New York Jets: Should fans be confident in Ryan Fitzpatrick?

If you’re a fan of the New York Jets, are you confident in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick? He can write programming code, speak Spanish and solve a Rubik’s Cube in 90 seconds, but can Fitzpatrick solve the Jets’ quarterback conundrum?

There’s nothing to suggest really since Fitzpatrick will significantly alter the Jets’ future from what might have been with Geno Smith at starter. Sure, Fitzpatrick has a positive TD to INT ratio, but it’s not by much (123-101). He’s 33-55-1 with a 60.2 completion percentage.

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He’s at best a middle of the pack, maybe slightly higher than average option at quarterback. A game manager is what fans should look for, not a game changer.

Fitzpatrick will have great moments as a Jet, he’s got a reliable receiving corps and a solid running game to boot.

With a familiar system under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who Fitpatrick played for in Buffalo, Fitzpatrick has all the tools to have spectacular moments. But he’s been in the league for 10 years posting his best season last year ending with a broken leg after going 6-6 for the Houston Texans.

I’ll go as far as to say fans can trust Fitzpatrick to manage the game and do a decent job keeping the opposing offense off the field at a consistent rate not seen with Smith under center. Through 12 games last season, Fitzpatrick posted 17 TDs to eight INTs, with just under 2,500 yards and three fumbles.

Smith posted 13 TDs to 13 INTs with just over 2,500 yards and three fumbles through 14 games. The difference isn’t overwhelmingly in Fitzpatrick’s favor and we’re yet to see what Smith can do with this offense, and that again was Fitzpatrick best 12-game stretch to date.

I can’t believe Smith doesn’t have the potential to eclipse those numbers with this offense. There’s plenty of tape available for teams to dissect the Fitzpatrick-Gailey offensive scheme, Smith under the same system is an unknown that may have produced better results.

So yes, be confident that Fitzpatrick will be average, but don’t think he gives the Jets a significantly better chance at making the NFL Playoffs than Smith does. A lot still hinges on how well the defense plays, regardless of who starts at quarterback.

If Fitzpatrick was such the upgrade many analysts and fans claim him to be, I have to believe the coaching staff would have seen that as well; no one has truly stepped up to say Fitzpatrick deserves the job more.

Next: New York Jets: Mike Maccagnan discusses Geno Smith

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