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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick showed up at the New York Jets practice facility with just a few minutes to spare.The quarterback had just agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal Wednesday night, ending a contract stalemate that dragged on for months.Finally getting the OK from his agent, Fitzpatrick wanted to rejoin his teammates in time for their 7 p.m. team meeting with coach Todd Bowles to kick off training camp.One problem: His security code to the building no longer worked.So, he had to text wide receiver Brandon Marshall to borrow his code to get inside the building. Then, Fitzpatrick hurried into the auditorium to the surprise of some Jets players and coaches.I might have been 3 seconds late, which is a minute late, I guess, Fitzpatrick said after the Jets first camp practice Thursday, but I wasnt technically under contract, so I dont think they can fine me.Fitzpatrick quickly apologized to Bowles for his ever-so slightly tardy arrival.He said, `Im sorry Im late, Coach, Bowles said before smiling. I told him, `Thats a $12 million fine.Fitzpatrick officially signed his new contract about 10 minutes before practice began. Then, he headed out to the field and was greeted by the theme song to the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter blaring through the speakers lining the sideline.Smiles and laughs. Fitz is back, and the Jets have their starting quarterback under center again.I always thought this day would come, Fitzpatrick said. I just had no idea it would take this long and then when it took so long, I wasnt sure how long it would exactly take. But Im glad we got it done for that first team meeting.It was just like old times when Fitzpatrick hit Marshall down the left sideline for a long touchdown pass that drew some loud cheers from a small group of fans. The quarterbacks bushy beard was nothing new, but his over-coiffed hairdo drew some razzing from his teammates.Full beard, mini `fro, wide receiver Eric Decker joked. It looked like he just got off the golf course.Added a smiling Marshall: He didnt look the best right now. Actually, I thought he looked pretty good out there today, but I dont know whats going on with the hair and beard. I thought we got past that last year.The Jets certainly wouldnt mind a repeat of Fitzpatricks statistical performance from last season, when he set the franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and helped lead New York within a victory of the playoffs.It appeared Fitzpatrick would be a shoo-in to re-sign with the Jets, who made it clear that he would be the starter if and when he came back.But the team made an offer that included three years, but little in guarantees beyond the first year. He wasnt pleased about it and made that clear to the Jets, and the weeks turned into months with Fitzpatrick still unsigned.How could I look myself in the mirror every morning and say, `Yeah, Ill try to play good this year and then next year Ill just collect some checks and teach the young guys? Fitzpatrick said. Thats not who I am. Thats not in my nature. But Im doing OK financially, so it was just a risk I was willing to take.New York set a deadline of Wednesday night to get a deal done or it would move in another direction. So, the two sides worked throughout the day and finally ended the contract stare down.Fitzpatrick essentially bet on himself to have another good year, and could potentially become a free agent after the season.I mean, I have something to prove every year. I wasnt the first pick overall in the draft, said Fitzpatrick, a seventh-rounder by the Rams in 2005. Nothings ever really been handed to me, so I just go out and try to prove it every year.While Geno Smith has had a solid offseason, Bowles made it clear that there is no quarterback competition. Fitzpatrick will be the starter against Cincinnati in Week 1 unless something drastic happens.Its his job, Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. Based off what he did last year, hes earned it.Fitzpatrick stepped into the starting job last August when Smith was punched by a teammate and left with a broken jaw. The veteran quickly established himself as a leader on and off the field.Throughout the offseason, both Marshall and Decker proclaimed their desire to see Fitzpatrick return. That touched Fitzpatrick, who feels indebted to those teammates who supported him while his contract situation played out.I put a lot of pressure on myself, but the pressure that I feel is, I have guys like Brandon and Deck who stuck their necks out and they were in my corner all offseason, Fitzpatrick said.So, for me, Ive got to go out and perform for those guys. Ive got to go out and perform for all of those guys in that locker room.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLSwell Bottle Uk . 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Swell Bottle Sale . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- When Luke Kuechly was carted off the field with a concussion, the tears streaming down his face as he left, it appeared the Carolina Panthers might be ready for another collapse.Their defensive leader was gone and another big fourth-quarter lead was crumbling.Instead, the Panthers did just enough to hold on and beat the New Orleans Saints 23-20 on Thursday night in a game marred by injuries to key players.When Kuechly went down the lead was at 10, and players gathered around him as he was put on a cart near midfield. Carolina would give up another score, but hold on for itsr third win in four games.We rally behind that guy, defensive end Charles Johnson said about Kuechly. Hes our leader. When you see a leader go down like that, we just rally behind him. Im keeping Luke in my prayers.The Panthers, who surrendered a 17-point lead and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, entered the fourth quarter with a 23-3 lead before injuries began to take their toll. Along with Kuechly, the Panthers lost two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), top pass rusher Mario Addison (foot) and cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest) to injuries. The Saints lost running back Mark Ingram to a head injury in the third quarter.It was the Grim Reaper walking around out there, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said.Saints quarterback Drew Brees seemed to seize the momentum.Brees, who had been held to 171 yards and no touchdowns in the first three quarters, rallied the Saints back to 23-20 with touchdown passes to Brandon Coleman and Coby Fleener.But an 18-yard reception by Kelvin Benjamin on a third-and-10 with 2:39 left in the game proved pivotal, taking enough time off the clock where Brees only had 14 seconds to work with on his final drive. He couldnt manage to get his team into field goal range.Newton finished 14 of 33 for 192 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. as the Panthers (4-6) pulled even with the Saints for third place in the NFC South.Our mantra is to Keep Pounding and it speaks volumes in situations like this, Newton said. I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss.Jonathan Stewart also ran for a touchdown and Graham Gano had three field goals.Carolinas next two games are on the West Coast -- at Oakland and Seattle.Hopefully, the time off will give us enough time to heal up for thiss long road trip, safety Kurt Coleman said.dddddddddddd And also you wonder if it wasnt a Thursday game and it was a Sunday game, would there be these type of injuries? You never know. ... Im just going to pray for everybody. Not only our team but their team.BETTER DEFENSEBrees finished with 285 yards passing.That was a dramatic difference from the last time the two teams met on Oct. 16 when Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-38 win over the Panthers.They did exactly what we hoped and that was keep the ball it in front of them, Rivera said of his young secondary. You cant ask for the guys to do a better job.KICKING WOESSaints coach Sean Payton was upset after the game about the teams continuing struggles on special teams, including a blocked field goal that was returned 73 yards by Kuechly before the half to set up Ginns touchdown catch.Last week the Saints lost to Denver when a potential game-tying extra point was blocked and returned for a 2-point defensive conversion.Fundamentally weve got to be able to kick an extra point. ... Weve got to be able to, you know, kick a field goal thats a makeable one, Payton said. Weve just struggled in that area. It cost us at New York, it cost us last weekend (against) Denver and it cost us again tonight. And weve got to be smart enough in the game early to understand that the turnovers arent good.LOSE SOME, WIN SOMEMaybe Ginn is just too fast for officials.In the first quarter Ginn appeared to score on a 14-yard run, but officials reviewed the play and ruled his knee was down at the 1-yard line taking away a touchdown. Then, in the closing seconds of the second quarter, officials ruled Ginn was out of bounds on a pass from Cam Newton. But after instant replay officials overturned the ruling and gave Ginn a 40-yard touchdown catch.UNDER PRESSURENewton was under heavy pressure for most of the first half, taking a sack on third down that took his team out of field goal range -- the second time he has done that in as many weeks.A COOL BREESBrees eclipsed 3,000 yards passing for the 13th consecutive season, tying Peyton Manning for the second-longest streak in NFL history.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '