THE SHOE STILL FITZ!
Despite four losses in last five games, Jets stick with Ryan at QB
Any doubts Jets have about Ryan Fitzpatrick quickly disappear as coach Todd Bowles says he has no plans to make a switch at QB.
TODD BOWLES is sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick.
A day after Bowles wouldn’t definitively say who his quarterback would be for the Jets’ game against the Dolphins on Sunday, the head coach said it was still the veteran’s job. The coach said there was “not much” discussion about the matter.
Despite losing four of their last five games, including Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Texans, it was always unlikely that the Jets would make a quarterback move at this point. On Monday, Bowles was honest but supportive in his assessment of Fitzpatrick, who has started all of the Jets’ games this season.
“I think Ryan made some good throws. I thought he made some bad ones as well,” Bowles said. “But you don’t give up on a quarterback just like that, because overall what he’s done this year, he still proved he can do that going forward.”
Bowles was asked if Fitzpatrick has a shorter leash now.
“No, he’s the starting quarterback,” the coach said.
Fitzpatrick recognized that he hasn’t played well recently, but also expressed confidence in his ability to turn the Jets’ season around.
“I think at this point in my career, I’ve learned a ton in all the different situations I’ve been in,” Fitzpatrick said Monday. “I have no problem shouldering any blame that gets thrown my way and all the blame that I deserve and don’t deserve. And I think I’m the right guy to get this going back in the right direction.”
The journeyman quarterback started the season playing well but has regressed in recent weeks back toward his career norms. The veteran QB threw two crucial interceptions in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, stymieing the Jets’ chances at a comeback against the Texans.
“I didn’t make enough throws or plays to put us in a good position to win,” Fitzpatrick said. “I need to do a better job.”
And the quarterback recognized that he has played at a lower level for the last couple of games. His quarterback rating
I think at this point in my career, I’ve learned a ton in all the different situations I’ve been in ... And I think I’m the right guy to get this going
back in the right direction.
RYAN FITZPATRICK
is down to 81.5 on the season and he has completed 58.4% of his passes this year.
“I haven’t played well the last few games,” he said.
The Jets loss to the Texans dropped them to 5-5. They almost looked like shooins for the playoffs after their 4-1 start but now they are looking at tough odds after falling behind the Steelers, Bills, Texans and Chiefs in the wild card standings.
“Unfortunately and fortunately I’ve got a lot of experience in playing for teams that have been in this situation,” Fitzpatrick said. “You know, where we’ve lost a few games and now we’ve got to stay the course. We’ve got to right the ship.”
Fitzpatrick also responded to criticism from Texans safety Andre Hal, who picked off the Jets’ QB in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s contest. Hal, via the Houston Chronicle, said on tape they saw Fitzpatrick stare receivers down and that helped him nab his interception.
“I just kind of laugh at it,” Fitzpatrick said. “I mean, I don’t think you make it 11 years in the league by doing that.”
Though there are questions about Fitzpatrick after a couple of shaky games, D’Brickashaw Ferguson said the team’s belief in their quarterback has been unwavering.
“That’s never been a question,” Ferguson said. “He’s definitely our leader.”