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People act like this is some kind of break for the Jets. I think it might be the opposite . . .
With quarterback Jameis Winston (shoulder) hurt, the Jets will face Ryan Fitzpatrick in Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Some Jets fans are probably celebrating this because Fitz was run out of town, but be careful what you wish for.
First of all, Winston wasn’t playing that well, whether it was shoulder related or skill-set related, he wasn’t having a great season.
So maybe facing him wouldn’t have been an arduous task for Gang Green.
To me, Fitzpatrick is the more dangerous QB foe for the Jets facing Tampa Bay.
For two years, he practiced against the Jets defense in practice. Fitzpatrick, who reportedly recorded the highest Wonderlic IQ score ever, has a tremendous amount of recall in his noggin about the Jets’ defensive scheme.
Todd Bowles downplayed this today.
“It’s a different scheme,” Bowles said. “You’re more playing the scheme than you are the player. He’s familiar with us as well as we are familiar with him. He’s got 52 guys behind him and we’re a different team and have tweaked some things since he’s been gone. It’s a little different for both parties.”
Operative words there – “a little different.” A “little different” means “a lot the same.”
And he also knows the strengths and weaknesses of the Jets’ cover guys better than most.
I know all this stuff is on tape from games, so opponents have a good idea of strengths and weaknesses based on film study.
But when you face guys over the course of two seasons in practice every day, that takes your knowledge and insight to an even higher level.
He knows a ton about Buster Skrine, who is very aggressive and tends to bite on double moves.
He knows that Juston Burris struggles on quick cuts due to stiff hips.
He hasn’t just seen that on game film, but in practice.
He knows Darron Lee struggles covering tight ends, and the Buccaneers are loaded at that position with Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard.
Look, I know Lee has played well in the box the last couple of games, as a blitzer, pass rusher and against the run. He deserves credit from that. But he still has made little or no impact in pass coverage against tight ends. So Brate/Howard against Lee could be something Fitz focuses on.
Look, I’m not putting Fitzpatrick in Canton. We know his shortcomings, including throwing too many picks.
And the Jets, with 10 days to rest, practice and game-plan for this game, have a very good chance at winning this contest, especially if the suspension of WR Mike Evans holds up.
But I actually think Fitzpatrick is a more dangerous QB foe than Winston right now.
And he’s going to be highly-motivated to beat Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, who he felt disrespected by last year, first during his contract hold-out, and then during his benching.
Be careful what you wish for.
November 6, 2107
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