About Ryan Fitzpatrick’s $17 Million Raise
October 31st, 2018
Allow Joe to take you inside the walls of One Buc Palace and into the executive conference rooms.
There you will find a new master plan for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It starts with Ryan Fitzpatrick scoring the upset win Sunday in Charlotte to bring the Bucs to a 4-4 record, and then Fitz continues to lead one of the NFL’s most potent offenses to two wins against the Redskins, 49ers and Giants as the Bucs surge to a 6-5 record and relevant games in the playoff hunt.
From there, Fitz plays solid football and marches the Bucs to a winning record.
That scenario delivers hope to the franchise and secures the jobs of Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht. And then Team Glazer is just about forced into paying the new face of their franchise, 2019-free-agent-to-be Fitzpatrick, the $20 million annual going rate for a starting quarterback — a $17 million raise for a 36-year-old journeyman.
Of course, Joe is not privy to the executive plans at One Buc Palace. But Joe can promise you nobody at One Buc is rooting against Fitzpatrick and expecting the team to roll over and lose Sunday. So Joe has no doubt the scenario above indeed represents the corporate goal for this season.
This is what it’s come to.
Go Fitz!
October 31st, 2018 at 9:02 am
Lets all hope for that.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:07 am
I like the scenario,however, i would like to change one little thing,Koetter and Licht are gone,it’s clear to me that both if them can’t be trusted to improve the Bucs: defense is still horrible, lack of kicking game and inconsistent oline. It’s the same team from last year.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:09 am
Licht puts us in this position and even if we have a winning record Licht should go. He has made to many bad draft pics and free agent busts.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:14 am
And that would be a bad thing?
October 31st, 2018 at 9:15 am
Licht also signed Fitzpatrick. Lighten up folks, its football.
Who can say they’re not excited to see Fitz slinging it? And as good as he looks, I think he can sling it next year too. Maybe Jameis will come around, maybe Griffin will. Worries for another day.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:15 am
Hoping Fitzmagic can pull it off. I’d rather give him a raise than Jameis $100 million to average 2 turnovers a game. Still a sticky situation for the Bucs.
Wonder what the Glazers are thinking..
October 31st, 2018 at 9:16 am
I’d rather pay Fitz, if he’s successful, than Jay Miss (who wouldn’t know success if it bit him on the butt)
In the words of the immortal Obi Wan Kenobi, “move along, move along”
October 31st, 2018 at 9:20 am
First let me say I’m no Licht supporter/apologist. But no one gives him credit for signing Fitz in the first place. Wasn’t he a free agent before he signed with the Bucs? Who’s to say RG4 would have us in the same predicament that we’re in today, winning 2 of the three games STUPID was suspended? Give the man some credit for at least that.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:20 am
Weird how they changed none of the coaches except our D-line coach and the same issues exist, across the board. Our special teams suck, our O-line is just as bad as it was last year, the D-line still can’t get pressure minus JPP, our secondary is still terrible and the running game is a joke.
The red flag for every Bucs fan and sports critic this off-season; change nope were good, we got this, no changes required here! I like Licht, but I’m starting to wonder who is calling the shots at 1 Buc.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:24 am
One of the Joe’s is bitter
October 31st, 2018 at 9:26 am
And Jameis will pull a Steve Young, sit behind one of the greatest (Brees) for a year, and then go on to win Super Bowls in New Orleans, history will repeat itself. It’s a Bucs Life! Go Fitz!!
October 31st, 2018 at 9:26 am
Just threw up. The fitzpatrick cycle says the moment he is named starter and gets paid he starts sucking like no ones business.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:26 am
I’m not quite sure either QB could beat Carolina with our Defense…..
We will have to avoid turnovers and probably cause 2…….unlikely.
A loss Sunday and Jameis is back in the saddle vs the Redskins.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:27 am
Fitz making 20M. Somebody started drinking early this morning.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:31 am
winning 2 of the three games
—————-
See! See what I’m saying? Re-creating history bc Fitz getting pulled doesn’t fit the narrative
October 31st, 2018 at 9:31 am
If that is the scenario then it’s better than paying JayMiss $20mil,
same as 4 years ago, all promises no delivery.
You need to earn it, immaturity has its problems as the Glazers and organisation now know.
Waste of those 4 years !!! Don’t make it 5
October 31st, 2018 at 9:34 am
Perfect. I don’t understand why Fits can’t play 1, 2, 3 more years.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:35 am
I just want to win. IDC who does what I just want to win. Fitz, Winston whoever just win. We have a solid football team if we can limit turnovers and get some of our own we have a shot in any game. Our offense can play with just about anyone.
