“If You Throw It Early, Guys Are Not Really Ready”

September 21st, 2018

DeSean Jackson talks about his star quarterback

DeSean Jackson took media a little bit inside the Buccaneers’ explosive passing offense today at One Buc Palace.

Like offensive linemen have multiple times this week in the locker room, Jackson spoke today about how quickly Ryan Fitzpatrick gets rid of the football. It’s been a big part of why he’s got back-to-back NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.

Jackson said it’s critical to a consistent deep-ball game.

“One thing that’s good about [Fitzpatrick] is he has a good feel for it, dropping back and reading the defenses and, you know, putting the ball where the defenders are not,” Jackson said of Fitzpatrick. “It doesn’t necessarily mean you got to throw the ball 60 yards down the field. He drops back and gets it out of his hand a lot of times like 30 or 40 yards down the field. It really gives you opportunity right when you’re coming out of your break to catch the ball and make guys miss.

“You know, if you throw it early, that’s when guys are not really ready. If you throw it a little later, [defensive backs] have time to adjust and react to the ball. So that’s what he does good.”

Again, this is a consistent theme among Bucs offensive players. They like Fitzpatrick getting rid of that ball early. Of course, nobody says what some fans are thinking, which is ‘earlier than Jameis Winston.”

Fitzpatrick must be in QB heaven. He’s got elite weapons, is very comfortable in the offense, and he’s gotten great pass blocking with an offensive coordinator who likes to air it out. And Fitzpatrick is savvy enough to let it rip early, which reflects his confidence.

Will this fantasy run ever end? Of course it will. Joe just hope that comes when the weather gets cold.

36 Responses to ““If You Throw It Early, Guys Are Not Really Ready””

  1. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Was a general preseason theme as well – every QB getting the ball out a lot faster

    GO BUCS!

  2. AlteredEgo Says:

    So…Fitz will throw a delayed screen on the first play of the game…. 🙂

  3. Godeep66 Says:

    Great reporting Joe. Fitzy over Ditzy all day long.

  4. Blogtalkfootball.com Says:

    Keep up the great reporting, Joe’s! You help keep me informed when the national media is quiet about the Bucs. Sure they have started talking a little more about us, but mostly as to how surprised they all are… which is fine by me.

    Looking forward to a fun, tough game this Monday!

  5. aceinthehole Says:

    Troll Deep, go root for the Browns.

  6. Fartman Says:

    A lot of Jameis’s game seems to me is to hold on to the ball wait for the play to break down, break the pocket and go street ball and do the busted play drill.

  7. Nole4JabooANDdBucs Says:

    And NEW NFL rules that benefit the QB and even the receivers. Not only is this not the same team that was playing the previous years…that caused us to need “weapons for Winston” the rules have changed!

    There is passing success all through the league…it may take awhile before defenses can figure out how to shut down the passing. IT works for us more so than others because we have and have had a passing team under Dirk!

    Go Bucs!

  8. FreeTheSecretWeapon Says:

    I dread loosing JW before his prime years over a guy lucky enough to benefit in his latter years.

    Fitz needs to be wise enough to return the rent a car with a full tank of gas.

    No reason to believe JW cant and wont be just as good when he returns. We loose JW over a one year/few games wonder everyone will hate Fitz and I will hate everyone.

    Never mind Fitz coming back to reality. You people with your expectations need to come back to reality.

  9. Topcoach78 Says:

    And you seem to cant wait for it to end to get your boy back in there lol

  10. Resurrection of Fitz Says:

    I can get use to no longer being 14 points behind. We are balancing the past. Lol

  11. Lord Cornelius Says:

    You literally just have to look at the drop backs and notice we don’t have many deep step drop backs anymore; vs what we ran last year. Especially in the red zone. Re-watch late 2017 and you will see Winston taking deep drops from the 10 yard line; vs the type of short drop / quick slant play we saw to Mike Evans on that red zone TD for example.

    QB has to execute but this seems like a pretty obvious difference in philosophical approach.

    The O-line also executed very well on the few red zone scores we have; versus commiting a holding penalty or letting a DE run completely free as we saw in a lot of red zone trips last year

  12. Loyaltotheend Says:

    It’s never cold in Florida

  13. NewTampaChris Says:

    The other key issue is that Fitz has been extremely accurate. I criticized him here during the preseason for having a really inaccurate game. But he’s been right on the money on almost every throw thru 2 games. As we learned against Drew Brees, that is really difficult to defend.

