TAMPA, Fla. _ Dirk Koetter knows. The Bucs coach met with Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick Tuesday and now they know. But he doesn't want the Chicago Bears to know which will quarterback the Bucs Sunday at Soldier Field.
So the waiting game continues.
"So I know there's lot of interest in the quarterback thing and I did talk to both Jameis and Fitz and it's great to see Jameis back in the building and he was here early and working hard," Koetter said Tuesday.
"We welcome Jamies back. We're glad to have him. Short week. He assured me that he was ready to go, which I don't doubt for a minute that he's been working hard. So we know what we're going to do. Both guys know what we're going to do. I hope everybody can appreciate it doesn't do us any good to tell our opponents what we're going to do. That will work itself out as the week goes on. But we do have a plan."
Two factors are still unaccounted for. Winston has not been on the practice field, so it will be hard to know how sharp he still is after taking three weeks off until practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick went into Monday night's game with a knee injury and was hit 13 times, sacked three times and drew three roughing the passer penalties.
"We have a plan for it, but again, you never really know how it's going to go week to week," Koetter said. "I have an idea how it's going to go, but this is an ever-changing game."
Winston stayed in shape by simulating the Bucs work days with meetings in the morning, a walk-through and then practice in the afternoon. He assembled a group of ex-NFL players and free agents to work out with him during the suspension.
Fitzpatrick led the Bucs to a 2-1 start, becoming the first NFL quarterback to throw for at least 400 yards in three consecutive games. He would be the likely choice to start Sunday, especially because Winston has not been with the team in three weeks and they have one less day of preparation.
Koetter admitted Bucs players may be split over which quarterback should be starting.
"It's possible. It's possible," Koetter said. "I mean, I worry about a lot of stuff. But I also trust our guys. I trust our guys that they'll know we're making the move that's in the best interest of our team and I think our guys just want to win and the second half is a good example. You go in three scores down at halftime and the fight was still there in our guys in the locker room and I'm proud of the way they fought and came back. No matter what the adversity is, I think our guys will handle it."
The good news, Koetter said, is that he believes the Bucs have three good quarterbacks, including Ryan Griffin, who never has taken a snap in a regular-season game.
"This quarterback issue we have right now is not an adversity," Koetter said. "We are blessed. We have three good quarterbacks on our roster right now and not all teams in the league can say that. I think we can win."
