FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- A year later, the truth comes out.

Reflecting on the 2015 offseason, New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall admitted he didn't think much of Ryan Fitzpatrick when they first started practicing together. We all know how the season turned out -- they became a highly productive tandem -- but there were some rough moments in the beginning.

"When he first got here last year, he was terrible, he really was," Marshall said Thursday. "He was coming off a broken leg. I'd run 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 [Smith] goes down, we're in trouble.' That's how everybody felt. But he proved us wrong. He's pretty good."

Smith did go down, punched out by then teammate IK Enemkpali. He missed six weeks because of a broken jaw, allowing Fitzpatrick to start.

Marshall's reaction?

"I was scared," he said, smiling. "It was over, season's over. We're done."

They weren't done. The Jets finished 10-6, almost reaching the playoffs. Marshall and Fitzpatrick developed a strong relationship, so they can look back and laugh about it now.

"I actually think he's better this year," Marshall said. "He's throwing the ball with more velocity, he's throwing the ball deeper. He's comfortable back there. He's really good right now. He's impressive."