Fearful Of Fitzpatrick
May 22nd, 2017
Be wary.
As Joe wrote Friday, Joe’s happy the Bucs landed NFL vagabond quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to back up America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Joe also cautioned about this notion that just because Fitzpatrick is an (awful) veteran quarterback doesn’t mean he is some sort of personal in-house assistant coach for Jameis. Hell, Joe thinks Fitzpatrick can learn more from Jameis than the other way around (how many times has Fitzpatrick taken a snap in a Dirk Koetter-designed offense, for example?).
Let’s just say just because Fitzpatrick went to Harvard doesn’t mean Jameis will learn from him. Fitz’s gnarly beard doesn’t equate to football wisdom. Mindmelding with Jameis on financial advice is a whole different story.
Another person who believes the Bucs should be very wary of Fitzpatrick is data-driven, limousine-ridin’, jet-flyin’, kiss-stealin’, data-analyzin’, Bucs-film-studyin’ Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times.
(Bassinger once requested Joe use the handle above).
Fitzpatrick is not a precision passer — he never has been. Only 65.9 percent of his passes were on target last season, according to research by Cian Fahey of Pre-Snap Reads. That accuracy percentage ranked 32nd of 33 qualifying quarterbacks. Winston ranked 31st, with a 66.2 accuracy percentage.
Yes, Fitzpatrick threw 31 touchdowns and passed for almost 4,000 yards in 2015, but that season was a mirage. His 72.0 accuracy percentage ranked 34th out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks. Winston was No. 35.
Fitzpatrick can still throw screens to running backs but can’t be trusted on passes down the field, a legitimate problem if, by chance, he is pressed into action in one of the league’s most aggressive offenses. He completed 19-of-51 deep passes (throws targeted at least 20 yards past the line of scrimmage) for 556 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions last season, according to Pro Football Focus. His 73.7 quarterback rating on such throws ranked 23rd.
No, Fitz is neither Jameis nor is he Nick Foles. If Jameis misses, let’s say three games, Fitz might be a life raft for any playoff hopes.
Anything more than Jameis missing three games early, and it’s likely draft talk for Thanksgiving, such as it has been for the better part of the last 10 seasons.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:14 am
He’s a better backup than Griffin, period. I’ll take it.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:16 am
DON’T WRITE FITZPATRICK OFF AS A BAD PRECISION PASSER JUST YET , HE HAS A GREAT QUARTERBACK COACH AND DIRK KOETTER TO HELP HIM ALONG NOW TOO !!!
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:18 am
Fitz is a better QB than Joe and others are giving him (non)credit for. He has played for bad offenses most of his career and for the 1st time in his NFL lifetime, finally now has some weapons to work with if he gets pressed into action. I have great confidence Fitz will do a fine job if we need him and compared to both Glennon and McCown – is an upgrade at back-up QB for much less $. Great signing!
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:27 am
Golden Boy has not gotten to the playoffs yet and was there at the end and folded like a cheap suit. And don’t try the excuses. Fitz would know the system better latter not sooner. And be more on pace with the other players. And Kotter would be smart enough to know his strength and weakness and work the plan around them.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:34 am
Why are you guys ignoring the fact that Winston is right alongside Fitzpatrick in those rankings? At the very bottom of each list? Two inaccurate peas in the same damn pod! That’s the nugget we should all be focusing on here. The elephant in the room that everyone is completely ignoring!
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:34 am
Not overly concerned with depth at qb. If Jameis goes down for any extended time the bucs are screwed. My biggest depth concern is Oline. What about Ryan Clady. At 30 with his injury history, he’s obviously not a long term solution but he could be a swing tackle, He started as a right tackle and serve to provide much needed depth At least worthwhile to bring in for a physical. Let him “compete” for right tackle if push comes to shove.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:39 am
All you have to ask is…..Are we in better shape with RF as our backup than Ryan Griffin?…….
I don’t think we were looking for a mentor or a replacement for Jameis…..simply and experienced backup….that’s what we got….
I suspect with our offense….RF will be a better QB than he’s ever been.
How about let’s focus on Jameis’ accuracy and get him out of the 30-35 rankings.
