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Ryan Fitzpatrick

AFC Notes: Pouncey, Ravens, Fitzpatrick

August 28th, 2015 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams

As Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes, Derek Newton‘s new five-year contract with the Texans, signed back in March, didn’t create the biggest headlines at the times, but it’s looking like one of the best moves of the team’s offseason. Although he’s penciled in as Houston’s starting right tackle, Newton has filled in at guard and left tackle as well, and offensive coordinator George Godsey praised his willingness to help out in any way he can.

“He has a ‘coach me, Coach’ attitude,” Godsey said. “Even though we coach that position, that whole group, (offensive line coach) Mike Devlin does a great job and coaches them hard. He’s come to work every day. I couldn’t ask any more from Derek this preseason.”

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • While head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers won’t commit to a specific timeline for center Maurkice Pouncey, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests Pouncey will be back sometime after the club’s Week 11 bye. That would mean the veteran lineman will miss at least 10 games, making him a clear-cut candidate for the Steelers’ IR-DTR slot.
  • In his latest round-up of Ravens news and notes, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun identifies several higher-profile players who could be on the team’s roster bubble, and writes that Dennis Pitta continues to work hard, intent on eventually returning and making an impact for the club.
  • Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham didn’t just tear his ACL on the play that knocked him out of action for the 2015 season. As he tells John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. Suisham also tore his medial meniscus. The veteran kicker is glad the injury happened during the preseason rather than in November or December though, since it gives him a full year to recover for the 2016 season.
  • As he heads into a contract year, Ryan Fitzpatrick will have an opportunity to start at quarterback for the Jets, and the veteran signal-caller tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that the possibility of a breakout year, even at age 32 (33 in November) isn’t out of the question. “So much of the game for the quarterback is the mental side of it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Everybody always talks about my arm and how horrible it is. I promise… you can put on some tape (and see) that I can make all the throws that you want me to make or that I need to make. … I see myself continuing to get better rather than declining.”

Community Tailgate: 8/11/15

August 11th, 2015 at 6:05pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. Earlier this summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’ll be discussing Geno Smith, his broken jaw, and his NFL future. As you surely know by now, Smith is expected to be sidelined for 6-10 weeks after a locker room altercation with reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali left him with a broken jaw. Ryan Fitzpatrick, acquired in an offseason trade with the Texans, is poised to begin the 2015 campaign as the Jets’ starting quarterback. Rookie Bryce Petty will also be in the mix, but he likely isn’t ready to play just yet, so the team may consider adding a veteran backup until Smith is able to return to the field.

While Smith was set to begin the season as the Jets’ starting quarterback, it was far from a sure thing that he would keep the job throughout the season. After two very underwhelming campaigns in New York, many observers felt that it was only a matter of time before Fitzpatrick would wind up as the main option under center. Now, Fitzpatrick gets to start right out of the gate and even if he falters, Petty or maybe another QB yet to be signed could take the job and run with it.

Do you think Smith will regain his job as the Jets’ starting quarterback? If not, do you think it’ll be Fitzpatrick or someone else starting under center? Let us know in the comment section below!

Sunday Roundup: Levy, Incognito, Fitzpatrick, Pryor, Bowers

August 2nd, 2015 at 8:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

While Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy is working on his own extension, Bobby Wagner‘s new contract has set a new bar for non-pass rushing linebackers in the NFL. Despite that big number, Levy remains focused on football, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com.

“My agent is the negotiator, I’m the football player. I even try to stay out of it now. If something significant happens, send me a text or something,” said Levy. “My focus has never been on that, it’s about getting ready for the season, year in and year out. Whatever happens, happens.”

Here are some more notes from around the NFL this Sunday evening:

  • The Bills have had their share of issues along the offensive line over recent years–including this offseason–but hopefully a player with his own baggage can help solidify things as head coach Rex Ryan has announced Richie Incognito will start at left guard for the Bills, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
  • Staying with the AFC East, Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing well despite watching as Geno Smith takes the majority of first-team reps for the Jets, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. “The thing we stress every day and Coach [Todd] Bowles stresses is he going to put the best guys on the field to help the team win,” Fitzpatrick said. “That is what we are all here for, to win football games.”
  • One of the most interesting storylines in Browns’ camp this offseason is whether or not Terrelle Pryor can complete the position change to wide receiver. The 6’4″ former quarterback has roughly a 50/50 chance of making the team as a wideout, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.com.
  • Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers has played both defensive end and defensive tackle in previous years in Tampa Bay, but head coach Lovie Smith says he will be locked in as an interior lineman in 2015, writes Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter).

