“Shown Brilliance In His Career”
July 21st, 2018
Here’s an uplifting trivia question for Bucs fans feeling blue when they think of the upcoming regular season opening against the Saints, Eagles and Steelers:
How many times has Ryan Fitzpatrick earned NFL player of the week honors?
The answer is five times — FIVE! — Fitz pulled down AFC Offensive Player Of The Week, including in 2014 and in 2015.
That’s impressive. Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, earned the NFC award once in his career, for his four-touchdown performance on opening day of the 2016 season.
Former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, who recently quit the Buccaneers Radio Network but will continue to work for the team’s official website, may not know the answer to that Fitzpatrick question, but Becht says Fitzpatrick’s displays of greatness give him a lot of hope for the the Bucs’ September slate.
“I think completely that Fitzpatrick has enough in the arsenal to keep it close and potentially win these games,” Becht said on WDAE-AM 620 this week. “You know, it’s not as bad as maybe it would have been if [Dan] Orlovsky was here still, or that was the backup quarterback. When you got a guy like Fitzpatrick who’s shown brilliance in his career at times, I feel good about that. But again, you’d like to have Jameis out there firing at all cylinders Game 1. But we just don’t have that.”
Becht has the right attitude. Fitzpatrick can get the job done for at least one game. He’s a superior backup quarterback and proved that last season.
Just find one win, Fitz. Just one. It’s certainly not too much for Bucs fans to ask.
Two wins, well, that would be a very, very early Christmas gift.
July 21st, 2018 at 10:40 am
Maybe I’m this fan that has blind ambition about the Bucs, everybody is saying that this is not a good team, they have not played like it, but I am convinced this team will wear those low expections like a chip on their shoulder and the Saint, Eagles, Steelers, Bears and Falcons are going to in for a fight. Fitz will be the calm before the storm and get a couple of wins out of the first four, the Jameis will storm in and lead this team to the playoffs. Too much talent to not be a potent offense. The Bucs will land a couple of solid vets, one on the offensive line and a safety. I can dream.
July 21st, 2018 at 11:05 am
WUT U TALKIN BOUT WILLIS!?!?!?!?!?!?
July 21st, 2018 at 11:06 am
And three wins would really split the fan base. Ironic isn’t it?
If he wins three and Koetter deigns to let him start game four and we win again…what a problem.
And so I’m on the record as saying I would cheer for the Buc’s no matter who is under center. IF Fitz plays well enough to start and Koetter leaves him in after week three will the Jameis lovers be ok?
July 21st, 2018 at 11:07 am
2-1 at minimum Joe…
July 21st, 2018 at 11:08 am
Guess I’m more confident in Fitz than most JBFers. He won me over in the Cardinals game when he took over for Jameis with 5:31 mins to go in the 1st half, Bucs trailing 24-0. After the Cards kick-off, Fitz promptly drove the Bucs down the field to a 1st down at the Cards 7 yd line. The drive fizzled at that point (3 incomplete passes & 1 short run) and Bucs got ZERO pts as time expired. The one time I would’ve been happy with a FG.
Fitz started the 3rd qtr by promptly throwing an INT that put the Cards at the Bucs 33 yd line … Cards scored & it was now 31-0. But instead of quitting, he rallied the troops and showed everyone how a real Pro responds when things get tough. He threw yet another INT that the Cards got at the Bucs 1 yd line & they scored, BUT in that 2nd half he led the Bucs to 33 POINTS … and that’s after the Bucs MISSED THREE 2-pt conversions (Koetter called pass on all 3 … none succeeded). LOTS of points given away in that game by the Bucs offense & by play-calling. But even with 2 INTs, Fitz impressed me, big-time. Can’t wait to see what he can do (with some real practice opportunities in pre-season) in these first 3-4 games.
July 21st, 2018 at 11:09 am
Fitz will be fine as long as he stays in game manager mode and plays smart football. The one area I like to see Fitzy take “chances” with is when he takes off running. He’s still pretty quick for an old guy and was quite effective at getting 1st downs whenever he ran in the games he played last year.
