStanley 08/26/2008 at 11:07 PM #

    Seriously, this shit has gotten ridiculous. Our seasons have been fucked from the get go for two straight years.

    No other way to paint it. We’ve lost a ton already, more than I even care to remember prior to a season. I hope to hell Brown is ready.

    Anyone know the story on Crouch & Barnes?

    I was optimistic when I thought Bowens was the only biggie out. Now I’m totally discouraged about Thursday.

  13. Ismael 08/27/2008 at 5:24 AM #

    I just saw this in the 8/24 of the Fayetteville Observer

    Former E.E. Smith standout Curtis Crouch heads into his senior season determined to be a leader on the Wolfpack’s offensive line. Crouch lost 15 pounds in the offseason “as a personal motivational thing” to get down to 320. He’s also tried to become a more vocal leader and sharpen his discipline on and off the field after spending much of 2007 in O’Brien’s doghouse. “I had some academic problems,” Crouch said. “And I faced a pretty big decision as far as whether to stay or leave. I decided to stay and become one with Coach O’Brien and his values for this program.”

    So by TOB not taking him, i don’t know if that’s more academic problems or he has decided to “not stay”.

  14. Wolf Dog 08/27/2008 at 6:51 AM #

    Going to be an exciting year in my view. Looking at the depth chart we are young team and the coaching staff is building for the future. So the season is hard to predict except that we hope the team gets better from week to week. Depth chart clearly shows our recruiting short falls in previous years. If we can find some offense and get some turnovers we got a shot tomorrow night because the Gamecoscks are breaking in a new QB. Even Steve S. keeping his mouth closed about his teams expectations because he doesn’t know what to expect either. Who knows maybe we get 5 interceptions and win the game like we did against a new QB named Chis Weinke and Florida State one year.

  15. vtpackfan 08/27/2008 at 7:16 AM #

    TOB goes 100% at practice but uses prudence to not have it become counter productive. Thats what kind of coach he is, that is why his teams “do more with less”.

    An idea of the things that happen when you do it the Dallas Cowboys way in practice (take every other play off, skip meetings and so on). Then the solutions to these problems.

    Problem 1 Guys are more prone to injuries because they are trying to be explosive and show they are giving it all for the chance to play. They come to close to equalling the probability of injuries that often are game related.

    Solution 1 Get the guys into the two deep who evolve into the strength and conditioning program and who take it as far as they can take it. Get the players into the two deep that master the technique aspects of the game and repeat it repeatedly in practice. You don’t have to go like a bat out of hell and rip something up because you are using poor technique and have to over compensate.

  16. Six Pack 08/27/2008 at 7:39 AM #

    gopack does yet another fantastic job of reporting. Check out the story that gives the injury report. The picture with the story is of Andre Brown, not Eugene. I guess the State marketing folks don’t even know the numbers of the players.

  17. Noah 08/27/2008 at 8:09 AM #

    is baker really out for the entire year? again? what the hell happened to his knee. was it re-injured? if he just got it scoped, it shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks before hes back. wasnt javon walker going to start?

    All summer long, I’ve been saying that I’ve been worried about Baker. Everytime I mention it here, I get the same response about how Baker is going to be fine. His knee is great, no pain, etc.

    I don’t know, I’m not his doctor. The Baker family doesn’t consult with me or share medical news with me.

    But when I talk to the smarties who know folks inside the program, they consistently have doubts about us seeing a completely healthy Toney Baker back on the field. Doesn’t mean he won’t ever play again…it just means that his knee injuries might prevent him from ever making it all the way back.

    I hope they are wrong and I hope everyone comes here and slams me and gives me the old, “In your face!” when Baker becomes our next 1,000 yard back.

    I share plenty of good news too. It’s just that the good news is almost always, “Recruit so-and-so who has never played a game for us has been very impressive in practice. They’re really pleased about him.” When I share bad news, it’s “Team Captain and Critical Player #1 That We Absolutely CANT Lose or We’re F-ed just got eaten by a tiger on the 30-yard-line.”

    The difference is that the good news usually comes in the form of potential. The bad news comes in the form of reality.

    Here’s some good news: The staff REALLY likes the guys they brought in last year. They like that they brought in a total football team, with people at just about every position. A number of those guys are going to play this year and are ready to contribute. Zach Allen, for instance, was a lightly-regarded guard who has come in and kicked some butt and is going to be a multi-year starter (maybe not this year, though). The aforementioned Brandon Barnes is going to be a great one. Sam Jones still wants to come to State and is going to try and enroll in January.

    And I am going to repeat something I’ve said before and people chose to ignore. When I asked about scholarship numbers earlier this year, I was told that we were probably going to have another full class. When I mentioned that we were running low on available scholarships, I was told to expect a lot of attrition. The coaches expected several transfers, they expected a few people to not come back from injury and they anticipated that a couple of academic casualties were in the works.

    While this year’s recruiting class will not rank as high as last year’s, it will have a number of good players in it and NEXT year’s class should be excellent.

    Please take note of this post and print it out and stick it somewhere close by. Then, the next time you want to complain about how I’m always so negative and Eeyore-ish, take it out and read it again.

  18. JimValvano 08/27/2008 at 8:41 AM #

    Noah and I have been at odds many times in the past (typically in the end he is the one who has proven to be correct). Today however, we are thinking somewhat the same. However, as always…I’m more optimistic than he is.

