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Ryan Fitzpatrick visiting Texans (signs)

Corrosion said:
I really think that's debatable. Bortles may be the most conventional of the group but I think Manziel has the highest upside and the highest bust potential. He's a game changer in ways that Bortles and Bridgewater cant compare .... Total boom or bust pick. Fran Tarkington or .... Tim Tebow.
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I was going with Bortles because of his size. He's tall and built like Ben Rathzesburgers. I wouldn't argue with Manziel though. At least Keenum would have someone to feel tall around. LOL
 
ObsiWan said:
Speaking of T.J., I wonder if O'Brien will actually hold onto him thru camp and give him a real shot to beat out the other three guys (I figure we'll draft a QB somewhere in this draft) or is he being currently shopped around.
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He needs to process information quickly and he needs to be accurate. Tough to know on the first point because Gary removed so much decision making from his QBs. Haven't heard much about TJ this offseason -- could see Kubiak or Baby Shanny wanting him to help install their schemes. Maybe low level player exchange? Dunno.
 
Fitzpatrick
"We got into some of the X's and O's a little bit, just talking about the basics of the system and what they ask of their quarterback and all that stuff," Fitzpatrick said in a 1-on-1 interview on Friday. "For me, it was a very exciting thing to see the demands that they put on a quarterback and all the different ways that they attack defenses and their scheme and what they're trying to do."


"I walked away so impressed by his knowledge and passion of the game," Fitzpatrick said. "That's the thing that got me most excited."

"If there's one thing that I'm good at, it's picking up a new system," Fitzpatrick said. "But I'm looking forward to that: the challenge of learning it."

"I'm really excited about fully jumping into this stuff and really learning it together as an offensive unit and going from there," Fitzpatrick said. "I really enjoy the x's and o's part of the game, and all the preparation that goes into a game."
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According to Fitzpatrick, the quarterback in O'Brien's system must be able to "process information quickly", and the Harvard grad will be called upon to do that, whether he's a starter this season or a backup. Offseason workouts begin on April 7, and OTA's will start in the middle of May.
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​
 
What do Schaub and Fitzpatrick mean for Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater?
I thought it would be interesting to review the last 20 years of NFL history and identify situations where a team added a veteran quarterback and then still selected a passer in the first round of the draft. There weren’t quite as many examples as I originally expected, although part of the explanation is that there simply aren’t that many quarterbacks drafted in the first round, period.

...But let’s look at some of the examples more similar to Schaub-to-Oakland or Fitzpatrick-to-Houston:
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I believe Fitzpatrick is going to be designated as a solid backup quarterback for the Texans. I think the Texans will either go for Blake Bortles in the draft, or perhaps O'Brian will attempt a deal with the Patriots in getting Mallet on board with the team. I can see Mallet as the starter and "Fitzperfec" as his backup.

What are your thoughts on this?
 
thunderkyss said:
Agreed. He's the one with the most obvious "franchise" potential. Most definitely not a sure thing & one heck of a gamble...





I mean next to McCarron.
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TK, I think you've posted your opinion of McCarton just about the correct amount.
If he busts, your posts will fade into the internet ether and be forgotten, but if he turns out good, you've got quite a few "I told you so" posts to point to. That's basically what you're looking for, right?

:)
 
michaelm said:
TK, I think you've posted your opinion of McCarton just about the correct amount.
If he busts, your posts will fade into the internet ether and be forgotten, but if he turns out good, you've got quite a few "I told you so" posts to point to. That's basically what you're looking for, right?

:)
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Well.... being that I've rarely came back with an "I told you so" I don't think that's the point.
 
BullNation4Life said:
Well, one good thing comes from this signing...

At least Ryan Fitzpartick is no Matt Schaub....:smiliedance:



wait...........................what?:confused:
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No.. Fitzpatrick is not even a Chinese knock off of Matt Schaub. No question in my mind that the Texans got better when Matt Schaub was traded and Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed. I mean who in their right mind couldn't see that?

The O'Brien/Fitzpatrick running of the bulls is about to run roughshod over the rest of the league!
 
Nitrofish said:
No.. Fitzpatrick is not even a Chinese knock off of Matt Schaub. No question in my mind that the Texans got better when Matt Schaub was traded and Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed. I mean who in their right mind couldn't see that?