July 21st, 2018 at 11:17 am
I will support the Bucs again as long as they move on from Winston. Not for moral reasons but because he just isn’t that good of a QB. I hope Fitz don’t win a few early games just to be replaced by the man child.
July 21st, 2018 at 11:20 am
Yeah, because Fitzpatrick it’s the same player he was for a two year period. That’s why he received a bunch of offers to be a starter and declined all of them 🙄.
July 21st, 2018 at 11:25 am
3-0 would enshrine Fitzpatrick into the Buc Fan Hearts forever…
July 21st, 2018 at 11:29 am
Thats impressive for the “old man” however Im a little worried about his backup. . . .if he gets dinged
July 21st, 2018 at 11:54 am
I’m not giving up on the season. So many names I can rip off right now of upper echelon players on this team. It just needs to happen! Hopefully they have a great camp and come out unified in the goal of proving themselves to the rest of the league.
July 21st, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Hey Joe,
When are you going to run stats that show Fitz has the worst career winning percentage of any current QB with 75 starts or more?
Or that Fitz is high on the list of most career starts with zero playoff appearances?
The Bucs are sealing their fate by relying on Fitz and Griffin and not bringing in a real QB to compete with them both.
Fitz is a perennial loser – period.
July 21st, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Fitz has never had so many weapons, at his command. IF ROJO turns out to be the real deal, then look the F#ck out! We should be able to play with most any team in the NFL, and even beat some. Even w/o Jameis for 3 games, I am excited and optimistic for this season. With all the talent we have, I just can not imagine us not having a winning record this year. We may not make the playoffs, but I see a winning record for us this season.
July 21st, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Fire Mike Smith
July 21st, 2018 at 12:28 pm
@Pickgrin
Agree Fitz is a very effective runner.
@Tony
Shouldn’t matter because hopefully we’ve addressed that all important area you remind us to build…’the trenches”.
If the DL is improved as much as we hope…and at least one of the new CB’s works out…we could have a really good defense.
Then even a caretaker QB would be fine especially if ROJO and Barber work out and we can run it. Eat some more clock with our big possession receivers..ME..
OJ…Godwin…Brate.
I’m not really that concerned anymore about who plays QB…if Fameis comes back he’ll be fine…unless we completely fail to find a competent RG and RT.
July 21st, 2018 at 12:44 pm
I have all confidence in the world in the Amish slinger when he’s surrounded by studs which he is now. He gonna hold it down for Jameis. Then Jameis gonna come back mad and determined. Gonna be a great year Bucs Fans
July 21st, 2018 at 1:03 pm
So if Fitzpatrick goes 0-3 it’s all on him but Winston loses 9 straight last yr with 25+ turnovers in 12 games and it’s everyone but Winston.
July 21st, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Again..no sympathy here. Fitz is capable and qualified. He’s been in winning situation and knows the game. There will and cannot be any fall off here. Hell, Fitz on any given day, gives Jameis a run for his money. On some days, he’s probably better than Jameis!! So cut it out and knock it off people. Ruck up and kick some Ass Bucs. NO EXCUSES!!
July 21st, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Bobby M u just hit the nail on the head. Jameis is turnover machine. He might as well be wearing the opposing team’s uniform
July 21st, 2018 at 2:23 pm
The goal is to take more turnovers from the opponent than you give away to the opponent. Improved play can do that. This is the edge I’m looking for.
July 21st, 2018 at 2:33 pm
Just like any other winning quarterback, if Fitz has a winning record by the time J-Miss returns, Fitz should continue playing. When do you bench a starting, healthy, winning quarterback? It’s not like A. Rogers returning from injury after a Hundley fill-in. The interval in performance between Fitz & J-miss is and will prove to be slight, especially if Fitz emerges from those brutal first three games with a winning record which, would have been equally difficult for #3.
The Bucs will have to play nearly perfect ball to win any of those games, regardless of who is playing quarterback.
July 21st, 2018 at 2:35 pm
One thing is for sure. Fitz never had the type of weapons he will have this go around.
July 21st, 2018 at 3:07 pm
BucNole not many NFL teams win with their 3rd stringer, if he gets hurt we (like all of the NFL) would certainly suffer
July 21st, 2018 at 3:29 pm
All Ryan Fitzpatrick has to do is win 1-3 games.
