Ryan Fitzpatrick: MERGED

[joewilly12]

Just now, NYJ37/12 said:

I had a difficult time reading this fine print...

I copied it from the Daily News 

[joewilly12]

[kelticwizard]

Say, whatever happened to that poster who said he hates it when anybody posts that he has a friend who heard something, but in this case the poster had a buddy who was an intern with the Jets and it was going around the front office that Fitz and the Jets had agreed on a deal and Fitz was coming in to sign yesterday, 9AM.

 

Anyone know anything about that? 

[BigRy56]

Talks are heating up for the #Jets and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and they are negotiating back-and-forth. Jets trying to get it done.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2016

[Mecca]

I'm team Geno Smith all the way.

- Geno never had Chan Gailey or Todd Bowles.

- Geno never had Brandon Marshall or a healthy Eric Decker.

- Geno had Stephen Hill and Clyde Gates starting at WR with an inept coordinator/head coach. 

- Fitz had a cupcake schedule last season.

- Fitz is in his mid 30's and has been a journey fringe starter across his entire career.

- Geno's in a contract year and is by far the better athlete with the better arm and greater potential.

- Fitz is a game manager. If we're not dominating the LOS, we can't win a game. Geno's arm can theoretically win us games. 

- By neglecting to sign Fitz, we can add a piece or two for THIS year and be players next year in free agency. 

- By signing Fitz, we're forced to reconstruct contracts and handicap our potential in next years free agency.


#TeamGeno

[Irish Jet]

It's going to happen.

[Mecca]

Just now, Irish Jet said:

It's going to happen.

Unfortunately..... 

 

Does Fitz automatically get the job? I'd like to see a competition, tbh.

[Mike135]

6 minutes ago, BigRy56 said:

Oh no.  This feels like a horror flick when the victim sees daylight and safety so close and he stops running while beginning to smile... then all of a sudden a machete chops his head off just feet from safety.

Run Jets, run!!!  Keep running 'til you've reached the clearing.

[Rangers9]

Ok Schefter says he signed for 1 year 12 mil. https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter

 

[JetsFanatic]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet  25s26 seconds ago
Back to the deal #Jets are finalizing with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: It's 1-year, $12M with a chance to make $3M more based on team performance

[kelly]

 -- The most drawn-out, least suspenseful contract dispute in recent NFL history is finally over. Ryan Fitzpatrick is back with the New York Jets, just like everybody expected back in February.

The initial takeaway : Fitzpatrick gets what he wanted, and the Jets get their quarterback. If you're looking to declare a winner, give a slight edge to Fitzpatrick.Fitzpatrick agreed to a one-year contract for a fully guaranteed $12 million, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. He can earn an additional $3 million with team incentives, but it'll take a deep playoff run for him to see any of that money. It'll be tough, but he can make a total of $15 million, which is what he wanted at the outset of this long and crazy staring contest.

The Jets had been opposed to a one-year contract (hence, the three-year, $24 million offer), but a couple of realities hit them hard: Training camp begins Thursday, and Geno Smith would've been under center. No matter how much they talked up Smith's performance in the spring, the Jets never wanted him to be their starter. They would've told The Beard to take a hike if they felt Smith were anywhere close to Fitzpatrick.

Basically, they sliced off the second and third years of their initial proposal, which contained $12 million in the first year. In exchange, Fitzpatrick surrendered $4 million of the $16 million guarantee that was included in the offer that had collected dust. There is the compromise. This wasn't a total cave by the Jets.There was quiet confidence at One Jets Drive that a deal would get done. In fact, members of the football staff were given strong indications in recent weeks that Fitzpatrick would be back. And so he is.

Obviously, it's the right move for the Jets, who need Fitzpatrick to compete for a playoff spot with a win-now roster. They tried to squeeze him into taking a three-year deal for backup money, but Fitzpatrick -- despite having no other suitors -- wasn't budging. He played it brilliantly, using his teammates to do his negotiating in the media and landing a good contract with no market. The Jets were bidding against the Jets, but they increased their offer from $9 million to $12 million on Wednesday and gave Fitzpatrick a 7 p.m. deadline.

