FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Kevin Patullo is the New York Jets' quarterbacks coach. He doesn't often speak to the media, but he did on Tuesday, discussing Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty. He offered some insights, although he stayed away from anything related to Smith and the locker-room altercation with IK Enemkpali. He referred those questions to Todd Bowles.
Some of the highlights from Patullo's session with reporters:
On the difference between Fitzpatrick now and the last time he was around him as a Buffalo Bills' assistant (2010-2012): "He's a lot more mature in that his knowledge has grown even more, if that's possible. ... We've changed gears a little bit here and there [with our system], and he went to Tennessee and Houston, and I can tell his knowledge has grown. He's a lot more mature in that aspect, seeing looks, which is great because you want the quarterback to see defensive looks the right way."
On whether Fitzpatrick, now eight months removed from surgery to repair a broken leg, is displaying more zip on his passes than he did in the spring: "It's hard to say. He's such a touch and timing guy. Every ball looks different, so it's hard to say. He's not going to hold it and drive it late. He's going to throw with anticipation and timing. It doesn't look any different to me."
On whether he misses Smith's arm strength: "Geno can throw the ball, we all know that. To be honest, as long as we're on time, we're making the right reads and we get it out, it's really not a problem."
On how Smith is handling the inactivity as he recovers from a broken jaw: "He's back in the meetings, talking with us. It was like he was there the whole time. ... He hasn't changed. This morning we talked about certain looks. He's involved. He's saying, 'I might do this, I might do that.' We feed off each other, and that's what is important. He's in there now with all of us. There's no difference."
On how Smith was faring before the injury: "He was doing well. He was really coming along. He came a long way from Day 1 until training camp. Just his overall ... from the time he called his first play in the huddle in the indoor in a walk-through to the time of his last play. I mean, he really came a long way in that aspect -- everything. His whole mechanics as far as coming to the line, knowing the ID and that stuff. He really came a long way."
His evaluation of Petty: "Bryce is doing a good job, coming along and learning. I mean, I'm pretty happy with him. He's had to learn a lot from Day 1 until now. He's definitely grown. Everything is new toward him, but he's doing a great job. In the classroom, he's great. He talks like a veteran guy. He understands what we're saying. He's grown up and matured as far as defensive looks. That's the biggest thing for rookies. ... The defensive recognition part is what he has to learn more. That's the hardest part about the quarterback position at this level, I think."
On whether he prefers a veteran in the backup role: "It doesn't really matter. As long as we know who it is, we just have to make sure we control what they know, don't know and how to handle everybody around them. As long as he's comfortable with the game plan, we're comfortable with him. It's really not that big of a deal."