Andrew Jones: Russell Wilson Should Drop Football

Columnist Andrew Jones is of the opinion that it is in Freshman All-American QB Russell Wilson’s best interests to drop football and concentrate on baseball exclusively:

He is just 5-foot-10, and with three football injuries on his 2008 resume, focusing just on baseball might be a wise decision for his future. Practice begins in a few weeks, and while Wilson won’t be ready immediately – NCSU officials say it all depends on the early healing process as to when he’ll be ready, so there’s no official time table – he will eventually factor in State’s plans.

A decision to walk away from football will devastate many Wolfpack fans, as the program has struggled to find a competent quarterback since Philip Rivers left in 2003. But it’s probably the best thing for Wilson and his family, and that is what matters most.

I’m sure that there are a lot of fans of other ACC teams that would be completely happy for Russell Wilson to focus exclusively on baseball and not to spend next season giving their favorite team’s defense a fit.  The scenario that Jones discusses has certainly made its way around the rumor mill since the end of the regular season, but no concrete decision and no other items seem to indicate that Wilson plans to hang his football cleats up this spring or anytime soon.  Conventional wisdom is that Wilson enjoys playing both sports; but conventional wisdom also is that Russell is a highly mature and intelligent young man who generally makes fantastic decisions.

One thing is for certain – with a healthy Russell Wilson under center and Mike Glennon developing at a nice pace, the Wolfpack offense is a threat to any team on the schedule. If Wilson does play football next year and remains healthy the Wolfpack has a legitimate shot to compete for an ACC Championship and resulting BCS Bowl berth next year.

'09 Football

74 Responses to Andrew Jones: Russell Wilson Should Drop Football

  1. Tar Heel Fan 01/08/2009 at 2:08 PM #

    “I’m sure that there are a lot of fans of other ACC teams that would be completely happy for Russell Wilson to focus exclusively on baseball and not to spend next season giving their favorite team’s defense a fit. ”

    Yes and no. Sure, life would be easier if Russell Wilson was not the opposing QB when NC State comes up on the schedule. However, Wilson is good for the ACC and a lot of fun to watch.

  2. Emorywoodwolf 01/08/2009 at 2:09 PM #

    I am glad it is up to Russel to decide what he wants to do. The Chapstick Hill fans sure are nervous and dolling out a lot of opinions on what our program needs to do.

    Go State

  3. burnbarn 01/08/2009 at 2:11 PM #

    Funny….the media thinks glennon should transfer and wilson should focus on Baseball.
    I guess it is looking good for Beck or Proctor..

  4. packbackr04 01/08/2009 at 2:17 PM #

    isnt Wilson on a football scholarship? i say Andrew Jones should shut the hell up and let Russell honor his commitment to the NCSU football team

  5. anti-smurf 01/08/2009 at 2:20 PM #

    Hmmmm – so there isn’t anything bad to write about our program, so let’s dream about the ideal scenario for NC State football. I wonder if that’s the mindset of the unc journalists that make up the local news circuits.

    Wilson plays at least 1 more year, then Glennon takes over.

  6. JeremyH 01/08/2009 at 2:22 PM #

    Andrew Jones should go back to muffing in the outfield of the Braves since it didn’t work out in LA.

  7. Alpha Wolf 01/08/2009 at 2:24 PM #

    ^ LOL, but that’s Andruw Jones in Atlanta/LA and he was a Gold Glover with a weak bat. I am hoping the Braves get him back now that he’s ready to leave the Dodgers.

  8. Ismael 01/08/2009 at 2:29 PM #

    What horrible analysis! Both the concussion and the sprain had nothing to do with how big/small RW is…i guess the only way for the Holes to not have a 41-10 repeat is for State players to either get hurt or quit.

  9. Girlfriend in a Coma 01/08/2009 at 2:32 PM #

    The headline of this peice must be changed to:

    “Andrew Jones should give up journalism.”

  10. lsutton5144 01/08/2009 at 2:32 PM #

    Completely off topic, but since we’re mentioning former Brave Andrew Jones – saw earlier today that John Smoltz is signing with the Red Sox and the Braves are now in pursuit of Derek Lowe.

  11. Noah 01/08/2009 at 2:33 PM #

    FWIW, I think Roy Williams should spend more time with his family.

  12. choppack1 01/08/2009 at 2:34 PM #

    What a surprise. I wonder if Curry was told to focus on one or the other.

    Seriously though – where does he get off saying Russell should do one thing or the other. This is 100% his business, and 0% Andrew Jones.

    I love those who question why some of us Wolfpackers wonder about the media and their intentions when it comes to NC State. He probably doesn’t hold a grudge against NC State – but I have to wonder, if UNC had the first All ACC team QB who put up #s which – yes, Virginia – were the kind of #s that can open the eyes of even Heisman trophy candidates – would he be encouraging the kid to give up football.

    Yes, Russell Wilson is a highly regarded baseball prospect – but to translate what Wilson did on the diamond, he would have hit about .400 his freshman year. Simply put, he was a much more effective football player than he was a baseball player.

    17 TDs and 1 INT – let’s say that again, a 17 to 1 TD to INT ratio – I don’t think people even realize how good that is. It’s so good, he probably won’t be able to have a similar ratio next year.