Take it or leave it. Of course, he took it. Who wouldn't? It's almost a 400 percent raise from last year's salary.

Fitzpatrick will collect $12 million for 2016, and if he maintains his starting job for the year, he'll have another trip to the bargaining table next offseason. If he gets his team to the playoffs, he'll have some real leverage. It's a win-win for the man with the Harvard education.The Jets got antsy. After five straight years of missing the playoffs, owner Woody Johnson wasn't about to entrust his team to Smith. Perhaps the boss exerted some pressure on general manager Mike Maccagnan, who coughed up a few extra million on the eve of the first practice -- just as he coughed up the money to sign Muhammad Wilkerson at the franchise-tag deadline.

Yes, the Jets are all-in for 2016, as they should be. This isn't a rebuilding situation; it's a veteran team with championship-starved players such asBrandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, David Harris ... and the list goes on. The Jets will have to rework other contracts to absorb Fitzpatrick's $12 million cap hit, as they began the day with $9.1 million in cap space. The Wilkerson contract created added flexibility, with $5.7 million in cap space. That allowed them to do the one-year deal.

This could make the locker room happy, especially Marshall and Eric Decker, Fitzpatrick's receivers. There could have been a revolt if the Jets had blown the negotiations.It's over now. Fitzpatrick is back, and the Jets have zero excuses this season. Everybody is happy.

Well, everybody except Geno Smith.

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61510/win-now-jets-make-the-right-move-by-ending-the-ryan-fitzpatrick-madness

[kelly]

 -- Friday morning's wake-up call, Day 2 of New York Jets training camp :

What's happening : There will be a sense of normalcy for the second practice. The massive media horde of Thursday, on hand to chronicleRyan Fitzpatrick's arrival/debut, probably will be gone. The team will be on the field at 1:50 p.m. ET for a closed practice.

What's hot : The new storyline in camp will be Fitzpatrick's battle against his off-season rust. Understandably, he was off his game on the first day, throwing two interceptions in team drills. Let's just say he didn't spend a lot of time partaking in football activities during his contract dispute. He said he stayed in shape by chasing his five kids and playing golf, walking hilly New Jersey courses instead of taking a cart. This will be a process for Fitzpatrick, but he has time. Until he gets his football legs, he probably will continue to share first-team reps with Geno Smith. ... We'll keep a close eye on the injury situation, as the Jets already have many banged-up players: Matt Forte (hamstring), Breno Giacomini (back),James Carpenter  (hamstring), Darrelle Revis (wrist) and Muhammad Wilkerson (leg), among others. Forte and Carpenter were hurt before the first practice, never a good sign. Giacomini's back injury, lingering since the spring, will keep him out for at least a week, according to coach Todd Bowles. When a 300-pounder has a back issue, it always bears watching. Bowles was cagey when discussing the timetable for Revis and Wilkerson, saying they will be evaluated "day by day, week by week." Wilkerson isn't a surprise; Revis is a mild surprise. He sat out the entire offseason as he recovered from wrist surgery.

>   http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61562/memo-to-jets-qb-ryan-fitzpatrick-practicing-football-is-harder-than-golf

[jgb]

Lol. 

There's absolutely no reason for the Jets to up their offer, and every reason to lower it. The only other team who showed even the slightest interest in Fitz on the open market just also happens to be the team that did draft Lynch. And for all his faults, it could be argued that Hackenberg is closer to being an NFL starter than Lynch is right now, anyway. Fitz's only leverage is if the Jets don't pay him what he wants, he'll retire. The Jets appear completely willing to call that bluff. 

Remember back when we had to sign him during the team's five game winning streak last year because someone was gonna swoop in and steal him away from us in free agency? Good times. Slowest swoop ever. 

