Ryan Fitzpatrick – May 29, 2019
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Wednesday, May 29, 2019
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(Is it coming along?) – “Yeah. So far, we’ve gotten some great work in. In the offseason, there’s a ton of stuff that we have to get better at and continue to work on, but I’m proud of the effort the guys are putting in. Not just running around with the work on the field, but in the classroom and studying and really taking pride in learning this offense and getting things down, because it’s not an easy offense to learn. Especially in that wide receiver room, those guys have done a great job.”
(Can you get a sense of what it’s going to look like even this early?) – “Not really. I think I’m starting to get a better feel for personnel that we have in terms of in that receiver room like I had mentioned, or the running backs, tight ends. Just getting a feel for everybody, I think that’s important. The timing that comes with that and working together will be helpful for the season.”
(How is it different throwing to WR DeVante Parker to WR Kenny Stills to WR Jakeem Grant? Are there certain characteristics you’ve already picked up on some of these guys?) – “Yeah. They definitely all have their own unique talents. (I’ve been) nothing but impressed with those guys you mentioned. I think the biggest thing, and I said it last time (is) the willingness to work. The willingness for those guys to talk after meetings, text at night or whatever it is, if they have questions, I’m going to try to give them the best answers I can and we’re going to continue to work to get on the same page. It’s been impressive to see the work ethic out of those guys.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores says his philosophy, he’ll unleash it little by little. He doesn’t want to give it all at once. But can you get a feel already for what this team is going to be like under him?) – “I think we’re developing a mentality, but until you actually get out there and play in games and you have your 53 whittled down to who it’s going to be, it’s tough to say.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores talked today about establishing a culture. In what ways is he doing that, trying to establish a winning culture, and what do you see happening?) – “I just think the expectations when we step on the practice field. That’s been set right away in terms of the hustle and the competitiveness and those type of things. They’ve really shown up in practice. We’re going to practice the right way and keep each other healthy but be competitive about it. That’s been a point of emphasis for him and something that I really enjoy.”
(Have you ever been part of a team that runs as much as this one does?) – “I’ve been a part of a lot of teams. (laughter)”
(Have you seen things from QB Josh Rosen – I know you’re concentrating on your own stuff – that kind of remind you or take you back to your second year and what that was like, and does that help you in sort of giving him some guidance?) – “I think any quarterback in this system, this system puts a lot on us. We’re all in there working as hard as we can to get it down and figure things out. It’s an offense, as a quarterback, that you love to be in because there’s a lot on your plate.”
(Have you seen growth from TE Mike Gesicki?) – “I don’t know where he came from in terms of I didn’t really see him last year. There are some things that Mike does that are special, that other guys can’t do. (There is) a lot of room for improvement. I think just like all of us, (we have) a lot of room for improvement in stuff we can do. He’s another guy that’s willing to work and I’ve been impressed by Mike.”
(WR Preston Williams is a guy who’s flashed in all of the practices that have been open to the media. What has he shown you?) – “Preston’s doing a nice job. He’ll make some ‘wow’ plays and he’ll make some plays that remind you that he’s a young guy. Consistency is going to be a big thing with him. In terms of some of the physical features and the way that he can go get the ball and those type of things, he’s been very impressive. Again, he’s working his tail off and it shows and you can tell out here, but there’s also a lot of work that still needs to be put in for him to be able to be trusted and be out there.”
(I’m trying to think back – what was the last time you were part of a true open competition like this?) – “Pretty much every year. (laughter)”
(Not just to make the team, but for starting, too.) – “Yeah. (In) 2014 (it) was an open competition. (In) 2012 (it) was an open competition. I think that was about it.”
(How were they similar, how were they different to what you’re going through now?) – “I don’t know that this is much different than any year in that you just try to come out here and do your best and put the work in and hope to see the results on the field. That’s what I’m trying to do and again, we have a lot of work that still needs to be put in, a lot of things that we need to get better at. Each practice is a nice reminder of that and we’re just going to continue to try to improve.”
(Going back to WR Preston Williams, what’s his attitude been like in practice given that he wasn’t drafted and he’s one of these guys fighting for a spot?) – “It’s not like we sit down and talk at lunch every day, but he’s definitely flashed. He’s definitely a guy that, as a quarterback, you take notice at some of the plays that he’s making. Like I said, great plays and boneheaded plays. We have to find a consistency there, but he certainly has enough talent to do it.”
(When you go after practice and watch the film, what are you most critical of yourself? Is it footwork, is it mechanics, is it accuracy – what is it?) – “I think every play is different, but something the last few years is my footwork and just knowing me and when I miss balls, why I’m missing the ball. Usually that’s stuff I can feel out here on a practice field. There are certain little drills and steps and things that I do to get a little better with my body placement for accuracy.”
(What age did you fall in love with football and how did you?) – “I started playing football when I was 10, I believe – tackle football. I had to make the jump from soccer to football. That was the decision. I had to give up my love for soccer at age 10. I loved the game from then on. The reason I’m still playing is I still love being out here with the guys and competing and having a lot of fun doing it.”
(We all know where you went to school. We’ve heard a little bit about that. Did you have D-I offers? Did you have places that you were considering or was it Ivy League all along?) – “I had a scholarship offer from Eastern Washington, so I-AA – back then, I-AA – and that was it. When I didn’t get any offers, I started looking elsewhere. Schoolwork was always an important thing in my household and something that was always stressed, so I decided I’d try to go to the best school I could. Football, I wanted to continue to play, but the professional thing was an afterthought. That was never at the forefront of that decision.”
(Did you have a sports hero growing up outside of your family that kind of motivated you?) – “I was a huge Magic Johnson fan growing up. He was probably my favorite if I had to think of a guy. Then, Brett Favre I loved watching and Jake Plummer was another guy I loved watching.”
