Ryan Fitzpatrick Returns To Jets Starting Lineup
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Ryan Fitzpatrick's benching was short-lived.
Jets coach Todd Bowles announced Monday he was reinserting the turnover-prone quarterback into the starting lineup next Sunday at Cleveland. The move came on the same day the team announced Geno Smith, who replaced Fitzpatrick Sunday against the Ravens, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and would likely miss the rest of the season.
"It's tough luck for the kid," Bowles said. " ... Fitzpatrick finished the game up, and we're going with Fitz."
Bowles' other choices to replace Smith were second-year player Bryce Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg. Neither has played a down in the NFL.
Fitzpatrick went 9-of-14 passing for 120 yards with a touchdown in two-plus quarters during New York's 24-16 win over Baltimore.
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After the game, he took a shot at the team's brass for sending him to the bench.
"The biggest thing in this game, in order to last, is to have belief in yourself," Fitzpatrick said. "Because when the owner stops believing in you, the GM stops believing in you and the coaches stop believing in you, sometimes all you have is yourself.
"So, that's kind of something I've had to deal with before, something I'm dealing with now."
Fitzpatrick added that he plays better when he's "an underdog" and "pissed off."
Bowles said Monday he wasn't bothered by those comments.
"I know Fitz and I know what he means," the coach said. "I have no problem with him venting his frustrations.
"If pissed off is going to stop the turnovers, I'm more than happy that he'll be pissed off the whole time," Bowles added.
For the season, Fitzpatrick has completed 57.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