The past called. You were wrong. This is why you don't negotiate for a living. Go JETS!.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jgb]

The Jets are clearly willing to start Geno Smith (gasp) or a rookie as opposed to overpaying Fitz.  The Jets played a game of chicken with Fitz and won. They will not offer him a penny more than they already have.  It is now up to him to concede a little or not play this year.

Lol boy just easier if you guys recognise the skill of jgb

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slats]

6 hours ago, jgb said:

 

 

The past called. You were wrong. This is why you don't negotiate for a living. Go JETS!.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bwahahahaha!

From the guy who wanted to sign Fitz during the season -before the fated Buffalo game- when his value was at an all time high. I'll give you this, you do wrong very well. 

And I stand by my statement. The Jets caved, and they didn't have to. Unlike your definitive prediction, the guy never got an actual offer. His choices were taking what the Jets were offering, or basically retiring (i.e.: waiting around for a QB to get hurt). 

[kelly]

 -- Saturday's wake-up call, Day 3 at New York Jetstraining camp :

What's happening : It gets real, weather permitting. After two days in shells, the team will practice in pads for the first time. It's also the first practice open to the public, one of only six open sessions. The combination of a live crowd, coupled with actual contact on the field, always adds a sense of electricity. There might be real electricity in the atmosphere, with the weather forecast calling for possible thunderstorms and a 60 percent chance of rain for the 1:50 p.m. start.

What's hot : Ryan Fitzpatrick was hot in his second practice, completing 23 of 29 passes in team drills -- a much better showing than Day 1. Maybe offseason practices are overrated. Fitzpatrick stayed away during his contract dispute, doing most of his conditioning on the golf course, but he seems fine so far. ... There's some good competition developing among the wide receivers not named Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. On Friday,Kenbrell Thompkins was on fire, catching no fewer than five passes from Fitzpatrick. One was a pretty, back-shoulder completion, the kind of play that demands good chemistry between the quarterback and receiver. It was a nice way for Thompkins to celebrate his 28th birthday. Rookie Jalin Marshall, undrafted from Ohio State, caught two balls from Fitzpatrick.

He's not a burner, but he's smooth and surehanded. It'll be interesting to gauge his progress. ... This will be our first look at rookie linebackerJordan Jenkins in pads. The third-round pick has been working with the starters, which says something, but Todd Bowles isn't ready to praise the kid just yet. "He's doing some good things, but the hard part starts [Saturday]," the coach said. "We'll get a better look at him when he gets all the pads on." ... If you're hoping to see Darrelle Revis, you'll be disappointed. The star cornerback, four months removed from wrist surgery, still isn't practicing. Bowles was vague when discussing Revis' timetable, saying, "He's day-to-day or week-to-week. I can't give you one or the other. I don't know." ... Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, excused for a personal reason, will miss a couple of days.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61590/ryan-fitzpatrick-building-chemistry-with-jets-entire-receiving-corps

[Rangers9]

2 hours ago, slats said:

Bwahahahaha!

From the guy who wanted to sign Fitz during the season -before the fated Buffalo game- when his value was at an all time high. I'll give you this, you do wrong very well. 

And I stand by my statement. The Jets caved, and they didn't have to. Unlike your definitive prediction, the guy never got an actual offer. His choices were taking what the Jets were offering, or basically retiring (i.e.: waiting around for a QB to get hurt). 

The only reason the Jets signed Fitz is because they wanted the player and knew he wasn't going to sign that 3 year deal. So they didn't cave in because no deal if they didn't compromise. Fitz did say when asked if he would have signed for below the 12 basically "no comment. "  Look if you want a baloney sandwich (and some of you think that's about his ability as a Qb) and the price is $5 you don't get it unless you pay the five dollars. The Jets found this out but it took them 7 months of playing hardball. As for putting a gun to his head and say take it or you can retire. It doesn't work that way thank god. 

