Who is this guy? Thoughts on Ryan Fitzpatrick By David Hollinshead Ryan Fitzpatrick first arrived in Buffalo, his first interview was about the signing of wide receiver Terrell Owens; he said that no backup quarterback signing would overshadow Terrell Owens. Owens flew the coop the next year after a subpar 55 reception 829 yard season. It was the first full season he hadn’t eclipsed 1,000 yards since 1997, where he was just under 70 yards of that mark. Fitzpatrick remained and, in the last year of his contract, solidified himself as the starting quarterback and led his team to a quick 2-0 record after starting 13 games last year with a 58 per cent completion percentage, 3,000 yards, and 23 touchdowns for 15 interceptions. This year the coach, Chan Gailey, has complete confidence in him — resulting in Fitzpatrick and Steve Johnson lighting it up. In week one, after falling behind 21-3 to the Oakland Raiders, Fitzpatrick roared back in what can only be known as a shoot-out after the lead changed several times in the fourth quarter to win 38-35. He went 28 for 46 with 264 yards and three touchdowns to one interception. Against the Kansas City Chiefs the next week, the play-by-play guys called him “Fitzgerald” for the entire first quarter before they were corrected. Fitzpatrick made them pay by running up the score on Kansas City, going 17 for 25 with 208 yards and four touchdowns on a 48-3 blowout. The argument you can make against number 14, is that he gives defences way to many opportunities to make a play. The teams he has played thus far were watered-down talent, and just not very good football teams. A better team like the Jets or Ravens would capitalize, and he’ll get his chance to show what he can really do against New England in week three. (By the time this article has been released, the game will be in the books, so you'll have your answer.) We’ ve also seen Buffalo teams start off good and bomb the rest of the season. Just a couple years ago, the Bills started at 6-0 and were challenging the Patriots for first place in the AFC East, but that luck not only fizzled but plum ran out as they went 7-9. He came out by saying that all he wants is the league to respect him, and if he keeps this up, he will certainly earn it. During the lockout, the Bills organization stated that they wanted to sign Fitzpatrick to a new contract before the off-season, but now that might include a huge pay raise which the Bills could use elsewhere to fix their flawed defence or holes at offensive line. There haven’t been any talks to resign him since then. If he is not resigned, that gives teams the opportunity for a short-term quarterback situation. If the San Francisco 49ers ever decide to part from Alex Smith (long since overdue), or the Seattle Seahawks decide to upgrade, they could sign Fitzpatrick until they find someone else for a long- term solution. If those teams decide to take the draft as a route to a franchise QB, then Fitzpatrick would be a great mentor as he’s been in the league for long enough and played in several different systems and could probably run any teams offence some-what decently. If the Jacksonville Jaguars or Cincinatti Bengals decide to sign him, they would give their youngsters more time to develop and Blaine Gabbert and Andy Dalton on their respective teams came into this year with a red flag of “DO NOT RUSH.” It would be interesting to see him sign with the Miami Dolphins, who appear to have fallen out of love with Chad Henne and are in the market for someone else, and would have an inside source on a division rival. Kurt Warner has even said that Fitzpatrick reminds him of himself, a typical gunslinger. In any case, all eyes will be on Fitzpatrick for the rest of the season to see how he performs. Ryan Fitzpatrick The chronicles of a Brit in the USA: Beckham’s American experience By Eric Wilkins : ive seasons ago, one of the most ; publicized transfers in soccer history took place. David Beckham was moving house. Where could he possibly go to garner even more attention? He had already become a world icon in his time at Manchester United, and had continued to increase his popularity with 4 move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. What was there left to accomplish? The English international decided he needed a new challenge; he was going stateside. A Brit coming to America. Screaming gitls at the airport. Cameras clicking wildly. But for the fact that it was the wrong era, one might think the Beatles were returning to the USA. Beckham has never been one to shy away from the attention showered upon him daily, and for that reason it might be deemed completely unsurprising that his move to the MLS was to the league’s Los Angeles-based club, the Galaxy. His arrival created a massive stir worldwide and greatly helped the MLS crawl out from its relative anonymity in the U.S. — all before he had even played 6 a game. When he did finally see the field, he was limited to short stints as a substitute due to a lingering ankle injury, and didn’t actually start a game for almost a month. However, in typical Beckham fashion, his mere presence was enough to draw a crowd. In an away game against DC United many ignorantly criticised his fitness citing that he wasn’t tough enough, despite the fact that he was injured before he even started playing in the league. Beckham would finish the season with a mere eight games played due to an MCL sprain he picked up in the rough and tumble North “His arrival created a massive stir worldwide and greatly helped the MLS crawl out from its relative anonymity in the U.S. — all before he had even played a game.” (in which Beckham played fewer than 20 minutes) there were almost 47,000 on hand, which was roughly three times the average attendance at RFK Stadium. Beckham- mania was in full swing. Beckham’s start in the league was marked by several firsts. It was his first game as team captain, his first goal, his first assist, his first yellow card, and his first full serving of the brutal quality of MLS soccer. In a league characterized by athletic freaks and goons (actual talent has little place) it should have been expected that Beckham would have difficulty staying healthy, but American game. Following a relatively uneventful second season in the league, Beckham was loaned out to AC Milan during the MLS off-season in an attempt to stay fit so that he might be selected for the England squad during their World Cup qualifying campaign. Becks saw a good deal of success in Italy however, and his loan that was originally slated to see him return to the Galaxy in time for the start of the MLS season, was extended until mid-July. This development angered LA fans and sparked speculation that Beckham’s tenure in the MLS was to be ended by an AC Milan bid for him. Ultimately Beckham returned to LA in July, but was stripped of his captaincy and was relegated to the doghouse of many staunch supporters. In the next season, Beckham was again loaned out to AC Milan. His return to Italy was short-lived, as he tore his Achilles _ tendon just a few games in. The injury forced him to miss all but the final two months of the MLS season. Becks would return in September at which time he put in some solid performances, redeeming himself in the eyes of many a fickle fan. And now we arrive at the present day. The Galaxy are flying high and commonly held as the favourites to finally win a title with Beckham, who is in the last year of his contract. It is rumoured that a move back to England is on the books, but nothing is set in stone. If it is the end of the road for Beckham in the MLS then I would like to think that he did nothing but help foster the game in the States. Ignoring the blemishes, he put fans in the seats, inspired thousands of children, and has helped attract other stars to the American league. A job well done.