New York Jets' Brandon Marshall reacts after catching a 33 yard touchdown pass in the 3rd quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 27, 2015. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- As a wide receiver for the New York Jets and a panelist on Showtime's "Inside The NFL," Brandon Marshall is in the rare position of both delivering a message and deciphering what others say.
On Wednesday, Marshall offered up a message guaranteed to get tongues wagging around the country. Marshall, speaking to reporters following the second of three OTAs this week in Florham Park, was asked to compare the Jets' offense now under second-year offensive coordinator Chan Gailey to a year ago, when Gailey was in the process of implementing a brand new scheme.
"We still have a ways to go," Marshall said. "But it's night and day."
Sounds innocuous enough, right? At first glance, certainly. A picture of Marshall accompanied the quote in a Tweet on the Jets' official account.
But was Marshall sending a subtle message regarding quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who remains unsigned five months into the offseason? Marshall didn't offer up much of a denial last week when he was asked if he missed the first week of OTAs in a show of solidarity with Fitzpatrick.
The Jets are proceeding as if Geno Smith will be their starter, but Fitzpatrick's shadow continues to loom large over the entire organization. The mere mention of Smith's name reportedly elicited boos during a Q&A between last week between season ticket holders and Jets decision-makers such as head coach Todd Bowles, general manager Mike Maccagnan and owner Woody Johnson.
On Wednesday, reporters noticed the locker stall occupied by Fitzpatrick last season remains empty. So is Marshall's "night and day" a reference to the Jets' understanding of the offense versus a year ago, or where it is without Fitzpatrick?
"Everyone said that he makes us better, having him on our team," Marshall said when asked about Fitzpatrick's vacant locker. "So obviously, there's an opportunity for him to come back and he's just trying to get to that point."
Maybe Marshall was trying to help him again Wednesday.
