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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Spring break is just around the corner for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are not only trying to get used to Jameis Winston's recovery in training, but need to find a way to repair defense. who flees.
Head Coach Dirk Koetter officially announced Monday that Winston will start his team's next game in Atlanta on Oct. 14.
The No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft failed the first three games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's personal behavior policy.
Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first player in the history of the league to throw more than 400 yards in three straight games, while leading the Bucs to a 2-2 start in the absence of Winston.
The show & # 39; FitzMagic & # 39; It's interrupted last Sunday when Tampa Bay lost 35 points behind Chicago. Winston played all the second half of the 48-10 loss.
"Fitz did not play as well as he did, but it was a 100% team affair," said Koetter, recalling that the Bucs were upgraded to each phase of the match.
"At the same time, Jameis Winston is the guy who will be here much longer than me," added the coach. & # 39; & # 39; He must play and he will do it unless he is hurt. & # 39; & # 39;
Meanwhile, Koetter stressed that he had no intention of doing so: dismiss defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
The Bucs allowed 139 points, a top in the NFL, and ranked near the bottom of the league in defense against the passes.
& # 39; & # 39; For those who think snap their fingers and change coordinator to the quarter of the season, OK, what would you do next? If we sent Mike Smith back, what would be the next decision? "Said Koetter.
& # 39; & # 39; Change of a person, when we had problems at all levels (Sunday). … We coaches need to coach better. It starts with me, "added Koetter. & # 39; & # 39; But Mike Smith did not miss any tackle. He did not rush the smuggler. He did not blow up any blankets. He had no communication errors. & # 39; & # 39;
The decision to launch Winston against the Falcons has been mainly contemplated since Koetter learned in late June that Winston would miss the first three games "unless we play badly in the way or in the weakest way possible ((Sunday). & # 39; & # 39;
The coach reiterated that Fitzpatrick, who has played for seven teams in a 14-year career, has performed well to replace Winston.
& # 39; & # 39; We brought Fitz here two years ago to be a mentor to Jameis and a guy who could replace this one if Jameis was hurt. Both times we asked him to play. After three straight games last year, he lost 2-1 and four games to 2-2 this year, Koetter said. & Work well done. In fact, excellent. I think that any league team would accept that. & # 39; & # 39;
Fitzpatrick, 35, said he understood the move.
& # 39; & # 39; What I told my father after week 1, and weeks 2 and 3, was basically … or I will win the NFL's most valuable player this year, or I will be back on the bench. That's the reality of the situation, said Fitzpatrick, who had 1,366 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
& # 39; & # 39; This is not something I necessarily wanted to hear. … but Jameis is back, "Fitzpatrick added. & # 39; & # 39; Jameis is the guy. He is the face of the franchise. He will do a great job. & # 39; & # 39;
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