Tony Dungy Says Buccaneers’ Hope Is To Play Ryan Fitzpatrick In Week 4
August 26th, 2018
After spending a load of time around One Buc Palace recently, Father Dungy has spoken on a subject that represents a fiery debate among Bucs fans — including those residing at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters.
Speaking to Mike Florio on the recent PFT PM Podcast, Dungy commented on the looming decision for Dirk Koetter: start Jameis Winston at Chicago in Week 4 after a Monday Night Football game and limited practice time, or let Jameis sit for Week 4 and return after the Bucs’ Week 5 bye.
Dungy not only says he leans toward playing Fitzpatrick in Week 4, he said the Buccaneers hope to do just that if Fitzpatrick is playing well and the standings look good.
“It would not surprise me at all if they’re 2-1 and Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing well, that they don’t let [Jameis] just take that next week [in Chicago],” Dungy said. “Because it is tough. That’s what people don’t realize with the suspension. It’s not just that you’re not playing. You’re not in the building. You’re not allowed to practice. You’re not allowed to be around your teammates, be in the meetings. So you’ve got to get back; it’s almost going to be a complete month off. So I think that would be wise to [play Fitzpatrick in Week 4]. Now if you’re, you know, if you’re 1-2 or 0-3 and you need that spark, you may have to get Jameis in there.
“I know their hope is that Ryan is playing well, they do let him ride out the fourth game and then bring Jameis back after a bye week of practice.”
Unless you think Dungy is wrong, that’s a very clear statement by the newest Buccaneers Ring of Honor inductee; the Bucs’ goal is for Fitzpatrick to thrive and to ride his momentum into Chicago as the starting QB.
Joe (at least the Joe typing this) absolutely loves this mentality by the Buccaneers’ hierarchy, assuming Dungy is accurate.
Stick with the hot hand and give Jameis the best scenario in which to succeed. And if Fitz is turning the ball over and looking like a backup, then go with Jameis.
For one week, Jameis should be mature enough to handle a game on the bench supporting a QB playing very well in front of him. If Jameis is half the teammate everyone says he is, then Jameis won’t be fazed or hurt one bit.
Joe realizes some fans think it would be ludicrous to sit Jameis for a game. But if the offense cruises against the Saints, Eagles and Steelers, and Fitzpatrick is not turning the ball over, then why mess with that?
August 26th, 2018 at 7:42 pm
The big word is “IF”………
I would agree that if Fitz is 2-1…..he should start vs Chicago….
August 26th, 2018 at 7:51 pm
GREAT NEWS. Let’s hope he does not play in week 5,6,7,8,9,etc. let’s play Fitzy not Ditsy.
August 26th, 2018 at 7:51 pm
that’s a big if although i’ll admit it makes some sense in theory . i still believe it’s wise to play your best qb and best players period so i would lean toward getting jameis in there as soon as possible. if fitz were to be playing decently well and the bucs with a winning record when jameis comes back let’s say they do start fitz and he has a complete clunker of a game , losing the game for us single handily basically . well that’s an important loss against an nfc team when everybody in the building knows it’s basically playoffs or bust for them this season . that’s a risky move to make IMO.
August 26th, 2018 at 7:55 pm
I get the concept and won’t be totally cheesed if they play Fitz in Chicago to give JW more time to get ready….but….
I’m sorry…I’m not normally a conspiratorialist but I find it difficult to believe that JW will have NO contact with team. Of course we understand he’s not to have any contact…cough..cough…don’t expect to see him at OBP but do we not think Koetter can sneak and keep JW clued EVERY week starting with N.O. about the game plan…what JW would be doing if he wasn’t suspended.
JW will be working out with the QB guru of his choice and he’ll have a lot of guys here to throw with…really…does the NFL put private eyes on JW and the team leadership to monitor all phone calls…all meals away from OBP? How much money and TIME would that cost the league.
I just find it hard to believe that JW is going to spend 3 weeks totally ignorant about what is happening at OBP. JW and Fitz are friends…what if that extends to off the field? So if Fitz invites JW and his wife to dinner at Fitz’s house is the NFL really going to say anything…are they really going to follow JW everywhere he goes. What about a quiet dinner at Koetter’s house.
