Wisconsin Badgers Football: Points of Concern and Hope at the QB Position

As Peyton Manning says goodbye to the Indianapolis Colts, his impact on his team is a prime example of the importance of the quarterback position: A strong signal caller can even the score with his play on the field and leadership in the locker room. 

Sentiment and emotion aside, the Wisconsin Badgers would probably take anyone with an iota of experience, health, confidence and competence moving into next season.

No man on the current roster can claim all four qualities, and that should scare everyone from the athletic director to the hot-dog vendors. 

The cupboards are not completely bare, but its contents are chipped and untested. 

News of shoulder surgery for superstar recruit Bart Houston was downplayed by Bret Bielema this week. However, in the next breath, Bielema also let on that Jon Budmayr was suffering a setback with his throwing elbow.

Curt Phillips, a once highly-rated recruit, caught the injury-bug early in his career. The dual-threat QB underwent major knee surgery last year and hopes to compete this season for a spot in the lineup.

Unfortunately, history and luck are not on the Tennessee native's side when it comes to avoiding disastrous damage to his limbs. 

That leaves a timid Joe Brennan or walk-on Joel Stave as the only two viable options come spring.

Brennan was mostly called into action for mop-up duty last year, but most felt his play was garbage during garbage-time. Stave is a big quarterback at 6'5" and 220 lbs, but he has no game experience.

Thankfully, Bielema was able to find a silver lining in the sudden thinning of his quarterback corps in the extra coaching Brennan and Stave will certainly receive from new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

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 “I think those two quarterbacks will benefit a great deal,” Bielema said, “because they’ll get a lot of Matt’s attention.”

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Danny O'Brien, the transfer from Maryland, could still pick the Badgers to finish out his collegiate career, though indications point to a reunion with his former offensive coordinator who now runs the Vanderbilt program. 

Uncertainty runs abound this year as the Badgers prepare for another season, but Wisconsin fans are used to this kind of instability. Scott Tolzien became a two-year starter after playing as an afterthought for most of his career. Not to mention, last year at this time, Russell Wilson was not even on the Wisconsin radar. 

This year, will hope spring eternal, or should Badger fans start tossing around "rebuilding" now as they brace for 2012?