The O'Brien/Fitzpatrick running of the bulls is about to run roughshod over the rest of the league!
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I think Schaub when healthy is clearly the better QB .... thing is , he hasn't been healthy for quite a while & his injuries get worse with use , not better. He was far from their only problem last season , they have a lot of work to do in rebuilding this roster. They do have a good foundation to build from tho , something other teams with similar records don't have as far as star power goes.


Fitzpatrick is nothing more than a caretaker of the position until the new regime's QB , who they will draft in rounds 1-3 is ready to take over the reins.



Did they get better ? Probably not .... but they didn't get any worse and shed themselves of the contract , saved $3.9m and change in the process.


I wish Schaub the best & hope he has another probowl season , don't even care if he beats the Texans as their record this coming season is of little consequence. Get your rookie head coach & rookie QB some on the job training and we'll see you in the 2015 playoffs.
 
Corrosion said:
I wish Schaub the best & hope he has another probowl season , don't even care if he beats the Texans as their record this coming season is of little consequence. Get your rookie head coach & rookie QB some on the job training and we'll see you in the 2015 playoffs.
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So you think 2011 and 2012 were the fluke years and that we were closer to 2013 the whole time?

Oh, ok.
 
TheMatrix31 said:
So you think 2011 and 2012 were the fluke years and that we were closer to 2013 the whole time?

Oh, ok.
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Not at all , I think Schaub was pretty damn good in those seasons & that the injuries added up and took their toll on his game , it was evident even late in the season when they struggled down the stretch after starting 11-1.

Schaub was never very physically gifted but had just enough ability to make just enough plays .... the injuries took just enough physical ability away that what were positive plays are now negative or net zero.

A healthy Schaub was an above average QB , Schaub after the injuries isn't.

Hope that makes sense .... :thinking:
 
Corrosion said:
Not at all , I think Schaub was pretty damn good in those seasons & that the injuries added up and took their toll on his game , it was evident even late in the season when they struggled down the stretch after starting 11-1.
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I understand the logic & it makes sense... except the defense struggled down this same stretch. I don't see how Schaub's reluctance to plant off his injured foot caused the defense be utterly useless in the red zone... either the end of 2012, or all of 2013. Nor how the residual effects of Schaub's injury stopped us from picking up 4th & 1..... yeah, the defense knew we were going to run the ball... they're supposed to. Then in the final 4 games of 2012, how does Schaub's deginerative condition cause Andre & Owen to drop balls they would normally catch, even though he was able to get the ball to their hands?


Schaub's level of play dropped off..... I'm not denying that. But at no time in his time here was he the guy that made everyone else look better. It had always been the other way around, where they (& the system, mostly the system) made him look better. Carried a bit further, that would mean...
 
I just hope he keeps the beard.

Ryan-Fitzpatrick.jpg
 
Nitrofish said:
The O'Brien/Fitzpatrick running of the bulls is about to run roughshod over the rest of the league!
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Wow, already hating on O'Brien before he's coached a single game here.

Why am I not surprised by this?
 
If we don't draft Manzel, Bridgewater or Bortles that probably means we take we are taking Clowney. If we do that, we are taking a chance on what QBs are left to draft in the 2nd round. We'd get the best of what's left, but would that be good enough to get them ready for the 2nd half of the season? And there's really only one or two after D. Carr that would be worth that first pick in the 2nd round.
 
Lucky said:
Wow, already hating on O'Brien before he's coached a single game here.

Why am I not surprised by this?
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Wait, you mean I am not allowed to think the Fitzpatrick signing was a bad move? Fitzpatrick has never played a single game for the Texans either.

I'll tell you what Lucky. Why don't you just jot down for me what I am supposed to think, like, and approve of so I stop making all of these silly mistakes.

I mean what do you expect from someone as thick headed as me?
 
So let me see if I have this right. I am supposed to believe that a rookie NFL head coach is going to draft a rookie (1st 2nd or 3rd Round) QB, none of which grade out as a number 1 pick, a journeyman QB who has a somewhat suspect NFL record, and is going to lead the Texans to the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl?

Wait.. I'll be right back. My Unicorn got out of the barn.
 
thunderkyss said:
With Schaub we would have committed $14.5M towards the 2014 cap for the "veteran QB" position. At least $7M for 2015.

With Fitzpatrick we have $13.35M (or something like that) committed towards the "veteran QB" position..... $4.6M for 2015 at most.


Net savings about $3.5M
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I have a question that I can't answer. We are obligated for the $10.5M of signing bonus money we gave Schaub and it shows up in our Dead Money for this season.