JW looked TOTALLY ready in these preseason games…he just needs to throw with some NFL caliber receivers and stay in the information loop about the Buc’s offensive plans. On one hand it could actually focus JW…he has nothing to look at these three weeks except for video of Chicago.
Nobody here has ever accused me of being a JW worshipper..LOL…some think I’m a hater..but I believe JW has plenty of talent and smarts and he and the Bucs can easily find a way to keep him in the loop. He’ll be ready for Chicago.
One caveat…Fitz is known as a VERY streaky guy…if he’s on an amazing roll they may let him play…but even with his solid play against the Lions it’s clear he is not JW. Not putting Fitz down…just stating the obvious…Fitz is a great backup for us…but JW is clearly our starting QB.
August 26th, 2018 at 7:55 pm
JW was the team’s #1 pick and is the franchise QB. You start him when he’s available. If the offense is “cruising” after three games, then it should do more than that when JW takes over. It’s time to prove to your fans and teammates that you’re worth a damn.
August 26th, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Cross that bridge when we get there….Here’s one, Week 1 Fitz goes down and Griffin is your starter…now what do we do for a back up for the next two games? The season?
That’s a more concerning scenario then Winston playing in week 4 or after the bye.
August 26th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
No way should Jameis start on a short week after being gone for 3 weeks, he’s carries a clipboard for game 4 if I’m the coach. He’s not Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers to just walk-in on a short week after watching on TV for nearly a month. Heck, I would even give the ball to Ryan Griffin if Fitz is struggling before I would let Jameis on the field!
August 26th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Let’s play week one before we worry about week 4.
August 26th, 2018 at 8:02 pm
If we can beat the “Aints” I truly feel we start 3-0, Philadelphia will not even make the playoffs and Pittsburgh has a losing history lately against teams from Fla
August 26th, 2018 at 8:05 pm
If we go 2-1, I’d be so happy we could start Austin Allen game 4 for all I care (and yes, I do realize he won’t be on the team). That would be such a great problem to have. I’m a Jameis fan, but nothing would be better than having Fitz playing great and we can let Jameis get an extra week.
August 26th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
As far as the Dungy debate goes, there are people that fall into to 2 camps. People who that Tony Dungy is one of the best coaches in the history of the league and clearly deserving of his 1st ballot HOF status; And those who are wrong.
However with the way Jameis has played so far this year, i’ll be shocked if he’s not the Starting QB immediately upon returning in week 4.
August 26th, 2018 at 8:11 pm
Coach Dungys logic makes since…
if Fitz goes 2-1 or 3-0 then I agree that he should play week 4 in Chi-town…If he flops and goes 1-2 or 0-3 you have to get JW in there…Imho (assuming we’re healthy) we match up well against our first 3 opponents so getting off to a good start is realistic…I expect Jameis to come back after the bye ready to roll…
August 26th, 2018 at 8:11 pm
“People who *think*…”
August 26th, 2018 at 8:15 pm
Seems like we’ve already had this discussion on JBF several times. I’m in favor of Tony’s approach: “Stick with the hot hand and give Jameis the best scenario in which to succeed. And if Fitz is turning the ball over and looking like a backup, then go with Jameis.”
The biggest word in there is ‘IF’. IF Fitz is 2-1 and playing like a #1 QB, let him start in Chicago and IF things turn south, then let Jameis come in off the bench. IF Fitz is struggling prior to Chicago & we’re 1-2 or 0-3, let Jameis start IF Koetter feels that he’s ready. Lots of ‘IF’s’ but as Bobby M says “Cross that bridge when we get there.”
August 26th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Sorry I know I am going to get hammered by those who just LOVE “father” Dungy but the man won just ONE Super Bowl. He had the best defense in the league for how many years? Then he had the best offense in the league for many more and yet he could only win ONE! Great regular season coach and a good Christian man but in my view he should not be saying anything about Jameis.
August 26th, 2018 at 8:42 pm
But what if Fitz is playing like a backup and we’re 3-0? What if Fitz has 8 TDs and no picks and we’re 0-3? So many “what if’s“ here! Winston will play week 4 no matter what.
