most about is ... people making assumptions of where Im at, wha

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Brandon Marshall knew very little about Ryan Fitzpatrick when they became teammates last offseason.The New York Jets wide receiver had heard of the quarterback, of course. But it was Fitzpatricks unusual choice to wear his wedding ring during games and practices that stood out to Marshall.I thought that was really weird and awkward, Marshall joked after practice Thursday.And then, he saw Fitzpatrick throw.He was terrible, Marshall recalled. He really was. I mean, he was coming off a broken leg. A 5-yard hitch route and hed throw it in the dirt.Fitzpatrick, who was acquired from Houston as a veteran backup to Geno Smith, came to the Jets still rehabilitating from a fractured left tibia suffered in a game in December 2014.During offseason workouts, the rust was still apparent and it concerned Marshall.Everybody felt that way, he said. We were like, `What the heck? If Geno goes down, were in trouble. Thats how everybody felt.On Aug. 11, 2015, Marshalls fear -- and everyone elses -- would be put to the test.Smith was slugged by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali and his jaw was broken. The Jets season was thrust into uncertainty with one punch.I was scared, Marshall said, smiling. It was over. Seasons over. Were done.Fitzpatrick hadnt worked much with Marshall, Eric Decker and the starters up to that point, so the process of gaining a rapport was gradual. Fitzpatricks leg had fully healed, though, so those lousy-looking throws were no longer an issue.Little could anyone have guessed at that time that the Jets would have one of the most productive offensive seasons in team history. Fitzpatrick galvanized the locker room with his leadership and play, tossing a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes while getting New York within a win of the playoffs.Marshall, acquired from Chicago a day before the Jets traded for Fitzpatrick in March 2015, also set Jets records with 109 catches for 1,502 yards while scoring 14 TDs. Decker had an impressive season, too, catching 80 passes for 1,027 yards and 12 scores.He proved us wrong, Marshall said. Hes pretty good.Thats why Marshall and Decker were among a handful of Jets players who openly campaigned for the team to bring Fitzpatrick back this season.The quarterback was an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but he and the team acknowledged that they wanted a new deal to happen. That process, however, wasnt easy. The sides were locked in a contract stalemate for months, creating concern on both sides and leaving the Jets quarterback situation unsettled. Fitzpatrick finally agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal the day before training camp started last month.So, with Fitzpatrick back in the fold, expectations are quite a bit higher than they were a year ago.I actually think hes better this year, Marshall said. Hes throwing the ball with more velocity. Hes throwing the ball deeper. Hes comfortable back there. Hes really good right now. Hes impressive.The starters havent exactly lit things up through two preseason games, with Fitzpatrick going 7 of 13 for 107 yards with no TDs or interceptions in limited action. The Jets game against the Giants on Saturday night should serve as a better barometer of where the offense stands, with first-teamers expected to play at least the entire first half.We game planned this one a little bit more, just in terms of having some plays that we put in that we want to go out and execute, Fitzpatrick said. Id love to see some of the stuff weve done in practice translate to the field.Despite Fitzpatrick missing all of the offseason workouts while waiting for his contract situation to be settled, Marshall insists the offense is light years ahead of where it was last summer.From a communication standpoint, all the guesswork is gone. Fitzpatrick and his receivers know what to expect from each other. And that helps the Jets feel confident that theyve got something special going on.It was hard to do what we did last year, Marshall said. We definitely came up short. We obviously didnt win it. But for us to have Ryan come in, get the ball late in training camp and me being new, having a new offensive coordinator, new head coach, new left guard, that definitely makes it hard for our offense to jell and bond the way you would want it to to be successful.It feels like it took us to seven or eight weeks to do that. And we just feel really good with where were at right now.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Air Max Sale Online .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Wholesale Air Max For Sale Cheap . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.wholesaleairmaxforsale.com/ . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Wholesale Air Max Sale Outlet . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. China Wholesale Nike Air Max Shoes . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Say this about Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- he follows doctors orders.After missing three straight Sprint Cup races because of lingering effects of a concussion, NASCARs most popular driver did something Friday thats part of his therapy -- he made his first public appearance to speak about his recovery.I missed my team, my teammates, Earnhardt said. I just wanted to come see everybody. I get to hang out with my guys a little bit. This has been so weird not to be at the track. Its frustrating, but its the process. Were just taking it one evaluation at a time.I just want to get better. Nothing else is a priority. Our intentions are to get cleared and get back to racing. Im not ready to quit.Doctors told Earnhardt his latest injury occurred June 12 at Michigan International Speedway. He was clipped in the rear by Chris Bueschers No. 34 while racing three wide with AJ Allmendinger and hit the wall at an angle that softened the impact. He drove three more races before symptoms became too severe.The doctors feel they can make my brain stronger to be able to cope with these common events, he said. The event that I had at Michigan I shouldnt have had a concussion from. I should be able to get through events like that without having any issues.Earnhardt has been keeping fans updated on his condition via weekly podcasts. Besides reconnecting with his team and his competitors in the garage, his appearance at the road course in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York served a purpose.My doctor wants to put me in situations that drive the symptoms, Earnhardt said. My doctor calls that exposure, and this is probably the worst situation as far as making my systems go haywire.ddddddddddddThats what he wants. Thats just part of the process.The one thing that I worry most about is ... people making assumptions of where Im at, what Im doing, and what Im up to. I dont want people making assumptions. To give me peace of mind and to bring down any type of stress and anxiety through the process is to open up and be honest about whats going on and how were doing.Earnhardt wont drive at Watkins Glen on Sunday and also will miss the race at Bristol on Aug. 20. Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon, who came out of retirement to fill in for Earnhardt the last two races, will remain behind the wheel in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.There remains no timetable for Earnhardts return. That decision will be left to his doctors. He underwent further evaluation Monday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program and said afterward that he continues to experience issues with balance and an ability to focus on an object while he moves his head.Earnhardt expressed frustration at how long hes been out.I never anticipated being out this long, he said. I didnt have this massive accident. The symptoms crept in slowly. I didnt think this was that serious. Its a challenge. I really believe and trust what theyre telling me. Theyre telling me without question were going to get back to normal.---Follow Kekis on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Greek1947 ' ' '