Rex Ryan pumps the brakes after his team’s win over the Patriots
"I mean it’s satisfying, but let’s face it, they had a player out."
After attempting to mimic Bill Belichick in the week leading up to the game, Bills head coach Rex Ryan channeled his inner Belichick once again after his team’s 16-0 win against the Patriots in Foxborough.
“Onto LA, I guess… God, it feels good to finally win here,” Ryan said Sunday to start his post-game press conference.
Here is the full transcript of Ryan’s press conference, via the Patriots:
RR: Onto LA, I guess… God, it feels good to finally win here. Been close about six times. Finally won one, it was great. I can say this for sure, that that was about as good a weekend as you can have. I don’t know what you are talking about, but it was a damn good weekend. And I appreciate it. Questions, please.
Q: How satisfying was it to beat that team in their place?
RR: I mean it’s satisfying, but let’s face it, they had a player out. This just in, they had a player out and we had our team, so you know, we expected to win.
Q: You know, your defense has played consistently well here when you’ve lost in last four years or so. So, it wasn’t surprising to play well defensively, was it?
RR: No, I thought we had a great plan. I thought our guys went out and did a great job executing the plan, but you’re right, there have been several times that we got beat. I get the record. Everybody knows my record. I thought we had a chance at about half those things, but they did a great job, they always outcoached us. Today they had a player out guys, and we had our team here.
Q: Throughout the week, what were you expecting with them and their quarterback?
RR: My sources inside the New England Patriot building said that Jacoby Brissett would be the quarterback. How’s that? I will stir some stuff up. Who was it? Who was it? I don’t know who it was.
Q: Rex, how different are they on offense, [Jimmy] Garoppolo to Brissett?
RR: Yeah, they are different. But, I got news for you, Garoppolo is not Brady either, not even close. But he’s good player, but there is only one Tom Brady.
Q: Does not beating [Tom] Brady detract from the win at all?
RR: Feels pretty good right now.
Q: Rex, the last two times out, fast starts, and it seems everything has fallen into place after a couple of fast starts the last two weeks. Being able to get up there early with your offense again, how much did it help today?
RR: Well I think, first off, that’s it’s something that you stress throughout the week. You know, this team, 77 and 0 or something like that, if they are leading at half time here. You know, that wasn’t the plan. They are 34 to zip in the first quarter of games, so even though we put our defense out there first here, we were trying to change that obviously. But, really just a great team effort, there is no question about that.
Q: With or without Tom Brady, Tyrod Taylor wins his first game with 30 or more pass attempts and looked about as good of a passer as in all of his NFL starts.
RR: Yeah, he misfired a couple or just missed a couple deep ones, but you are right, he played extremely well. It was just complementary football, I think, both sides of the ball. Did a great job and, you know, obviously this place is a tough place to play regardless of who’s not in there. Did I mention they had a player out and our team showed up.
Q: The quick slants, were something that you hadn’t utilized in your offense, can you expound on just how those factored in?
RR: Well, it’s kind of what they were giving us too. We know Tyrod does a good job of throwing that ball, we just have to give him some opportunities to throw that and obviously we put that in today.
Q: Rex, in response to that pregame fight, Jonathan Kraft said I think that if you are less than disciplined in your personal approach, your team takes on the attitude of the coach. What do you think about that?
RR: Well, I think so too, because they probably weren’t as disciplined as they should be. So, I think that’s probably what happened there.
Q: Was that one of the more well-balanced game plans from the offensive side from Anthony Lynn that we’ve seen? Obviously kept them on their heels all day…
RR: He did a good job, that’s a very well-coached football team. Offense, defense, everything about them. And I thought he did a great job.
Q: What was your reaction when you heard there was a scuffle pregame? Obviously you heard about it. What was your reaction when it happened?
RR: I never thought it was that big a deal. It wasn’t like anyone was throwing down anybody, it was just some words. A lot of talk out there.
Q: In previous times, you mention in a game last year, that the guys were over emotional. Was that a sign that maybe you needed to racket it down a bit because maybe that could have gotten out of hand.
RR: Well, no I just think, we came here for one purpose and that was to win a football game. And that’s what we talked about and that’s what we came to do.
Q: Coach, the linebackers seem to set a tone here defensively. The Browns inside and even Jerry and Alexander on the edges. Do they seem to set a tone for your defense?
RR: Guys are playing extremely well, and like I said, a real solid team effort. Played good team football on defense, and the same thing on offense, and I think that was the key.
Q: Where do you feel sit now that you climbed out of that 0-and-2 hole?
RR: Well, I feel a lot better. I think when you look and have two of the better teams in the National Football League and we were obviously embarrassed in the way we played, especially in the second game. But, you know, we know we have a good football team and we just got to stick together, ride together and that’s exactly what we’ve done and how we’ve dug ourselves out of this hole.
Q: How big was the game that Robert Woods played today because you are going to need him to step up into that role?
RR: We definitely are going to need Robert [Woods], we are going to need Walter [Powell], we are going to need Charles [Clay]. We are going to need them all because Sammy [Watkins], I forgot he was missing, and he is one of the, you know, premier receivers in the game. And that’s a big loss when you lose him, but you’re right, everybody has to step up.
Q: You do have a ton of respect for Bill Belichick, is there anything that you really wanted to zero in on? I know Tom Brady wasn’t playing, but in terms of coaching?
RR: No, every week, you try to have a plan to put your players in a position where they can be successful and I’ve always tried to do that, time in, time out. But just, a lot of times, we come up short, but today it was great to be on the other side of it.
Q: Rex, when you started 0-and-2, you said the Cardinals and the Patriots were exactly what you guys needed. Is this what you had in mind?
RR: Yeah, not one of the more brilliant statements I’ve had, but you know, it’s typical, probably. But no, meaning that they are some of the better teams in the League, if not, the best teams. So, for us to prove it, you know you can’t feel sorry for yourself, you better go out and face the best. And that’s what we are doing and now obviously we have a huge challenge in front of us going, you know, all the way out to the west coast.
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