[jgb]

10 hours ago, slats said:

Bwahahahaha!

From the guy who wanted to sign Fitz during the season -before the fated Buffalo game- when his value was at an all time high. I'll give you this, you do wrong very well. 

And I stand by my statement. The Jets caved, and they didn't have to. Unlike your definitive prediction, the guy never got an actual offer. His choices were taking what the Jets were offering, or basically retiring (i.e.: waiting around for a QB to get hurt). 

It's ok. You were wrong. No big deal. If you learn to accept when you are wrong, you'll be much less bitter. Go JETS!

[kelly]

 -- A look at what's happening around the New York Jets :

1. Must be the 'Fitz' thing : Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract is structured in a way that helps the organization now and, possibly, well into the future. Essentially, it's one year for $12 million, but a dummy voidable was tacked on to spread the signing bonus ($10 million) over two years for salary-cap purposes. A straight, one-year deal would've put them over the cap, requiring them to restructure contracts. That's why I always felt it wouldn't be a standard one-year contract.Fitzpatrick's salary for 2017 is $2 million, but that figure is an arbitrary placeholder. He will become a free agent after the season because the contract automatically voids five days after the Super Bowl. It disappears into thin air. Larry Fitzgerald has a similar contract with the Arizona Cardinals; his final two years (2017-2018) also void after this season. In fact, it'll happen on the same day as Fitzpatrick.

For the Jets, the downside is a $5 million cap charge next year, which isn't insignificant. According to ESPN data, they already have $163 million committed to the 2017 cap, which is expected to increase from the current $155 million.Despite the voidable, the Jets are eligible to receive a compensatory pick. If Fitzpatrick signs elsewhere next season and plays well for his new team, the Jets probably would receive a compensatory pick in the 2018 draft.

rest of above article : 

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/61623/an-inside-look-at-the-out-in-ryan-fitzpatricks-contract-with-jets

[kelly]

The Sirius/XM NFL Radio bandwagon pulled into Florham Park on Wednesday, and that meant it was time for our annual chat with Pat Kirwan, this time sans radio partner Jim Miller, who couldn't wait to get down to the field to watch practice.

Kirwan had great observations all around the Jets roster, but his thoughts on the offense were the most interesting to me, beginning with his answer to the opening question about how the former Jets personnel man saw this year's Green & White team shaping up in the AFC East."As soon as they got Fitz back, I felt much better, like a lot of people," Kirwan said of, who else, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick . "I talked to Ryan this morning, and you know, I parallel his career to Richie Gannon. Gannon was 34 when he found Jon Gruden and Gruden found him [on the Raiders]. So with Chan Gailey again this time around, I think Ryan's very much energized."

Part of the reason for that, Kirwan said, was the potential Fitz-to-Forté connection — "To get Ryan back with Chan and Matt, Forté can go right back up to 75, 80 catches."But the main attraction is Fitz with his two wideout buds,  Brandon Marshall  and  Eric Decker . I asked Pat if this trio was in line to duplicate or improve on last year's outstanding collaboration."I see them going a little higher," he said. "And I do see that because according to Fitzy and Jimmy Miller, who played for Chan, they're expanding the offense. They're already moving into more stuff. He said we kind of took off from where we left off."

Kirwan does have questions on the Jets offense. He's cautiously optimistic about TE  Jace Amaro  — "Time will tell, but the middle of the field's going to be wide open with those two receivers — and he wants to know who's going to settle in at third WR and who the third tackle will be behind  Ryan Clady  and  Breno Giacomini .But the football guru, who continues to market his books and DVDs on his website in addition to his radio work, sees this offense, defense and specialists under new ST coach Brant Boyer coming together to win more battles than it loses against this year's tougher schedule.

"With Fitz back and plenty of time to get ready and what he told me about where they are," he said, "I think the Jets are sitting in a wild card spot."

