Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

A great battle for the 'greatest position' THE VOICE MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS U nfortunately, there has been more unpleasant off- the-field news. Certainly, both college and pro football have taken some public relations hits. Do not be fooled into thinking that all is wrong with sports. All summer long, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Matt Canada heard the question. All summer long, he has had the same answer. Quarterback will be "a position of strength." If the performance at the position has the same consis- tency as Canada's answers, the Badgers should be in good shape. Maybe you have heard coaches describe the starting quarter- back's job as the most difficult in sports. Perhaps it is, but Canada approaches it a bit differently. "It's the greatest position in all of sport," he said. "Everybody asks about it. Everybody talks about it because it's so special." At this early stage of camp, there are three quarterbacks vying to be the starter at that greatest of posi- tions — Curt Phillips, Joel Stave and Danny O'Brien. It is easy to understand why there would be a cheering section for each of them. O'Brien is the veteran, with 17 career starts at Maryland. Phil- lips is trying to beat the odds after three knee surgeries. Stave is working to be latest walk-on who becomes a major contributor at UW. All three appear to be smart, likeable and respected. What also could help is that while this is Canada's first year at Wisconsin, he has known them 14 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 all, at least for awhile. "Danny, I recruited, so there is a little dif- ferent deal there. Curt and Joel were here when I first got here. I recruited both of them as well at other places, so I have known them all through that process." What Canada, not to mention head coach Bret Bielema, is look- ing for is a legitimate competition, and that appears to be happening. Since it has been nearly two years since Phillips has been able to let "It's the greatest po- sition in all of sport," Matt Canada said of the quarterback. "Everybody asks about it. Everybody talks about it because it's so special." it rip in a practice, it is only fair to believe his road is the most dif- ficult. Yet here he is, returning to the field when many had counted him out. How can you root against him? The only time fans have seen Stave was in the spring game, but the Badgers may have the mak- ings of a very good quarterback in the redshirt freshman. "Joel is a special guy. His upside is unbeliev- able" said Canada, who added, "I can say he has gotten better every day since I've met him." While it is natural for fans and media alike to make an instant comparison between O'Brien and Russell Wilson, the former Terps QB seems wise enough to simply be Danny O'Brien. I will say that, like Wilson, O'Brien is well-spoken and appears to be blending in well with his new teammates. While the transfer process was long, it helps that O'Brien had a couple of months to get adjusted to life in Madison. "Being able to come here day one in practice and hit the ground running, and knowing how certain guys do things, it's been great," O'Brien said. "And the guys have certainly made it a lot easier, too." No doubt O'Brien speaks for all of the quarterbacks when he praises the big boys up front, specifically the Badgers' massive offensive line: "It's certainly very impressive and comforting as a quarterback … I think they (the O-lineman) kind of set the tone for the team with how hard they work. We are nothing without them." There are several storylines worth watching in training camp, and who knows what others will develop as the season moves along? That said, O'Brien, Phillips and Stave understand they play the most talked-about position in football — the "greatest position in sport." Soon enough, we will find out who gets that starting call for the Sept. 1 opener. Whoever wins the job will be out to prove that the greatest position is also a position of strength.

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