New York Jets Head Coach ‘Impressed’ With RG III, Still No Deal For Fitzpatrick
The New York Jets quarterback soap opera continues to turn as week two of free agency is upon us and with no deal for incumbent Ryan Fitzpatrick in sight. What’s more, it looks as if New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles is ready to move on from “Fitzmagic” altogether in a recent interview.
According to ESPN, Bowles spoke glowingly of free agent quarterback Robert Griffin III, whom the Jets had in for a visit late last week.
“Bowles had nothing but positive things to say about the former star-turned-castoff. He said RG III “didn’t bad-mouth anybody or have any excuses” about his fall from grace with the Washington Redskins. Bowles said he was impressed with the quarterback’s knowledge of recent football history.”
Furthermore, Bowles also made it clear that should Ryan Fitzpatrick sign elsewhere, New York’s 2016 starter could already be sitting on their bench as they speak.
“Bowles expressed confidence in his contingency plans, heaping praise on starter-turned-backup Geno Smith, whom he believes gained maturity after having his jaw broken by a teammate last summer. Bowles said Smith is one of the fallback options; he declined to specify the others.”
As reported by The Inquisitr, Ryan Fitzpatrick remains in limbo and his status could hinge on what happens to other quarterbacks on the market. With the rumors that Denver was looking to trade for Kaepernick, Fitzpatrick’s options could be running out.
But according to CSN Bay Area, 49ers GM Trent Baalke confessed at the NFL owners meetings Tuesday that the team hasn’t received any viable offers for Colin and that the likelihood of a trade has diminished in recent weeks.
“I’ve had discussions with several teams and it’s gone no further than that, as the agents have had several discussions (with teams),” Baalke said. “We’re nowhere near getting anything done at this point.”
This development must be music to Fitzpatrick’s ears whose agents are seeking anywhere from $15 million to $18 million dollars a year for their client according to reports. That may seem high for a journeyman QB on his sixth team, but considering the numbers Ryan posted last season — over 3,000 yards and 31 TDs — it’s actually significantly higher than the stats posted by both Sam Bradford and Brock Osweiler, two free agents that scored big this offseason.
Another positive development for the Fitzpatrick camp are comments made by new Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson. According to Cleveland, Jackson has made it clear that RG III is on their radar despite having the number one overall pick in the draft this year.
“When you’re talk about Robert, you’re talking about a young man who was (NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler) at one time,” he said. “There’s been success there. So we’d be remiss if we said we’re not going to look at everybody and see how it fits with us.”
However, Jackson also raved about prospect Jared Goff who figures to be the first quarterback chosen in the draft.
“He can make all the throws. For a big guy, he’s more athletic than people think. He has quick feet. He obviously has a quick release. What I’ve seen on videotape to go along with the workout is he has tremendous poise in the pocket. He’s a young man that can keep his eyes downfield when people are bearing at him and, to me, that’s an unbelievable asset. Because a lot of people can’t do that.”
In the end, we won’t know the fate of both RG III or Ryan Fitzpatrick until all the quarterback dominoes fall. So expect this soap opera to continue well into the start of next month’s NFL Draft.
[Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images]
