I'm probably going to make some people angry....

[Dawgology]

I will begin by prefacing that I have been very, VERY pleased with Dak as our QB. He has taken us to new heights and has, at times, put this team on his back. I think, due to the nature of Mullen's offense, that this will naturally happen with whoever is under center.

That being said, while Dak Prescott is the best QB we have had so FAR, I don't think he will be the best we ever have from a performance stand point. Remember, this guy started out as a 3-star recruit that was being considered as a TE for every major college program that was looking at him. Mullen coached him up into an really good QB but, honestly, Fitz, Staley, and maybe even Tiano has a higher ceiling.

In big games it seemed that Dak played tight and didn't handle the big game spot light very well. In those instances, natural talent separates the good QB from the great QB. I think there are plenty of examples of this happening with Dak. He was a good QB that was put in a scheme that fit him well so he was able to excel in it and rack up big yards. But when the big game came along and the talent in competition was raised you began to see some of that talent gap. I guess, what I'm saying, is that failure on the football field is not all on Mullen. I still think he is a great coach but you work with what you have. There is still PLENTY that falls on his shoulders and there is a lot that needs to be fixed. I just keep looking at some of the great talent that we have red shirted that will start taking the field next year in addition to some QB's that may end up being better than what we have now and an OL that HAS to improve (it couldn't get much worse).

Just some food for thought. I still think there are bright days ahead...we just have to recruit better OL and I think we will be good to go.

[PendingTransaction]

Fitz, Staley, nor Williams will come close to Dak's production. Mullen knows that Dak has elevated him to his plateau. That's why he knows that now is the time to move. If he stays we will finish last in the west next year.

[smootness]

Fitz, Staley, nor Williams will come close to Dak's production. Mullen knows that Dak has elevated him to his plateau. That's why he knows that now is the time to move. If he stays we will finish last in the west next year.

So Dak elevated Mullen, and Mullen had nothing to do with elevating Dak?

[Dawgology]

Fitz, Staley, nor Williams will come close to Dak's production. Mullen knows that Dak has elevated him to his plateau. That's why he knows that now is the time to move. If he stays we will finish last in the west next year.

Nah, I just don't see that. Williams won't but either Staley or Fitz has the potential to be better. Maybe not as much of a leader as Dak but certainly better production. Especially if we don't lose as much WR talent as we thought we were. At this point I'm more concerned about Ross going pro than I am Bear.

[Dawgology]

So Dak elevated Mullen, and Mullen had nothing to do with elevating Dak?

Thank you. Look at Mullen's history with QB's. He is a great at QB talent evaluation and instruction. He is the QB Whisperer.

[DawgInMemphis]

Regardless of what happens with the coaching staff, I'd love to see us get back to those dominant run first offenses... the kind that averages over 200 ypg. Throwing the ball around is fun to watch, but not nearly as fun as watching us run it over and over again knowing the defense can't stop it. Helps keep our defense more fresh as well.

[Maroonthirteen]

I don't know why anyone would be angry with your assessment. It is spot on.

As for Fitz, I think he will be just as good as Dak. Maybe better because he has a bigger body, looks quicker and throws a nice ball. Another year of development.... Watch out.

I haven't seen enough of Staley. However, he may have the best combo of size and athletism at QB we have ever had.

[PendingTransaction]

So Dak elevated Mullen, and Mullen had nothing to do with elevating Dak?

Sure Dak was coached well. But Mullen didn't make chicken salad from chicken shit. Dak would have had great numbers at Jackson State.

[Sacrifice]

What Mullen did with Dak was amazing but Dak is limited arm wise. He just does not throw an accurate deep ball. We saw it again Saturday night. Donald Gray smoked his guy on a deep route, had him beat by 3 or 4 yards, Daks throws it to his outside shoulder out of bounds. That was a TD all day. It looked to me like Bama and OM picked up on that and played tight man coverage on us and just sit on all the short routes. We will be able to stretch the field vertical with the QBs we have now. Now that being said, I don't know if they will be the short yardage runner Dak is or be able to read a Defense like Dak or be the leader he is, we will see.

[shoeless joe]

I agree.

Dak played poorly against LSU and had two turnovers Saturday that ended up being the difference in the game.

[SDDawg]

Thank you. Look at Mullen's history with QB's. He is a great at QB talent evaluation and instruction. He is the QB Whisperer.

I agree with this and he has proven it. Just because Dak is the best we've ever had at MSU doesn't mean he'll be the best forever, or that Dan won't develop another one. Dan's track record is very solid - he has a Heisman contender/winner on the field every 4 years. If he stays here for 4 - 5 years more, we'll see another guy at that level. That's what I would expect.

[Dawgology]

I agree with this and he has proven it. Just because Dak is the best we've ever had at MSU doesn't mean he'll be the best forever, or that Dan won't develop another one. Dan's track record is very solid - he has a Heisman contender/winner on the field every 4 years. If he stays here for 4 - 5 years more, we'll see another guy at that level. That's what I would expect.

