Fitzpatrick prepares to start against Saints

When the Buccaneers open their 2018 campaign in New Orleans Sunday, it'll be Ryan Fitzpatrick leading the team out.

"Every time I go out there, I try to win," Fitzpatrick said.  

The team's backup quarterback finds himself in a unique situation as he starts the first three games of the season - filling in for the suspended Jameis Winston.

It's been two months since the NFL served the suspension and that's a lot of time for Fitzpatrick and the team to get to know each other even better than they had previously.

It also offered a chance for Fitzpatrick to get more reps during training camp than he normally would as the team's backup quarterback.

"I think that's helpful," Fitzpatrick said. "Having a year under my belt of being comfortable in the offense and getting some time to throw some balls to those guys to interact and talk with the linemen and get on the same page, and Ryan Jensen being a new guy in our system - the more time the better."

It's not like Fitzpatrick is walking into the unknown here. He knows this team, and maybe just as well as Winston. 

"We went 2-1 with Fitz last year as our quarterback," said Bucs offensive coordinator, Todd Monken. "It's a team game, we've got to play well around him. I thought we played well around him last year. I think we've played well around him in the preseason. I don't see that at all as an issue." 

That's why the Bucs don't think they'll miss a beat with a different quarterback under center.