New York Jets: Ryan Fitzpatrick talks about team chemistry

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has so far handled the transition from backup to starter for the New York Jets well so far. Despite all the controversy surrounding the quarterback position of the Jets, Fitzpatrick continues to earn the respect of his teammates and hone his craft as he prepares not only for another preseason game against the upcoming New York Giants but the regular season as well. With the continued improvements of team chemistry and everyone gelling together, it’s only a matter of time once everything falls into place.

Thanks to the Media Relations Department of the Jets, we here at The Jet Press have a full transcript from Fitzpatrick talking about the Jets’ offense, team chemistry and some takeaways from his recent performance against the Atlanta Falcons. Enjoy!

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On what the most important thing to improve on is for this week’s preseason game…

I think eliminating penalties and eliminating the three-and-outs. Getting out there and getting some productive drives. Having more of our drives end in points. I think that will be the main goal. That will be a nice little challenge for us once we start looking at them (New York Giants), another new defense, new challenge, new things that we can work on in terms of timing versus different coverages. We have a day off tomorrow and then we’re excited to come back and work.

On if there is anything Brandon Marshall does that surprises him, like his one handed catch in practice today…

I was a little surprised last night at Hofstra, being Family Night, that he went with just the white tights, I thought maybe shorts would have been more appropriate, but I don’t know he surprises me every now and again with stuff like that (joking). But, in terms of the plays on the field, catches, his intelligence that stuff has jumped out from day one. So it’s hard to say it’s a routine play to see him do that, but certainly I’m not shocked when he pulls something like that.

On if he has any other takeaways from his performance against ATL after watching film…

You know what, we had the (Microsoft) Surfaces with video on the sideline, something they’re trying out. So, there was a lot of it, a lot of it I saw on the field, but a lot of it I was able to look at on the sideline with the video and talk to some of the receivers about it. There wasn’t a whole lot different that came out of it. A couple reads I wish I would have thrown the ball different places, but just stuff we’ve got to continue working on.

On how Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey has changed the offense from his time in BUF to now…

I think that’s yet to be seen. I think we’ll see that a lot during the season. I think the creativity really comes out on third down and in the red zone. Again, it’s a game-to-game type offense and so I think that’s yet to be seen. We’ve done some stuff in practice a little bit. Having game planned our defense a ton and some of those situational periods we’ve used the big body of Brandon (Marshall), (Eric Decker) Deck doing his stuff. I think we’ll see that once the season rolls around – how different we’re going to be. But, we certainly have different athletes and different players here than when we were in Buffalo.

On if it feels back to normal now that Geno Smith is at practice…

I mean, I’m sure you can talk to him about it. But, he’s been in meetings, been vocal and helping out and all that. So I think he’s kind of getting back into it. He’s allowed to be around a little bit more now and so I think that’s helpful for him.

On if he throws routes with the wide receivers after practice often…

Yeah, the guys, the receivers especially, you’re always worried about their legs and how tired they are after practice. Today was the day that we wanted to get some extra work. There’s a few routes we had during practice where we weren’t exactly on the same page or I wanted to throw the ball differently than I did, he wanted to run his route a little different. So, we worked on just four or five routes and just trying to get them down and replicate the looks we had in practice and the way that we want him to run the route and the ball that he wants me to throw. We were just kind of working on some of that stuff.

Aug 21, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) avoids a sack attempt by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jonathan Babineaux (95) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

On if the chemistry has started to strengthen between him, Eric Decker and Marshall…

Yeah, I just think it will continue to get better the more reps we have. A lot of that we’re trying to speed everything up. But, everybody talks about the preseason and injuries and all that, for me some of it’s going to be helpful to get those game type situations with these guys and start working on those throws and being able to run a play during the game and not have it happen exactly the way we want and then come out here and try and have them run the route and me make the throw the way it needs to be made.

On Saturday’s game against the Giants being a great test…

Yeah, I mean, does it have many implications in terms of what’s going to happen during the season? I don’t know. We’re still trying to run our base stuff and not game plan a ton, all those different things that go into it. But yeah, when we’re out there playing it’s important to be out there trying to build on (our) confidence, trying to look sharp, trying to build on the rapport with the receivers and the tight ends and the running backs. I think every time you’re out there you want to put your best foot forward and be successful. To me, these games matter in the sense that, we’re out there trying to get better on every snap. The outcome right now doesn’t matter, other than everybody being healthy.

On the younger wide receivers…

Those guys have all been working hard, unfortunately we have had a few guys get dinged and go down. Unfortunately, we haven’t had an extensive look at some of the guys, but fortunately, I think for all of them, they have pretty much had a turn in there, running different routes and playing different positions. I think we have a good group top to bottom and it’s still a fight. We’ll see how that shapes up.

On if he agrees with Aaron Rodgers about the preseason being too long…

I think everybody’s situation is different. Aaron has been in the league in the same offense with a lot of the same guys. For me, a lot of years, like when I was in Buffalo a second and third year, I didn’t really look forward to the preseason. The last few years for me, being in a new system with new guys, it’s kind of nice to get out there and try to get comfortable with everybody. It stinks to lose anybody in a meaningless game. I’d certainly be frustrated in losing a player of Jordy’s (Nelson) caliber, but I think (the preseason is) something that we still need unfortunately. It’s a physical game, guys get hurt.

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New York Jets: Ryan Fitzpatrick talks about team chemistry

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