This is my thought. I think we, as State fans, are used to not having a great QB so we see Dak and think "this is it...the best it will ever get" but I think our brightest days at QB are still in front of us. Honestly, if Dan will address the Hevesy situation i think all will be well. All of this smoke and mirrors innuendo about Mullen leaving to other jobs is just guesses by everyone on this site or any other site. No one actually knows what Coach Mullen is thinking or doing right now. He might go but, chances are, he won't. Again, handle the Hevesy issue and improve recruiting OL (which is basically all the same issue) and we are good to go.

[maroonmania]

I will begin by prefacing that I have been very, VERY pleased with Dak as our QB. He has taken us to new heights and has, at times, put this team on his back. I think, due to the nature of Mullen's offense, that this will naturally happen with whoever is under center.

That being said, while Dak Prescott is the best QB we have had so FAR, I don't think he will be the best we ever have from a performance stand point. Remember, this guy started out as a 3-star recruit that was being considered as a TE for every major college program that was looking at him. Mullen coached him up into an really good QB but, honestly, Fitz, Staley, and maybe even Tiano has a higher ceiling.

In big games it seemed that Dak played tight and didn't handle the big game spot light very well. In those instances, natural talent separates the good QB from the great QB. I think there are plenty of examples of this happening with Dak. He was a good QB that was put in a scheme that fit him well so he was able to excel in it and rack up big yards. But when the big game came along and the talent in competition was raised you began to see some of that talent gap. I guess, what I'm saying, is that failure on the football field is not all on Mullen. I still think he is a great coach but you work with what you have. There is still PLENTY that falls on his shoulders and there is a lot that needs to be fixed. I just keep looking at some of the great talent that we have red shirted that will start taking the field next year in addition to some QB's that may end up being better than what we have now and an OL that HAS to improve (it couldn't get much worse).

Just some food for thought. I still think there are bright days ahead...we just have to recruit better OL and I think we will be good to go.

The only thing I can wholeheartedly agree on with this is that there is no doubt that Dak did not play his best in our biggest games for whatever reason. That really can't be denied. There may be some QBs that follow that can match Dak's talent but it will be tough to duplicate his leadership abilities and character. The intangibles at the QB position that impact the rest of the team are nearly as important as the actual play at QB.

[Dawgology]

The only thing I can wholeheartedly agree on with this is that there is no doubt that Dak did not play his best in our biggest games for whatever reason. That really can't be denied. There may be some QBs that follow that can match Dak's talent but it will be tough to duplicate his leadership abilities and character. The intangibles at the QB position that impact the rest of the team are nearly as important as the actual play at QB.

Is it though? I keep hearing how Kelley is a head case and terrible team leader....but wins against LSU, Bama and their instate rival plus a possible Sugar Bowl trip seem to prove otherwise. I think you need leaders on any team but I'm not sure they HAVE to be the QB. That being said, Fitz looks like he has it in him to be a leader and he seems to have a strong moral fiber from all accounts.

[Jacksondevildog]

I know that our coaches are very high on Staley and Fitz and don't expect a huge drop off in the future.

[Dawgology]

So if we KEEP Mullen and he addresses the Hevesy issue (which kills two birds with one stone: OL and recruiting). We finish this year probably 9-4, finish strong in recruiting with a top 25 class, expect better QB play in the future with a better OL and upgrade in talent pretty much across the board (don't forget all the red shirts we have sitting back there)....why are we so down on the future??

[Taog Redloh]

Dawgology....man I 1,000% agree. Great post. You said it better than I ever could. I love Dak but I'm not honestly that torn up about losing him, as far as being a talented player. We will definitely miss his intangible qualities.

[FISHDAWG]

excellent post and observation - if folks would allow a little time to clear the emotion from their thought process and look at things objectively they would see we are not at the end of the world - we have talent in waiting and it's there because of Dan. I have said before that we will be better next year but that's not what people are in the mood for around here - they want blood and then to start all over again with some unproven co-ordinator that will take several more years to get up to speed and that is only if they are worth their salt - if not then rinse and repeat .... we aren't going to get a Nick Saban in here... I just don't want to go back down that long road if it's not necessary.

[smootness]

Sure Dak was coached well. But Mullen didn't make chicken salad from chicken shit. Dak would have had great numbers at Jackson State.

Based on what? He was a 2-star recruit when he committed, he was nothing but a short-yardage battering ram early in his career, and he got better as a passer every year he was here.

I'm not saying Mullen could taken anything and turn it into Dak, obviously Dak does have special qualities that make him unique...but let's not pretend Mullen isn't a huge factor in Dak's performance.

State has a QB history that is pretty disastrous. And suddenly we have a 2-star who becomes a Heisman-candidate QB that destroys all of our school records once the guy who coached Omar Jacobs, Alex Smith and Tim Tebow shows up? We think that's basically just a coincidence?

[PendingTransaction]

Football players are born not made.