I doubt there is any chance he’ll actually win three, but I do believe the first game is very winnable. The Saints will not know what to expect from our defense, and out oline is much different this year.
So the Bucs will have the element of surprise.
After that, there will be tape, so things will get much tougher from game to game.
So far as Ryan Fitzpatrick starting when Game 4 comes around, I doubt it. He’ll have lost 1-2 games straight at that point. But I will be happy if he can just win that first game for us. Happier if he wins another.
This is not the same as last year, when he beat the Jets and Dolphins, which were both bad teams. I truthfully do not expect him to win at all, but if he does it will be that first game.
July 21st, 2018 at 3:34 pm
BringBucsBack Says
“…especially if Fitz emerges from those brutal first three games with a winning record which, would have been equally difficult for #3.”
I don’t know if I agree. If Jameis had not been suspended and was able to prepare for all three games, I think he would have a hard time of it, but would play better than Fitz.
Remember, it was Jameis who led the team from behind to take the lead several times last year…even if the defense blew those leads at the end.
Fitz if being talked up big time, but realistically, he is a scrub at best. Still, he can win the first game, and 1-2 when Winston returns is about the best we can hope for.
On the topic of Jameis returning, after playing those three games, the offensive line will be working together well, so Jameis will have an easier time of it. Fitz might get good oline blocking in game one, but then I expect him to get hit a lot.
And if you think Jameis had a turnover issue, wait until you see Fitz against real defenses.
July 21st, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Bonzai, Maybe Fitz did only beat the Jets and Dolphins but who did Jameis beat? The Bears and the Giants and a miracle against the Saints. It is not like Jameis was whooping up on Juggernauts.
July 21st, 2018 at 4:50 pm
I find it hilarious that these “experts” just assume that when/If Winston comes back off of his suspension that the Bucs will automatically start winning all these games. Have they not been watching Bucs football games? Did they not watch last year? Some huge bubbles are going to be burst. Go Fitz!
July 21st, 2018 at 5:14 pm
Joe writes: “Just find one win, Fitz. Just one. It’s certainly not too much for Bucs fans to ask. Two wins, well, that would be a very, very early Christmas gift.” WTF??
Maybe that’s why guys want a loser like Winston to hang around…folks think you always have to compromise!
So, my take is no reason they can’t win every game. 3-game streaks to start the season are hard anyway, but still, never go in asking for less than you want. There are a thousand variables to each game. Demand excellence, then take what you get–and make it more. Take no prisoners!
No reason to say “Just being realistic.” Enough of the defeatist attitude!
July 21st, 2018 at 5:20 pm
The beginning of this season stands to be the high point of Fitz’s career. Winston isn’t even allowed to be around for three whole weeks. So this is Fitz’s team to get it started. Hepefully they treat it like that in camp, and hopefully he plays like it’s his team all year. I hope he plays well enough to MAKE the Bucs have a tough decision with Winston when he is finished hurting his team again and comes back to work.
July 21st, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Who is the better leader right now?
Who is the guy you trust more to lead this team right now?
Who is the guy who has the mental capacity to deal with adversity right now?
Who is even allowed to show up to the stadium when the season starts?
It doesn’t matter what potential Winston has…when he’s not there to do the job because he’s done something selfish and stupid (yet again).
July 21st, 2018 at 5:28 pm
@SB…isn’t one of those Fitz wins without Evans because Winston screwed up (yet again) and got him suspended?
Yeah, #3 is a load of help to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A real local hero. Not!
July 21st, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Roy. Fitz is too old. So long as he is your QB you are looking for your future. So unless he’s playing upper tier football Winston needs to get the ball to see if he is the future
July 21st, 2018 at 5:56 pm
JimmyJack…very much likely that Jameis is no longer the future. I never said Fitz was anything but a temp guy, but hopefully he treats it like it’s his team all year. They are not going to pull him if he’s a hot hand, if Winston isn’t ready to come back (he may spaz out in therapy, who knows?), or if he’s really ticked off the team. The Bucs need to draft their future QB in 2019, sorry to say.