Why doesn't Fitzpatricks $1.25M signing bonus with the Raiders show up against their cap instead of ours? They signed him. We didn't. The rest I understand.

Since the $4M guarantee equals his $1.25M signing bonus, his $1.75M salary and $1M Roster Bonus, it could mean we are only obligated to him for one season at $2.75M and the details just haven't been explained. This would give us essentially a free option for Fitzpatrick for $3.25M in 2015.

Something is amiss with including the signing bonus as a Texans obligation.
 
ObsiWan said:
This ain't American Idol or Survivor. It's the freakin' NFL draft. Bring it back to two days like god intended. We've been operating under suspense and speculation since February. What the hell is an extra five minutes gonna do for your ratings that the past five MONTHS have not?!?
:bat: :foottap:
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I just want to know why they insist on going to commercial when it's our time to draft every year. If it's such a big deal, hold the draft up until after the commercials.
 
Nitrofish said:
So let me see if I have this right. I am supposed to believe that a rookie NFL head coach is going to draft a rookie (1st 2nd or 3rd Round) QB, none of which grade out as a number 1 pick, a journeyman QB who has a somewhat suspect NFL record, and is going to lead the Texans to the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl?

Wait.. I'll be right back. My Unicorn got out of the barn.
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You do know what a unicorn looks like, don't you?
http://endangeredliving.files.wordp...ed_rhino_8-6-2012_whytheymatter_hi_203197.jpg
 
Nitrofish said:
So let me see if I have this right. I am supposed to believe that a rookie NFL head coach is going to draft a rookie (1st 2nd or 3rd Round) QB, none of which grade out as a number 1 pick, a journeyman QB who has a somewhat suspect NFL record, and is going to lead the Texans to the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl?

Wait.. I'll be right back. My Unicorn got out of the barn.
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Isn't that what the Harbaughs did?
 
thunderkyss said:
When did the Raiders sign Fitzpatrick?
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Oops Somebody goofed. Probably me. I'll check the Titans to see if his dead money is there.

Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a two year, $7.25 million contract with the Tennessee Titans on March 20, 2014. $4 million of the contract is fully guaranteed including a $1.25 million signing bonus in 2014.

March 20 according to Over the Cap.

Even Stranger. Titan Cap shows $875,000 in dead money for Fitzpatrick.
 
Marshall said:
Oops Somebody goofed. Probably me. I'll check the Titans to see if his dead money is there.

Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a two year, $7.25 million contract with the Tennessee Titans on March 20, 2014. $4 million of the contract is fully guaranteed including a $1.25 million signing bonus in 2014.

March 20 according to Over the Cap.

Even Stranger. Titan Cap shows $875,000 in dead money for Fitzpatrick.
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Why do you care what Fitzpatrick's dead money is for TN? He was cut and signed with the Texans as a UFA getting a whole new contract in the process.
 
thunderkyss said:
Isn't that what the Harbaughs did?
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You make a good point, but while Jim did go 13-3 and won the NFC West in his rookie season (2011). Jim Harbaugh did not go to the Super Bowl his rookie season let alone win it. His 49ers lost in the NFCCG to the Giants.

John Harbaugh guided the Ravens to an 11-5 record his rookie season (2008), earning a wild card berth. But after upset victories over the Dolphins & Titans, the Ravens fell to the Steelers in the AFCCG. (An interesting side note is that John Harbaugh only got the Ravens job after Jason Garrett turned down the offer.)

So while these are excellent examples of what could happen to the 2014 Texans, the only rookie head coach I know who went to the Super Bowl and also won it was George Siefert in 1989, but he took over the reigning 1988 champion 49ers from Bill Walsh, and I'm sorry, but Bill O'Brien is no George Siefert, Ryan Fitzpatrick is no Joe Montana, and the 2014 Texans are not 1989 SF 49ers.
 
infantrycak said:
Why do you care what Fitzpatrick's dead money is for TN? He was cut and signed with the Texans as a UFA getting a whole new contract in the process.
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I'm still catching up with what happened while I was in the hospital. I saw nothing of the Titans cut or the Texans signing as a UFA. That's really a lot to miss with a signing two days ago.

I'm sorry if I'm not up to speed enough for you. And why do you care what I care about. You're suppose to moderate, not dictate the discussion.

I sought help and got...YOU!
 
