Badger Bits: Curt Phillips wants to be Wisconsin's quarterback

Badger fans likely only have fuzzy memories of the playing career of redshirt senior quarterback Curt Phillips. After all, Phillips hasn't seen the field since the 2009 season. He was used as a change-of-pace quarterback that year, as he had an ability to scramble that Scott Tolzien lacked. But he's been stuck on the sidelines ever since, missing the 2010 and 2011 seasons because of three different ACL tears. Many people would take their ball and go home after such a disastrous stretch of luck, but Phillips would not be deterred. Now he's in the mix to start at quarterback for the Badgers this upcoming season.

Phillips will get no special treatment because of his injuries. He will have to compete for the starting spot against worthy contenders such as Joel Stave (opening camp as Wisconsin's #1 quarterback) and hyped transfer Danny O'Brien. Also, many question marks remain. Curt's mobility was one of his major strengths, and ACL injuries can certainly take their toll on a player's quickness and agility. Plus, the possibility of Phillips returning to a change-of-pace role isn't likely, as that type of arrangement proved disastrous against Iowa in the '09 season.

If Curt can stay healthy, he will add depth to a quarterback position that has severely lacked it in recent seasons. Also, another contender in the mix for the starting job can only benefit the other QBs, even if O'Brien remains a heavy favorite to win the competition.

Friday Links:

Many questions remain in the wake of Montee Ball's assault. Was he targeted because of his status as a record-breaking tailback and Heisman contender? Will they find the five men who committed the crime? When will Montee be back to full strength? Surely there's no truth to the rumor that a number of UW football players beat up someone a week before, right?

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The Badgers land at number 12 in the preseason coaches poll, which is good for second in the Big Ten, trailing only No. 8 Michigan. Buckeyes blog Land Grant Holy Land talks about the ranking of each B1G squad that made it into the top 25.