New York Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had some choice words for his team’s brass after the veteran relieved injured signal-caller Geno Smith in a 24-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens that snapped a four-game losing streak.
“The biggest thing in this game in order to last is to have belief in yourself,” Fitzpatrick said to reporters after the game. “Because when the owner stops believing in you and the [general manager] stops believing in you and the coaches stop believing in you, sometimes all you have is yourself. That’s something that I’ve had to deal with before. That’s something I’m dealing with now.”
Many in the media took issue with his comments, thinking that since he is a member of a team; his comments cannot be beneficial.
But does Fitz have a valid point?
Many look at the QB’s league-high 11 interceptions as the reason for the sluggishness of the Jets’ offense. But in examining the situation, this is not all on the play of the quarterback.
This offensive line hasn’t done a good job of protecting the quarterback, allowing 15 sacks in seven games. As well, ineffective blocking for the run game has has reduced it’s success and created an unbalanced attack.
Head coach Todd Bowles and his staff’s quarterback-waffling may have been an indication of the organization looking for a spark. They may well have gotten this in the form of a ticked-off, 33-year-old quarterback that appeared to be left for dead.
“I probably play better as an underdog pissed off,” Fitzpatrick said. “So going forward, yeah, I’ll be pissed off.”