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Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan Conference Call 11/19
Q: Do you still see the Patriots as one of the teams that can morph and take care of those losses pretty quickly?
A: Well I think the track record they have is probably second to none as far the next man stepping up and things like that. But I think their injuries you know my understanding you get all three of the lineman back, so that will be a big plus. And obviously they lose [Julian] Edelman who is a fine player. But you have number 80 [Danny] Amendola step in there and things. Obviously I think you know they have losses but this is a team that is very well equipped.
Q: You said after last game run it next time, they might have too this time around how do you feel about that?
A: Well no, I was just like, you know that was how they chose to finish the game and all that kind of stuff and I can ignore that fact. But you know it will just go to show you if it in this the plan or whatever, that is it. I mean they got an excellent running back in the [LeGarrette] Blount kid, who is an excellent back. So I said that before, before I talked about the other kid that I never knew he name. By the way he wasn't all bad [Dion] Lewis. But I got his name down, that sucker, made me learn his name didn't he. But I still think he is no Mack Herron I will just tell you that much or Jim Nantz. But I don't care, we have gone against each other a zillion times, and there is different things the game plans will say. Obviously the last time we played they wanted to run the ball, or pass the ball and that is what they did.
Q: What kind of challenges does Amendola present for you defense?
A: Well he was a big free agent when he came out. Remember he was supposed to be the guy that replaced [Wes] Welker but instead he got nicked up and that allowed [Julian] Edelman to step in there and basically assume that role. But this is a fine football player and everybody knows that about him. He made a fine catch against us last time we played him and things. So we know all about him, he is an outstanding player.
Q: What does he do well?
A: Well number one he gets open. And I think he is no different than where [Wes] Welker and [Julian] Edelman, he has got change of direction skills, he competes for the football, does all those types of things.
Q: What have you seen from Gronk this year and do you feel like you can get something going against him?
A: Well I mean he is definitely the same as he ever was. I mean the guy is a great player, and an all around threat. He is a good blocker, obviously you can put him anywhere. You can put him at the number one position he is going to run fades and everything else like a receiver does. So its like, and oh by the way he is 6'7" and 260 lbs. or whatever he is. Yeah he has got match up, we have match up problems, just like every other team in the league has against him.
Q: Rex, in past years in the second matchup, have they drastically switched up the way they've played offense when you've seen them the second time or has it been kind of consistent with the first game of that particular season?
A: Well, I think through the years everybody changes a little bit. You structure things more to what you have, that's what everybody does. You can't just … win, lose, or draw, you're not assuming that, you'll be ready for anything and if you're going to do the same thing, so be it, but I think through this matchup, all the years we've played against each other, there's usually some different ways of attacking.
Q: Rex, you've lost eight of nine to the Patriots. Is that something that kind of keeps you up at night, considering how much time you spend talking about them?
A: You know what, the only reason I talk about them is because they're the number one team in our division and that's where we want to be. 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. I'll tell you this, we prepare for them the same way we prepare for every team that we face, but do we want to beat them? Absolutely. Do I want to beat them more than any team? Yeah, because they've won. They're the ones who have won the division so to me that's why but do I obsess with them and all that? You guys write that I've lost seven of eight so why are you even talking to me? I obviously have no clue how to attack them or defend them so you guys should talk to someone else that has a better record than I do.
Q: Rex, it's a quarterback driven league and I'm just wondering what improvement you've seen from Tyrod (Taylor) from Week 2 to Week 11?
A:I don't know, you guys are the experts, you'll figure it out. I know we threw three interceptions the last time we played them so we'll see. You guys will pick out the positives.
Q: Rex, I'm going to lean on you a little bit here because I haven't watched all the tape of Tyrod (Taylor), but he's only had the one interception since Week 2 as you mentioned, but that doesn't necessarily mean he hasn't been putting the ball in the hands of defense, it means that maybe they've been dropping interceptions. Has that been the case or has it actually been a case of good decision making on his part to avoid those picks?
A:I don't know. You guys need to do a little more of your homework then to find out. I'm not going to answer your question, I mean it's pretty obvious that the guy's been pretty decent, but you guys will figure it out.