It’s funny you would never know by the hysteria that the Bucs have the #1 rated offense.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:38 am
that’s all BS joe….lol…..dirk was promoted because of Winston not fitz…..if we win without Winston that means dirk and licht failed……and that means they’ll be gone…..
if that scenario had any weight, glazers would’ve allowed dirk and licht to wheel and deal before the trade deadline…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 31st, 2018 at 9:39 am
I’m rooting for Fitz. I think he gives best chance to win. Still in this thing. He had a couple nad quarters is all. I dont think he should have lost his job. Look at the numbers. We can only hope he stays away from bad picks and the defense wins a game or 2. Man this d hasnt won a game in ages it seems. Tough game this week. Go Fitz is right.
I dont get caught up in the franchise/future qb stuff. I understand why people do and why coaches do tho. Who can win this week is all ive ever cared about. Beat the stinking panthers
October 31st, 2018 at 9:40 am
Fitz would be cheaper than Jameis…
October 31st, 2018 at 9:43 am
“There is only 1 decision that the Glazer boys will make. They will admit present incompetence and being tired of having enough of this GM BSing. They will deciide only on whom the President of Operations is and He will make ALL DECISIONS concerning the Tampa Bay Bucs”
*Alot of knee pads and red lipstick will be sold out end of the season”
Kobe Faker
October 31st, 2018 at 9:43 am
This is one area where Fitz’s age plays into our advantage. Yeah he’ll get what he DESERVES at the end of the season.
Is there a better backup in the league…would you rather have Foles? So no matter what after the start to this season Fitz is going to earn the maximum paid a backup. People had written us off FOR three games and predicted 0-3…Fitz turned that into 2-1…what more can you ask from a backup?
Now if a fantasy unfolds and we somehow reach the playoffs or even make a run then he gets starter money.
You cannot present things like you did as fact without stating that they are reports and not facts. This is why all your posts are moderated–Joe IF he had simply played as well as Fitz he and his agent wouldn’t be looking for 20 million next year they would be looking for at least three or four years at 20 million or perhaps even more if he had started like Fitz.
So no matter what at least we’re not on the hook long term!!!
If Fitz plays well give him the money for NEXT year. He’s not going to get a long term contract any sooner than Jameis.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:44 am
HELL No!!!!! There is a reason why he has been on several teams, in his career!!! What a JOKE!!!! Everyone will be singing a different tune, come Sunday afternoon……..
October 31st, 2018 at 9:45 am
This is literally the exact plan/hope for the season.
Then, if it all works out, we’ll sign Fitz to a 2-3yr deal for probably closer to $15mil/year; and then we’ll draft a QB for Fitz to groom (hopefully similar to the Alex Smith mentorship with Mahomes)…
Can you think of a better person/player to groom a young QB than a thriving/successful Fitzmagic???
Seriously, though, Alex Smith and Fitzy would prob be my 2 favorite choices if I was choosing who I would want to groom a young QB in a hypothetical conversation…
They’re basically the 2 smartest dudes in the NFL.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:47 am
Joes I’m confused- when did this become about something other than wins or losses? Isn’t that what’s supposed to matter most? Right here, right now this team needs a win, desperately. It’s Dirk and Jason’s job to find a way- any way-to do that on Sunday. And don’t go high-horse on the franchise’s 5 yr outlook- for one, there are plenty of teams that mortgage their future for there here/now and we celebrate their boldness. Secondly, no one has any idea what the future brings- it’s all speculative. What we DO know is that this team is stuck in a terrible rut right now. We know Jameis is the same QB he was at FSU. We know that his lack of development (blame Dirk, Jameis or both) continues to negatively impact the team and it cost this team a game last Sunday
If by some miracle Fitz manages to salvage the season and takes us to the brink of the playoffs (or beyond), then we should pop the champagne and toast the guy, toast the organization- not bemoan the $. The beauty of this whole thing now is that everyone has a chance to get what they deserve.
Jameis’ on and off the field antics should impact his bottom line. If Fitz wins, he gets paid. If the Bucs win, Dirk and Jason remain employed.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:48 am
Fitz won’t last the whole game against that Panthers D lol
October 31st, 2018 at 9:51 am
I think everyone would agree that a thriving Fitzmagic is in EVERYONE’s best interest…
The whole Fitzmagic thing (when the offense is clicking) is literally the most exciting experience I’ve had as a buc fan since the Superbowl era circa 2000-02.
