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Mark LoMoglio / Associated Press
The "Fitzmagic" is not gone, nor should it be removed from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers range anytime soon.
How fast everyone forgets.
A half-bad is all that it took for the public opinion to turn against Ryan Fitzpatrick despite the fact that he was named offensive player of the NFC week for the first two weeks of the 2018 season.
Although, a return of nearly the second half made everyone believe.
Even in a 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday at the Raymond James Stadium, the 35-year-old solidified as a quarterback for the Buccaneers, despite the imminent return of Jameis Winston.
"We will worry when the time comes," said Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter on Monday. Tampa Bay Times& # 39; Martin Fennelly.
The time has come since the suspension of three Winston games for violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy ends Tuesday. Koetter can not seriously consider the idea of replacing Fitzpatrick after he became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to win 400 yards or more in three straight games. The 14-year-old veteran only needs another 400-yard game to pit Dan Marino and Peyton Manning for the most games in a season, according to NFL Search.
"If Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, whoever he is, play in the light, I do not think it's right for the moment to say," Yes, automatically, [Jameis] will be the guy, "said General Manager Jason Licht a week before the start of the regular season, by Illustrated SportsMichael Shapiro.
Will Buccaneers adhere to this philosophy? They should.
Even in a misinterpreted and turnover-prone match, Tampa Bay rallied to its veteran flagman and almost had the erasure to clear a 20-point gap at half-time. Fitzpatrick completed 19 of 29 passes in the second half as the Bucs took 17 unanswered three-pointers to attack Pittsburgh.
Fitzpatrick's performance in the first period was not as bad as the one described. His three interceptions will be scrutinized – in an unfortunate attempt to rationalize the argument that Winston should start on his return – even though none of them are squarely in the quarter game.
All three took place on consecutive second quarter records.
Pittsburgh linebacker Jon Bostic was the first to advance and Mike Hilton took the turn to stop the Buccaneers in the red zone, as below:
NFL @NFL
TIPPED.
SELECTED!Huge INT for @Steelers in the red zone. #And it's gone
PIT: #PITvsTB on ESPN https://t.co/IP2PcAtiZ7
A break in protection allowed a free runner at the shift post. The right tackle Demar Dotson has not slipped his protection against the outside threat. Instead, he locked up T.J. Watt. Fitzpatrick tried to beat the blitz by throwing behind him, only to ricochet his pass to Bostic's helmet.
The second mistake seems to be poor communication between the quarterback and his target, Mike Evans:
NFL @NFL
Another @Steelers INT!
This time, the rookie @ rell_island6 offers the choice. #And it's gone
PIT: #PITvsTB on ESPN https://t.co/C9Pj1Ezlzh
Evans slowed down his course and tried to sit in the Steelers Zone's coverage area, while Fitzpatrick was waiting for the 6 "receiver to continue running between linebacker and security.
The third interception was a backbreaker, while linebacker Bud Dupree made the ball 10 yards for a touchdown:
NFL @NFL
PICK-6! ?
Interception # 3 for the defense of @Steelers! #And it's gone
PIT: #PITvsTB on ESPN https://t.co/8ks7mxFjU6
The nose tackle Daniel McCullers exerted pressure and placed his gigantic paw in the direction of Fitzpatrick's throwing motion, causing the ball to sail despite a receiver open underneath.
So many things are placed on the quarterback, even though it's not the problem.
For example, Fitzpatrick can not be blamed for losing two potential touchdowns, like Chris Godwin. The sophomore also lost a fumble. Godwin finished the contest with five receptions, 74 yards and one touchdown, but his mistakes left too many points on the court and led directly to seven Steelers points.
In addition, 27 points and 455 total offensive yards should be more than enough to win. Instead, the Buccaneers dropped to 2-1 overall because the defense made 413 yards total and could not get a late save.
After all, Fitzpatrick did not attempt to attack the narrow wing of Vance McDonald in truck and give up a 75 yard touchdown. Chris Conte suffered from this embarrassment and left the game with a injured knee.
The quarterback showed his leadership qualities during his post-match press conference.
"Three interceptions on me – I can not get them – hard to win a match like that," Fitzpatrick told reporters. "We obviously dug a big hole in there, and what's great for me coming out of this game is the confidence in the group in the second half, and the guys do not change back and win the game. . "
Although the Buccaneers, especially Fitzpatrick, fell flat on their faces, his previous performances created enough goodwill to contain the former starter.
Before Monday, a quarter of Buccaneers led the league with 819 passing yards, 13.4 yards per attempt and a rating of 151.5. He is still the league's best passer with 1,230 yards through three games, and the Buccaneers feature the No. 1 NFL attack.
How good is Winston or how ready is he for another occasion?– and he looks great, according to quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr .:
George Whitfield Jr. @georgewhitfield
3.5 weeks of tireless preparation by Jameis Winston have come to an end. I know how excited he is to join his teammates and coaches. #Buccaneers @Jaboowins https://t.co/vrS39riatn
The Buccaneers are Fitzpatrick's team at the moment.
"He's playing on fire now," wide receiver DeSean Jackson said last week, by the Washington Times& # 39; Matthew Paras. "With the way the team rallies behind him and just plays football, you have to somehow honor him, you can not keep the man warm, you have the hot fire right now."
Nothing has changed. Fitzpatrick remains the warm hand despite some slippage in the first half. Winston may be ready to play, but he must recover the confidence of his teammates after seeing what his replacement-starter has accomplished.
Koetter has not made an immediate decision about the starting quarterback of Tampa Bay Week 4, although the right decision is obvious.
"Let's see what happens," said Koetter, by the Tampa Bay Times& # 39; Rick Stroud. "I would love to have the chance to talk to Jameis [Winston] face to face before telling the rest of the world. "
The defense of the Chicago Bears will not be so lenient, but Fitzpatrick could have a little something in his sleeve.
As a British author J. B. Priestley once said, "I've always been thrilled at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, a fresh start, with maybe some magic waiting somewhere behind the morning."
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for the whitener report. Follow him on Twitter: @brentsobleski.
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