Community Tailgate: Jets QB Situation

June 23rd, 2015 at 5:23pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few months away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This week, we’ve launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we head to the swamps of Jersey (metaphorically, not literally – settle down) to discuss the Jets’ quarterback situation. As we all know, the Jets have been pining for stability under center for years now. In 2009, the Jets thought they had found their future franchise quarterback in USC product Mark Sanchez. Sanchez helped guide the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances in his first two NFL seasons, but a few down years and a butt fumble led to his exit from New York. So far, Geno Smith hasn’t had much luck as his successor and 2014’s fallback plan Michael Vick didn’t give the Jets the kind of insurance policy they were hoping for.

But, hope springs eternal, and the Jets are cautiously optimistic that they can get Smith to turn things around in his third year. However, the new regime isn’t simply giving the reins to Smith and hoping for the best. This year, their insurance policy is veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, a quarterback with 89 career starts to his credit. Right now, Smith is No. 1 on the depth chart, but the 32-year-old has made it clear that he’s ready to be Gang Green’s starter if called upon.

“A lot of my career has been not necessarily being the guy right away and having to step in and not having there be any sort of drop-off,” said Fitzpatrick, according to Newsday’s Kimberley A. Martin. “That’s something that I pride myself on, whether I’m the Day One starter or whether I’m the third-string guy. When I go in there I’m going to be ready and be able to execute.”

Ultimately, do you think Fitzpatrick will win over Jets coaches in training camp and secure the starting job? If not, could you see him leapfrogging Smith early in the season? Or, do you think Smith will remain as the Jets’ No. 1 QB from wire to wire? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Geno, Collins, Browns

May 2nd, 2015 at 10:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

With newly drafted defensive lineman Leonard Williams in the fold, Muhammad Wilkerson‘s time with the Jets could be running out, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Despite being one of the Jets’ best players, Wilkerson is without a contract beyond next season and, per Mehta, the team isn’t eager to give him a new deal. Mehta argues that it doesn’t make financial sense to dole out big bucks to Wilkerson, especially with fellow lineman Sheldon Richardson under team control through 2017 and cornerback Darrelle Revis signed to a long-term mega-deal.

While the Jets might not be able to go forward with all three as anchors of their defense, Mehta believes they could slap the franchise tag on Wilkerson next offseason and trade him for a first-round pick. For now, rookie Jets coach Todd Bowles will enjoy having Wilkerson as a key cog in what should be a dominant D-line, but it doesn’t seem as if the four-year veteran will be a part of it beyond the 2015 campaign.

Here’s more on the Jets and some of their fellow AFC teams:

  • Despite adding Ryan Fitzpatrick via trade and Bryce Petty via the draft, the Jets will enter training camp with Geno Smith atop the quarterback depth chart, Fitzpatrick as his main backup, and Petty and Matt Simms fighting for third-string duties, Bowles tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link).
  • The Chargers did “as much as work as [they] could” in researching La’el Collins, but they simply couldn’t take the risk due to lack of information, general manager Tom Telesco tells Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union Tribune (via Twitter). Broncos GM John Elway said the same thing (Twitter link via Lindsay Jones of USA Today), and I imagine nearly every team’s front office felt the same way.
  • The Browns didn’t end up drafting a quarterback, but GM Ray Farmer says that wasn’t by design. Farmer adds that the club’s grades simply didn’t match up with availability (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).

Connor Byrne contributed to this post.

Jets Acquire Ryan Fitzpatrick

March 11th, 2015 at 11:13am CST by Luke Adams

11;13am: The Texans will get a conditional seventh-round draft choice that could turn into a sixth-round pick depending on how much playing time the quarterback sees, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweets.

11:08am: Fitzpatrick confirmed to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter) that he has been traded to the Jets.

11:00am: The Texans will trade Fitzpatrick to the Jets for a late-round conditional pick, a league source confirms to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

8:49am: After having missed out on Josh McCown and Brian Hoyer, the Jets have been repeatedly linked to Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and it appears the team is moving closer to acquiring him.

According to Albert Breer and Kimberley Jones of the NFL Network (Twitter link), a trade between the Jets and Texans could be completed quickly once Houston officially locks up Hoyer. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that the Jets are expected to send the Texans a late-round draft pick for Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick, 32, started 12 games for the Texans last season, and his performance was passable. He completed 63.1% of his passes, posted a 95.3 passer rating, and threw 17 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. However, with Hoyer heading to Houston, Ryan Mallett returning to the team, and 2014 draftee Tom Savage also in the mix, Fitzpatrick wasn’t in the Texans’ long-terms plans.

Assuming the Jets are able to finalize an agreement for Fitzpatrick, the veteran signal-caller would likely compete with Geno Smith for the team’s 2015 starting job. Having already traded away their fifth- and sixth-round picks for 2015, the Jets would likely give up a seventh-rounder in a Fitzpatrick deal, and even that pick could be conditional, depending on how much playing time he earns in New York.