  14. Nole4JabooANDdBucs Says:

    Beware a lot of ball ahead…especially if we make it to the playoffs.
    .we need all hands on deck

  15. Pittmans Biceps Says:

    “You people with your expectations need to come back to reality.”

    Reality:
    – 48 of 61 (78.7%); 8 TDs, 1 INT (not his fault)
    – top QBR in the league (95.6)
    – back-to-back NFC Player of the Week
    – universally loved by coaches, teammates, and fanbase
    – most importantly: 2-0

  16. Slugglife Says:

    Some fan bases just can’t handle winning. You’d think this team was 0-2 the way people want an immediate QB change in week 4.

  17. Lord Cornelius Says:

    “Slugglife Says:
    September 21st, 2018 at 2:58 pm
    Some fan bases just can’t handle winning. You’d think this team was 0-2 the way people want an immediate QB change in week 4.”

    As a historical Winston homer / defender I am more amped for this season and more happy right now about this team than at any point in recent memory.

    I just want to win!! Go Bucs!!

  18. OneBucPerson Says:

    “Slugglife Says:
    September 21st, 2018 at 2:58 pm
    Some fan bases just can’t handle winning. You’d think this team was 0-2 the way people want an immediate QB change in week 4.”

    I see no reason to rush Jameis back into the starting rotation on a short week against a very good defense, the way Fitz is playing we might as well roll with him the rest of September. However, given that Week 5 is our Bye Week I would like to see Jameis back as the starter for Week 6 against Atlanta. They’re down 2 of their best defenders so I think that would be the perfect opportunity for Jameis to shake the rust off.

  19. FreeTheSecretWeapon Says:

    Clearly my critics are splitting hairs and missing my point.

    JW aint my boy either.

    He is OUR BOY!!!

    How many back ups in this league are capable of winning games??? Exactly ALL OF THEM…

    HMMMMM, maybe all the teams play theyre back ups too…

    You cant afford to mortgage your future ever no matter what… And if your gonna stay with the hot hand which you should, your gonna risk losing your future.

    Fitz on the bench as BACK TO BACK TO BACK Player of the week awards and 3-0 is the best case scenario to bring JW back with… The pressure will be squarely on his shoulders to perform NOW… If he doesn’t than you have your answer for the short and long term… You bring Fitz back in… Seeimgs how we can expect this reality to continue forever…

  20. GhostofSchiano Says:

    …….” the Buccaneers’ explosive passing offense “…

    Still trying to get used to this statement.

    #Keepitgoing

    #Beatthesteelers

  21. Slugglife Says:

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Jameis. I just want these guys to win this division and make the damn playoffs for a change. I want to see the stadium filled with Bucs fans, not play away games in Tampa.

    I don’t care who is the QB. 5-11 seasons ain’t cutting it anymore. Yes, he’s the future. Now he can play backup until his number is called. That’s what happens when your a big boy and do dumb sht. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

    That being said, go Fitz. Make it three in a row. This is a good problem to have.

  22. Slugglife Says:

    FTSW

    Those other teams didn’t have a man child suspended for conduct violations, thus no need to play their backup. In the end, it’s all business man. Winning puts asses in seats. Not catering to one player to the detriment of the team. AND And so what if Fitz is 36? How old is Brady? It’s been widely chronicled that QBs can win Super Bowls past the age of 30. Team chemistry is hard to build and when you have it, you ride it.

    No hard feelings. We disagree. Again, we have a good problem. Two good QBs. Lose one and all is not over.

  23. unbelievable Says:

    @Lord Corn – 100%

    Everyone on the offense, every QB, every WR, looked much better this year in preseason and it has carried over into the regular season. The plays are faster, routes are crisper, the o-line is pass blocking better, and all QBs were making great decisions.

    Ride the hot hand, and when Winston does come back, whether it’s week 6 or week 9, the league better watch out cuz he will playing at the highest level of his career.

