This Sunday, the Buccaneers rattled off their fourth win of a rather disappointing season. It was the first time, this season, that the Bucs put together back-to-back wins.
Both of these wins came with Ryan Fitzpatrick starting at quarterback for the Buccaneers. Starting, not because Dirk Koetter benched Jameis Winston, as has been the case with many starting quarterbacks around the league, but rather due to injury.
The original plan was to have Winston sit out for two weeks, reevaluate him, and see if he can return. Well, this week is that second week.
Personally, I didn’t think we would see him suit up against the Falcons this coming Sunday. This was confirmed on Monday.
Regardless of when he returns, there will come a time when the Bucs will have to make a decision of whether or not to go back to Winston as the starting quarterback or whether to roll with Fitzpatrick under center.
Even still, the conversations both nationally and among local fans has already turned to this topic. Perhaps there is a good argument that could be made as to why you would stay with Fitzpatrick even if Jameis is ready to return.
The Bucs are 2-0 with Ryan Fitzpatrick after starting 2-6 with Jameis Winston. Interesting.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 19, 2017
But for those of us who can look beyond a few simple stat lines and see the context, we know that while Fitzpatrick has done better than anyone expected him to in his role as a back up quarterback, he isn’t the long term solution.
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There is a lot of to like about Fitzpatrick.
Most notably, his first games as the starting quarterback have been wins. Not to mention the 33 point rally he led the offense on in the second half of the Arizona game this year. It’s a valid point and hard to argue. Except to say that this has only been two games against teams are not generally thought of as “good” teams this year. And top this fact off with a defense performing vastly different in the second half of the season.
#Bucs D gave up 15 PPG for Fitz's 2 games.
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) November 20, 2017
In Winston's 6 losses, same D gave up 28 PPG.
It's easier to oversimplify, though. https://t.co/rS025B0EIW
There is also this air of calm he brings to the offense, no matter what is going on. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it, but even in the stands, you kind of get this peaceful feeling when Fitzpatrick is on the field.
Even the television announcers discussed it during Sunday’s game. When asked about this very thing, Demar Dotson said,
"“He’s just a calm, cool guy. He’s like that old, cool, you know…granddad.”"
This is a quality I really hope rubs off on Winston.
Truthfully, as a fan, as long as the starter is out, I’m perfectly happy to keep going with Fitzpatrick. Although I am very curious to see what Ryan Griffin can do if given the opportunity. And as a fan, I want Winston out for as long as it take for his shoulder to completely heal.
Winston or Fitzpatrick?
The only question to ask as to whether or not the Buccaneers start Winston or Fitzpatrick (or Griffin) is, “Is Jameis 100% good to go?” If the answer is “no,” then go with Fitzpatrick. But if it is “Yes,” then by all means, Jameis Winston is the starting quarterback.
The truth is the Bucs offense, between the two quarterbacks, isn’t very different. They aren’t putting up that many more yards with Fitzpatrick, in fact less.
They aren’t committing fewer turnovers with Fitzpatrick, in fact more. And most importantly, they aren’t putting up that many more points with Fitzpatrick.
If Winston truly is the future of this franchise, then the best thing is to have him out on the field, taking reps, and therefore taking the steps to becoming the calm and cool guy in the huddle.
Do you want to know how he’s going to solve those deep ball accuracy issues? By getting out there and throwing a bunch of them. You want to know how he’s going to learn how to read defenses and not getting thrown off his play? By getting out there and facing them. You want to know how Winston is going to become that calm, cool, ice-in-his-veins quarterback we all know he can be? By putting him out there and letting him mature through the game.
And when is the best time for Jameis to do all of his “learning?” Now. Right now. Once his shoulder is 100% healed. And until then, we’ll go with Fitzpatrick. Or Griffin.
If you’d like to hear more of this discussion, be sure to check out the PewterCast’s InstantCast show for this week where several callers brought up the topic. Available on all major podcasting apps.