Technician file photo
Coach Tom O’Brien made the right decision when he announced that Russell Wilson will remain the starter in the fall. When the whole nation is watching us play South Carolina during the Thursday night season opener, we need a quarterback with experience and the ability to adapt when the pocket collapses and unforeseen situations occur.
Although it would be exciting to see the talent of Mike Glennon against a high-caliber team like South Carolina, it is important that N.C. State use the quarterback who gives us the best chance of winning.
I recall my interviews with some of the football players when they were talking about Glennon last year, saying that “He’s ridiculously good,” and “He’s the best quarterback we’ve ever seen.” One proclaimed that he’s the next Phillip Rivers.
Despite this, Wilson has the legs to compensate for an offensive line that is continuing to mature and develop. In the low-scoring Kay Yow Spring Football game last Saturday, false-start penalties, broken rushing plays and inadequate pass protection resulting in 12 sacks demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the offensive line.
Granted, the Red and White game never accurately reflects how the season will progress, as last year Justin Burke led all quarterbacks with 191 yards on 17-of-24 passing. Burke, who went on to transfer to Louisville early in the fall of 2008, is far from being the cream of the crop. In the 42-20 loss to Clemson in 2007, Burke came in late only to add an interception to his résumé.
However, Wilson also has something else that sets him apart from Glennon – chemistry with the team. This isn’t to say that there isn’t a good relationship and bond among the linemen, receivers, and Glennon, but you can be assured that the team is as unified as it is with Wilson at the helm. In last year’s 29-23 loss in the Papajohns.com Bowl, you could sense the spirit vanish from the eyes of the Wolfpack as Wilson watched from the sidelines in the second half.
Wilson’s knowledge of the routes of his receivers, the blocking styles of his linemen, and the awareness of Division I defenses will enable him to excel against the Gamecocks. And, if all this isn’t enough, one must simply trust Tom O’Brien’s past history of wise decision-making with both Boston College and with us. As the coach, he knows far more than we can ever hope to learn from the sidelines in the 12-plus games we play a year.
At 6-foot-6, Glennon will likely develop and prove more effective as a quarterback in the long run, but for now, O’Brien is justified in putting the 2007 All-ACC First Team quarterback under center.
Nonetheless, if we face the injuries like we did last year, it will be comforting to know that we have the depth we need at such a crucial position.