QB battle

[ronpolk]

Who is starting against south Alabama and who ends up starting in the egg bowl.

I say fitz starts against south Alabama but basically splits reps with ES. I think ES will be the starter by the LSU game and will not give it up. I think he's going to special.

 

[57stratdawg]

Fitz. Weird though, Tiano is turning heads.

 

[MaroonNation]

That flies in the face of everything I have heard regarding Staley unless he has really really turned it on in the dead period. He has the tools to be more gifted than any of them but I think he prefers the sideline.

 

[121Josey]

We won't know for sure until SEC media days.**

 

[Digging dog]

Amazing to think we have a QB battle between FOUR qb's that all have the potential to be great.

 

[ronpolk]

That flies in the face of everything I have heard regarding Staley unless he has really really turned it on in the dead period. He has the tools to be more gifted than any of them but I think he prefers the sideline.

What have you heard negative on him and from who? He had the best numbers of any QB in the spring. And Mullen has talked him since he signed him.

 

[MaroonNation]

He is interception prone for sure. Coming out of spring practices and game I though Tiano was leader with Fitz and Williams following. I could be wrong. Would love to see Staley do well.

 

[RightOfCenter]

I would say NF. Ultimately, I don't care if we can get back to a 2014 style offense that keeps the D guessing. That was fun to watch. I hope someone has worked their *** off this summer with the receivers to get the timing right.

 

[121Josey]

What have you heard negative on him and from who? He had the best numbers of any QB in the spring. And Mullen has talked him since he signed him.

I know you're not talking about rushing numbers, so here you go:

Spring Game
Damian Williams: 14 of 20 for 165 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.
Nick Fitzgerald: 10 of 20 for 127 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Nick Tiano: 8 of 13 for 99 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Elijah Staley: 5 of 11 for 48 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT.



April 9
Elijah Staley 17 of 28, 213 yards, TD
Damian Williams 12 of 17, 173 yards, TD
Nick Fitzgerald 15 of 25, 145 yards, TD
Nick Tiano 11 of 14, 137 yards, 2 TD

April 2
Nick Fitzgerald 8 of 20 118 yards, 1 INT
Elijah Staley 14 of 23 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Nick Tiano 5 of 10 36 yards
Damian Williams 2 of 11 27 yards, 3 INT

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Fitz, although I am more worried about our Receivers. Great receiver play can make marginal or growing QBs look really good.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

I know it was just a snapshot, but saw a clip on SEC network where he pulled the ball down broke some poor bastards ankles and trucked over a saftey. Is this guy that good? And if so, how good is Tiano?

 

[ronpolk]

I know you're not talking about rushing numbers, so here you go:

Spring Game
Damian Williams: 14 of 20 for 165 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.
Nick Fitzgerald: 10 of 20 for 127 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Nick Tiano: 8 of 13 for 99 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Elijah Staley: 5 of 11 for 48 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT.



April 9
Elijah Staley 17 of 28, 213 yards, TD
Damian Williams 12 of 17, 173 yards, TD
Nick Fitzgerald 15 of 25, 145 yards, TD
Nick Tiano 11 of 14, 137 yards, 2 TD

April 2
Nick Fitzgerald 8 of 20 118 yards, 1 INT
Elijah Staley 14 of 23 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Nick Tiano 5 of 10 36 yards
Damian Williams 2 of 11 27 yards, 3 INT

I was going off a bonner article in the CL. It said ES had 36 completions and 428 yards, which were the most by a QB in the spring. He also ran for 2 and caught 1. Meanwhile, fitz completion percentage was low and ints were high. As to the comment about rushing, I most certainly consider that Important to a QB under Mullen. Not sure why I wouldn't be talking about that. However, I do consider ES and fitz to be neutral there.

 

[121Josey]

I was going off a bonner article in the CL. It said ES had 36 completions and 428 yards, which were the most by a QB in the spring. He also ran for 2 and caught 1. Meanwhile, fitz completion percentage was low and ints were high. As to the comment about rushing, I most certainly consider that Important to a QB under Mullen. Not sure why I wouldn't be talking about that. However, I do consider ES and fitz to be neutral there.