August 26th, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Agree that Winston starts game 4 regardless of record after first 3 games.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Buc Believer, not going to hammer you, but you are wrong. All of the fans that hate on Dungy would have a different opinion if Gruden would have lost the SB. They would have said the Glazers gave up on him m too soon. The only reason fans hate on Dungy is because the next season without him we won the SB. We would not have won the SB if Wyche wasn’t fired until 2002. Dungy is a major reason we won, that’s just fact. Wyches’ dumb as couldn’t have built a defense like that. No way.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:11 pm
The so-called “fans” are exposed here as Winston fans….not Buc fans.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:18 pm
Coming from a one dimensional offensive neophyte with a career losing post season record I’d do just the opposite as that clown would. No one wasted more hall of fame players than that clown.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:20 pm
By all means if he is 2-1 don’t mess things up.
Odds of that are extremely remote IMO.
More likely Fitz will join the long list of back up hero types the fans always love.
Until they have to play against good teams.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:27 pm
Hey I’ll have this argument all day. If we are having this argument it means Fitz is playing well. Meanwhile Winston will be ready to go and we all seen him looking very good in preseason.
If we’re not having this argument after that Mon Night game we might be in trouble.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:34 pm
I’m absolutely starting Jameis in Chicago. Jameis has been money and no way I’d bench him. I want Fitz to win all 3 games but I’m still starting Jameis. We may even see Griffin in the first 3 weeks. Don’t be surprised because I’m telling you now. Fitz can really good but he can be really bad too.
August 26th, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Jameis will be ready to go and he will light up the Windy City to the point that they won’t know what hit them. Louie will be in the stands and try to take credit for it. 😂
August 26th, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Lovie* AC
August 26th, 2018 at 9:42 pm
It all depends on HOW we are winning. If Fitz is playing great and we are out scoring folks he should play. If we are winning games cause the D then Jameis should play. It isn’t really that hard.
August 26th, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Record means squat. Its the quality of play. The bucs of old won games when dilfer threw 2 or 3 ints and when alstott fumbled 3 times against kansas city. If the bucs win 2 games and fitz have thrown 3 tds and 3-6 ints, i could care less that the bucs are 2-1. Im starting jameis week 4.
August 26th, 2018 at 10:37 pm
and did Coach Dungy offer any advice on who starts if we are 0-3 (which is quite likely given our joke of a defensive coordinator at the helm)? If his logic is based on JW being far behind due to lack of reps & team participation, then the record does not matter; the idea of providing a “spark” seems nonsensical if the effect of “rust” is as vital as Dungy makes it sound.
August 26th, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Watching all these preseason games…is it me or does it seem like the Bucs are the only defense that is playing soft (vanilla) thru all 4 quarters. I know they don’t want to tip their hand but it just doesn’t seem like other teams are doing that.
August 26th, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Let’s see how the first three play out first….
August 26th, 2018 at 11:34 pm
Jameis Winston is the starting QB of OUR Bucs…. make no mistake about that!
Dungy was a coach however and it makes sense if they’re 2-1…..IF. To start Fitz and ease Jameis in. 87 Shrugs….so what? 2-1 eh? Oh the speculation!
2-1. Oh pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let this be!
I’ll take 1-2 even…. Go Bucs!!!!!!!
August 26th, 2018 at 11:54 pm
Tnew Says:
August 26th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Let’s play week one before we worry about week 4.
DITTO
One game at a time people
That being said, I strongly believe that JW gives us the best chance to win in any game
August 26th, 2018 at 11:54 pm
Start Ryan Griffin. Decide at the bye week who gives you the best chance to win a Super Bowl for the next 5 years. Griffin looks like he could be a Matt Ryan type – not as exciting, but throws an accurate ball. Winston is another Favre, exciting… and keeps both teams in the game.
I like Fitz, but there is nothing to learn there. He should be the backup while they see what they have in Griffin.
August 26th, 2018 at 11:56 pm
I’m loving the fact that no one has a memory of just how bad Fitz has been at turning the ball over and winning zero big games in his entire career. what he has proven consistently good at is getting people fired.