    I find it somewhat suspicious that Jones doesn’t want this kid to play any more football. If Russell gives up football, I’ll certainly understand – as the father of a boy, I know that I’d be nervous every time he took the field, especially after what I saw at USC. Of course, guess what Andy boy – w/ baseball’s aluminum bats – the same thing can happen in baseball, and IMHO, college baseball is one awful disaster away from doing away w/ those weapons.

  13. Alpha Wolf 01/08/2009 at 2:37 PM #

    Anyone know Wilson’s QB ratings off of the top of their head? I’m guessing 90-100, mainly based on the throw-aways he’s taken to prevent a sack and to not risk INTs.

  14. JeremyH 01/08/2009 at 2:50 PM #

    my mistake, we’re talking about this tarhole:

    “Andrew Jones

    Andrew is a monthly contributor to the magazine. His full time job is as a radio host and columnist for Buster Sports. His resume includes ACC beat writer for the Wilmington Star-News, UNC beat writer for Inside Carolina and radio show host on Wilmington’s ESPN Radio affiliate.

    http://northcarolina.scout.com/3/staff.htmla

    I love how Jones is replying in his own comments section. He is quoted as saying “well if he does decide to play both I think he should start eating lots of Twinkies and watch re-runs of House as opposed to rehabbing, because the two sports take such a toll”.

  15. treznor 01/08/2009 at 2:53 PM #

    Russell Wilson
    Attempts = 275
    Completions = 150
    Yard = 1,955
    TDs = 17
    INTs = 1

    Rating = 133.9

  16. McPete 01/08/2009 at 3:13 PM #

    The headline of this peice must be changed to:

    “Andrew Jones should give up journalism.”

    very funny, girlfriendinacoma.

    I wonder why andrew jones doesnt consider at all that Wilson is a freshman and will learn to protect his body better as he gains experience. it’s like running backs: the ones who learn to not take so many direct hits (Emmit Smith comes to mind) can last a lot longer than the /jim brown/earl campbells of the world who wanted to punish anyone who tried to tackle them.

  17. Noah 01/08/2009 at 3:15 PM #

    I don’t understand where Wilson gets the label of being “injury prone.”

    Does anyone remember an old Phillie named Bake McBride? He played with the Indians as well. THAT guy was injury-prone. He’d get soap in his eyes and end up on the 15 day disabled list. He’d pull a hamstring tying his shoe.

    Wilson took a knee to the head. I defy ANYONE to do that and not get a concussion. Then he got nailed on the knee and he hurt his PCL. What superhuman QBs out there wouldn’t also get hurt EXACTLY the same way if they experience two very-high impact collisions?

  18. bradleyb123 01/08/2009 at 3:23 PM #

    He’s not injury prone. That’s the kind of thing that you say when you’re hoping against hope that he goes 100% baseball.

  19. choppack1 01/08/2009 at 3:33 PM #

    So should the QB for UNC give up football?

    He missed more games than Wilson AND he isn’t as good of a QB as Wilson is.

    That play against Rutgers bugs me – that was a perfect storm: He was on artificial turf, he was attempting to slide, and he was being tackled at the same time – I think if you remove any of those 3 things, he’s fine and we win that game going away.

  20. bradleyb123 01/08/2009 at 3:44 PM #

    True dat, choppack

  21. Wolf Dog 01/08/2009 at 3:49 PM #

    As much as Wilson runs the ball, he is more open to injury. Although an improved OL may make him feel better about coming back and he will learn to go down quicker. I am glad we have Glennon as a backup and I think Wilson wants to play 2 sports, but his family and him are intelligent people. They may decide baseball is the way for him to go especially if he has another great baseball season. I hope we have him at least 1 more season. Whatever he decides I wish him the best.

  22. wufpup76 01/08/2009 at 4:04 PM #

    I see redfred’s favorite subject has been broached 😉

    (^That being Pack athletes leaving early or giving up one sport or another)

    “FWIW, I think Roy Williams should spend more time with his family.”

    he he

    Now, if we could only get a mainstream journalist to put this in a story and push his/her editor to run with that headline … hmmmmmmm

  23. bradleyb123 01/08/2009 at 4:07 PM #

    It may not be such a bad thing if Wilson gave up football now. In fact, it may be better for the football team if he did. Glennon may not want to be the #2 guy, and could transfer if Wilson stays. There’s a good chance Wilson only has one more year (at most) of football left anyway as he will be eligible for the baseball draft after one more year.

    If Wilson is going to be gone after one more year ANYWAY, he may as well be gone NOW, and give us a better shot at keeping Glennon. At the end of the 2009 season, both guys could easily be gone if Wilson plays one more year. But if he doesn’t, then we get to keep Glennon until he graduates or goes pro or whatever.

    Of course, this is based on the assumption that Glennon would not accept being #2 for one more year. I don’t know if that is the case or not.

  24. packbackr04 01/08/2009 at 4:18 PM #

    Glennon is going to get PT next year. he is just not going to be THE GO TO GUY next year. And from what i have heard, he is fine with that. I think he also knows that the O-line is 1 more year away from where HE needs it to be before he can truly shine (or get decapitated)…

  25. Sam92 01/08/2009 at 4:19 PM #

    i love the offseason, we have to entertain ourselves somehow — nightmares of wilson dropping football *and* glennon transferring, yikes

    getting glennon to stay is a test of TOB’s abilities, he has to sell the program and opportunity to glennon.

    for wilson, on the other hand, dropping football might be advisable – if he’s got a possible baseball career, he might be better off not risking further injury on the football field

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