Things I found Interesting on MSU Media Day

[Interpolation_Dawg_EX]

I can only imagine what these poor dudes are about to go through over the next few weeks haha. Mullen is going to be all over them. He stated he wanted to see who could be consistent, be exceptional on the routine plays, and not fold under the bright lights....no bigger lights than fighting for a starting QB spot in the SEC.

[lamont]

Also, Tiano will not start the first game no matter what. Mullen is not going to have both Fitz and Staley transfer.

This all day long

[maroonmania]

This. I don't understand why so many posters can't grasp this and you have to spell it out for them. Also, Tiano will not start the first game no matter what. Mullen is not going to have both Fitz and Staley transfer.

Well let me spell THIS out: The discussion was about a player announcing a transfer DURING THE SEASON. Did you read what you replied to? Yes, I could see someone potentially leaving PRIOR to the season if they see they have no chance to start or play this season.

[ShotgunDawg]

I agree with this explanation, except not based on Williams being "reliable" as much as Fitz/Staley not quite doing everything they need to do YET to seize the job. Mullen isn't going to give the job to either of them by default. Not at this point, at least. Like you, I'm extremely hopeful that one of them will take the next step during camp. Just part of the process.

How did Williams ever get the "reliable" label?

Where did this come from?

He was atrocious in 2014 and, out of the 4 QBs, he brings the least to the running game, which is by far the least risky thing we can do on offense.

I have hard time believing that Fitz and Staley have been here 2 years and Tiano 1 full year and they don't know how to line the team up.

I don't see the debate here. It's a mindless argument to me.

[Beaver]

Fitzgerald looked better last year than Williams has looked at any point in his MSU career.

Not hard to look good when you're playing Northwestern State and Troy.

[maroonmania]

Williams is not reliable. He helped us beat an Arkansas team in overtime that went winless in the conference and he scored 7 points in 3 quarters against ole miss. He got worse as a sophomore. He is not the answer, and if he is named the starter we are in serious shit. Fitzgerald looked better last year than Williams has looked at any point in his MSU career.

Williams may be better but I've never personally witnessed him have a 'good' game. Yes, Williams ran in a TD in OT against Arkansas but Tyler Russell did pretty much everything else in the game. Against UNM, Williams led us to 7 points from about 30 yards out after a Bo Wallace INT and that is all. He NEVER looked good in his chances as a SO. To me the very best I've ever seen him look was this past Spring game but I'm not sure how much I can take away from a Spring game.

[DancingRabbit]

My guess for game 1 is that Williams will start but not play as much as Fitz or Staley. Maybe Tiano gets a series, maybe not.

Against USCe I think Fitz gets the nod but Staley and/or Williams will get a chance if Fitz doesn't show out.

[lamont]

My guess for game 1 is that Williams will start but not play as much as Fitz or Staley. Maybe Tiano gets a series, maybe not.

Against USCe I think Fitz gets the nod but Staley and/or Williams will get a chance if Fitz doesn't show out.

There is no way we are going to play 3 QB's. It's hard enough getting the #2 guy enough reps each week to be ready to play. No way you can get enough reps for 3 guys. It's got to be down to a 2 man race by kickoff

[Ifyouonlyknew]

He was atrocious in 2014.

This isn't a vote for Damian in the least but he wasn't atrocious in 2014 our fans just didn't want to see him in the 1st qtr of our 1st 2 games & we just made him terrible. He was 14/23 155yds 3tds/0int & 16car 90yds rushing. Again not a vote for Damian but what he actually was & what our fans remember are 2 different things a lot of times.

[Jarius]

Not hard to look good when you're playing Northwestern State and Troy.

Williams got his opportunity in 2014 in mop up duty and looked much worse than Fitz did against those types. USM and UAB come to mind.

[Jarius]

Williams may be better but I've never personally witnessed him have a 'good' game. Yes, Williams ran in a TD in OT against Arkansas but Tyler Russell did pretty much everything else in the game. Against UNM, Williams led us to 7 points from about 30 yards out after a Bo Wallace INT and that is all. He NEVER looked good in his chances as a SO. To me the very best I've ever seen him look was this past Spring game but I'm not sure how much I can take away from a Spring game.

