Archives for September 30, 2016

' “It definitely feels good. It’s also so kudos to the defensive backs giving us time to get there. It’s a total team effort, it’s not just us,” defensive lineman Corbin Bryant said.'

'Ryan has a 3-11 regular-season record as a head coach against the Patriots, 4-11 counting the postseason, which includes his win with the Jets in the 2010 divisional round. His braggadocio often looks bad in hindsight, but Ryan insisted the way the Patriots do things could never work for him.'

'“Oh please. It’s been, like, seven or eight years,” said Ryan. “It’s the same every time you talk to them, so you have fun with them.”'

'He responded with, "I know that you guys always say that I'm obsessed with them and all that but you're obsessed with them, not me. I want to beat them but you're the ones who talk about them every single day."'

'“Your conference call with the New England media (Wednesday), those don’t seem to be your favorite conference calls.”'

'My verbal syntax and wandering trains of thought aren’t evidence of an ordered mind either, so I do empathize with Rex. But neither am I the head coach of one of 32 entries in the NFL, a pretty high-profile league in which an ordered presentation from the guy in charge is usually a positive.'

'"I've played against them a number of years, you see the same things that you saw a decade ago. Physical offensive line that plays hard and doesn't make mistakes, a running back that hits things downhill, a tough runner. So it's going to be a great test for us. There's no doubt about it. Coach Scarnecchia always does a great job with his O-line and they don't beat themselves. So just be on top of our jobs and be ready a physical football game on Sunday."'

'"I think we're playing smarter and that could be a combination of a lot of things," Ryan said. "And that's why I think we'll be a better defense this year."'

'The starter has been out since last week when a teammate stepped on his surgically repaired foot during a walk-through.'

'What is certain is that a win even against a Brady-less Patriots team would go a long way for Ryan. That's especially true after the Bills averted spiraling into crisis with their 33-18 win over Arizona last week.'

'Buffalo's defense/special teams have scored two TDs. They totaled just three all last year.'

'"I think where you have to be aware of the differences, especially like, we’re kidding (Julian) Edelman but if he’s in the game, then you probably have to approach him a little different. It’s not that he’s never played quarterback, he was a quarterback, so you got to be aware of it. Obviously they’ll probably have more run-pass option type stuff than you might have with some of the other guys but they’re going to tailor to the strength of their players like they always do."'

'Head coach Rex Ryan said Watkins most likely won’t practice Friday, either, but that he’s still hopeful the wideout can play Sunday at New England. “I guess there’s a concern, but we’ll see how this thing goes,” Ryan said. “Obviously, this is what the plan was, to try and get him there on Sunday and see how he feels and if he’s ready to roll then turn him loose.”'

'No news is good news regarding Sammy Watkins.'

'“He’s obviously doing a fantastic job playing,” Ryan said. “I think this is the best he’s ever played. So we’re certainly pleased with him.”'