    I remember a running back from not that long ago that came in and started as a true freshman and had a record breaking season. T.A. McLendon was a freaking beast. Maybe…Barnes will be half as good as a freshman.

    The other thing I want everyone to remember is that originally, before the injuries, we were DEEP at wide receiver. I think that this will provide a great opportunity for Jay Smith or Darrell Davis or Owen Spencer or T.J. Graham or Geron James to shine.

    But thats just me. I’m an optimist.

  19. newt 08/27/2008 at 8:45 AM #

    Last night, TOB said that Toney Baker was overweight and is on a diet. He seemed to say that it would be better to have an in-shape Baker next year because we have all the RBs we need this year.

    Eugene is injured, but thankfully we have Andre Brown to step right in and should not lose much if anything. Andre Brown was our heart’s desire two years ago, and he is healthy, in-shape, and ready to go.

    TOB has also said that we are improved on both the O-line and Defense from last year, so we should be an improved team. He is talking bowl game.

    Also, don’t forget Geron James at WR.

    Crouch is obviously in the dog house. It’s nice to know there is a dog house with this coach.

    Russell Wilson almost got the nod last year, but was eventually redshirted a la Glennon. So one would expect improved QB play this year. He is said to have a rocket of an arm and obviously is a player of great character.

  20. JimValvano 08/27/2008 at 8:56 AM #

    On a more pessimistic note…it’s not a good thing for all the guys that your redshirt freshman quarterback practiced with to be injured.

    Eugene has been the starter at running back since day one of the spring. I suspect handing the ball off to Brown is different. I hope we don’t mishandle any hand-offs.

    You also have to worry about timing between the wide receivers and the young QB. Sure…they are talented, but again…they aren’t used to working together. I hope we don’t have a costly interception because people aren’t where Wilson thought they’d be.

    One positive is that despite the fact we’ll be playing without Crouch…his replacement this year is Meares Green…not Kelanni Heppe or Yomi Ojo.

  21. ChiefJoJo 08/27/2008 at 9:37 AM #

    Did you all see that RJ Mattes is supposed to travel, dress, and play tomorrow? I guess that’s more OL backup (Henry Lawson?), but playing a true freshman OL in the first game can’t be a good sign. I dunno if that’s because of the Couch situation or what. Also losing Eugene is yet another return man down for us.

    Are this years injuries and defections worse than last year at this point? If Baker can’t make it back, I tend to think so, losing #1 WR, 2 safety starters, #2/3 RB, #3DT, and the #1 RB for a few games. Ugh…

  22. wolf2003 08/27/2008 at 9:47 AM #

    I think I made the call last week that Russell Wilson will be returning kickoffs and punts.

  23. vtpackfan 08/27/2008 at 10:50 AM #

    I wouldn’t call Linney a #3 DT. Try about #7 or 8.

    If Lawson plays look at some of possible contributors from the ’06 class.

    1) Wilson
    2) Byers
    3) Simmons
    4) Vermiglio (TOB)
    5) Bryan
    6) Roberts
    7) Rieskopf (TOB)
    8) Underwood (TOB)
    9) Smith
    10) Wallace
    11) Cole (TOB)
    12) Howard
    13) Kuhn

    These are all guys I think will play tommarrow. Some but not all were coming to State to play for Amato. The guys who were only TOB involved are noted.

    If even a portion of these guys show that they fit the system TOB wants to play and produce favorable results often then not, then just think about how the future recruits in classes fully involved w/ TOB and his staff will turn out.

    This is how I am approaching this season, look for these guys and watch them play and perform. AB, TB, Hill, Cash and Crouch. We want them to help now and finish out the time at State on a high note. That said I am rooting for the young guys a ton and if it’s by outplaying upperclassman, attrition, or god help us more injuries that means that they will play then so be it.

  24. wufpaxno1 08/27/2008 at 11:32 AM #

    I think that Spurrier has asked TOB if Russell could kickoff and punt for USC as well, so he will be kicking the ball and then running down the field, catching the ball and returning it. I think that he will also be doing the play by play for ESPN.

    Seriously, I could not agree more with Newts comments, and to build on them, TOB and his staff are installing discipline, discipline, discipline. The effect of this will be a much more confident, controlled, and effective team with less turn overs and penalties, and more aggressive play on defense. Conversely, those players who do not get with the program will find themselves looking for a new home or sitting at home when the team travels.

    Putting talent aside, you can expect this team to play much faster, they will react to situations instinctively as opposed to having to think about them as they did last year. Folks we have a coach and he is building a program, not just a once in awhile flash in the pan. Do you think that it is just coincidence that Florida State is having discipline problems? The hold overs from the past regime are being weeded out and replaced by players who will play within the system. Gone are the days of the over hyped, self indulged players of the past several seasons. This team may lose to the opposition, but it WILL NOT beat itself!

    This may sound like self contrived optimism, but I have been a Pack fan for a long time and I am in it for the long haul. Success is not about individuals, it is about building a team and I see that happening right before our eyes. We are not far from the days when an injury to a key player simply means that we reload and move on without missing a beat. We may not be there quite yet, but I can see it coming and that gets me worked up. I am excited about this Thursdays game and I am looking for consistency and improvement, a win would just be icing on the cake. USC is going to have to beat us because we sure as hell will not hand it over to them, that’s past history.

  25. ChiefJoJo 08/27/2008 at 11:51 AM #

    ^^By #3, I meant third string. Linney went thru the spring, so he surely was better than a true freshman. He wasn’t going to be a major contributor this year, but a potential future starter down the road.

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