Ryan Fitzpatrick

Brandon Marshall recounts his first practice with Ryan Fitzpatrick: 'He was terrible'

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:26 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The New York Jets appeared to have their season go off the rails last summer, when presumed starter Geno Smith was sucker punched in the jaw by IK Enemkpali. The haymaker forced Smith to miss the start of the season, which gave way to Ryan Fitzpatrick – merely an afterthought of a free agent signing – as the starting quarterback.

Fitzpatrick wasn’t overwhelmingly bad the previous year with the Texans (17 touchdown passes, eight interceptions), but by no means was he a guy you’d be excited to hand the keys to. And with the way he performed in training camp last summer, the Jets had reason for concern.

Jets receiver Brandon Marshall certainly did, saying he “was scared,” thinking the season was over when Smith went down with a broken jaw.

“He was terrible,” Marshall said Thursday, via the New York Post. “[I’d] have a 5-yard hitch route and [he’d] throw it in the dirt. Everybody felt that way. We were like, ‘What the heck? If Geno goes down, we’re in trouble.’ That’s how everybody felt.

Not long after his first practice in Jets green, Fitzpatrick showed what he was capable of.

“He proved us wrong,” Marshall said. “He’s pretty good.”

Of course, Marshall and Fitzpatrick are the best of friends nowadays. They had great chemistry on the field last season as both had record-setting performances in their first year together with the Jets. It will be hard for the duo to replicate their numbers from 2015, but it won’t be impossible.

That’s especially true when you consider Fitzpatrick has apparently gotten better.

“I actually think he’s better this year,” Marshall said. “He’s throwing the ball much better, more velocity, he’s throwing it deeper. He seems comfortable back there. He’s looking really good. He’s impressive.”

The Jets take on the Giants on Saturday in the Snoopy Bowl, which is a great tradition between the two New York teams.

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