  24. D the Bucs fan Says:

    Lord C exactly man. Fans seem not to realize the type of offense Koetter the playcaller utilizes what is a qb to do on a 7 step drop when his getting hit b4 he finishes said drop. And also forget that in 2minute situations Winston is very accurate. Watch the film. So fans why wouldn’t Koetter call those type of plays short to medium throws to get your qb in a rhythm. I love us winning we as a team still have a long way to go. We still need to run the ball and play better defense all quarters. Stop running prevent just because your up Dan Quinn up in atl still hasn’t learned his lesson from the Superbowl. That is a sure way to lose unless your up 40 points.

  25. Tbbucs3 Says:

    This will be a great thing for Jamies to sit back a year or 2 and watch and learn the game at the NFL level and everything will be slowed down for him when he comes back. He’s still only 24. Rodgers was 25 when he had his 1st year starting and Jameis has already had a ton of NFL starts for his age.

    This will or should allow time for Jameis to get better and get his head on straight. But there’s no doubt that Jameis is the future of the Bucs.

  26. Tbbucs3 Says:

    I believe that Jameis is a better quarterback than Ryan Fitzpatrick

    But I also believe in rhythm especially at quarterback

    So for right now , there is no way you can possibly take Ryan Fitzpatrick out of the games. I’m ready to ride this Fitzpatrick train till it comes to a screeching hault.

  27. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Glad others see it too.

    And on the Evans play Fitz actually didn’t even take a drop. It was a shotgun formation and he took the snap; immediately turned into his stance; and ripped it pretty quick. Great protection / route run / timing / play design.

  28. D the Bucs fan Says:

    Maybe Koetter and his mike mularkey system is holding jamies back. You gotta play to his strengths.

  29. D1 Says:

    Mike mularkey system…holding JW back?
    It’s not mularkey’ s system………….the 4th and 7th best passing offense in league, 4,000 plus yds a season. What exactly is holding back… 5000 yds….

  30. D the Bucs fan Says:

    Scoring! None of the haters seem to care about the historic yards his putting up. If you knew Koetters history you would know he came to the Falcons with Mularkeys system already in place and just stayed with it and thats what he brought here. Watching him from college to now he can do more he could run more to pickup extra yards. Everyone analyst says his not that athletic but came into fsu a the number 1 dual threat qb in the nation. Use the mans strengths hide his weaknesses that’s what great coaches do.

  31. Calbucsfan Says:

    Would love to see Fitz drop back on the first play as if to throw deep and then dump it off for a 45 yard gain to RJII starting his first game Monday night. Some day soon he is going to be one more awesome weapon added to the arsenal.

    And though it’s early, let’s not forget Brate who’s kind of been the forgotten soldier so far. He will be vital to the playoff march before it’s all said do done.

  32. D1 Says:

    Lord Corn,

    I think you should tap the breaks a bit before Declaring a philosophical difference between last year and this yr. If you’re looking for the next 14 games to reflect closely the first two then by all means, declare away.

    Why you’re not considering the single most significant change to the offense is
    reason to really dismiss any premature declarative proclamations such as you posted.

    Question, why do you think fitz and JW are equal in ability , and equal in all physical and mental metrics? I have to believe a person would have to be severely mentally ill before they would even entertain such a preposterous notion.
    Yet there you are………. and .with others in agreement.

    Just a note, Winston wasn’t dropping back 9-10yds in the red zone. And absolutely not in the 10-to-goal line. If you’re thinking that is a designed play call w that drops…..sorry for news. There’s no play drawn up like that. If it happens,
    It’s not play calling. QB pressure is driving what you think you see. Not design.

  33. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    If Jameis was not a fool and twice accused of a sexual matter, I would be rooting for his return. He has the physical talent to be a special QB but I question his maturity and dedication to be great. Fitz on the other hand has the brains and the mental attitude to overcome his physical limitation and still be something special. Too bad we can’t merge the two.

    Sure, Fitz will come down to earth and his numbers will settle down to something more realistic, but who does not love a fairy tale or a underdog defying all odds? I hope Koetter and company keeps Fitz as the starter until he is proven incapable of leading us to the big game. If we win the Super bowl, it would be the pro football story of the decade.

  34. SB Says:

    “Will this fantasy run ever end? Of course it will. Joe just hope that comes when the weather gets cold.”

    I sure hope it doesn’t
    He got me 53 points week one and 39 points week 2!!!

  35. Dnell Says:

    Can’t wait for Jameis to come back n kill all the doubt.

  36. ben Says:

    being real …Would the bucs be able to trade Winston for a top 20 pick after all the national bad press he has received?