Fansided

DeSean Jackson is a fan of keeping the Fitzmagic going

By Brad Washington

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson thinks taking quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick out once Jamies Winston returns will be a costly mistake.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently 2-0, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing at a high level. The 14th year quarterback has connected on 78.7% of his passes for 819 yards, to go along with eight touchdowns and one interception. The play of Fitzpatrick has caught the eye of Bucs wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who told NFL Network, for now, Fitzpatrick is their guy. Bucs starting quarterback Jamies Winston is out through next week as he serves the final game of his league-mandated three-game suspension. Per Jackson, it’s best the Bucs continue to ride the hot hand.

"“He’s playing on fire right now,” Jackson said of Fitzpatrick. “With the way the team is rallying behind him and just playing lights-out football, you have to kind of honor it. You can’t take the hot man out. You got the hot fire right now. It’s like NBA Jam. We used to play NBA Jam — whoever got that hot fire shot, you got to keep shooting, man. It’s not my decision but I’m sure Dirk and coach Monken and the guys that make those calls, they’ll make sure they stay on fire until that fire is out. We’re going to stay on fire. That’s our job, to stay on fire and that’s what we’re going to do.”"

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Human nature would suggest Winston isn’t exactly fond of the team performing well, but he can’t argue the facts: Fitzgerald is on fire. It would be foolish to insert Winston in for week 4 if the Buccaneers are winning while Fitzpatrick is in the lineup. As Jackson implied, it would be like depriving the hot hand on NBA Jam. If you want to win, it’s best that the Bucs let Fitzpatrick shoot until he can’t any longer.

Although not the same exact scenario, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick famously stuck with his hot hand at the time Tom Brady, instead of going back to his franchise quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. The move of course forever changed NFL history and perhaps how coaches evaluate situations. In the Bucs case, they must put the flow of the team ahead of what’s right according to the status quo. Sure, on paper, Winston is the far better candidate in terms of value and physical attributes.

But Fitzpatrick is giving the Bucs balance that they need, and it’s best for the Bucs to continue to ride his wave.

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