Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped onto the field of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and took the first snap of the Buccaneers 2018-2019 season. That snap began a sequence of events that shocked the entire NFL community.
A few months prior on March 9, 2018, the Buccaneers signed. Fitzpatrick to a one-year contract extension. It’s a great thing the Bucs did. That night Fitzpatrick wasn’t even meant to start, only becoming the starter quarterback after Jameis Winston’s suspension. Winston was dealt a 3 game suspension after being accused of groping a female Uber Driver. With Winston out of the picture for the first 3 games, Tampa Bay needed a quarterback. They looked no further than second-string Ryan Fitzpatrick, the formerly nicknamed FitzTRAGIC stunned the world as he stepped onto the field.
Fitzpatrick would go on to meticulously pick apart the Saints defense. He threw for 417 yards, 4 touchdowns, even rushing 12 times for 36 yards and a touchdown. For his outstanding, community-shaking performance, he obtained a 156.3 passer rating. That performance gave Fitzpatrick a new name, he was no longer FitzTRAGIC… he was now FitzMAGIC.
With Fitzpatrick heading into week 2 back at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, many eyes were watching to see how he would fare against the reigning Super Bowl champions. Fitzpatrick cast aside all the pressure on his shoulder and proved to NFL community that week 1 wasn’t some fluke or some one-time performance. He came out swinging again and picking apart the Super-Bowl champions. Once again, Fitzpatrick broke 400 yards, putting up 402 and scoring 4 more touchdowns. FitzMAGICa had struck again!!
With Fitzmagic putting such a strong performance up many, myself included, have cast doubt on whether or not the Buccaneers should put Winston back in once his suspension is over with. It seems the Buccaneers were just as impressed with FitzMAGIC as the community and announced that Ryan Fitzpatrick would remain at starter in Week 4, thus placing Winston on the bench.
With the season just getting started everyone will be watching closely to see what FitzMAGIC can do. Maybe it’s time for me to update my “All Eyes On” series?
Sources:
– http://www.nfl.com/player/ryanfitzpatrick/2506581/careerstats