>     http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-randylangefb/Kirwans-a-Fan-of-Fitz--What-He-Means-to-Jets/3694ed26-fbf6-4a8e-91e6-8cd9ffbe4838

[Smashmouth]

bump for Slats

 

 

ha

[nyjunc]

Rich gannon comparisons

[Saul Goodman]

4 hours ago, nyjunc said:

Rich gannon comparisons

The WORST kind of fan. Would rather be "right" than to root for players to do better than he predicted. You suck dude.

[nyjunc]

52 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said:

The WORST kind of fan. Would rather be "right" than to root for players to do better than he predicted. You suck dude.

I am the best kind of fan, I don't boo, I don't bash, I speak realistically.  I want Fitz to be great, I don't care who our QB is as long as we win but whoever it is I will root for but to compare him to Rich Gannon who was the best QB in the league for a short stretch is just asinine.  Rich had a winning record in the NFL before he ever got to oakland where he took over for a bad franchise and helped elevate them to a top team in the AFC.  Last year was the first year Fitz ever even had a single winning record, first year he ever won more than 6 games.  It's a ridiculous comparison.

[Big Blocker]

1 hour ago, Saul Goodman said:

The WORST kind of fan. Would rather be "right" than to root for players to do better than he predicted. You suck dude.

As of now junc is the only poster here that I have on ignore.  Jus sayin...

[nyjunc]

10 minutes ago, Big Blocker said:

As of now junc is the only poster here that I have on ignore.  Jus sayin...

and you are the type of poster you are.  Jus sayin...

[NYs Stepchild]

1 hour ago, nyjunc said:

I am the best kind of fan, I don't boo, I don't bash, I speak realistically.  I want Fitz to be great, I don't care who our QB is as long as we win but whoever it is I will root for but to compare him to Rich Gannon who was the best QB in the league for a short stretch is just asinine.  Rich had a winning record in the NFL before he ever got to oakland where he took over for a bad franchise and helped elevate them to a top team in the AFC.  Last year was the first year Fitz ever even had a single winning record, first year he ever won more than 6 games.  It's a ridiculous comparison.

Sounds a lot like someone that wants to be right even though they know they have no case. 

In every category but wins Fitz has been as good or better than Gannon was before Oakland. To argue that point is ridiculous. 

His best year record wise was 8-4. He threw 12 tds and 13 picks. Sure he carried that team.

His average for his career before Oakland was around 6 yards per attempt. 

In 11 years he threw 63 TDs, then he threw 105 in the next 4 years. 

[nyjunc]

3 minutes ago, NYs Stepchild said:

Sounds a lot like someone that wants to be right even though they know they have no case. 

In every category but wins Fitz has been as good or better than Gannon was before Oakland. To argue that point is ridiculous. 

His best year record wise was 8-4. He threw 12 tds and 13 picks. Sure he carried that team.

His average for his career before Oakland was around 6 yards per attempt. 

In 11 years he threw 63 TDs, then he threw 105 in the next 4 years. 

wins are all that matters, I don't care that he puts up meaningless fantasy #s while not helping teams win.  he has not been better than gannon at any stage of gannon's career.  it's not about carrying a team, Fitz carried nothing last year.  he rode the coattails of Marshall and decker and to compare stats from the 90s to this pass happy era is just flat out silly.  Gannon pre-Oak was loight years better than Fitz pre NYJ and Gannon oak was 2 light years better than Fitz NYJ.

[NYs Stepchild]

Just now, nyjunc said:

wins are all that matters, I don't care that he puts up meaningless fantasy #s while not helping teams win.  he has not been better than gannon at any stage of gannon's career.  it's not about carrying a team, Fitz carried nothing last year.  he rode the coattails of Marshall and decker and to compare stats from the 90s to this pass happy era is just flat out silly.  Gannon pre-Oak was loight years better than Fitz pre NYJ and Gannon oak was 2 light years better than Fitz NYJ.