July 21st, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Roy I can basically guarantee you that Fitz is treating this as an opportunity to win a starters job. You could argue that this is the best opportunity of his career, especially if we have a running game.
Fitzpatrick did come here as a backup because nobody wanted him as a starter but as a professional athlete I have to assume he is very competitive and sees this as a chance to prove to all 32 teams that they were wrong about him.
July 21st, 2018 at 6:10 pm
Roy my longer reply disappeared but I guarantee you Fitz sees this opportunity as a chance to win a starters job. The entire league sees Fitz as a backup but as a professional athlete and a competitor Fitz wants to prove them all wrong. This is also a great opportunity with the receivers we have on offense.
July 21st, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Roy I can’t reply. They keep disappearing
July 21st, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Don’t like to repeat myself, but for Tony and Bonzai, I believe Fitz has a better career winning percentage than Winston.
July 21st, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Guess I’m more confident in Fitz than most JBFers. He won me over in the Cardinals game when he took over for Jameis with 5:31 mins to go in the 1st half, Bucs trailing 24-0. After the Cards kick-off, Fitz promptly drove the Bucs down the field to a 1st down at the Cards 7 yd line. The drive fizzled at that point (3 incomplete passes & 1 short run) and Bucs got ZERO pts as time expired. The one time I would’ve been happy with a FG.
Fitz started the 3rd qtr by promptly throwing an INT that put the Cards at the Bucs 33 yd line … Cards scored & it was now 31-0. But instead of quitting, he rallied the troops and showed everyone how a real Pro responds when things get tough. He threw yet another INT that the Cards got at the Bucs 1 yd line & they scored, BUT in that 2nd half he led the Bucs to 33 POINTS … and that’s after the Bucs MISSED THREE 2-pt conversions (Koetter called pass on all 3 … none succeeded). LOTS of points given away in that game by the Bucs offense & by play-calling. But even with 2 INTs, Fitz impressed me, big-time. Can’t wait to see what he can do (with some real practice opportunities in pre-season) in these first 3-4 games.
——————————–
Can’t get giddy over a game (Cardinals-Buccs) in which the opposing team was playing prevent defense all game, and the team was in garbage time at the start of the fourth quarter (the quarter in which they scored most of their points).
Fitz is either good or he’s really bad. He played down to the Jets and we eeked out a victory vs. a weak opponent. We held off Miami, another week opponent under Fitz. Atlanta was a tough opponent and Fitz struggled….didn’t have 300 yards passing despite the sheer volume of attempts.
Hopefully, though, the team will be better overall behind Fitz and give Fitz short fields to work with under the changes made on defense.
July 21st, 2018 at 6:59 pm
I can’t see how anybody won you over in that Cards game. Beauty in the eye of the beholder I suppose.
July 21st, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Jim Says:
July 21st, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Don’t like to repeat myself, but for Tony and Bonzai, I believe Fitz has a better career winning percentage than Winston.
_____________
He does. Also it is with less talented receivers as well.
Not dogging just pointing out facts
July 21st, 2018 at 8:51 pm
Bucballbaby84 Says:
July 21st, 2018 at 12:44 pm
I have all confidence in the world in the Amish slinger when he’s surrounded by studs which he is now.
—————————————-
Amish….that’s Pennsylvania Dutch to you, English
July 22nd, 2018 at 6:48 am
@JimmyJack…I don’t think Fitz has the physical skills upside Winston has, but he’s solid as a rock in leadership and professionalism and effort. I think he’s the backp QB every team should want and probably a bit shy of being a perrineal starter. I think his problems on the field aren’t so much decision making as much as a physical ability and skill compared to great QBs. With Winston, I see the opposite–poor decisionmaking and perhaps overconfidence in his ability to make a play causes his mistakes. The bad part about Winston is I think it’s not so much he can’t listen, see, and learn–it’s that after three years, he refuses to do so. I’ve said before, he will do what he wants to do. That’s not always good.
July 22nd, 2018 at 10:21 am
The Bucs will contend for the division title for the next decade with Jameis Winston as their QB. The dynasty begins in adversity. Suck it Roy. Go Bucs