Rivers says he'll be back for Pack - probably

RALEIGH, N.C. - Philip Rivers didn&#39;t hesitate Wednesday when asked whether he would return for his senior season at North Carolina State. <br> <br> At least not the first time. <br> <br> Rivers said he plans to return for his senior season in Raleigh, but he left the door barely open in Michael Jordan-like fashion. Jordan, when announcing his second retirement in 1999, said he was 99.9 percent sure he would stay retired only to return two years later. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s like the Jordan thing,&#39;&#39; Rivers said. ``99.9999 ... a nine with a bar on top. I&#39;m here to stay and help us win and get better.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Rivers, a three-year starter, has thrown for 3,125 yards and 18 touchdowns in leading the No. 17 Wolfpack (10-3) to a spot in the Toyota Gator Bowl against No. 11 Notre Dame. He was a second-team All-ACC performer this year. <br> <br> Rivers, a 6-foot-5, 236-pound junior, ranks second in school history and sixth in league history with 8,765 yards. He has 59 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. <br> <br> ``He knows (NFL) means Not For Long,&#39;&#39; Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato said. ``He&#39;s not ready for it, and Philip after next season will go to the NFL and play a lot of years.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Rivers said he might consult with an NFL advisory committee that can give underclassmen an idea of where they might be drafted. <br> <br> ``Anybody can do that just to see,&#39;&#39; he said. ``That can maybe give you more motivation to work through the next year.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> When asked the first time whether he would stay for his senior season, Rivers quickly said he would. But when asked if the question could be put to rest, he hesitated for a few seconds before answering. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m answering that as that&#39;s my plan, my plan right now,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I plan to stay.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Rivers said he doubts the question will be a distraction for the team, and said most probably haven&#39;t even thought about whether he would enter the draft early. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m here to finish it,&#39;&#39; he said, ``and I feel like I&#39;ve got a lot of improving to do.&#39;&#39;

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