It would probably be a lot easier for us to list the things Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t do for the Miami Dolphins in their 31-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a primetime clash that developed a friendly rivalry with Jacksonville’s Gardner Minshew throughout the week on account of mustaches versus beards, Fitzpatrick was able to deliver one hell of a performance. He threw for two scores, ran for one more, danced throughout the pocket, threw a key block on a big run and even caught a pass.
But if you asked Fitzpatrick was his most notable play was on Thursday Night Football, he’ll point you to a seemingly innocent play later in the game once the Dolphins had the game in hand.
“You know what you can add to that, which rarely (happens)? If you look at a lot of footage of me you will rarely see me slide and today, I also slid, so you can throw that one in there,” said Fitzpatrick in the postgame with a smirk.
“That may not happen again all year so there were a lot of different things. That was my third career reception. I was glad I actually got positive yards on that one. But I think running and trying to throw a block here and there and getting hit, that stuff helps me get into the game a little bit.”
Indeed, Fitzpatrick was about as into the game as one can be. And he’s also right about sliding — this is the same quarterback who dropped the truck stick on a defender with his throwing shoulder in last year’s preseason contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The man plays a fearless brand of football.
And after tossing for 488 yards and 4 touchdowns over his last two games, Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to show why the Dolphins’ coaching staff has so much faith and confidence in his leadership for Miami. Fitzpatrick carries a unique kind of swagger to his game — the kind that can help a young team learn how to play with an edge and attack the game one play at a time. After all, how competitive do you have to be to make the decision to slide in the open field become one of your highlights in an otherwise dominant performance?