So, yeah… let’s stick with that guy
August 27th, 2018 at 12:03 am
Agree
August 27th, 2018 at 12:05 am
Bench Fitz and start his beard.
Seriously. That beard is bad arse.
I truly believe Fitz’s beard could throw for 450 yards 5 tds and 0 ints
if it had the chance.
August 27th, 2018 at 12:27 am
Is there a Hall of Fame for beards?
lol
August 27th, 2018 at 12:30 am
Shawshank Redemption:
Red: Hope is a dangerous thing my friend, it can kill a man…
Andy Dufresne: hope is a good thing maybe even the best of things and good things never die.
Dapostman: Ahh, hope.
August 27th, 2018 at 12:39 am
They have similar problems in Buffalo and New York. McCown played lights out last year. What he starts the season and plays like Tom Brady, only this time with much better players. It’s even worse in Buffalo. What if Peterman or McCarron start the season and play lights out. Management will look pretty stupid if they gave up a ton of draft capital to take a chance on Allen when they already had the real stud in the House.
The owners and GMs are going to push pretty hard for keeping the older guys off the field.
August 27th, 2018 at 1:24 am
31 TD’ s 15 it’s, 10 wins 6 losses. Remember when JW did that?
August 27th, 2018 at 1:53 am
D1 – remember the year Fitzy started 16 games for Buffalo and threw for 24TDs and 23 INTs?? I do!
Or how about the year he started 14 games for the Jets and threw 9 TDs to go along with 17 INTs. That was just 2 years ago…
Trying to tout a journeyman QB’s stats is not going to work out very well unless one is being VERY selective…
August 27th, 2018 at 2:08 am
Unless the Bucs are 3-0 BECAUSE Fitzy is playing lights out – it would be downright stupid not to play Winston as soon as he is available.
Winston will privately be working hard to be ready. That you can be sure of. He can actually put ALL of his attention on the Bears. He will be WAY more familiar with and prepared for Chicago than any other Buccaneer when he walks into the building Tues Sept 25. Everyone, including coaches will be taking a close look at the 2018 Bears for the first time that Tuesday morning. Yet Jameis will have already been studying the Bears very closely the first 3 weeks.
Just sayin
There’s always or at least usually more than one way to look at something…
August 27th, 2018 at 2:15 am
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde anyone? Love it. You Joe’s know what you’re doing. For me? I hope we get back to winston.
August 27th, 2018 at 3:19 am
Dungy knows a lot about offense. Mariota has been great as a Buc too!!!!
August 27th, 2018 at 3:19 am
I love Winston, but with a bye week in week 5, if the Bucs are 2-1 or 3-0 going into Chicago, you don’t make any changes THAT week.
What you do do however is make changes in the bye week.
It will be a nice problem to have, but one I’m guessing the team won’t need to concern itself with.
In any case what Dungy said makes total sense.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:06 am
He’s speculating. Won’t happen
August 27th, 2018 at 6:18 am
Jameis will be practicing somewhere with camp cuts
August 27th, 2018 at 6:38 am
I would be willing to bet by 401K that all of you JW supporters would call Dungy a racist if he were I white man making this statement. You are all delusional. JW does not have the mental capacity to be crowned a franchise QB.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:57 am
That’s stupid. Winston should be the starter when he comes back. The future of this franchise & this season doesn’t rest with Fitzpatrick. I will be happy if we win any games with Fitzpatrick at quarterback but Jameis is our quarterback and he needs to play when he comes back period.
August 27th, 2018 at 7:12 am
2-1! As Rick Flair would say……………..Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Come on folks. The anointed one torpedoed the Bucs season. If we can scratch out one win out of the first three it will be a miracle. Hope I’m wrong. Go Bucs!
August 27th, 2018 at 7:15 am
godeep you don’t have the mental capacity to be considered a poster on joebucsfan.com. You’re just a troll trying to get some attention in your sad lonely life! Why talk about what ifs when it’s not gonna happen. Why don’t you and walter ziegheil go hold a candle light vigil in front of 1 Buc Place to petition them to bench Jameis. See how that works out for you!