Nitrofish said:
So while these are excellent examples of what could happen to the 2014 Texans, the only rookie head coach I know who went to the Super Bowl and also won it was George Siefert in 1989...
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Sorry, didn't know you meant all in one year. I'd be ok with winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
 
Marshall said:
I'm still catching up with what happened while I was in the hospital. I saw nothing of the Titans cut or the Texans signing as a UFA. That's really a lot to miss with a signing two days ago.

I'm sorry if I'm not up to speed enough for you. And why do you care what I care about. You're suppose to moderate, not dictate the discussion.

I sought help and got...YOU!
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Simmer down. I asked a question because your line of inquiry looked like you thought a trade was involved and if so filled in the detail of the UFA signing.
 
I wonder if the team is making Fitz pay for his own custom helmet to fit that humongous melon of his.

One thing is sure he wont be underthrowing Andre.
 
Nitrofish said:
Even then. neither had Rookie QB's or the likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick to work with so sorry bro, it's apples and oranges.
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The one in SanFrancisco had Alex Smith (before Harbaugh he could have been thought of in the same class as Fitzpatrick), & drafted a QB his first year. That QB became his starter in year two.

The one in Baltimore drafted Flacco when he first got there. Took him to the play offs for 5 years straight... winning the Super Bowl in year 5.

Pete Carol signed Matt Flyn (probably a tier above Fitzpatrick) & drafted Russell Wilson. He named Wilson the starter for week 1 & won the Super Bowl with Wilson in year two.

It's a pipe dream, but in our scenario Fitzpatrick is AlexSmith/Matt Flynn. We'll draft a QB, who will be a rookie. In 2015, he'll be a second year player.

I don't understand how that's an apples & oranges thing.
 
thunderkyss said:
The one in SanFrancisco had Alex Smith (before Harbaugh he could have been thought of in the same class as Fitzpatrick), & drafted a QB his first year. That QB became his starter in year two.
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Alex Smith was the 1st overall pick in 2005, Fitzpatrick went in the 7th round the same year. Smith would never have been though of in the same class as Fitzpatrick.

thunderkyss said:
The one in Baltimore drafted Flacco when he first got there. Took him to the play offs for 5 years straight... winning the Super Bowl in year 5.
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If you are being honest, the Ravens defense took them to the playoff 5 years straight, not Flacco. Flacco and Schaub are twins.

thunderkyss said:
Pete Carol signed Matt Flyn (probably a tier above Fitzpatrick) & drafted Russell Wilson. He named Wilson the starter for week 1 & won the Super Bowl with Wilson in year two.
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I would say Flynn and Fitzpatrick are very similar. Fitzpatrick had one big game (Against the Texans) which got him his shot. Flynn had one big game with GB, which gave him his shot. But when the chips were down, and the game was on the line, neither guy was big in the those moments, so they were replaced, and then replaced again.

Wilson was not planned, he was just a fluke, and I am still on the fence when it comes to him anyway. I didn't see anything special from him all season, including the Super Bowl. The only thing I saw when he played the Texans is that if Wade had just maintained the same strategy of maintaining lanes and sugar rushing Russell to keep him in the pocket, the Texans would have won that game. but instead Wade stopped sugar rushing in the 2nd half and left huge lanes for Wilson to run through, and he did exactly that. He ran all over the Texans with defenders backs to him.

thunderkyss said:
It's a pipe dream, but in our scenario Fitzpatrick is AlexSmith/Matt Flynn. We'll draft a QB, who will be a rookie. In 2015, he'll be a second year player.

I don't understand how that's an apples & oranges thing.
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In both the Ravens and 49 situations, they were not drained of talent just before the Harbaugh's took over. The teams remained for the most part in tact from their predecessors, and both had solid Defenses to offset the short comings at QB. Look at what John Harbaugh did the year after his team was drained of talent. They did not even make the playoffs even though they still had Flacco and Harbaugh.

I understand your reasons for being optimistic, but while anything is possible, it's also unlikely the Texans will even win 8 games this season, or next. I'm behind the team and hope you are right, but hope does not win football games. I wish I could be more optimistic, but after signing Fitzpatrick, the new regime is not getting off to a great start IMHO.
 
IDEXAN said:
95 degree temps & 75 degree dew points soon enough will send RF scuring off to find a razor.
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I dunno about that. I've worn my beard, and for many years longer that Fitz's, since the late 70's right here in SE Texas. I've yet to scuri(?)nor have I scurried to find a razor.

Not a big deal, really.
 
Nitrofish said:
So let me see if I have this right. I am supposed to believe that a rookie NFL head coach is going to draft a rookie (1st 2nd or 3rd Round) QB, none of which grade out as a number 1 pick, a journeyman QB who has a somewhat suspect NFL record, and is going to lead the Texans to the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl?

Wait.. I'll be right back. My Unicorn got out of the barn.
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No one said that. Most of us think this will be a two-season turnaround... maybe longer. Well, TK doesn't but he's mainly basing that on the fact that we'll play teams that don't have any more talent than we do; maybe less...

rookie head coaches with rookie QBs have taken teams to the playoffs.
- Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez
- Chuck Pagano/Andrew Luck
- Mike Smith/Matt Ryan

and those are just off the top of my head.
 
ObsiWan said:
No one said that. Most of us think this will be a two-season turnaround... maybe longer. Well, TK doesn't but he's mainly basing that on the fact that we'll play teams that don't have any more talent than we do; maybe less...

rookie head coaches with rookie QBs have taken teams to the playoffs.
- Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez
- Chuck Pagano/Andrew Luck
- Mike Smith/Matt Ryan

and those are just off the top of my head.
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With all due respect bro, I never said it never happened. We can agree that there are a lot more failures than success stories though right? The possibility and the likelihood of said outcome are two very different things.

So the signing of Fitzpatrick and Kendricks as O'Brien' first and only FA signings to date makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about this upcoming season?
 
Nitrofish said:
With all due respect bro, I never said it never happened. We can agree that there are a lot more failures than success stories though right? The possibility and the likelihood of said outcome are two very different things.

So the signing of Fitzpatrick and Kendricks as O'Brien' first and only FA signings to date makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about this upcoming season?
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You were so unimpressed with the signing that you forgot about Powe?
 
Nitrofish said:
With all due respect bro, I never said it never happened. We can agree that there are a lot more failures than success stories though right? The possibility and the likelihood of said outcome are two very different things.

So the signing of Fitzpatrick and Kendricks as O'Brien' first and only FA signings to date makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about this upcoming season?
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Now on one hand, caution says there are too many questions to bet on a worse-to-first turnaround like KC and Indy pulled off.

However, the fact that we're playing a 2-14 weighted schedule says we play mostly other teams that also sucked last year - which is where TK is coming from. Given that no one has film the Texans' version of an O'Brien offense, we could well surprise some folks.

So who knows.

As I said before, I think this will likely be a 2-yr turnaround process.

And I'm not inclined to get too excited or disappointed about this football stuff. It's entertainment. Love to watch it. Love to root for my team But I refuse to let it dictate my disposition.
That's what your in-laws are for.
:texflag:
 
ObsiWan said:
However, the fact that we're playing a 2-14 weighted schedule says we play mostly other teams that also sucked last year - which is where TK is coming from.
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Because we were the last place team in our division we play the Raiders and the Bills, where Indy will play the Broncos & the Patriots. That's the only thing 2-14 gets us.

We'll play the AFC North & the NFC East, just like every other team in our division.

You're correct, I don't think we'll be very good. I doubt we'll challenge the Colts for the division as they play the same hapless teams we'll play, plus they have two games against us as well.
 
michaelm said:
You were so unimpressed with the signing that you forgot about Powe?
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Well at least he fits what RC has planned for his DL's, but I the signing still not earth shattering.

ObsiWan said:
Now on one hand, caution says there are too many questions to bet on a worse-to-first turnaround like KC and Indy pulled off.

However, the fact that we're playing a 2-14 weighted schedule says we play mostly other teams that also sucked last year - which is where TK is coming from. Given that no one has film the Texans' version of an O'Brien offense, we could well surprise some folks.

So who knows.

As I said before, I think this will likely be a 2-yr turnaround process.

And I'm not inclined to get too excited or disappointed about this football stuff. It's entertainment. Love to watch it. Love to root for my team But I refuse to let it dictate my disposition.
That's what your in-laws are for.
:texflag:
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I hear ya, and I guess time will tell, but so true about football, disposition, and in-laws.

:bravo:
 
From a 2011 LA TIMES piece. Presents the human side of someone who is only known to most as a middle of the road NFL QB.
Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills is from Harvard, and that makes him unique. He's the only quarterback from that school to become an NFL starter.

But there's an everyman side to this son of a rocket scientist, and not just because he proposed to his wife at a McDonald's.

"Actually," he said, "it was a McDonald's connected to a gas station."

Fitzpatrick, you see, is a stickler for accuracy. That shows up on Sundays. In two games — both Buffalo victories — he has thrown for seven touchdowns with one interception, directing a team that leads the NFL in scoring with 39.5 points per game.

