Jets' Fitzpatrick will consider Larry David's shave plea

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) What's the deal with the beard?

Larry David, the creator of ''Seinfeld'' and ''Curb Your Enthusiasm,'' is a big New York Jets fan. He's not too fond of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's facial hair, though.

''I don't know why Fitzpatrick can't shave, honestly,'' David said Tuesday to guest host Charissa Thompson on ''The Dan Patrick Show.'' ''Why does he need that beard? That beard really bothers me. I don't know what this quarterback looks like. Who am I rooting for? Imagine Mickey Mantle with a full beard like that. It would have changed my entire childhood.''

Fitzpatrick usually sports a bushy, mountain man-like beard during the season, but it's a bit toned down right now midway through training camp. He did show up Tuesday with his mustache shaved, and the quarterback didn't sack David's idea.

''Well, I've heard that he's a big Jet fan,'' a smiling Fitzpatrick said after practice. ''But I'm probably a bigger `Seinfeld' fan, so I don't take that lightly. I will take it into consideration, Larry. And I respect you very much.''

David also might be coming for Chan Gailey's job - or anyone else who runs an NFL offense.

''I'm not joking. I'm positive I could be an offensive coordinator,'' he said. ''All I have to do is, I think if I just studied, if I just hung around and just learned a little bit ... give me one season shadowing an offensive coordinator, one season, and I know I could do it.

''What can be so hard about it? You make up plays. Why is that so hard? I'm creative in certain respects, and I think I can do that.''

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Fitzpatrick was asked what he thinks of the chances of David being a successful NFL offensive coordinator.

''Pretty, pretty good,'' Fitzpatrick said, mimicking a popular line from ''Curb Your Enthusiasm.''

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