Bucs Fans have literally never witnessed the elite-level execution and precision that Fitz and our guys can produce.
We can be better than the Kurt Warner-led Greatest Show on Turf. And they won a Superbowl….
October 31st, 2018 at 9:53 am
News flash:
The Messiah’s Mental shortcomings are not the HC fault.
Genetics and education possibly…….. dropped as a baby and ate too many cockroaches or paint chips…. perhaps.
Go Fitzmagic!
Go Bucs!!
October 31st, 2018 at 9:54 am
“LOL! Koetter was hired because of Jameis??
Dont be so naive!
There was a Power Struggle at 1 Buc Place!
Jason Gump backstabbed his Boss Lovie because he wanted full control
The Teflon Gump told the Glazer Boys He will lead the Bucs into the playoffs and championships by firing Lovie and He himself making all decisions
THIS, This is why the Glazers will can Jason Gump because of his Failure to succeed and they agreeing to fire Lovie Smith
“Yes indeed, We have a Redneck Shakespearean Tragedy in front of us”
Kobe Faker
October 31st, 2018 at 9:56 am
The Kobe Conspiracy!!! ^^^^^^^^cracks me up!
October 31st, 2018 at 9:58 am
Then the Real Fitz shows up and you have yourself and OLD journeyman QB with a salary like a #1 draft pick and your screwed.. Keep Winston in and fire Dirk at the end of the season.. He isn’t head coaching material..
October 31st, 2018 at 9:59 am
Some morning food for thought! For a long time cam newton was being beat up abot accuracy until his MVP 2015 showing. I believe that was the year, the organization, ownership, or somebody had to figure out a way to get cam back to being that MVP caliber QB. Finally enters norv Turner, average HC, Great OC and now the panthers are looking like the team to beat, along with New Orleans. Well I guess I’m saying that throwing Jameis away won’t fix the mess the Glazers have created with their bad decision making, so maybe if there was someone in Jameis’s ear that could figure out or help figure out what the hell is the real problem with this kid who looks totally different than the QB from the last 5 pre season games, than he looks now 2.5 games in from suspension.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:00 am
How hilarious would that end up being if we give Fitz the Franchise Tag next year?
Man, that would mean that we are just straight up ballin out of control…
I can see it happening…
October 31st, 2018 at 10:08 am
Not that Fitz is the long term answer, but his accuracy and decision making are much better than Jameis. He gives us the better chance to win now. And at what point has Fitz ever had the weapons he has now? Go BUCS!
October 31st, 2018 at 10:10 am
Very good analysis on jameis’s four pics with all 22 video. This is spot on analysis
that should be read no matter what your opinion is on Jameis.
PRESSURE on BUCBOI 813 to read an in depth analysis !!!!! Go Bucs !!!
October 31st, 2018 at 10:17 am
That analysis is in pewter report cover 3 article.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:17 am
Joe..Can I have the name of your supplier? You smokin some gangsta Sh..!!!!!
October 31st, 2018 at 10:20 am
The most successful NFL QB’s in the modern era have one thing in common………. Intelligence! Not sure whether Winston is capable of learning from his mistakes. Had high hopes but they are being dashed.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:21 am
WlakdaPlank says:
“Wonder what the Glazer’s are thinking”
Joel is asking Bryan and family:
“Anyone here know anything about baseball”?
October 31st, 2018 at 10:24 am
Yea most of you wanted to pay old arse Brent Grimes. Unbelievable people prefer to give this Fitz 17 mil? What planet are you non humans from? Haven’t seen this guy for a full season and ready to give it up based on two games. Wonder why he was benched last year when Winston came back just like this year. He’s not the starter because he’s worth 17 mil, it’s a lack of options that would give him that kind of money.
Leave to the glazers to end up in a pathetic situation like paying this over the hill quarterback to throw interceptions instead of a young one. What a predicament but it’s typical. Steelers and bears took away the deep ball which is all Fitz is good at IF he has a clean pocket, that won’t be the case Sunday
October 31st, 2018 at 10:30 am
@WalkdaPlank says:
“Wonder what the Glazers are thinking”?
Joel is talking to Bryan and family:
“Anyone here know anything about Baseball”? (J/K)
October 31st, 2018 at 10:30 am
@ Kobe
your Non Fiction is funny,
but you are not going to convince me the Glazers needed to be coerced to fire Lovie. Hard to argue about Licht wanting full power and failure to get the
job done though.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:50 am
Really lol you could see Fitz getting a franchise tag? Really? Do you really play madden that much?
October 31st, 2018 at 11:02 am
Vernon Hargraves said no way Dirk could stand in front of the team and say Winston gives us the best chance to win. If He did the players would turn on Dirk.
That’s from a player in the locker room.
October 31st, 2018 at 11:10 am
“You cannot present things like you did as fact without stating that they are reports and not facts. This is why all your posts are moderated–Joe”
Are you freaking kidding Joe? IF I present things as “facts” I provide attribution!!! EVERYTHING else…just like with ALL the other posters…perhaps save LUV and a few others…is OPINION.
But I’ve reread the “offending” paragraph and I honestly do not know what FACT I presented? That Fitz wouldn’t get a long term contract? That a #1 draft pick who plays well and is 25 would get a long term contract before a 37 year old backup?
I’m not sure what in that paragraph bugged you.
I don’t mind moderation…at least I know now why they take so long to appear. LOL
But you need to reread what you just wrote and think about it.
Nobody here is presenting themself as a “journalist” and I perhaps mistakenly thought this was an OPINION blog where Buc fans come and share their OPINIONS.
Obviously some of my OPINIONS get under your skin….it’s your blog I respect that…and I also respect 99% of your takes even those that are just opinion.
The only part of your response that bothered me is the total inconsistency. I did nothing that virtually all the other posters do everyday here.
October 31st, 2018 at 11:12 am
@D1
Where was that reported (Hargreaves quote)?
October 31st, 2018 at 11:20 am
Jason Licht can’t draft should of traded for some defense backs to help out this new style defense there are running could of been good with a safety and a cornerback maybe flower helps the pass rush but not needed as bad as cornerback and safety
October 31st, 2018 at 11:32 am
Highly unlikely but fingers crossed
October 31st, 2018 at 11:38 am
LOL
Yeah the Jets had the exact same scenario
When they gave him $12 million
He rewarded them by throwing 6 INT against the Kansas City Chiefs
He threw 17 in 11 starts, 4.2 INT%
October 31st, 2018 at 11:43 am
Tampa Demon,
Google search Bucs. Sorry but I don’t recall exactly but the Google page will display it.
October 31st, 2018 at 11:44 am
Bucs fall to 3-5 and will be crushed in Carolina. 38-18 here feels right. I don’t see them beating the Giants. And the 49rs are a pick em. This is a 6 win team at best. Time to clean house at the end of 18’. Including the guy that drafted a kicker in the 2nd round.
October 31st, 2018 at 11:54 am
Thank you @D1, wow it’s scary that a teammate would actually say that publicly.
October 31st, 2018 at 11:55 am
Fans are actually rooting against Fitz and the Bucs winning so that Jameis gets another chance?
Really…you consider yourselves Buc fans?
October 31st, 2018 at 11:56 am
Joe your out of your mind. This team is a dumpster fire.
An Sunday there going to get blown out. Fitzpatrick will have at least two picks. 3 sacks.
October 31st, 2018 at 12:05 pm
The worst part about this coming Sunday will be watching that POS Cam celebrate. He’s such an arrogant Delta Bravo. Can’t stand the guy.
October 31st, 2018 at 12:22 pm
No one is rooting against Fitz
These are facts
October 31st, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Facts like the facts that got Jameis Winston benched
October 31st, 2018 at 12:30 pm
that is a good scenario. im not aware how the $$$$ are going to play here, and quite frankly I don’t care because while you can blame Galzers for bad decisions you can not blame them of not spending money and having the best intention for their team.
Humor aside, this scenario + finding a decent QB with good arm and strong/good character, will be fantastic.
Joe, are you good with predictions? 🙂
October 31st, 2018 at 12:32 pm
nice scenario Joe
October 31st, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Glazers please sell the team & stick to soccer. You surely don’t know anything about football. Total idiots. Fire Licht he totally sucks. These GM’s get hired with way to much control. GM should work in unison with the HC but I don’t think that’s happening here.
October 31st, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Oh I forgot to mention I don’t see more than three wins the rest of the way.
October 31st, 2018 at 12:53 pm
TOM is always so uplifting.
October 31st, 2018 at 1:44 pm
“Bucfan1976 Says:
October 31st, 2018 at 11:56 am
Joe your out of your mind. This team is a dumpster fire.
