Archives for January 2015

‘”The thing I remember most was coming in when my dad was coaching with the Jets, and I was able to get to all the Buffalo Bill games when they would play, and how passionate those fans were, and it was just amazing,” said Rex. “And you always felt that, regardless of what the weather was like, or anything else, it was packed and those fans were so passionate about their team, and that’s another huge reason I am proud to be given this opportunity.”‘

‘”I think that we were fortunate that Russ (Brandon) and Doug (Whaley) had experience,” said Terry Pegula. “They sort of mobilized the team. I knew we needed a coach and it was, ‘Well, ok what do we do next?’ Well, these guys started the process. We had some lists. I talked to guys that I know in the league. We put the schedule together and flew around the country. All the way through it, it was a total four-person team that put it all together.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills today announced that the team has signed DB Jonte Green and G Darryl Johnson as reserve/future signings.’

‘He added, “We’re going to pull this team all together. When you play the Buffalo Bills, you’re going to know that you’re playing a team, not just the 53 guys, but the coaches. The entire organization is going to be pulling that rope in the same direction."’

‘”We want the Buffalo Bills to be a nightmare to play against,” Pegula said. “So, that’s our objective. With the staff that Rex is building, and with his knowledge of the game, we’re going to be a tough team defensively, and, I know that Greg Roman used that word, nightmare, and I love it.”‘

‘”Do I need to do a better job of maybe building a quarterback and all that kind of stuff? Sure, certainly,” Ryan said when asked about the lessons he learned with the Jets. “We can’t lose games because of the position. We’ve got to take care of the football. We’re going to run the football, but we’re also going to be able to throw the football.”‘

‘The only change from what was in place with Marrone is that Ryan will report directly to club owners Terry and Kim Pegula, as will Whaley and Brandon.’

‘”Fourth in the league is probably a little disappointing, to be honest with you, because that’s not where my expectations are,” Rex Ryan said Wednesday during a news conference introducing him as the 18th head coach in Bills history. “I know we’ll lead the league in defense. That’s just the way it goes.”‘

‘Ryan had Bills fans at hello. He lived in Toronto for eight years. His father, Buddy, coached at UB. Later, when Buddy coached for the Jets, Rex came to Buffalo to see games at the Rockpile. He gets this place. He knows what makes people tick, and he pushed all the right buttons Wednesday.’

‘”You do the best job you can,” Ryan said. “I used to always tell my players ‘Don’t listen to that little voice. That little voice tells you “That’s all you got.” But there’s another voice that if you ask for a little bit more, you can get it.”‘

‘”I’m not going to let our fans down,” the bombastic Ryan said early on during a lively 50-minute Q&A with the media. “I’m not going to do that. I know it’s been 15 years since the Bills made the playoffs. Well, get ready man, we’re going. We’re going. Am I guaranteeing a Super Bowl and all that? I’ll tell you what I will do; I will guarantee the pursuit of it. Through hard work, through preparation, we’re going to see how many teams match our work ethic, and all that.”‘

‘”I really don’t think that the Buffalo Bills at 9-7 … needed to have a young coach standing in their locker room,” Pegula said. “I thought we needed to go with somebody who had done it before.”’

‘”He’s not a phony, he’s going to tell it like it is,” Kelly continued. “The media and the players see it in him; what he says he backs it up. Everyone respects him as a coach and I don’t think there’s many players out there who wouldn’t want to play for him.”‘

‘According to advanced metrics website Football Outsiders, the Bills ranked 30th in the NFL in 2013 in special teams efficiency, but they soared all the way to fourth in 2014, and the reasons were plentiful.’

‘”I recognize that we’re kind of a little different, but quite honestly, I’ve been part of record-setting teams that base out of a 4-3 and I’ve been part of record-setting teams that base out of a 3-4,” Ryan said Wednesday. “One thing you’ll find out about me is that it’s not ego-driven. We’re not going to definitely play a 3-4 or a 4-3, for that matter. We’re going to have in our arsenal the ability to do anything. As an opponent, you’ve got to prepare for everything because, if not, I’m going to find out what you’re not prepared for and I’ll attack you appropriately. That’s how we play defense. We play defense based on our personnel, not just the scheme. I don’t try to put a square peg in a round hole.”‘