Do you see any noteworthy difference in the passing numbers? No. The numbers fluctuate because not everybody can work with 1st team (the only team in this spring) every practice. Then if running the fb is important in State's offense, ES is not your starter. ES is the worst ball-carrier of the QB's. ES has the size but until he gets his head straight, he's going to be last man out. All that could change in September, but my money isn't on him as the starter in 2016 barring injury.

 

[ronpolk]

Do you see any noteworthy difference in the passing numbers? No. The numbers fluctuate because not everybody can work with 1st team (the only team in this spring) every practice. Then if running the fb is important in State's offense, ES is not your starter. ES is the worst ball-carrier of the QB's. ES has the size but until he gets his head straight, he's going to be last man out. All that could change in September, but my money isn't on him as the starter in 2016 barring injury.

Ha well I certainly didn't mean to get you all worked up. I thought it was a fairly innocent question that was certainly going to be based on everyone's opinion. My opinion is that ES will eventually be the starter. I just think he's more talented. Based on stats, no QB seemed to separate himself in the spring.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

As to the comment about rushing, I most certainly consider that Important to a QB under Mullen. Not sure why I wouldn't be talking about that. However, I do consider ES and fitz to be neutral there.

No way its neutral. Ranking them on rushing ability:
1) Fitz
2) Tiano
3) Williams
4) Staley

The difference in their running ability is exactly why I think it will be Fitz. We're going to need the QB to be a running threat with this offensive line. More than that, we need a QB that can throw on the run. Staley's footwork is terrible (unless he's improved over the summer) so a collapsing pocket with him is a recipe for disaster.

I actually think it would be Tiano if he wasn't the youngest of the group. I don't think he'll be THAT much better that Dan will go with him from the start over 3 older guys. He'll get some PT and push the other though.

 

[preacher_dawg]

I have more questions about the OL than our QBs. I guess I would go for the more mobile QB, so either Fitz or Tiano.

 

[JacksonDevilDog]

Simply judging by his actions on the side line dancing all the time, it seems like Fitzgerald is more mature. He may have more talent, but respect of the team and huddle also means a lot too. I'm not insinuating that he does not have the respect of others.

 

[ronpolk]

I have more questions about the OL than our QBs. I guess I would go for the more mobile QB, so either Fitz or Tiano.

No doubt OL will determine a lot. I feel like whoever starts at QB can at the very least give us what Relf did his junior year.

 

[patdog]

As long as Fitzgerald is healthy, he's the QB.

 

[tenureplan]

Josey will argue with a brick wall given the chance. But he is or at least should be right here. I sure as hell hope that Mullen doesn't play our worst runner yet still run the read with him 8-10 times a game a la TR.

 

[boatsandhoes]

This. I'd be surprised if the Oline is anything but bad. No secret we have not recruited well anywhere across the front. I can't see us being able to block anyone.

 

[coach66]

Mullen was a fish out of water with Dak

Last year with the NFL prep year. He will
return to running the QB in a power running
game mode but with the ability to throw it very
effectively. Multiple QBs will play.

 

[ronpolk]

Josey will argue with a brick wall given the chance. But he is or at least should be right here. I sure as hell hope that Mullen doesn't play our worst runner yet still run the read with him 8-10 times a game a la TR.

You're right about Josey... I get that fitz is much quicker than Staley but I'm pretty sure Staley is not a statue. He was athletic enough to be pretty good at basketball. I just don't think we have a QB like TR on the roster.

Like someone else stated earlier, unless the O line is better, it won't matter who starts.

 

[mcdawg22]

I think Fitz gets 92.3% of the snaps this year. And does it fairly solidly without an OL or RB. Unless D. Lee is fed the rock.

 

[57stratdawg]

Yeah. We're headed for a QB by committee year.

 

[121Josey]

Ha well I certainly didn't mean to get you all worked up. I thought it was a fairly innocent question that was certainly going to be based on everyone's opinion. My opinion is that ES will eventually be the starter. I just think he's more talented. Based on stats, no QB seemed to separate himself in the spring.

