Doeren: "It Is Going To Take Time"

NC State head coach Dave Doeren addressed the media following the Wolfpack’s practice on Friday.

The head coach enters his sixth season at NC State with hopes riding high following the Pack’s 9-4 campaign in 2017. There are also question marks on defense and in the running game.

On Ryan Finley’s connectivity with his receivers:
For a quarterback and his receiving corps to have that kind -- where they can just look at each other and now what each other is thinking is pretty special. It takes time to develop obviously.

These have been here and are learning in their third year with them so they have great chemistry. They care a lot about each other. I think that chemistry and relationship is very personal and they want each other to be successful.

On if the offense will be faster paced in 2018 based on what was seen at the first practice:
It actually was not faster than last year. We spent 20 minutes less in fact. I did like what I have seen. It was a clean practice.

Where do you think your team is at this point?
Without pads it is pretty premature to tell you that. I think there are so many fundamental skills that don’t show up on a day like today. There was good competition.

The Offensive Line...
The nice thing about that is Fedd-Jackson played and started two games for us at guard and Justin Witt played a lot at tackle.

They are new starters for a season but they have started in games. They have played a lot of football here so we don’t really feel like we are breaking two guys in.

The cohesiveness is really the biggest thing.

The Running Backs...
I think Reggie looks good. He is healthy -- knock on wood -- and the other guys are going to get a lot of reps.

Nakia, Person and Trent Pennix are going to get a lot of work in camp. We will have to see how they do.

The Defensive Line...
We challenged James Smith-Williams and Darian Roseboro. We are starting to see the [camaraderie among the unit]. They train more together. They workout together and go out to eat together. They are invested in each other as friends.

It is going to take time. It is not an overnight thing.

On veteran and newcomer balance...
You expect guys to play better than they did last year. Guys that have game experience will be better versions of themselves. Iit allows some of the other guys time to come on and get comfortable.

Where you were experienced last year, you are not. Where you weren’t, you are. The older kids that are coming in, those are plug and play guys that have experience.

Thoughts On Cary Angeline...
He is probably more like David Grinnage from a height standpoint. He was a pretty big receiver for us in our offense.

Cary is probably the most versatile guy we have had. A blend between Grinnage and Cole Cook.