Q: Why are you mad at us?
A:I don't know. I just think the way that you guys spin everything, you put everything I say, whatever it is, you just put it out there the way you want to and I understand it. You guys have covered this matchup for years and years. We've got no business being on the same field, that's what you said, I've lost seven of eight against them, so don't talk to me. I'll just sit back here and answer the questions and whatever but I don't know why you even bother.
Q: Rex, you do have some experience with rebounding very well, especially in 2010, you guys came in here and were beat bad and in the playoffs, you guys won 28-21. I'm just wondering if you ever use a moment like that as like a teaching moment for your current team like look, one experience against a certain team can be very different the second time around.
A: Well that would be both ways because we beat them the second week of the season that year and they're the ones who bounced back and beat us 45-3 so they bounced back then we bounced back so that's what happened then. But, no, every year's different. You have different players, you have different coaches with you and things like that, so every year's different.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor Conference Call 11/19
Q: How much improvement have you seen from LeSean McCoy since his injury early on?
A: He's definitely improved. You can tell he's out there playing at 100 percent. He's healthy and he's out there making the explosive cuts that you're used to him seeing. Out there making plays in the running game and in the passing game. So we're definitely gonna need him moving forward for the rest of the season.
Q: How helpful is it for your job when LeSean McCoy is healthy?
A:Definitely helpful to have all your weapons out there on the field. To get everybody out there healthy and to be able to go out there and play with all your weapons definitely opens up our play book. That's our goal each and every week. Is to go out there and get our weapons the football.
Q: What do you see from yourself in week 2 versus the Patriots?
A:Definitely some things I can correct. Things that I've been working on since that game and things that I've been working on each and every week to get better at. As a team and on a personal level. Just getting better at executing the plays that are called.
Q: How were you able to get in that rhythm when you were down last time you played them?
A:Just going out there and continue to keep playing. It's a long game. Things can happen, ups and downs. Just gotta continue to keep playing. Continue to keep fighting through the ups and the downs, the mistakes that happen. Put it behind us and keep moving forward. And we was able to find a groove but wasn't enough to go out there and win the game. We definitely hurt ourselves and they played good football. Definitely hurt ourselves that first game.
Q: What do you see from the Patriots run defense?
A:They've been playing well in all phases. They're very disciplined in the run game. As far as being in the gaps. They're very disciplined as far as coverage goes as well. We have to play smart football. Get guys on the right angles as far as in the blocking game and making sure everybody's accounted for.
Q: What have you learned about yourself in the past 8 weeks or so?
A:Still just progressing. Working on some of the things that can be touched up. Our game is definitely not perfect and I'm striving each and every day to get better…as a pocket passer, being a leader, being the guy that the offense leans on. Everything is just a work in possession and I think I'm doing a good job at it. And just gonna continue to keep working hard and moving forward.
Q: Is there anything you can say that Tyrod Taylor is doing better in November than Tyrod Taylor in September?
A:I think my game overall has changed. I think it's improving. But to say one thing, I don't know if I could tell you one thing right now. I think as an overall my game has improved and the goal is to continue to keep improving.
Q: Do you feel like your lack of interceptions lately is a reflection of your improved decision making?
A:Definitely think I've improved in that area. Coach has done a good job of calling plays and given up looks. But it's definitely something that you focus on getting better each and every week at decision making. Cause every series counts, every play counts. You can't get a series back so you want to put your team in the best possible way to go out there and succeed. And taking care of the football it definitely starts.
Q: You mentioned pocket passing improvement but being able to scramble is such a big part of your game. How do you balance the two?
A:I think for me personally I've never had a run first mindset. I've only used my legs when things brake down and I have to run. So as far as balancing it, I really don't have a problem with balancing it. It's more so just using my legs and don't forget that I do have that to use it when I have to. And when I do use it get what I can or get out of bounds.
Q: How important is this game to you in regards to maybe making the playoffs?
A:Very important. We understand the importance of this game as well as each and every game moving forward. We definitely are prepared each and every week with the mindset of knowing how important our games are ahead of us. So just gotta take that mindset to the practice field and let our practice mechanics carry over to the game.
