Wilson will play football this season

Yes, one game on your schedule is UNC, but I wouldn't count it as a win just yet (even if you were to take 4 knees). Esp. if RW does not play, which I think he will. Gosh with him last year the Pack barely squeaked by, with UNC shooting themselves in the foot (see C. Barth field goal attempt).

So, yes it could happen again this year, but if the UNC defense can score enough points then perhaps it won't be so close.

you took 3 knees and punted it on every drive, that could actually happen.  At the rate Yates is going, he'll be throwing the ball backwards by November.

our D.

I haven't listened to the teleconference, but what you describe does not sound unusual to me. I am certain that RW had discussions with representatives of the Rockies before they drafted him. They obviously were comfortable enough to use a surprisingly high draft pick on him. Now comes the hard part-contract negotiations.

In the real world, there would be a confidentiality agreement signed by the parties to avoid uninformed public speculation (like what I am doing now) and potential embarrassment. No way such an agreement is happening in today's sports reporting environment. So what may look like uncertainty or lack of preparation may really just be the early stages of the normal process of negotiation. All the talk up to now is just talk. You don't have a deal until the deal is done and everyone signs off.

Someone referred to TOB's comments as an ultimatum. I don't see it that way. By most accounts, RW is disciplined enough that he can handle responsibilities that would bury most normal people. I think that's the context in which TOB's "if Russell wants to play football, he will" comment should be looked at. The expectation that RW should be present for the beginnning of preseason practice may be an ultimatum, but it is a reasonable one.

If RW does sign with the Rockies, he would likely start his career with their short season Rookie League affiliate. Short season runs into September, so Russell would have to leave early to join the Pack for preseason practice. He would also miss the Fall Instructional League, which would set his development back. The Rockies might agree to this if he leaves some money on the table and agrees to focus on basball exclusively after football season is over. This too is part of the normal give and take of negotiation.

One thing I am sure of. Russell gains nothing by refusing to sign and then playing another season of baseball at State. I used to think (as long ago as last week), that he would be drafted low because he couldn't break into the starting lineup on a bubble team. I now wonder how Coach Avent couldn't find a regular spot in the starting lineup for a 4th round draft pick. That and Avent's questionable decision on who to start against Stony Brook (along with a nudge by Gatr) have me doubting his abilities.

The good news is that, the longer this drags out, the more we have to talk about in the dog days of summer. The bad news is that Pack fans will have to double their anxiety meds until we know for sure.

he's trying to squeeze more money out of the Rockies.  The more he says he really wants to play football, the more the Rockies may give him?

I remember Weinke had been with the Blue Jay's organization before he came to college, but I wasn't sure how the rules worked as far as playing both at the same time.  As far as I'm concerned, if he can pull off pro baseball, college football and academics all at once, then let him do it.

Mike Thomas did it at Carolina years ago. He played football for the Heels and played minor league baseball during the summers. I believe it was in the Orioles organization. He had to pay his own way at Carolina though.