I don’t think we need to be much concerned with RF’s accuracy at this point.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:42 am
Passing accuracy is terribly difficult to chart. Sounds like a good metric but to truly measure you must know exactly where the route must be run. No one other than koetter and monken know that for Jameis. This year will be a better indicator for Winston. Can Winston get better, absolutely. Should he? Yes. Don’t overlook the factor that he has real NFL receivers. Hopefully, Fitz’s stat line is a bunch of zeros.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:42 am
I have a feeling Fitz should bring good input in the meeting room about the AFC East. You know Billycheat and company.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:43 am
@FLBoyInDallas
I am not. It is useless to even bring that up. Because the first thing that happens is his old STATS quote. You know the one. So he only uses the when convenient for him. Or quotes some one else.
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:44 am
Fitz is the better back compared to foles!!!! We got the better backup!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:45 am
^that
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:45 am
Why are the tampa bay times guys stats more reliable than the PFF..raheem was right
May 22nd, 2017 at 8:53 am
So the Bucs are taking the day off today from working out & going to top golf but Bucs desean Jackson isn’t attending. Great teammate. Terrible pickup
May 22nd, 2017 at 9:15 am
Well for one DBS and Dallas one as been in the league for 11 years and has not gotten better and the other has been in the league 2 years. Know one, with the exception of you 2, would ever compare a person doing something for 11 years to a person doing something for 2 years. Think about that for a moment fellas.
May 22nd, 2017 at 9:15 am
Fitz is an automatic upgrade over Ryan Griffin, Fitz has actually taken an NFL Snap, Won a few games, and Hits an occasional team mate with a pass from time to time.
May 22nd, 2017 at 9:16 am
Wait.. so these is an article knocking Fitzpatrick and yet he finished either ahead or just below Winston in both those categories!? Wow you really need to read your articles before you publish them joe, cuz this one made Fitzpatrick sound more accurate than Winston… just saying.
May 22nd, 2017 at 9:39 am
You can tell from the photo of the guy that he is what scouts and coaches refer to as a “dipper” meaning his motion goes below his waist as if he’s dipping the tip of the ball in a can of paint. There have been some successful “dippers” but not many, Phillip Rivers is one but there aren’t many. Not an efficient motion, doesn’t involve a quick release.
May 22nd, 2017 at 9:57 am
The league is tough. And at some point, Jameis will go down. This is NFL football guys. Just stack the odds. Fitz has the experience. LEts hope we can count on him when the time comes.
May 22nd, 2017 at 10:02 am
If given enough time with appropriate targets ANY QB in the NFL can slice and dice…how many rookies and backups have carved us up in the past because of lack of pass rush. The difference between them and the franchise guys are the fran hise QB’s like #3 can create offense even when the other team is getting a strong pass rush. Fitz won’t carry this team but he can probably protect it.
So we hve the WR’s now….it’s down to the OL. If Sweezy is healthy the line will be improved dramatically….we’re down to finding an RT. Benenoch? FA?
I think we cement the OL and all questions are moot….any RB will do…and Fitz should be able to get us through a few games.
May 22nd, 2017 at 10:08 am
Oh hell here we go. I know you have to report on the new guy in town but don’t be stupid enough to jinx or franchise quarterback talking about missing games just because an experienced backup is in town. No one cares about the backups but just because he’s inaccurate doesn’t mean he has nothing to contribute when it comes to preparation. Horrible article no fan hoping playoffs wants to here with the season still 4 months away
May 22nd, 2017 at 11:29 am
There’s stats and there’s adjusted stats. Before the three point shot, shooting % made sense as a raw stat. Afterwards it needs to be adjusted for the fact that 33% on threes is the equivalent of 50% on twos. Nearly 30 years on, they still don’t make the right adjustment. Announcers still give an overall percentage (which tells you nothing). Giving the two point percentage, then the three point percentage would make more sense. An adjusted figure (multiplying made threes by 1.5) or a points per shot (or its offensive rebound, foul drawing and turnover including corollary points per possession). Would make so much more sense.
A quarterback can have a great completion or on-target percentage if he’s throwing bubble screens and check downs all the time. NFL defenses have gotten really good at conceding 4-5 yard net completions on third and long. I think the stat guys were on to something with the failed completion thing, though it should have been called failed play completions or something similar. Jameis throws a lot of downfield balls and hates to concede on third down. If you adjust for throwing distance, you have a much better stat.
