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New Titans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had a brief press conference today with the local media. There were some interesting comments made by Fitzpatrick about the franchise and Jake Locker amid the blandness of a typical free agent signee press conference. Here are some of the highlights:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ryan Fitzpatrick said he wanted a situation where he could mentor a young QB after leaving <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Bills">#Bills</a></p>— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) <a href="https://twitter.com/terrymc13/status/316313541583990785">March 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Fitzpatrick says he doesn't know Jake Locker but wants to meet and work with him.</p>— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) <a href="https://twitter.com/terrymc13/status/316313782156660736">March 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Fitzpatrick says Andy Levitre and George Wilson were two of his favorite teammates. All 3 now with <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Titans">#Titans</a></p>— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) <a href="https://twitter.com/terrymc13/status/316314031466094592">March 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>New Titans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick said he had to "swallow his pride" to be a backup again. Ready to help Jake Locker, tho</p>— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/316314489182097408">March 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Fitzpatrick agreed to <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Titans">#Titans</a> sight unseen without visiting</p>— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) <a href="https://twitter.com/terrymc13/status/316317399911649280">March 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Not much information of any significant importance can be parsed here but at least Fitzpatrick is saying the right things. I do find it interesting that he signed with the Titans without visiting the facilities beforehand. Ruston Webster and company must have really recruited him at the owner's meetings in Arizona. It's funny that Fitzpatrick, Wilson, and Levitre all ended up on the same team again after a swift free agency period for each.
The best case scenario for Fitzpatrick is to treat this a image rehabilitation audition for his next employer down the line. He stands a better chance of doing that in Nashville than with the Bengals (his other purported suitor) due to Jake Locker's proclivity to injury and Andy Dalton's stable health. If he comes in and does well should Locker get hurt, the team could move him for future picks ala Andy Reid and his mystifying skill of fleecing other teams for his backup quarterbacks.
My initial reaction to the signing was of some apathy as Fitzpatrick won't wow you but won't utterly destroy you either should your starter go down. It was good to get a cheaper backup than what Matt Hasselbeck was making. Reportedly, Fitzpatrick will meet with OC Dowell Loggains and former WR coach turned QB coach Dave Ragone tonight to discuss the new offense and other matters relative to that side of the ball.