Phillips Back! But Should He Be?

Two years ago he looked poised to be the next starting quarterback of the Wisconsin Badgers. Scott Tolzein, and Curt Phillips settled to the backup role. Now after tearing his ACL in spring ball, Phillips has been cleared to play, but at the third string level.

The major question is of course...should he be listed on the active roster? Yes Wisconsin could use a third string quarterback just in case the Badger offensive line becomes the Bears offensive line. But is it the right move to lose a year of eligibility for the likely starter in 2011 on a season that he will most likely not see any action.

In order for Phillips to pick up a "medical red shirt" or the more technical Medical Hardship Waiver he would need to not play in 20% of the Badgers schedule. There in lies one of the first questions...could Phillips have qualified from the backup quarterback position where he would already be missing that much time? That is a question that is not easily answered by the NCAA guidelines.

Phillips would qualify for a "medical red shirt" in one of the provisions because he would be applying for the waiver within his first four years as a college athlete. Again this raises another questio though; would he qualify for a "medical red shirt" after already taking the standard red shirt season as a freshman? That question is again not answered clearly in the NCAA qualifications for a "medical red shirt."

Indeed there are many questions about whether or not Phillips would have recieved a "medical red shirt," thus preserving another year of eligibility. While we can ask the questions, fans have to trust the people that have these rules memorized...the coaches and trainers.

Phillips will also be a valuable assett in case of a disaster hits the Wisconsin quarterbacks this season. He adds another line of defense in case of an injury to Scott Tolzein, and Jon Budmayr. While the Badgers do have a forth string quarterback in Nate Tice, turning to him may be a devastating as needing Phillips to step on the field with a bad knee.