Many Wisconsin Badger fans, including Tyler Donovan, went into the offseason thinking that the 5th-year senior would be the starting signal caller come September. But since talking with Badger Beat writer Jeff Potrykus from JSOnline, he assured many that the quarterback job is far from secure, especially after the emergence of junior transfer Allan Evridge. Evridge, who came over from Kansas State, completed 48% of his passes in 2005, before being surpassed by freshman phenom Josh Freeman last year. Potrykus said that while many fans expect Donovan to be “handed” the job, the Badgers will start the player who gives them the best chance to win. Donovan, the more experienced of the two, did start two games last season due to a shoulder injury that kept John Stocco sidelined. The most notable game for Donovan was his start at Iowa, where he went 17-24 for 228 yards and 2 TD’s, beating Drew Tate and the Hawkeyes 24-21. What will decide the quarterback job will be training camp, but even then, it will be difficult to determine because the two have contrasting styles. Donovan is more of a pocket passer, where Evridge has “Brooks Bollinger” type athleticism (he can beat you with his arm or legs). Whichever play-caller head coach Bret Bielema ultimately chooses, expect great things from the Badgers in 2007, with the “pound the ball” mentality Wisconsin traditionally runs. And with a returning backfield featuring PJ Hill, Lance Smith, and possibly John Clay, who can blame them?

With the 2007-2008 Milwaukee Bucks regular season schedule being released just a short time ago, GM Larry Harris is still looking to fill out the last roster spots. The team, which will open the season on the road October 31st against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, has 12 players that are all but locks to make the team as of today. They are guards Mo Williams, Michael Redd, Lynn Greer, and draft pick Ramon Sessions (who has yet to sign), forwards Bobby Simmons, Desmond Mason, David Noel, Damir Markota, and Charlie Villanueva, as well as centers Andrew Bogut, Jake Voskuhl and Dan Gadzuric. Management has likely let Reuben Patterson, Earl Boykins, Ersan Illyasova, Brian Skinner, and Jared Reiner walk, leaving 3 spots yet to be filled. While first-round selection Yi Jianlian’s status remains unclear, expect the team to strike a deal with the big man before the season begins. Leaving just 2 spots left. Well, all indications suggest the Bucks will pursue restricted free-agent guard Charlie Bell heavily, along with forward Awvee Storey. Storey impressed Milwaukee as part of their Las Vegas Summer League team, showing off his toughness and versatility. Don’t expect Storey, if he does sign, to see major minutes as he would likely find himself stuck behind Simmons and Mason in the rotation. Storey, 30, has played previously with Washington and New Jersey, managing a mere 4-minutes per game in his two seasons.

When most people think of “hidden gems,” they assume the ‘diamonds in the rough’ will be dug up in the later rounds of the NFL Draft. Many have been unearthed over the past few years, even for the Packers (Donald Driver, 7th round, Alcorn State, Mark Tauscher, 7th round, Wisconsin, Aaron Kampman, 5th round, Iowa). Every GM’s job is to scout players before the draft in hopes to find their own Tom Brady or Marques Colston, and many fail to do so. But ever since Packers GM Ted Thompson has arrived from Seattle, the gems appear to be more numerous in Green Bay. Thompson came into Title Town renowned for his drafting expertise, and he hasn’t disappointed. Take last year when Thompson drafted Western Michigan standout Greg Jennings in the 2nd round. Many people knew little about Jennings until he came to the Packers and had a stellar rookie campaign. This year, Thompson may have cashed in on a couple more draft picks, Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson and San Jose State receiver James Jones. Both Jackson and Jones have shown their worthiness of a starting job thusfar in camp, with help from injured Vernand Morency and Donald Driver, respectively. Jackson, who was thought by some to be the Cornhuskers 3rd best running back as a junior, racked up 835 yards despite being plagued by shoulder injuries. The 2nd-round back (upper-left), who is familar with the zone-blocking scheme, has showed off goods hands in camp, an asset that could propel him into the starting job. Jones’ selection puzzled me and a number of other fans at first. But he has shown flashes of what Jennings did last year in camp, and all indications suggest Jones will overtake the #3 WR position that is so highly coveted. Like alot of Thompson’s selections, Jones put up monster numbers in his senior season with the Spartans, catching 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 TD’s. What makes Jones (right) so intriguing is his soft hands and ability to rack up yards after the catch.

After the Wisconsin Badgers landed John Clay, one of the biggest recruits teams across the country were after, they figured that their backfield would be set with incumbent bruiser PJ Hill already on the roster. But after Clay failed to meet NCAA freshman eligibilty standards, the Badgers’ backfield after Hill suddenly became a glaring concern. Clay, from Racine Park High School, chose Wisconsin over Iowa and others, probably because of UW’s football reputation and its in-state location. Bret Bielema’s backfield was already slim after sophomore Lance Smith’s suspension, after violation of the school’s discipline policy. But recent developments [from the Racine Journal Times' Gery Woelfel] suggest that Clay may suit up for the Badgers afterall. Clay has been attending English courses at Racine Horlick High and appears to be on track to pass those classes, making his eligible again to be ready for UW’s training camp.

Tom Glavine deserved better. The southpaw threw 6-quality innings against the Brewers Tuesday, allowing just two hits and one run to cross the plate. Glavine, 41, was pushing for his 300th win, a milestone that only 22 other pitchers in MLB history have successfully accomplished. The Brewers wouldn’t have any of it, as Bill Hall scorched a double off reliver Guillermo Mota in the 8th, scoring J.J. Hardy, and Geoff Jenkins hit a two-run laser in the 13th to end it. This was the second time in consecutive home series that the Brewers have stalled a milestone, the other being of course holding Barry Bonds homerless during the Giants’ series last week. What made both occurences even more ironic was the fact that in both series, the anniversary’s of Hank Aaron’s record setting homer and Nolan Ryan’s 300th win were celebrated in Milwaukee. Glavine, who ended up with a no-decision, will try to obtain the milestone in his next start against the Cubs Sunday.

With the victory, the Crew remains a game up on the trailing Cubs, who defeated the Phillies 7-3 behind a strong outing from Jason Marquis. Dave Bush, who picked up the win for the Brewers after throwing a scoreless 13th, was scheduled to make tomorrow’s start. Look for the Brewers to move Claudio Vargas up a start, as he got the scheduled days’ rest, due to the off day yesterday. As far as Thursday’s starter, Manny Parra will probably be the Brewers’ best option given the circumstances. The club also announced after the game that infielder Joe Dillon will be called up prior to Wednesday’s game. The corresponding roster move has not been announced yet, but the move could signal a rest day for Ryan Braun.