Fitzpatrick gets vote of confidence from Todd Bowles
After a 20-7 win on Monday night against the Colts, the New York Jets are 2-0 and it seems that for now Ryan Fitzpatrick has secured the starting job.
“Ryan’s our starting quarterback right now,” Head Coach Todd Bowles said on Tuesday “We’re going good. We have a good chemistry right now.”
Fitzpatrick has been solid for the Jets during the first two games. He is 37 for 58 (63.8%), 4 TDs, 2 INT, and a 94.3 passer rating. The New York Jets have been desperate for quality QB play in recent years and with the absence of Geno Smith who is out with a broken Jaw until at least week 4, Fitzpatrick has taken the job and ran with it.
After being drafted in the seventh round by the Rams in 2005, the Jets are his sixth stop in his up and down NFL Career. Fitzpatrick feels comfortable in Chan Gailey’s offense, he looks poised in the pocket and seems to have a great feel for the game. Fitz is no stranger to Gailey’s offense. Gailey was the Offensive Coordinator for the bills and Fitzpatrick was the starting Quarterback in 2009-2012.
Geno Smith has started light throwing but it is clear that Todd Bowles does not want to mess with the team’s chemistry and it’s the right move for Fitzpatrick to keep him as the starter, even with Smith’s looming return. This is a stark contrast to the Rex Ryan era where controversy was constant in the Jets locker room, Bowles means business and he is going to do what is right for the team.
Next up for the Jets are the struggling Eagles in the Meadowlands on Sunday. With Decker not playing and slot WR Chris Owusu most likely out, Fitz will need to look at other targets. The Jets are deep at WR and Jeremy Kerley, who has been the team’s third WR the last few seasons and will get a lot of snaps due to these injuries. Expect another solid performance from Fitzpatrick this week as the Eagles secondary gives up big plays often.