He was decent in the spring game. In a scrimmage or 2 before that spring game he had one of the worst qb performances I've ever seen. Worse than Henig or Riddell or Topps. It was horrible. His career stats are a 52% completion % and 3/2 td to int ratio. He has no elusiveness either. Just mediocre.

[thf24]

This isn't a vote for Damian in the least but he wasn't atrocious in 2014 our fans just didn't want to see him in the 1st qtr of our 1st 2 games & we just made him terrible. He was 14/23 155yds 3tds/0int & 16car 90yds rushing. Again not a vote for Damian but what he actually was & what our fans remember are 2 different things a lot of times.

Didn't he have multiple fumbles in that limited action though? Thinking back, that's what I recall as negatives during 2014; way more deer-in-headlights moments than a good player should have in that small a number of plays.

[maroonmania]

Didn't he have multiple fumbles in that limited action though? Thinking back, that's what I recall as negatives during 2014; way more deer-in-headlights moments than a good player should have in that small a number of plays.

Yes, he dropped 2 or 3 balls snapped to him from Center.

[Beaver]

Didn't he have multiple fumbles in that limited action though? Thinking back, that's what I recall as negatives during 2014; way more deer-in-headlights moments than a good player should have in that small a number of plays.

No, no picks or or fumbles in 2014. He had 2 in 2013, 1 against USM and 1 against OM. I'm not saying he's a reliable qb compared to the rest of the SEC, just it seems he'd be more reliable TODAY than the other 3. And if Mullen thinks the same in a month then so be it.

Eta: He fumbled a ball against UAB in 2014 but didn't lose it.

[RiverCityDawg]

How did Williams ever get the "reliable" label?

Where did this come from?

He was atrocious in 2014 and, out of the 4 QBs, he brings the least to the running game, which is by far the least risky thing we can do on offense.

I have hard time believing that Fitz and Staley have been here 2 years and Tiano 1 full year and they don't know how to line the team up.

I don't see the debate here. It's a mindless argument to me.

I agree. He's viewed as most experienced so people therefore think he's least likely to make a mistake, which I don't necessarily agree with. Could be, but that's not the only thing to consider, as you point out.

Point is, it's more about pushing the other guys being more consistent so their playmaking isn't offset completely by huge mistakes (INTs).

Another factor is all the stuff off the field that we don't see. If the QB/leader isn't handling his business the right way but still gets to start, the other players take notice and it can screw up team chemistry or lower the work standards for others. I don't know who's not doing what, but by all accounts the players like and respect Williams.

[RiverCityDawg]

Not hard to look good when you're playing Northwestern State and Troy.

Maybe that's true, but Williams had his chances in 2014 and didn't do anything. He's not flashed play making potential outside of one run against Arkansas.

[confucius say]

Bottom line is we have to have a playmaker at qb to win 7-8 games. We don't have the offensive personnel, o-line, or dominant defense to put a game manager under center and win 7-8 games.

[confucius say]

This isn't a vote for Damian in the least but he wasn't atrocious in 2014 our fans just didn't want to see him in the 1st qtr of our 1st 2 games & we just made him terrible. He was 14/23 155yds 3tds/0int & 16car 90yds rushing. Again not a vote for Damian but what he actually was & what our fans remember are 2 different things a lot of times.

Meh, that's Bc he was terrible in the first halves of our first two games: 7-14 with no scoring drives. Offense stalled out every time he was inserted until late in game in mop up duty.

Again, our qb has to be a playmaker, not a game manager.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Meh, that's Bc he was terrible in the first halves of our first two games: 7-14 with no scoring drives. Offense stalled out every time he was inserted until late in game in mop up duty.

Again, our qb has to be a playmaker, not a game manager.

That's why I said this wasn't a vote for Damian but let's be real all we have is mop up duty for Fitz & Staley plus a few team scrimmages for Tiano. Calling any of the 4 guys playmakers would truly be a guess right now because none of them have done anything yet when facing legit competition.

[confucius say]

That's why I said this wasn't a vote for Damian but let's be real all we have is mop up duty for Fitz & Staley plus a few team scrimmages for Tiano. Calling any of the 4 guys playmakers would truly be a guess right now because none of them have done anything yet when facing legit competition.

If Damian is the best playmaker, he should play. I don't think that's the case though. Who do you think ultimately starts game 1 and who wins the job?