The Kaepernick apologists love to quote his completion percentage and a lot of the NFL backups are high percentage Check Down Charlie’s.
May 22nd, 2017 at 11:30 am
There’s stats and there’s adjusted stats. Before the three point shot, shooting % made sense as a raw stat. Afterwards it needs to be adjusted for the fact that 33% on threes is the equivalent of 50% on twos. Nearly 30 years on, they still don’t make the right adjustment. Announcers still give an overall percentage (which tells you nothing). Giving the two point percentage, then the three point percentage would make more sense. An adjusted figure (multiplying made threes by 1.5) or a points per shot (or its offensive rebound, foul drawing and turnover including corollary points per possession). Would make so much more sense.
A quarterback can have a great completion or on-target percentage if he’s throwing bubble screens and check downs all the time. NFL defenses have gotten really good at conceding 4-5 yard net completions on third and long. I think the stat guys were on to something with the failed completion thing, though it should have been called failed play completions or something similar. Jameis throws a lot of downfield balls and hates to concede on third down. If you adjust for throwing distance, you have a much better statistic.
May 22nd, 2017 at 11:30 am
Fitzpatrick is a damn good option to have as a backup even if Jameis does not learn anything new from him. He must be good at something to have been in the league for this long and start as many games as he did despite having a noodle arm.
May 22nd, 2017 at 11:40 am
Not there yet ….lmao.
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Tom lost all credibility when quoted that moron Cian.
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:11 pm
That douche HATES Winston
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Colin K
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:31 pm
I said the day before we signed him that Fitzpatrick would be the guy I would sign. He’s capable, smart, experience, and most importantly, not a real threat to the starting QB.
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:31 pm
I’m afraid of the possible curse surrounding him. Every starter at every team he’s been on has been injured at some point.
May 22nd, 2017 at 1:21 pm
I don’t know why Mike Evans and Desean Jackson catch ratio, hasn’t been mentioned. Mike Evans has a career 54% catch rate. Desean Jackson has a 57% catch rate. It’s not a knock on Jameis low accuracy rate on the deep ball. You’re not going to get a high catch rate on deep passes.
May 22nd, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Great signing. Make no mistake, he is good enough to start in the league. Given the chance he would play better then a handful of starting QBs out there. But old average QBs need to sit while the next generation of young guns get their shots.
May 22nd, 2017 at 9:01 pm
The GREAT news is the Bucs found a QB who can exceed JW’s inaccuracy. Fitz will likely be an upgrade from an accuracy standpoint.
May 22nd, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Bucnut = turd
May 23rd, 2017 at 3:15 am
I was wondering when this site would start to really dump all over Fitizpatrick. Yes, he’s not Nick Foles (whose name Joe keeps mentioning in any write-up dealing with Fitzpatrick) but it is not an indictment against Licht that Foles wasn’t signed. This Foles love is perplexing because he couldn’t hold a starting QB job either – especially with the Rams (and boy do they ever need a QB). Maybe Foles just didn’t want to come here – maybe he loves living in Philly…perhaps he thinks that Carson Wentz looked pretty shaky at times last year and he may actually get to start a game or three (delusional thinking but, hey, a man can dream)…Whatever the reason, Foles isn’t here so let it go. We have Fitzpatrick. He’s the experienced back-up everyone has been begging for since even before Glennon left. It goes to show that we (as fans) are generally not happy with any move the Front Office makes. Look, we have a guy in Fitzpatrick who’s been hovering around average (sometimes way below but occasionally way above) for most of his career. Is that great? No, but he’s shown enough to stick in the league as a primary or back-up QB for quite some time. What the hell are we expecting out of a guy/position we don’t really ever want play except for at the tail-end of blow-out victories. If he really stinks up the joint, then there’s always Ryan Griffin (which will start the next round of slagging). By the way, for those (few) who keep saying Kaepernick – are you nuts!?!?!?!? Don’t quote me his stats – they look good but if you watched him really wasn’t (sound familiar?). Our offense is 180 degrees to his skill set. Are we really going to install two different offenses just for a back-up? Give me a break.