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New York Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick wants to prove his value

By Larry Fleisher, The Sports Xchange
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throws a pass in the first half against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 27, 2015. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throws a pass in the first half against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 27, 2015. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- For the past few months, uncertainty was on the minds of New York Jets fans, not to mention wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.

They all wanted to know if the Jets would finally sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. As the days passed and the countdown toward training camp began, the anxiety increased because of Fitzpatrick's impact last season when he set a team record with 31 touchdown passes and because of less appealing options of Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg.

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Those fears are over.

Fitzpatrick was on the field Thursday afternoon with a newly signed one-year, $12 million deal when the Jets began their first practice of training camp.

Taking the field to theme song from the hit 1970s sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter," Fitzpatrick heard loud cheers when he connected with Marshall on a deep pass down the sideline.

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Fitzpatrick's return ended a 140-day stalemate that featured pleas to re-sign him from several avenues. Second-year coach Todd Bowles and second-year general manager Mike Maccagnan said throughout the offseason they wanted Fitzpatrick back and would be the starter once he re-signed.

Still there was a matter of getting it done and now Fitzpatrick said he feels he has something to prove in an attempt to get a multi-year contract next offseason.

"I have something to prove every year," Fitzpatrick said. "This year isn't any different for me."

Fitzpatrick reportedly wanted a multi-year deal worth $15 million annually and the Jets countered with a three-year, $24 million offer with a guaranteed $15 million.

Even though the Jets offered more guaranteed money, Fitzpatrick viewed himself as a starter and was willing to "bet on himself."

"The deal that was made public, that was a deal that basically said 'hey we want you here and then can you stay here as a backup,'" Fitzpatrick said. "For me, that's not how I view myself. I'd much rather pass up on some of that guaranteed money, just sign a one-year deal, which I did and bet on myself and see what happens."

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By Wednesday, Fitzpatrick had a winning bet and was set to cash in. The Jets upped their offer from $8 million to $12 million and Fitzpatrick met the 7 p.m. ET Wednesday deadline imposed by management.

And to the surprise of nobody, Bowles said after the first practice Fitzpatrick would be the starter. He also joked that showing up at 6:59 p.m. Wednesday would result in a "12 million dollar" fine.

"It's his job," Bowles said. "He's earned it. Happy it got resolved."

Fitzpatrick played all 16 games for the third time in his career last season. He set a career-high in touchdown passes and passing yards (3,905). He also was sacked a career-low 19 times and his passer rating of 88 was the highest in any full season he has played.

As for his top targets of Decker and Marshall, they stand to benefit from Fitzpatrick's contract standoff being resolved.

"They were in my corner the whole offseason," Fitzpatrick said. "For me I got to go out and perform for those guys."

Decker's 12 touchdowns were the second-most of his career and his 1,027 receiving yards were the third-highest since he entered the league in 2010 with Denver.

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Marshall made 109 receptions including a career-high 14 TDs last season. His 1,502 receiving yards were six shy of the career best established in 2012 with the Chicago Bears, when he caught a career-best 118 passes.

Marshall was so excited about a quarterback who helped him set career-highs that he tweeted the following:

"Well deserved and great move by @nyjets. Congrats bro. Now go win some dang games."

Fitzpatrick did win some "dang" games, getting the Jets to 10 wins and within a game of the playoffs. The postseason drought reached five seasons when Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions in a 22-17 loss at Buffalo.

Even with the interceptions and another missed playoff berth, the alternative of Smith and other unproven passers did not seem appealing as options who would keep the Jets in contention until Week 17.

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