DeSean Jackson Says Buccaneers Will Run With Ryan Fitzpatrick While He’s The Hot Hand

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Sep 18, 2018

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receive DeSean Jackson said the team can't take out the red hot Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Sep 16, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) drop back against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a shocking 2-0 start, thanks to a pair of unbelievable 400-yard games from veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Tampa Bay was a popular pick to finish as the NFL's worst team in 2018, due in large part to the three-game suspension of starting quarterback Jameis Winston. But Fitzpatrick has come out of nowhere to lead his team to a surging start, dropping 819 passing yards and eight touchdowns against just one interception.

The Buccaneers aren't beating up on slouch teams, either. They upset the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 1, then took down the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

Though some may believe that Winston should take the field once his suspension ends, Bucs' wideout DeSean Jackson suggests Tampa stick with the surging Fitzpatrick while he's hot.

"He's been on fire right now. With the way the team is rallying behind him and just playing lights-out football, you have to kind of honor it," Jackson said on NFL Network to Scott Hanson and Willie McGinest on Monday.

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"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's got that hot fire shot, you got to keep shooting, man...the guys that make those calls, they'll make sure they stay on fire until that fire is out."

Fitzpatrick won't be tossing 400 yard games all season log, but he's been a near-perfect fit in the Tampa Bay offense thus far. Keeping in mind that he had a Pro Bowl-like season with the New York Jets in 2015 (3,905 passing yards and 31 touchdowns), there's reason to believe Fitzpatrick could maintain this high level throughout 2018.

Tampa Bay's schedule will get a little bit tougher down the stretch, however. They host a desperate and angry Pittsburgh Steelers team on Monday Night Football in Week 3, before visiting Khalil Mack and the dangerous-looking Chicago Bears in Week 4. After their early season bye, Tampa will visit the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.

Fitzpatrick has given the Tampa coaches an easy decision as to who the starter shall be, even when Winston returns. But it's up to him to keep it going throughout a full season, or else the top pick from 2015 may get his job back.

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