That's ridiculous. Let's get Sanchez back here whatever it takes.  

[nyjunc]

2 minutes ago, NYs Stepchild said:

That's ridiculous. Let's get Sanchez back here whatever it takes.  

Mark on the Jets in 2015 and we are a playoff team.

 

some folks like meaningless fantasy #s, others like to win.  I like to win.  Putting up #s in garbage time does not impress me and clearly it didn't impress his 6 other teams either, right?  Rich Gannon was a league MVP in an era when peyton Manning and Brett favre were still in their primes. he was the BEST QB in the game for a couple of years and you are comparing him to Ryan Fitzpatrick? seriously?

[Smashmouth]

1 hour ago, nyjunc said:

I am the best kind of fan, I don't boo, I don't bash, I speak realistically.  I want Fitz to be great, I don't care who our QB is as long as we win but whoever it is I will root for but to compare him to Rich Gannon who was the best QB in the league for a short stretch is just asinine.  Rich had a winning record in the NFL before he ever got to oakland where he took over for a bad franchise and helped elevate them to a top team in the AFC.  Last year was the first year Fitz ever even had a single winning record, first year he ever won more than 6 games.  It's a ridiculous comparison.

Sorry to burst your bubble but Rich Gannon was garbage before he went to the Raider's he could not even win starting jobs for most of his career and since you all bitch about Fitz's arm Gannon had a terrible arm and nickel and dimed teams to death . Gannon went to a team with loads of Talent at the WR and RB position and a great defense not unlike Fitz and he never eclipsed 30 TD's. If you look at Gannons career its shockingly similar to Fitz's career, the guy came of age at the age of 34 just like Fitz seems to be doing. So as a JETS fan rather than bashing you're current QB why don't you hope he keeps it up and hope last year was not just a fluke ??? You can look at Gannons stats in the link below and notice he went to the Raiders at the same exact time in his career as Fitz went to the Jets. I think both Fitz and Gannon are very similar QB's they both can run when needed and they are both smart. The Raiders Rewarded Gannon for his success early with the Raiders the Jets low balled years 2 and 3. Lets see how it works out for Fitz before claiming he's not as good as Gannon because he certainly was at the beginning of his career neither guy Fitz or Gannon ever got to play with any talent around them and it could be just as simple as that

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GannRi00.htm

[nyjunc]

4 minutes ago, Smashmouth said:

Sorry to burst your bubble but Rich Gannon was garbage before he went to the Raider's he could not even win starting jobs for most of his career and since you all bitch about Fitz's arm Gannon had a terrible arm and nickel and dimed teams to death . Gannon went to a team with loads of Talent at the WR and RB position and a great defense not unlike Fitz and he never eclipsed 30 TD's. If you look at Gannons career its shockingly similar to Fitz's career, the guy came of age at the age of 34 just like Fitz seems to be doing. So as a JETS fan rather than bashing you're current QB why don't you hope he keeps it up and hope last year was not just a fluke ??? You can look at Gannons stats in the link below and notice he went to the Raiders at the same exact time in his career as Fitz went to the Jets. I think both Fitz and Gannon are very similar QB's they both can run when needed and they are both smart. The Raiders Rewarded Gannon for his success early with the Raiders the Jets low balled years 2 and 3. Lets see how it works out for Fitz before claiming he's not as good as Gannon because he certainly was at the beginning of his career neither guy Fitz or Gannon ever got to play with any talent around them and it could be just as simple as that

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GannRi00.htm

if he was garbage then what was Fitz pre Jets?

he started 58 games before he got to oakland and was 31-27, not great but still above .500

Fitz started 89 games before he got to us and was 33-55-1

 

In 31 more starts he won2 more games while losing 28 more games but yeah Fitz was better

 