An Sunday there going to get blown out. Fitzpatrick will have at least two picks. 3 sacks.”
You do realize the we have the top offense in the league, right? Not the Patriots, Packers, Rams or Chiefs… But The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Think about that for a minute before you type dumb comments about us getting “blown out”
October 31st, 2018 at 1:48 pm
Now let me get this straight, Fitz will implode and James will be right back in as QB? The excitement is putting me to sleep. Who knew wins are so hard to come by, out of sync. The new Bucs can’t get out of the way of the old Bucs.
October 31st, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Those who are not aware of Fitz’ history are doomed to repeat it.
October 31st, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Yeah, in year 14 Fitz is finally going to become a different player. LOL!
That’s pretty funny.
More likely is he pulls a Fitz and looks like Fitz and Winston is back in as the starter in 2 weeks. Personally I’m fine with him starting this week because Jameis has historically been pretty bad against Carolina – so let Fitz see what he can do. But I’m assuming Fitz isn’t very good – in large part because Carolina is very good – and then you bring Jameis right back. Now if Fitz can win and look good, then obviously you go with the hot hand – until he pulls a Fitz and looks like Fitz, which will of course happen since he is Fitz.
October 31st, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Joes, your missing a key detail of whats going on here. Fitz is a guy just executing Monkens offense which has the wicked good fortune to have Evans, Djax, Brate, Howard, Godwin, and Humphries. and hes executing without throwing the ball to the other team. Insert a handful of current vets in the league and youll get a similar result right now on the Bucs. the only thing thats needed is to not throw the ball to the other team like Winston is doing. Wintons throws are way to high risk to have him throwng 40+ passes a game, this offense just needs a safer QB and it explodes. Fitzpatrick didnt just suddenly become the best in the league, he became the guy under center on the most talented offense in the league. Even Winston was moving the ball very well despite having no deep ball.. him being a TO machine is the problem, its not his mechanics or anything. We will not be forced into resigning Fitz if we dont want to.
October 31st, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Hey JOE, What? No “Americas Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick? What about 400+ yards first three games Ryan Fitzpatrick? First QB in NFL history to throw for 400+ yards in the first three games of the season Ryan Fitzpatrick?
October 31st, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Hargreaves needs to worry how he’s gonna get his soft, injury prone self back on the field to try and prove he’s not a colossal bust.
October 31st, 2018 at 3:30 pm
stpetebucsfan
Been following your post for years and while I don’t always agree with you in this case I think your assessment is spot on. Of course you probably won’t see this post because I like you am on terminal moderation in fact my last two post have been rejected. I guess us old timers have to step aside for the haters. Keep em coming, I’ll read them.
October 31st, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Jesus, some of you people need better reading comprehension skills. Hargreaves never said that quote, Jenna Laine says that in her ESPN article today. SMH holy crap.
October 31st, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Lynch mobs don’t read, they just post on social media and message boards.
October 31st, 2018 at 4:33 pm
@TOM
They don’t know anything about soccer either.
October 31st, 2018 at 4:34 pm
@TOM
They don’t know anything about soccer either.
October 31st, 2018 at 4:35 pm
Dooshlarue!!! FUNNY!! lol!!!!!!!!
October 31st, 2018 at 5:46 pm
It’s a lot a easier to see who should be the starting QB when both QBs face the EXACT same team, defense and players, while taking snaps within the EXACT same game plan. We could all see VERY clearly that Fritz was the better QB and when he’s in the Bucs’ offense is one of the BEST in the league when he is starting right now.
So how is it the GM’s or HC’s fault that one QB can be successful with the game plan while the other can only blow it up? For all of those who keep banging the drum to get rid of the GM and HC, get off your bully pulpits, the Bengal game clearly shows how stupid taking that position is, they didn’t lose because of the GM or HC, they lost because of Jameis and his turnovers.
October 31st, 2018 at 5:48 pm
#Fitz ain’t it!
#Win with Winston!
#number 3 is number 1
October 31st, 2018 at 5:53 pm
@JOE
Thanks at least for posting my response.
@Martinii
THANKS!
October 31st, 2018 at 8:00 pm
You people are high if you think dirk Kotter, leading number 1 offense in yards and 7th in points is going to get fired, mind you while having to shuffle quarterbacks. Who cares if he was hired for Winston the guys putting up great results in spite of that giveaway machine for a quarterback. You guys think dirk play is designed to throw it high and right to a linebacker every 15 attempts??? I can see licht and the entire defense staff being fired though