August 27th, 2018 at 7:46 am
@davidbigBFan: no trolling here. My apologies if I hurt your tender feelings by providing a different view that does not agree with you. Now go jump back in your deep freezer so you don’t melt like the little snowflake that you are. An by the way, I am not lonely….ask mom as she provided me with my user name.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:20 am
With the oline like it is I don’t see fitz making it through the first 3 games without an injury. JW will be starting week 4 no doubt.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Godeep66,
.ask mom as she provided me with my user name.
———————————————————————–
What?
You’re admitting to the world that you are banging your own mother?
You are truly a very sick and disturbed individual.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:24 am
Buc believer Says:
August 26th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Sorry I know I am going to get hammered by those who just LOVE “father” Dungy but the man won just ONE Super Bowl. He had the best defense in the league for how many years? Then he had the best offense in the league for many more and yet he could only win ONE! Great regular season coach and a good Christian man but in my view he should not be saying anything about Jameis.
^^^Perfect example of how hate makes people stupid AF.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:25 am
Dave Pear Says:
August 27th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Godeep66,
.ask mom as she provided me with my user name.
———————————————————————–
What?
You’re admitting to the world that you are banging your own mother?
You are truly a very sick and disturbed individual.
^^^I read it that way too. Try again Godeep66 🙂
August 27th, 2018 at 8:29 am
Read between the lines Dave Pear. Davebigbucfan knows what I am speaking of. By the way: you should grow a “Pear”.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:29 am
Not being at the facility or practicing is a big concern of mine in regards to JW playing week 4. I know JW will be keeping himself in shape, watching film at home, throwing, etc… but in no way can he duplicate the speed of the game and timing between QB and receivers. For the sake of winning, I hope Fitz is on a roll and he starts game 4; that is a win for the BUCS and it gives JW time to ease back in. I want what is good for the BUCS as a whole, not just one guy who happened to let his team down and could have avoided this entire debacle.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:35 am
Godeep66,
By the way: you should grow a “Pear”.
——————————————————
BAZINGA!
Got me.
That was a good one.
Now go to mommy’s room…she’s ready for you.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:45 am
Godeep66 Says :
“I hurt your tender feelings by providing a different view that does not agree with you.”
Yes that ONE blind girl out of 100 that says….I don’t get it. Or a troll. Prolly the biggest troll JBF has ever seen.
August 27th, 2018 at 9:04 am
@Pear
Mommy?
That’s got daddy written all over it.
Did you think Go Deep was talking about Football?
August 27th, 2018 at 9:06 am
Clearly “Godeep” is not a reference to the gene pool!
August 27th, 2018 at 9:18 am
@Dapostman
What a GREAT movie you chose to quote and you selected exactly the right exchange. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched…and will continue to watch lol The Shawshank Redemption.
Stephen King is a terrific writer who received most of his credit for writing the scary movies..like “The Shining” and “Christine”. But he really wrote some great prison material as well.
Shawshank is a favorite but so is “The Green Mile”. And both movies had great stars in them.
Well done Dapostman!
August 27th, 2018 at 10:34 am
Blah blah blah. Bucs minus 9.5 against NOLA in game one. Which happens to be the largest spread off all games in week one. Would have been 11.5 if JW was playing.
August 27th, 2018 at 11:05 am
I hope yhat happens just like that jamis can roll them into the playoffs
August 27th, 2018 at 11:49 am
TD’s take sounds like conventional wisdom to me. There’s no way you can come in on a Wednesday and be ready to be your best by Sunday. Three days practice vs. 9-10 days. No Contest.
Unless, like TD said, we are 0-3.
August 27th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Ha I was literally having this same discussion with my buddy yesterday.
If we are 2-1 or 3-0, Fitz will play week 4.
Otherwise Jameis is coming back on a short week.
August 27th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Dungy was stating his opinion…sort of a ‘I know if I was there I would be hoping, so that means they must be hoping too.’
It was not a statement of fact.
August 27th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Godeep66 Says
“no trolling here.”
Suuuure. Never anything positive to say. Never saying anything good about any of the Bucs.
You troll all of the time, pal. No point in denying it.
August 27th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Winston will start week four.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Funny thing a shemale with a name like godeep666 calling others snowflake and buttercup. Sounds like a gaey poorno star name to me.