Dirk Koetter: Nick Foles = Ryan Fitzpatrick
September 15th, 2018
The Fitz way
This very detailed take by Dirk Koetter yesterday would only be comforting if you’re among the legions of media and fans who believe Ryan Fitzpatrick is about to drop a dud game because he’s had a very inconsistent career.
Joe is not in that camp. So consider the Bucs on high alert for what Foles can do to them Sunday.
Koetter hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday and was asked about the Super Bowl winning QB and quickly compared him to Bucs interim starter Fitzpatrick.
For those wondering, a quick peek at Foles’ career stats shows he has a 23-17 regular season record as a starter and has thrown 61 touchdowns versus just 30 interceptions. Foles has a Pro Bowl under his belt and he’s never had a bad playoff game. He’s 3-1 in the postseason with a 72 percent completion percentage and 8 TDs versus 1 interception.
“I think Nick Foles is really a lot like Ryan Fitzpatrick is for us,” Koetter said.
“I think his experience makes it where he just doesn’t panic. He’s just calm in the pocket. He can make plays under pressure. I think the RPO game that they do a really good job with really suits what Nick does. He’s sneaky athletic. He’s hard to sack. He moves around in the pocket. He can make all kinds of throws. Nick’s got huge hands, so he can get that ball out quick without necessary getting the laces on the RPOs. And he can stand in there and take a hit when he needs to because he’s a big guy. But I think more than anything else is just the calmness he brings and the experience he brings.”
No surprise there from Koetter. “Calming” might be the top adjective for Fitzpatrick around One Buc Palace. Multiple Bucs players say Fitz’s poise, evenness and consistency is outstanding. Adam Humphries explained it very well before the Saints game.
Joe thinks that calm will help the Bucs continue to start fast against the Eagles. Starting slowly was the biggest thing this team needed to fix from last season. So certainly, Joe hopes the Bucs and their high powered offense elect to receive if they win the coin flip.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:03 am
I am sick and Tired of the Media Hate for the BUCS
We destroyed the Saints last week and still little respect
Talk about that same old teams
September 15th, 2018 at 9:16 am
Ugh. I forgot about the auto play again. I can’t take this anymore…
September 15th, 2018 at 9:26 am
Nick’s got huge hands
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
September 15th, 2018 at 9:26 am
I hope Jameis is watching and learning to take what the defense is giving him.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:28 am
Fitz has already exceeded his preseason expectations. Lets see what happens in the next two games…
September 15th, 2018 at 9:37 am
Totally agree Joe! The BUCs need to put up some quick points and get that confidence built, because I fear the D backs are going to be challenged by Philly. Don’t think this will be quite the shoot-out we saw last week, but still need to start quick and stay on top. Let the Eagles play from behind.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Bucfaninchina
Never seen that quasi emoji Esk characture. Gonna steal it from you.
Cool stuff
September 15th, 2018 at 9:44 am
I think the Eagles bring pressure while playing zone behind it. If we can protect Fitz up the middle – we have a chance.
Go Bucs!
September 15th, 2018 at 9:59 am
I live on the east coast in Port St. Lucie, so don’t get to see very many BUCs games on TV, but tomorrow’s game will be broadcast. I’m totally stocked. Hope they give a respectable performance even if they don’t win. Hopefully they’ll surprise everyone again and go 2-0.
September 15th, 2018 at 10:58 am
We have the firepower to play with, and beat any team. However, to use our firepower, we must protect Fitz tomorrow.
Expect lots of all out crazy blitzes from the Eagles, because they have seen what we can do if Fitz has all day to hit his receivers.
If we can protect Fitz, it will be a long day for the Eagles.
IMHO, we have the best group of receivers overall, in the entire NFL.
September 15th, 2018 at 11:11 am
ATeain,
I agree…it doesn’t matter when we beat an elite team, we still get little respect. The Eagles struggled covering the Falcons Julio Jones. What r they gonna do with the likes of ME,DJax,Godwin,Humphries,OJHoward, n not to mention next game next man up,my man Cameron Brate. Eagles offense not as good as Saints so the tale of the tape will be elite defense vs elite offense.
September 15th, 2018 at 11:21 am
It always drives me up a wall when we beat a media darling team like the Saints (who everyone picked to win the Superbowl this season), the narrative is “what happened to the Saints defense?”
The Bucs offense is what happened to them, idiots! I think they bounce back and take care of business against the Browns, but all they will say is that they appear to have fixed the problem with the defense.
Meanwhile, if we make a good showing against the Eagles, the narrative will be, “see? The Eagles were sluggish in the Falcons game and just managed to pull it off, but they couldn’t take it on the road.”
#NoRespect
#OurHeadCoachMightAsWellBeRodneyDangerfield
#TheWinningMustContinue
#GoBucs #EarnRespect
September 15th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Hopefully Foles won’t play in week two like Fitzpatrick did in week one
September 15th, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Worst defense in the league, hard to continue being able to overcome having Mike Smith as a coordinator
September 15th, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Some more stats on Foles that Bucs fans won’t like:
His record vs the Bucs: 2-0
His TD to INT ratio against the Bucs: 5-0
Time to change that this week! Go Bucs!
September 15th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Actually Foles in 2 games versus the Bucs averages what, about 320 yards, and he has 7 TDs and 0 INTs, you have to include the 2 rushing TDs in there.