IS FITZ ON THE FRITZ?
The man with no name goes to the team with no name. By no name, I mean no identity for the type of player he is. Fitzpatrick might be the most mysterious player in the NFL. The Harvard grad with a near perfect Wonderlic Test score. Or the QB who will drop 6 touchdowns in one game, then throw 5 interceptions the next. Washington has released the reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Alex Smith, while signing journeyman QB Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke almost led Washington to an upset defeat of Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Will there be a QB competition in the nation’s capital?
Flashback to 2016, Ryan Fitzpatrick has led New York to a 10-6 record, but the Jets miss the playoffs. Fitzpatrick then receives a big contract in the off-season. But following a 5-11 season the Jets released Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick then went to Tampa to back up former 1st pick Jameis Winston. But Winston suffered an injury and missed a few games, so it was up to Fitzpatrick to lead the squad.
Fitzpatrick did not play well; he played great. The Bucs started 5-0 and Fitzpatrick threw 4+ TDs in every game of that span. But after a 4 INTs in Week 7, the Bucs benched him for Winston, following that season Fitzpatrick signed with Miami to mentor draft bust Josh Rosen. Fitzpatrick had some flashes at Miami but was benched for Rosen, who played much worse than Fitzpatrick and was released from the team the following season.
When the Dolphins drafted Tua with the 5th pick in the draft, it was expected that Fitzpatrick would be the starter until Tua was ready. But the Dolphins unexpectedly started Tua in Week 3, and they would win three straight games. But in a crucial late season game against the Raiders, Tua would struggle and was benched for Fitzpatrick late in the game. Fitzpatrick had a crazy game-winning drive in which he threw a Hail Mary while having his facemask being pulled down that added fifteen yards to the completion, setting up a Jason Sanders field goal for the win.
Washington had a 7-9 season last year, but taking advantage of a terrible NFC East, made the playoffs as a 4 seed. But their quarterback was Alex Smith, coming off a gruesome leg injury and was a shell of what he used to be. Imagine what Washington with a great defense lead by Defensive Rookie of the Year, Chase Young and an offense with some new additions, including wide receiver Curtis Samuel can accomplish with a proven quarterback. But will we see Fitzmagic, or Fitztragic in DC?
I’d like to see some fitzmagick in DC. He has what it takes but needs to be given time to settle into the QB1 role again.
Depends if they draft a QB or not.
Signing Fitz was a good move with little risk. He’s a perfect stop-gap solution if you couldn’t get someone like Stafford. With their defense and some added weapons on offense, they will be contenders to win the East again.
Depends what Dallas does.