The first part of that statement is contradictory and unnecessary, to the second part of sentence. If you are going to say that I will do my due diligence, take home visits, take official visits, and take my time before making a commitment, there is no meaning of starting a sentence by saying "I'm coming to Illinois."
Just a hypothetical conversation. I agree that's not perfectly logical. but it doesn't necessarily mean that's not the idea going down here...I'm just staying optimistic. There was a lot of smoke around this "silent verbal". Like you pointed out, it doesn't necessarily mean anything, as it's sounding like Tilmon's services are still up for grabs. But i don't think it would be that absurd if he really did privately give Groce the nod under the conditions that he'd let the process play out. I mean, if that really did happen, I don't think Groce would ever try and pressure him out of that.