In 2018, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open the season with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. The University of Harvard product will have his work cut out for him this season. The first three games of the year are against playoff caliber teams in the Saints, Eagles, and Steelers. Let’s all hope there is a little Fitzmagic left in that veteran arm.
Fitzpatrick will be entering his 14th season. He has spent time with the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, and currently the Buccaneers. His best years came while he was a member of the New York Jets. Fitzpatrick threw for over 5,000 yards and over 43 touchdowns in his two seasons in New York. He even held out for a bigger contract due to the success the Jets were experiencing with him under center. The numbers are eye-popping for Fitzpatrick. He will go over the 27,000 yard mark this season. He has also thrown for 173 touchdowns and 136 interceptions. If he doesn’t turn the ball over the Buccaneers will benefit from the high intelligence that Fitzpatrick possesses.
The Buccaneers need a veteran running this high-powered offense. Fitzpatrick is our guy. Tampa Bay had a chance to let him walk, but they brought him back for good reason. They have wide receivers that are some of the best the NFL has to offer and a new toy in the backfield in Ronald Jones II. The offensive line has to be better and give Fitzpatrick time to throw. If they can do that Fitzpatrick will be able to put up Pro Bowl like numbers for the Buccaneers.
It has been a whirlwind off-season, but Fitzpatrick is our guy. He isn’t Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, or Aaron Rodgers, but he is our quarterback. The Buccaneers have the defense to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard, which gives Fitzpatrick an excellent opportunity to win games. Let’s hope we can sneak out of there with a 2-1 record, but all hope will not be lost if we happen to start 0-3. We need to come together and support our beloved Buccaneers now more than ever!
