Browns vs. Jets: 5 players to watch on Sunday
By Thomas Moore
Aug 21, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) attempts to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Thanks to IK Enemkpali, the New York Jets will trot out veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter on Sunday against the Browns.
In stops in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Tennessee and Houston, Fitzpatrick has posted the fourth-worst quarterback in league history per winning percentage.
And people want to point at the Browns for having quarterback issues.
“I feel like I’ve gone against Fitzpatrick a bunch,” Browns defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “I was at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 and he was the quarterback at Harvard. I think we went against him eight times when I was with the Jets. I think he can make plays with the ball above his shoulder, and I think he can make plays with the ball below his shoulder when things break down and he has to use his feet.
“He’s an extension, obviously, of their offensive coordinator (Chan Gailey). He knows that system. There was a very effective system when coach Galey was up in Buffalo. He is a hard quarterback to sack, but you have to affect him in more ways than just sacking him”
In a lot of ways, when you hear the Jets talk about Fitzpatrick it sounds very much like the Browns talking about Josh McCown.
“Personally, I think he is in at good place as a quarterback at this stage in his career,” Jets head coach Todd Bowles said. “I think he’s comfortable with who he is and what’s around him. He’s going to take what you give to him. Maybe early on in his career he was trying to force some balls in, but he’s in a good place. He understands the offense pretty well and he’s jelling with everybody.”
See what we mean?
If the Browns defense, especially a secondary that wants to consider itself one of the league’s best, can’t have a big day against Fitzpatrick, it is going to be a long year.
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