The Bills play host Sunday to New England, a team that has beaten them 15 times in a row.

"We'll be ready for them," Bills tight end Scott Chandler said.

Dismiss Buffalo at your peril. This is not the same team that lost its first eight games last season, finishing 4-12 and securing the third pick in the draft. This is a club gaining confidence by the week, especially in its quarterback, and several of its skill-position players were overlooked by much of the NFL.

Receivers Donald Jones and David Nelson were undrafted, and Steve Johnson went in the seventh round. Running back Fred Jackson wasn't drafted, and Chandler has been cut four times in five years.

"It kind of causes us to play with a chip on our shoulders," Chandler said. "We all have confidence, and we've known our whole careers that we can play. It's just a matter of getting that shot, and a lot of us had to work a long time to get that shot."

None longer than Fitzpatrick, 28, who was drafted by St. Louis in 2005 — the sixth-to-last player chosen — and bounced from the Rams to Cincinnati to Buffalo. This is the first season he has been the starter since Week 1, and there's no question the Bills are happy about that decision. "He's smart," Buffalo Coach Chan Gailey said of Fitzpatrick, who scored 48 out of 50 on the Wonderlic test. "He's obviously highly intelligent when it comes to protections and coverages and what defenses are trying to do."

The lore of Fitzpatrick still lingers at Harvard. People there remember his knocking out an opposing linebacker when he should have been stepping out of bounds, scrambling around like the Ivy League's answer to Steve Young, and starting every home game day by walking the field with his parents.

"There were kids who were top athletes who walked around Harvard like they were the show," said Brad Quigley, the school's head football trainer. "Ryan was just a regular kid."

Being the quarterback did have its advantages, though. One year, Fitzpatrick had a prime gig running the motor pool at Harvard's reunions, shuttling high-profile alumni here and there. He jokes that being an NFL quarterback is the second-best job he's ever had.

"Everybody made thousands of dollars on tips," he said. "It was awesome. Guys were driving around Conan O'Brien, people like that. That might have been the coolest job I've ever had, even though it lasted about a week."

Recalled Bob Glatz, executive director of the Harvard Varsity Club: "He was the most popular driver, not because he was Ryan Fitzpatrick, football star, but because he was a good-looking young lad who knew how to treat the alums well."

It took more than smarts and savvy to land the Buffalo job, and although he did a respectable job replacing Trent Edwards in 2010, there was no guarantee he would be this year's starter. The Bills told Fitzpatrick after last season that if they got a chance to draft Auburn's Cam Newton, they would. And if Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus had been off the board by the time the Bills were ready to make the third pick, Buffalo might have taken Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert. (Dareus was there, however, and they took him.)

Regardless, Fitzpatrick, who is due a new contract after this season, is trending upward by the week.

More than that, he fits the blue-collar ethos of Buffalo, a place that had grown increasingly wary of glamour-boy quarterbacks from the West Coast. It played big in that town last season when Fitzpatrick, raised in Gilbert, Ariz., grew a lumberjack beard over the course of the season. He was much more Jeremiah Johnson than Rob Johnson.

"He's definitely a very down-to-earth guy," Jones said. "Even when we're in the huddle, he's always joking. He keeps everybody else calm."

Fitzpatrick laughs at himself too. He coined the nickname "The Amish Rifle," drives a pickup truck, and might be the only quarterback who wears his wedding ring when he plays. He's married to Liza Barber, a former soccer star at Harvard, and their engagement story is a classic.

During his rookie season, Fitzpatrick bought a ring with money from a joint bank account he shared with Barber. He hid it in his car, then picked her up for a day of shopping at a St. Louis mall. They stopped by a clothing store, the clerk accidentally double-charged her, and Barber said not to worry because she'd check the account online when she got home.

"So I knew she was going to notice the amount of money that was missing," Fitzpatrick said. "So I was like, 'Oh, man.' I had to figure out from the Gap to my house how I was going to propose to her. Luckily, the ring was in the car.

"We drove by all these fancy places. I asked her if she wanted to grab some dinner and sit by the lake. It was November, and she was like 'Why would I do that? It's freezing outside!' All she wanted was McDonald's. My relationship with my wife, and knowing her, it was just the perfect setting.

"She ordered probably a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and had sweet-and-sour sauce on her face."

Soon, she had a diamond ring too — a Happy Meal redefined.
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