While the journeyman tag is true, New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick can most certainly make the Pro Bowl in 2016.
If somebody lined up all four New York Jets quarterbacks and asked them to make every throw on the field, there’d be one guy who didn’t quite match-up with the rest.It’s not rookie Christian Hackenberg, the man with the golden arm. It’s not Bryce Petty, who can sling it with the best of them. It’s not even Geno Smith, whose arm is as solid as an arm can come.
The man who’d lag behind the other three in terms of raw throwing talent would be Ryan Fitzpatrick.
It’s not even close, either.
When watching these four partake in QB drills in Florham Park, NJ, Fitz is always the one who displays the weakest arm. His balls flutter, quack and straight up die in the air. Despite his unfortunate arm strength, he’s the bonafide offensive leader at age 33 and is coming off a career year.
The question for today, is, “Why couldn’t Fitz be Pro Bowl bound in 2016?”
We’ll use this ESNY page to navigate through the reasons for why Fitz can easily find himself Pro Bowl bound this upcoming season:
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Year Two For The System
Those who carelessly cursed the day Ryan Fitzpatrick ever held out for more money simply just don’t get it. They don’t understand that NFL teams can’t just plug and play and expect everything to be OK.
If the Jets decided to snub Fitz in favor of Geno Smith, this offense would have essentially been starting all over again.
RELATED: Jets Fans Need A History Lesson Regarding Fitzpatrick
This would have meant Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker having to get comfortable with a new passer. It would have meant Chan Gailey becoming comfortable over the first few games in becoming more familiar with Geno and how to adjust while in-game.
With Fitz back, all of that is nullified. Instead, this offense that turned out to be the Jets most prolific in history (370.3 yards per game) – will now build on that first season and carry it into year two.
It’s a good thing it worked this way. Have you checked out the Jets first six games? Brutal.
NEXT: A New Age
This Is A New NFL
Back in the day, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis did have it right. He loved the strong arm QB who can chuck it a mile.
That was then.
Today’s game puts places far less importance on arm strength. Instead, what’s between the ears matters most.
Thanks, in part, to every rule change hurting the defense and helping the offense, teams can use quarterbacks who bring a water pistol to the party. Becuase defensive backs can’t touch weapons, these quarterbacks can literally dominate by dinking and dunking all the way down the field. Just look north to New England and Tom Brady for evidence of that.
The reason Fitzpatrick is the Jets best option – despite his relatively weak arm – is because he identifies and takes advantage of pre-snap matchups.
NEXT: Vinny Part Deux
History Tells A Story
An NFL journeyman threw 175 touchdowns to 183 interceptions his first 11 seasons in the league. That was, until, he came to the New York Jets, tossed 29 TDs, led Gang Green to the AFC Championship Game, and was named to the Pro Bowl.
This journeyman’s name was Vinny Testaverde. He came to the Jets in 1998 and, despite a poor history, found a home in New York where everything fit and finished his career on a high note.
This story closely resembles the one surrounding Ryan Fitzpatrick – the man who broke Vinny’s single-season record of 29 TD passes.
Sometimes, the perfect fit means the world for a veteran who always wound up in the wrong spot.
NEXT: Wrap It Up
Final Thoughts
In either case, Fitz’s numbers as the bonafide starter in his career aren’t terrible. Here are the numbers when he enters the season as the starting QB:
- 2010 BUF: 13 G, 23 TD, 15 INT, 3000 YDS
- 2011 BUF: 16 G, 24 TD, 23 INT, 3832 YDS
- 2012 BUF: 16 G, 24 TD, 16 INT, 3400 YDS
- 2014 HOU: 12 G, 17 TD, 8 INT, 2483 YDS
- 2015 NYJ: 16 G, 31 TD, 15 INT, 3905 YDS
- TOTAL: 73 G, 119 TD, 77 INT, 16620 YDS
These numbers, unfortunately for the franchise, would literally make him the third or second best signal caller in franchise history.
Admittedly, much of the case for Fitz making his first Pro Bowl in 2016 surrounds how often injury replacements play in the game. Still, though, if he surpasses his total of 31 TDs a season ago, a legitimate case can be made.
The weapons around him have improved with rookies Jalin Marshall and Robby Anderson. Matt Forte brings a little extra to the party. And while the right side of the line is extremely sore, the second straight season under Gailey can only help matters.
What’s working against him is the brutal schedule he’ll face. It’s in stark contrast to the cupcakes Fitz faced in 2015.
He isn’t a stud. He isn’t a franchise guy. That doesn’t mean he can’t come up with another gem of a season.
Watch out, for Ryan Fitzpatrick can be Pro Bowl bound in 2016.