Badger Bits: Should JJ Watt play defensive tackle?

Here are your Badger Bits for Wednesday, August 17th!

As you may have heard, Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt had his twitter account hijacked by backup quarterback Curt Phillips. Phillips updated Watt's twitter feed, mentioning that Watt had been moved to defensive tackle. The rumor proved untrue, but Watt is remaining open to switching positions as needed, according to Jim Polzin of Madison.com.

"Whatever we need to do to win football games, I’m going to do. I’m really happy at defensive end because I’m finally learning the techniques, but if I need to move, I’ll move." -- Wisconsin DE JJ Watt

Many people bought into the rumor, including a Madison-area television station, which reported on the position change during their evening news. The main reason the tweet was so believable is probably because of UW's perceived lack of depth at defensive tackle. Both starters from the 2009 squad have graduated and redshirt freshman Jordan Kohout has gone down with an unspecified knee injury, but it is not a major one. Watt has also played nose tackle in the team's nickle package last year. Watt is also large for a defensive end, weighing in at around 300 pounds. While Watt is remaining open to switching positions, he beleives that his extra weight gives him an edge over other defensive ends:

"I really like what that brings me as a defensive end," he said. "You’re not going to see too many 292-pound defensive ends around. I like the power that I can bring off the edge."

What do you think? Should Watt be moved to defensive tackle?

More Badger news after the jump!

Speaking of the defensive line, ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg has Wisconsin's unit rated as the 5th best in the Big Ten. The stability Watt and fellow end Louis Nzegwu provide for the line help make up for the fluid situation at defensive tackle. Rittenberg has also ranked Wisconsin's linebacker corps as 3rd best in the Big Ten.

On the flip side of the ball, UW offensive linemen John Moffitt and Bill Nagy are making sure that they savor their final pre-season camp.

Head coach Bret Bielema has been continuing a media tour of sorts after the team's media day, including talking to The Sporting News about his team's goal of getting to the Rose Bowl this year.

Bielema has also been getting a lot of attention from the media, according to Andy Baggot of Madison.com.

Pre-season camp continues today with two scheduled practices, one in the morning and one after lunch in half-packs. The report from Tuesday's practices is here at UWBadgers.com. Some other notes from practice include Bielema's opinion of a sluggish offense so far, and that the Badgers need to improve their two-minute drill.

And finally, if you are in the Madison area, today is your day to go visit the Stanley Cup! Former Badger hockey captain Adam Burish will be bringing the cup to the Kohl Center from 10 AM to noon today. Opportunities for photographs and autographs will be plentiful.

17 days until kickoff!