Who Should Tampa Bay Start And Move Forward With?

By: Parnell Saint-Preux

Ryan Fitzpatrick or better known as new nick-name “Fitzmagic” came to an end as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the score of 30-27. Fitzpatrick finished the game with another 400-yard performance 3 TD’S and 3 INT’S.

At halftime, Buccaneers were trailing 30-10 before scoring 14 unanswered points. With 11:06 left in the 4th quarter, Fitzpatrick connected on a 4-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin and subsequently a 36-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans, with 5:43 remaining. Evans also finished the game with 6 receptions, 137 yards, and a TD.

So far, Fitzpatrick is performing at a level most critics did not anticipate. In three consecutive games, Fitzpatrick became the first player in NFL history to throw for over 400 yards. If Fitzpatrick replicates another 400-yard passing performance, he will tie both Dan Marino and Peyton Manning’s record for most games with 400 + passing yards in a season.

Ultimately, the Buccaneers need to make a decision by giving Fitzpatrick another opportunity to start or handing the job back to Jameis Winston.

Winston is back after serving a 3 game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy by allegedly groping an Uber female driver, going back to March of 2016.

Buccaneers head coach, Dirk Koetter has not made a decision on who will be starting quarterback for the Buccaneers upcoming game against the Chicago Bears.

“I hope everyone can appreciate that it doesn’t do us any good to tell our opponents what we’re going to do,” the coach said Tuesday, per Jenna Laine of ESPN. “So that will work itself out as the week goes on. But we do have a plan and both guys are aware of it.”

As well as Koetter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jason Licht said it would not be a guarantee Winston would the immediate once he comes back.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say right now that he’s going to be the guy,” Licht said on the WFLA broadcast of the Bucs preseason game Thursday night, per ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine.

“[If] Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, whoever it is, is playing lights out, I don’t think it’s fair right now just to say, ‘Yes, automatically, [Jameis] is going to be the guy,'” he added. “Now, he may be. Dirk and I—Dirk in particular—he’s got some time to think about that.”

Koetter is stuck in a dilemma on who should be the starting quarterback this Sunday. Although Fitzpatrick has had exceptional moments with the New York Jets in 2015 which he threw for 31 TD’S and 15 INT’S, along other moments with Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. Nonetheless, his record as a starter is 50-70-1 with zero playoff experiences.

On the other hand, Winston’s record is 18-27 as the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers since 2015.

Winston has dealt with numerous off-the-field issues, going back to his days at Florida State. In December of 2012, Winston was accused of raping a former female student, followed by in 2014 being issued a citation for shoplifting crab legs and in that same year being suspended one game against Clemson for jumping on a table and making offensive remarks.

Buccaneers have picked up Winston’s 5th-year option, which will give Winston $20.9 million.

Last year, Buccaneers had huge expectations to challenge the NFC South and be a legitimate contender in the NFC. Winston was also facing huge expectations to elevate towards elite status. Buccaneers spent their due-diligence in the off-season by acquiring Pro-Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson and drafting mid 1st round pick O.J. Howard, from Alabama, to compliment Evans and tight end Cameron Brate.

Yet, Winston failed to those expectations and the Buccaneers finished 5-11.

After serving his suspension, Winston was asked on he would deal with being the potential back-up to Fitzpatrick, as well as his support for Fitzpatrick.

“The most important thing is the success we are having,” said Winston. “I’m just happy to be back, man. I’m happy that I can be a part of that. I’m not watching from a distance. I can be here with my teammates” per ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine.

“I’ve seen the beards. When a guy throws for 400 yards three games in a row, you’ve got to love that. And as a community, we’ve gotta get behind this team, because when we’re winning, when things are going good, we’ve gotta capitalize on that,” Winston said, per ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine.

It’s still early in the season and the Buccaneers need to make a decision sooner than later,. Either they want the 35-year-old Fitzpatrick from Harvard or do they want to go with the 4th year quarterback from Florida State along with serious off-the-field baggage?