Q & A with Tom O’Brien

Q: How is the quarterback battle shaping up? Who will get the starting spot for the season opener?

A: It’s been fine. I think Mike Glennon has pushed Russell [Wilson] and has made Russell better – not that he needs it. I think Russell is self-motivated and Mike has had a good preseason. We are in a good situation where we have two quarterbacks with great abilities. Russell Wilson will get the starting spot.

Q: Nate Irving is not returning this season. Who will be his replacement?

A: Dwayne Maddox and Terrell Manning are still in a competition to figure out who that spot goes to. We just finished up our fourth scrimmage, so it’s time that we cut down the roster and figure out who is going to be at that spot. If a decision was to be made at this point, they may share time in the opener. It may be a couple weeks until we really settle on someone.

Q: Do you feel comfortable with the linebackers, and are they good enough to fill Nate Irving’s shoes?

A: It is what it is. I mean they are all we have, so we have to be comfortable with them and make them better players. I don’t think anybody can step up and fill his shoes. I mean he is a kid who, if he had played this year, would have been a first or second round draft choice. So those kids are still too young. One of them is a redshirt freshman, and the other played last year as a freshman, so is a true sophomore, so they have a long way to go to fill Nate’s shoes.

Q: The defensive line always plays an important role in Wolfpack football. How is the line shaping up this year?

A: There should be some strength here for us. Alan-Michael Cash and Willie Young are back, so both fifth year kids. Leroy Burgess came in and Shea McKeen, a junior college transfer, came in, so they have been in the system for a year or so. Those four guys have played a lot of football, so they should be good. I think Audi Augustin has been around, and Natanu Mageo will play. J.R. Sweezy – who we moved to defensive tackle – he eventually, as he grows, will continue to get better and better at the position.

Q: Staying on the defensive positions, how is the backfield going to look?

A: Well, we have young guys back there. It’s the same thing; we are young in a lot of spots, so there are some guys who haven’t been in football games who are going to have to play. Maybe they are playing a little bit before their time, but that is who we have, that’s who has to go out there and play. They are good kids who have worked hard, and I think they understand what we are trying to do, they just need game experience.

Q: What about this year’s running game? Will that be an asset to us this year?

A: Well, it has to be if we are going to be a good football team. You can’t just be a one-dimensional football team. When we have had success here, we have been able to run the football, so it’s something we work and strive toward. Toney Baker has come back from his devastating injury, and he is not entirely what he was two years ago, but he is approaching that. I don’t know if he will ever be what he was, but Jamelle Eugene is back and those two kids have played football and will be able to help us. Then the offensive line is going to have to block somebody.

Q: What are your overall expectations for the season?

A: The team is looking strong. Every year from now on, there is no reason we should not have a winning season and be able to go to a bowl game. The goal is to be ACC champs and go to the national championship game, that’s what we set out to do, but at the worst we should end up at a bowl game. We are tired of playing each other. Everyone knows everyone else’s moves, and we are ready to be tested in the opener.

Q: Just for fun, what is your game-day routine?

A: It depends. I like the early games better. I know the students like the night games, but generally there is not much to do. You make sure the team is rested and fed on time, and the coaches go over last minute plans, but there isn’t much you can do on game days except wait for the game to get started.