Wilson Tries to Fit In, Not Push Way In With Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. â€”  In the early stages of the Green Bay Packers’ training camp, Marc Wilson has been content to blend in and be one of the guys, one of six quarterbacks learning a new system under a new coach.

That’s not easy when you’re 6 feet 5 inches, when you’ve got two Super Bowl rings, a new contract, eight years of National Football League experience and a mound of preseason expectations dogging your every pass.

“Those expectations can’t match mine. They’re kind of private, but I have high expectations of myself,� Wilson said.

Some people have asked Wilson if he’s starting over in pro football and trying to forget his days with the Raiders when the boos and criticism were often directed at the former No. 1 draft choice.

“Everybody seems to bring that up, and I don’t feel that way at all,� Wilson said.

“I have no apologies for the way I played in L.A., none whatsoever. I played as hard as I could. I felt like I did some very positive things there.

“To say this is a new beginning, I don’t feel that way at all. It’s a continuation of my career here in Green Bay. This is year No. 9, certainly not No. 1.�

Wilson signed with the Packers July 9 as a free agent after the Raiders relinquished their rights to him, thereby voiding a guaranteed $1.1-million contract for 1988.

His two-year Packer contract is reportedly worth $500,000 a season but is heavy with incentive clauses, meaning he could still earn in the $1-million range.

“I don’t want to make it sound--it’s kind of a touchy thing--like I’m glad to get out of L.A.,� Wilson said.

“By the same token, I don’t want to make the Packers feel like I wish I was in L.A. I’m happy I’m here and I’m happy the contract worked out.

“If I had gone back to the Raiders that would have been great, too. It was almost a no-lose situation.�

He has competition in camp from Don Majkowski and Randy Wright, the Packer starters last season, and from free agent Blair Kiel and rookie Bud Keyes. Robbie Bosco, like Wilson a Brigham Young alumnus, is still injured.