News & Notes from first football practice

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Some of the most interesting items of the day did not come from what was happening on the field, but which Wolfpackers were NOT on the field. There were some very notable absences today.

There were some notable additions, namely safety Tim Buckley, a Penn State transfer, but also some significant absences. Running back Mustafa Greene, backup quarterback Tyler Brosius and defensive tackle A.J. Ferguson did not participate in practice because of academic-related issues.

“They’re still working to get themselves on the football field,” sixth-year coach Tom O’Brien said. “So, we’ll see if they make it or not.”

Greene, a sophomore, hasn’t played since the Pack’s Champs Bowl win over West Virginia in Dec. 2010. The team’s leading rusher as a true freshman, he missed the entire 2011 season with a foot injury.

He returned briefly in the spring only to run into disciplinary trouble with O’Brien. The coach said last week at the ACC Kickoff that Greene was going through summer workouts and was expected to contend for playing time with returning running backs James Washington and Tony Creecy but Greene was missing on Tuesday.

There’s not set timetable for his return, O’Brien said.

“He has to continue to do what he’s supposed to, then he would be able to get out here and practice,” O’Brien said. “If he doesn’t, then he won’t be here.”

Brosius backed up Glennon last season and is listed in the media guide in the same spot for this year. The third-year sophomore completed eight of 13 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown last season.

If Brosius doesn’t return, true freshman Manny Stocker would likely be Glennon’s backup. Stocker enrolled in January and has impressed the coaches with his leadership.

Colorado State transfer Pete Thomas was another new face at practice but Thomas has to sit out the season under NCAA rules. Thomas started two seasons for the Rams and threw for a total of 4,269 yards.

Another absence today was key JUCO recruit at the linebacker position, Robert Caldwell. The Wolfpack’s lack of quality and depth at the linebacker position has turned A LOT of focus (and hope) towards Caldwell. But, there is good news regarding Caldwell as Coach O’Brien said,

Caldwell wasn’t here because he is still having his paperwork filed and hopefully that will all be done by tomorrow… admissions paperwork. It’s just a question of it getting here to the proper authorities on campus so they can clear him for practice.

That is good news.

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9 Responses to News & Notes from first football practice

  1. choppack1 07/31/2012 at 10:30 PM #

    Thanks for the update.

    Brosius struggling academically is definitely a surprise. I thought he looked decent in back-up duty.

    Finally, these guys sitting out because of academics is the difference between TOB and Butch. He’s proactively trying to get these guys to do what they are supposed to do. If they don’t do it, they won’t practice or play.

  2. Wufpacker 07/31/2012 at 10:37 PM #

    Good thing Stocker enrolled early and got a spring practice under his belt.

  3. Wufpacker 07/31/2012 at 10:41 PM #

    Also, you have to love TOB’s quiet cautious confidence this year…

    “The starting point this year is much higher for a lot of these kids,” he said. “This is a more confident football team because they’ve won. But it helps to get off to a good start. We will see where we are when we get to practice nine or 10 – when they’re tired. That’s when we’ll know how good we’re going to be.”

    When asked if this was his best team at State, O’Brien replied, “This is the deepest and most experienced team we’ve had. We will find out if we can be the best if they stay healthy and do what they are supposed to do.”

  4. 808WOLF 08/01/2012 at 7:08 AM #

    Man, I hope we don’t end up in a “situational situation”.

  5. StateFans 08/01/2012 at 7:52 AM #

    If you think back to it…EVERY camp has started with some key players who still had some academic work to do. In almost every case the players ultimately made it.

  6. Greywolf 08/01/2012 at 10:52 AM #

    ^
    Is this it? Are these the only academic casualties? We could use Mustafa but Brosius and Ferguson will not be missed.

    Brosius not being here may be a blessing if it means Stocker gets more reps.

  7. old13 08/01/2012 at 11:08 AM #

    AJ is an experienced player who gives us good depth in the DT rotation. If MG should go down, I’d rather have Brosius than Stocker at this juncture as Stocker is just starting to learn the system (and progressions) while Brosius has looked good in spot duty and in the Spring Game. Greene is the most expendable IMO, especially if he keeps causing distractions for the TEAM with his off-field issues!

  8. jrcox4 08/01/2012 at 5:21 PM #

    Did anyone else notice TOB used the word players in reference to telling PSU coach Bill OBrien about transfers?

  9. tjfoose1 08/02/2012 at 10:51 AM #

    Probably just waiting on final grades for summer school classes, and/or resolution of INC’s.

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