Sorry I didn't link the 20 other threads about starting QB since SBW. What will change in July (or since you last read Bonner's article)?

 

[ronpolk]

Sorry I didn't link the 20 other threads about starting QB since SBW. What will change in July (or since you last read Bonner's article)?

Could you link the 20 others? They probably got lost in the talk about black lives matter and OM sanctions. I'm looking forward to reading the 20 others.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

Shout out to those who added the obligatory "It won't matter who we have at ___ if our O Line doesn't improve" hot take that we must have in every single football discussion thread. We all agree.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

One thing for sure, we are going to throw some INTs this year....

He is interception prone for sure. Coming out of spring practices and game I though Tiano was leader with Fitz and Williams following. I could be wrong. Would love to see Staley do well.

I watched and re watched our spring game.....althought the stats show a few INTs from the spring, there were several passes that could have and should have been intercepted, and there were a lot of passes thrown into double coverage......this is the MOST glaring thing i personally noticed during spring game over offense, defense, etc....

 

[coach66]

I believe Fitz is as fast or faster than Dak and of course much larger. He

Tiano, and Williams are very physical runners who will be a cornerback and safety's nightmare. Ironically, if Staley decides to do it he could be the most physical
runner of the three, the guy is huge and runs fairly well too.

 

[121Josey]

Could you link the 20 others? They probably got lost in the talk about black lives matter and OM sanctions. I'm looking forward to reading the 20 others.

I'm sorry that you're not intelligent enough to search for "Fitz". But I'll link them right after you link Boner's article that told you ES would be the starter this year.

 

[HD6]

I think everybody is underestimating Damian Williams. He had a solid spring, and we all know Mullen loves to play his more experienced guys.

 

[ronpolk]

I'm sorry that you're not intelligent enough to search for "Fitz". But I'll link them right after you link Boner's article that told you ES would be the starter this year.

Did I say the CL article said ES would be the starter? Are you still mad that I made you look like an idiot over he Mailk transfer stuff?

 

[Junction John]

^^^Knows something^^^

The guy was pretty serviceable when he was forced in -- was that two years ago? I think most people don't consider him first because he's not a big play type guy. But I'd have to agree with your point, and we all know Mullen values 'consistent' over 'flashy'.

Side note: I heard DW was a little bit of a challenge, attitude-wise... which surprised me. Anyone else heard that?

 

[121Josey]

Did I say the CL article said ES would be the starter? Are you still mad that I made you look like an idiot over he Mailk transfer stuff?

I never said anything about the MN transfer. I just said that you were the worst poster. But I've been made to look like an idiot for less.

 

[engie]

I think everybody is underestimating Damian Williams. He had a solid spring, and we all know Mullen loves to play his more experienced guys.

This is what I'm afraid of. I could see it happening.

If this year is the youth reset that it seems pretty likely to be with sophs all over the field, a brand new defense that is almost never a painless transition(although we are well-suited having a potentially ideal NT on campus), etc.... Count me in the crowd that wants to play the youngest, highest-ceiling QB we have provided there isn't a very wide gap between them. I'll be the first to admit that I really don't have any idea who that is at this point, since the 3 younger ones are probably nowhere near finished products yet.

 

[coach66]

I agree, he can spin it well and will run over your *** but he is slow as Moses.

nm

 

[TSUNBearHunter]

I think everybody is underestimating Damian Williams. He had a solid spring, and we all know Mullen loves to play his more experienced guys.

I agree with that. I would suspect the guy that can hit the short to intermediate pass, protects the ball, and makes positive yards with their legs will get the call. Williams is possibly mature enough to not force the ball and may win the position as a result.

 

[HD6]

Not like Relf was a burner.

 

[121Josey]

I think everybody is underestimating Damian Williams. He had a solid spring, and we all know Mullen loves to play his more experienced guys.

That's not what I want to hear, even though it's highly accurate. If it did come to fruition, I hope that it's a predetermined transition to a younger starter in the 2nd half of the season. I wouldn't mind another Louisiana native taking the troops to Death Valley.