Gannon went to oakland who had Tim Brown and James jett at WR, Tyrone Wheatley at RBand Rickey Dudley at TE and made the pro bowl his first year in oakland.  that talent was NOTHING compared to what we had a year ago.  By year 2 in oakland Gannon was a FIRST team all pro.  you think Fitz will make an all pro team this year? if he does we'll revisist this.  I hope he does, I hope he turns into Gannon but you guys are severely underrated how GREAT Gannon was in Oakland and severely overrated how GOOD Fitz was for us last year,

 

[NYs Stepchild]

20 minutes ago, nyjunc said:

if he was garbage then what was Fitz pre Jets?

he started 58 games before he got to oakland and was 31-27, not great but still above .500

Fitz started 89 games before he got to us and was 33-55-1

 

In 31 more starts he won2 more games while losing 28 more games but yeah Fitz was better

 

Gannon went to oakland who had Tim Brown and James jett at WR, Tyrone Wheatley at RBand Rickey Dudley at TE and made the pro bowl his first year in oakland.  that talent was NOTHING compared to what we had a year ago.  By year 2 in oakland Gannon was a FIRST team all pro.  you think Fitz will make an all pro team this year? if he does we'll revisist this.  I hope he does, I hope he turns into Gannon but you guys are severely underrated how GREAT Gannon was in Oakland and severely overrated how GOOD Fitz was for us last year,

 

Yeah he went to the Raiders and promptly went 8-8. Stop trying to pretend you have any objectivity here. 

Fitz went 10-6 so he's obviously better than Gannon was right? 

Brees went 7-9 last year so Fitz is much better than him. 

[kelly]

Now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is no longer going full caveman, we return to our regularly scheduled programming on one of the most underappreciated quarterbacks in the NFL.

For all the great qualities that came to light last season, Fitzpatrick has been given football’s version of the Scarlet Letter: He’s a journeyman.Journeymen, in case you weren’t aware, will be journeymen for life, forever branded by the football world as hitchhikers looking for a lift to their next destination. So, Fitzpatrick can never break out of that box and become anything more. Journeymen arejourneymen for a reason.

It’s foolish thinking by those unwilling to accept that players grow at different rates. Circumstance and opportunity shape careers, for better or for worse, leaving some to bounce around for years before blossoming (Rich Gannon) and others to crash and burn too soon (David Carr).Fitzpatrick’s career arc has been unusually compelling, a vagabond for 11 seasons, a backup, backup’s backup and starter in six different cities. He is still evolving as a player.

But can he truly be “elite?”

Elite is the buzzword for quarterbacks, the dividing line between difference makers and the rest of the pack. Eli Manning caused a stir five years ago when he dared to dip his toes into the elite water. You would have thought that poor Eli declared himself king of the world based on the ensuing scolding he took from those that begged to differ. How could he hold himself in such high regard? The outrage!

Can Fitzpatrick, a 33-year-old with marginal career stats, be elite? Brandon Marshall doesn’t have a doubt in the world.“Absolutely,” Marshall told the Daily News. “He had an amazing year last year.”Indeed he did. Fitzpatrick threw for 3,905 yards and a franchise-record 31 touchdowns after replacing Geno Smith just days before the preseason opener. He galvanized a wayward team in ways that most of us won’t ever truly appreciate. He deserved to be in the MVP conversation three weeks into December.

But is he elite ? How do you even define the word ?

“What have you done for me lately?” Marshall said. “That’s how I define it... and... are you getting better?”

Fitzpatrick is getting better no matter how difficult that is for some to accept.He’s 33, not 43, at a position when players blossom in their 30s. He has a shared understanding with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey that can’t be overstated. He will have an even better rapport with Marshall and Eric Decker a year after they produced the most prolific offense in franchise history.

He should be considered one of the game’s better quarterbacks right now even if his resume suggests otherwise.“Because of his past and the journeyman label that he’s got, people have a hard time (putting) him in that (elite) category,” Decker told The News. “Last year, he set Jet records. What we did in a short period of time and (how we) kind of put it all together for the season was, I thought, pretty amazing. If he can repeat and go back-to-back... I think he can play at an elite level for sure.”

