Many not may be willing to admit it, but every football fan would like to believe they know all there is about the sport.

During games we sit and watch intently, screaming at our favorite players for the slightest of miscues.

“Where’d you learn how to tackle?” “What kind of throw was that (insert your team’s quarterback, or Tony Romo, here)?” and “Catch the ball away from your body, use your hands.” Those are just a few tidbits you are sure to hear at the next gathering where football is being watched.

Coaches are not immune to criticism either. In fact, they may be more susceptible than their players since they are the ones calling the shots. One bad play call, one untimely substitution can lead to fans ostracizing a head or assistant coach for the rest of the season.

But let’s be honest, if coaching were for everyone then I would be facilitating a summer workout instead of typing away at a keyboard. Needless to say, that is not the case.

Be that as it may, we fans may not know it all but we definitely know enough — most of the time — to make an informed decision about our favorite team. It is that fact that makes me feel obligated to query as to what exactly Dan Mullen has planned for the upcoming season.

The moment several Mississippi State faithful dreaded since the first time the great number 15 wowed us with his athleticism and talent finally came when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him.

Now that arguably the greatest player in MSU history is gone, the search for his replacement has begun. However, it seems Mullen is having trouble moving on from the guy who put the school on the map.

At the Southeastern Conference Media Days, the Bulldogs went on the record saying that the competition for the starting quarterback position was a four-man race.
That very well may be a tactic to throw opposition off his team’s trail, but even so it seems a bit late in the game for it to be a four-man competition.

In other words, Mullen has at least a man — maybe two —  too many left in his quarterback competition.

Again, I never want to come across as someone who pretends to know every coverage, every scheme or every trick of the trade when it comes to football. However, I do know enough about the Bulldogs to at least give an informed opinion on whom the starter should be.

With that being said, I will begin my process by eliminating the candidates I feel are least likely to take the position. The first to go is redshirt freshman Nick Tiano.

Understand this decision should not suggest Tiano is not fit to be the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. At 6-foot-4, 239 pounds, the kid is a physical freak of nature who is just as dangerous running as he is throwing.

When I personally saw him run straight through Brandon Bryant, one of MSU’s best defenders, during the spring game, I was ready to buy everything he was selling. Still, the fact remains he has yet to see any collegiate action, which gives the other three candidates a leg up on him.

Next to go is Damian Williams. This decision was certainly a difficult one when considering Williams is the team’s most experienced quarterback. He has had some great moments too, like the 2013 Egg Bowl.

He has shown decent accuracy and is deadly on the run but he lacks the arm strength and overall size of Nick Fitzgerald and Elijah Staley.

The final cut would have to be Elijah Staley. At 6-foot-5, 249 pounds with a cannon of an arm, he is all any SEC coach would want in a quarterback.

He also has shown flashes of brilliance, most notably a pinpoint over-the-shoulder pass to senior Joe Morrow during a win over Northwestern State. However, it has been rumored that Staley has shown an inability to grasp the playbook at times.

Combine that with a lack of overall experience and you are left with Nick Fitzgerald as the most logical and viable option for starting quarterback.

At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, his frame is similar to Staley’s. It doesn’t hurt that he has exhibited pinpoint accuracy and a huge arm when given the opportunity.

His best performance last season came against the Troy Trojans, when he proceeded to complete six of seven passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. Fitzgerald has also proven himself to be a more than capable runner as he scored three touchdowns on the ground last year.

He also appeared to have a better control of the offense than his peers. All in all, Fitzgerald should be the best fit for the Bulldogs at quarterback in 2016.

So I implore you Mullen, for the sake of chemistry on offense and a successful season, end the madness and name Nick Fitzgerald your starting quarterback.

Anthony McDougle is the sports editor at the Daily Leader. Contact him at anthony.mcdougle @dailyleader.com.