With one year and $3.25MM left on his contract, Fitzpatrick would be fairly priced for the Jets, considering what the market for backup quarterbacks is like these days. The Eagles, for instance, recently sign Mark Sanchez to a two-year deal that averages $4.5MM even before incentives.

Texans, Ryan Mallett Agree To Terms

March 9th, 2015 at 9:01am CST by Luke Adams

With the free agent period still more than 24 hours away, the Texans are prepared to snatch a pair of top quarterbacks off the board. Having already reached a verbal agreement with Brian Hoyer, the team has also agreed to terms with Ryan Mallett, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston (via Twitter), it’s a two-year deal, and Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com tweets that it’s worth $7MM.

Mallett, 26, was acquired by the Texans in a trade with the Patriots last offseason, and got a chance to start a couple games for Houston in 2014 before landing on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury. Mallett’s 54.7% completion percentage and 67.6 passer rating likely didn’t have teams burning up his agent’s phone this weekend, but Texans GM Rick Smith and head coach Bill O’Brien both spoke very highly of the ex-Patriot at the combine, suggesting the two sides would probably get something done.

With Mallett, Hoyer, Case Keenum, and Tom Savage all in the fold for the Texans, the team will almost certainly cut ties with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was the primary starter in 2014. If and when Fitzpatrick becomes a free agent, the Jets will pursue him, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. New York GM Mike Maccagnan was in the Texans’ front office a year ago when the team added Fitzpatrick.

AFC Mailbags: Jags, McFadden, Chiefs, Jets

January 24th, 2015 at 8:58am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off the morning by checking out some notes from the AFC…

Texans To Sign Case Keenum

December 16th, 2014 at 4:12pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 4:12pm: The Texans have officially announced the signing of Keenum, moving Fitzpatrick to injured reserve in the corresponding move.

MONDAY, 8:12am: After losing Ryan Mallett for the season last month, the Texans saw two more quarterbacks go down with injuries yesterday. With Ryan Fitzpatrick expected to be sidelined for the rest of the year, the team is bringing back signal-caller Case Keenum, signing him from off the Rams’ practice squad, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Keenum, 26, started eight games last season for Houston and posted respectable numbers, including 1,760 passing yards and nine touchdowns to go along with just six interceptions. However, after the Texans signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, drafted Tom Savage, and acquired Mallett in a trade in the offseason, there was no room left for Keenum, who was cut at the end of the preseason. The Rams claimed Keenum off waivers, and eventually were able to move him to their taxi squad.

While Keenum is expected to take Fitzpatrick’s spot on the Houston roster, the veteran wasn’t the only Texans quarterback to suffer an injury yesterday. Savage sustained a knee injury, and some members of the organization believe it could be serious, tweets McClain. If that’s the case, the club could add another QB to join Keenum and Thad Lewis on the roster.

Ryan Fitzpatrick Likely Done For Season

December 14th, 2014 at 3:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans fear quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick fractured his leg during today’s game against the division rival Colts, and believe his season is over, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Fitzpatrick had to be carted off the field during the second quarter of the contest, and an air cast was placed on his leg, which normally forebodes a serious injury. Fourth-round rookie Tom Savage took over as Houston’s signal-caller.

Fitzpatrick, 32, signed a two-year, $7.25MM deal with the Texans during the offseason, and began the year as the staring quarterback under new head coach Bill O’Brien. He led the club to 4-5 record, while completing roughly 61% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions, before ceding the QB role to Ryan Mallett. Mallett started just two games before tearing his pectoral and being placed on injured reserve, at which point Houston turned back to Fitzpatrick, who responded by throwing six touchdown passes against the Titans last week.

The Texans will hand the reins to Savage for the rest of the year — with the team’s loss to Indianapolis, their playoff odds (already at 6.1% per Football Outsiders before today’s game) will tumble to practically zero. Looking forward, it will be interesting to how Houston fills the quarterback position in 2015. Fitzpatrick probably won’t be asked to start again next season, and although the club would carry just $625K in dead money if it cuts the veteran, his $3.25MM base salary wouldn’t be exorbitant for an experienced backup. Mallett is a free agent at season’s end, but the Texans have expressed interest in re-signing him for 2015. Meanwhile, Savage will can now use the final two games as audition of sorts, in an attempt to work his way into the starting conversation.

Houston signed journeyman Thad Lewis in late-November, so he’ll presumably act as the No. 2 QB for the remainder of the season. The Texans don’t have another quarterback on their 53-man roster or on their practice squad, so it’s possible that they’ll sign someone before next week’s game against the Ravens.

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