“Now, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who have done it consistently for 5-10 years, those are the top-tier guys in the NFL, obviously,” Decker added. “I think Fitz has the capability physically and mentally to be a great quarterback... I wouldn’t really put a label on it.”There doesn’t need to be a label. Maybe he’s elite, maybe he’s not. It doesn’t really matter. He’s the best quarterback for this team this year. He’s a perfect fit.

He knows how to lead.

As his frightening hair started to dominate training camp conversation, he told defensive players before Tuesday’s practice that the first one to pick him off would have the honor of shaving his overgrown locks. Rookie cornerback Juston Burris made the interception and buzzed his quarterback’s head that night. “Double whammy,” Fitzpatrick said on WFAN about getting picked by a rookie and losing his hair.

“He’s so laid back and charismatic,” Decker said. “He brings it. He’s a competitor. He’s smart... He’s got that aspect that makes the game so fun for us. That’s what makes him the guy for our team.”

There’s nobody better for the 2016 Jets, except...

“You know what?” Marshall said, before pausing for a moment in deep thought. “I’ll take a young Broadway Joe.”

He’ll have to settle for Fitzpatrick, which isn’t a bad consolation prize at the moment.

>      http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ryan-fitzpatrick-elite-qb-matter-jets-article-1.2739221

[Gas2No99]

Ryan Fitzpatrick feeling 'pretty good right now' despite lack of offseason

 

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Nine days into training camp, after not taking part in any of the team's offseason program, New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said the rust is off.

"I feel pretty good right now," Fitzpatrick said after the Jets practiced in front of their fans at their training facility Saturday. "I think we've made some good progress so far, and we're headed in the right direction. We've just got to continue to work and get better every day -- it's definitely been a productive nine days."

Fitzpatrick had a good day on Saturday, unofficially completing 15 of 20 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions. And while Jets coach Todd Bowles was conservative in his evaluation of the quarterback -- "He's catching up," Bowles said -- Fitzpatrick said he was surprised at how good his arm has felt so far.

That raised the question of whether Fitzpatrick's contract hassle with the Jets -- which caused him to miss the entire offseason program before he agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal (with a potential $3 million in incentives) just before training camp -- was a good thing for the 33-year-old, 12-year veteran.

"I tend not to throw a bunch in the offseason as it is, but obviously, being off for the OTAs and stuff, too, I threw less this offseason than I probably have since before high school," he said.

So the question was posed to him: Maybe you should hold out again and sit out next spring also, Ryan?

His only answer was a big grin.

Notes from Saturday's practice:

• The Jets announced wide receiver Titus Davis, a second-year pro out of Central Michigan, left the team. Bowles said Davis left because, "He thought he didn't want to play anymore."

• Receiver Brandon Marshall left the field briefly, took off his helmet and shoulder pads and kneeled over a couple times, for a few moments, then had a trainer place a cold, wet towel on the back of his neck. Shortly after that, Marshall put his pads and jersey back on and eventually went back into the practice, though he did not get targeted the rest of the way. Bowles was asked if Marshall was OK and dismissed the question. "He just came out. He's fine," Bowles said.

• Cornerback Juston Burris, wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, linebacker Trevor Reilly and tight end Wes Saxton did not practice, but Bowles said all were dealing with "camp injuries," were just sore and would be back next week. Burris, who left practice Friday, had a thigh bruise, Bowles said.

• Rookie kicker Ross Martin hit a line-drive field goal from 48 yards despite a bad snap and a fumbled hold. Holder Lachlan Edwardsmanaged to get his hands on the ball and get it down on the ground, but he couldn't tee the ball up. So Martin hit the ball while it was essentially lying on its side, yet he still got enough lift and distance to get it through the uprights. "The snap was bad, the hold was bad, but he made the kick," Bowles said.

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