Transcript of Jets head coach Rex Ryan's news conference following Friday's midday practice:
Let's go over injuries like we always do. [Donald] Strickland and Jerricho [Cotchery] did not participate today. J-Co was out there in sweats, but he did not practice. His hamstring is still bothering him some. I'm definitely not ruling him out, but he's not 100 percent right now.
Other guys that were limited in practice were Kerry Rhodes, knee; Lito Sheppard, quad; Damien Woody, foot; and David Clowney. He had a personal reason. He was excused. He was limited in practice. He showed up later. Then guys that were full participation: Larry Izzo, hamstring; Jim Leonhard, knee; and Bryan Thomas, wrist. You guys should have all that.
On Cotchery possibly not playing…
That's a possibility. I'm expecting him to play, but that's a definite possibility.
On who will fill for Cotchery if he cannot play…
We had a clause in that [trade]. We'll bring [Chansi] Stuckey back [laughter]. We'll have David Clowney, Brad Smith and Wallace [Wright], obviously. They'll step up.
On Mark Sanchez bouncing back…
He's back. The main thing is just be yourself. Bad games are going to happen. Is he going to be perfect the rest of the season? He's going to try to be, but we all know that's not going to happen. He's human just like anybody else. He'll bounce back. He's ready to go. He can't wait for Monday night. He knows its going to be a big challenge. The Dolphins are a good defensive team, but he's ready to go.
On Calvin Pace…
The gazelle is back. He's running all over the place embarrassing his teammate like he always does, so that's a great sign.
On the offensive line…
I'm definitely happy with our offensive line. I think we've got a great offensive line. You've got to give some opponents some credit. They're putting a bunch of guys down there to stop the run. I think that's a credit to our running backs and our offensive line. We're still able to move it. We've rushed the ball a bunch. Hopefully, we can pop a couple.
The Dolphins are, I think, the only team in the league who have not given up a 20-yard run this year. They've given up more big plays in the passing game than any other team, but they have not given up a big play in the running game. It's going to be a big challenge. You've got a big, strong physical front seven, but it's going to be a great matchup.
On if Braylon Edwards will help spread the defense and open the running game…
I think so. I know so. People will still try to do that. Like I said, when he's covered, he's open. The proof's going to be in the pudding.
On his impressions of Jay Feely…
The guy's a pro, there's no doubt about it. He's an outstanding kicker. My first impression of him was that's the kicker who runs on the field and tries to tackle all the time. When you look at all the numbers and being able to kick in the Meadowlands where it's windy, the conditions don't seem to bother him. He's just a pro. He's smart. He really knows what he's doing.
On Miami cutting Feely in 2007 after he made 21 of 23 field goal attempts…
If you've got Lou "The Toe" Groza, maybe I could see letting him go. He's a pretty darn good kicker. I don't know what the circumstances were, but Jay's a heck of a kicker.
On how comfortable Edwards is looking…
Ask his teammates what they thought of today's practice from him. He's probably going to struggle this week. He's going to struggle. I wouldn't even bother. I'd just put one guy on him and that's all I'd do, if it was me.
On if Edwards looked good today…
I've got no comment. He's decent. Let's just put it that way. Decent receiver.
On being able to add Edwards' talent at wide receiver a month into the season…
We had to give up a lot. We had to give up two really good players in Chansi Stuckey and Jason Trusnik, two guys that I really admire. You knew it had to be a special player to trade those two guys and we gave up a couple of picks. We thought it was an opportunity. Mike Tannenbaum and his group do an amazing job. They're prepared. They're thorough. When this opportunity presented itself, we jumped on it.
On the importance of this game…
This game counts a game and a half. That's how we look at it. This is huge. There are no ands or buts about it. This is a huge game. We're not going to come in tiptoeing. We're putting in enough time, all our effort, all our energy to win this game. We know how important this game is. It counts basically a game and a half. We're going to give them everything we have.
On if he talks to the team about last season's final-game loss to Miami…
This game really isn't about revenge. This is about whatever it takes to win this game, we're going to do. Obviously, the Dolphins won the division last year. If you do plan on winning the division, you've got to beat them first. They're the reigning champs of this league, so you're darn right it should be special. The fact that it is at Miami, it is a Monday night game [and] the whole country is going to watch, this is as big as it gets right here, for us and I know it's that way for them as well.
On if it's difficult to satisfy all three running backs…
I don't know about satisfying them. We just want to satisfy ourselves and win the game. All three backs are capable of getting it 25 times a game, but we're going to do what's in the best interest of the New York Jets and win a football game. If that's running it 45 times a game, then so be it.
On Shonn Greene's injury in last week's game…
He's totally back. It's not even on the injury report. It's a non-factor.
On trying to get Leon Washington more touches…
We're going to try to get him the football. Obviously, he's one of our most explosive, talented players, so you want to get him involved as much as you can.
On if the 3-4 defense was as prevalent when he began his coaching career…
No, I don't think so. I think it was more 4-3. I know the Ravens were a 4-3 team. Pittsburgh was a 3-4, but I can't remember many 3-4 teams back then.
On why the 3-4 defense has caught on so much…
Because your best two defenses were running 3-4's. That probably has a lot to do with it.
On if he thinks more teams are going to switch to the 3-4 defense…
I don't know. I think people are smart. They're going to play a defense that fits their players. That's what we would do and I'm sure the league will feel the same way.
On how he'd describe defending against the Wildcat…
A pain in the tail. It's just a body punch. It takes preparation time. They may run it, they may not run it, but you've got to be prepared for it. It takes some practice time. They're going to run their regular offense, but if you're not prepared for it, they're going to run that all day long like you've seen tape on.
On if he's worried about the Wildcat since he had success against it in Baltimore…
I'm not flinching. We'll be ready.
