National Football League

Nothing new: QB Fitzpatrick has plenty to prove

Published Sep. 7, 2012 11:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has the full trust and confidence of his teammates and coach Chan Gailey in preparing to open his second season as the team's starter. Now it's a matter for him to show everyone else around the NFL of what he's capable of doing.

Fitzpatrick and the Bills open the season Sunday against the New York Jets having won just once over the last 13 regular-season and preseason games combined. But that doesn't faze him, even if his list of naysayers grows as the losses pile up.

''I think every time you go into a year, you have to prove who you are and what kind of player you are,'' Fitzpatrick said. ''That's not just for me, that's for the elite guys too. I'm sure (Green Bay's) Aaron Rodgers feels like he has a lot to prove going into the year. Every season is new. And for me, I've got more to prove than other guys, probably. That's it as a quarterback. You've got to go be able to go out there and do it, and I'm looking forward to that challenge.''

After lighting up the league en route to a 5-2 start last season, it became plenty challenging for Fitzpatrick and the Bills as things began to unravel in a 27-11 loss to the Jets in Week 9. New York held Buffalo's prolific offensive attack to just 287 yards, while Fitzpatrick completed less than 50 percent of his throws in the game.

It also marked the beginning of a seven-game losing streak - a stretch that knocked the Bills out of playoff contention - and also began to raise some doubts on the team in general, and Fitzpatrick in particular.

Fitzpatrick himself understands the criticism that has been levied on him, and would love nothing more than to silence the pessimists.

''I think I have more to prove than other guys because I did some things last year that were good, but at the same time I didn't put together a full, complete season,'' he said. ''I've got to be able to be consistent all year.''

The view from the outside, though, is far different from the one inside the Bills locker room. Fitzpatrick is a well-respected leader, and his early results last season more than prove that he's the ideal quarterback for Gailey's wide-open attack.

''We keep Fitz standing upright, he's going to find the open guy every time,'' running back Fred Jackson said. ''That's just something we've got to take pride in. We did it last year, and gave up the least amount of sacks. It allowed Fitz to make some plays downfield, and we feel like this year, he can make even more plays for us as long as we keep him standing upright.''

The Bills enter Sunday's game relatively healthy, with just top receiver Stevie Johnson listed as questionable because of a groin injury. Johnson, who had surgery earlier this year on his groin, should be ready to play despite missing Thursday's practice after tweaking his groin in Wednesday's session. He was limited in practice on Friday.

Buffalo also reached an injury settlement with cornerback Cris Hill on Friday, and released him from injured reserve.

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