Transcript of head coach Rex Ryan's news conference following Friday's midday practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
All right, here is what we've got. Guys that never practiced today: Wayne Hunter. He will not make the trip with us. That has actually gotten worse. That shin is kind of swelling and it's gone into the knee, so he's going to be back here getting treatment. Calvin Pace and Darrelle [Revis] obviously are out, so those three players are out. Listed as questionable, guys that were limited in practice today were Nick Mangold and Jason Taylor. I expect both to play though.
That's pretty much it as far as the injury front is concerned. Today's practice was excellent. It was on the grass field, but I still wouldn't put it as impressive as last Friday's, but that was inside. Sometimes you have a better practice inside, but I wanted to take advantage of the weather out there, the humidity and everything else. That's why we went outside. It's beautiful out.
On how important it was for Mangold to participate in practice before playing Sunday…
We all feel better because he's out there. He's throwing the shotgun snaps. He looked good. Nick is a smart guy, he's on top of the game plan, so like I said, I expect him to go unless something odd happens.
On if Taylor will have to wear an arm brace all season…
I'm not real sure on that. We think by the time the bye week comes, that thing should be ready to come off.
On if he feels players need to practice to play…
I'm definitely more flexible with that policy. We had Ray Lewis in Baltimore and I was like, "I think Ray's fine. Let him go.' Obviously, you want them to practice like anything else. They're sharper, but there are some guys that you don't worry about mentally as much, a veteran player, a guy that's been there, really knows your system. Nick Mangold is obviously like that. I think he'll be able to do it.
On if younger players need more to practice in order to play…
Each case would be different. You would have a lot more concern if you had Vladimir [Ducasse] doing that. You'd have to figure out each case and treat it differently.
On if Mangold will play the whole game…
Well, you hope he plays the whole game. Again, you hope he's able to do that, but if he's in pain, take him out and put Rob Turner in.
On having confidence in Turner…
We do. We have a lot of confidence in Rob. He's in that perfect world where he's your center, swing guard, like Eric Smith. You might have had a guy targeted to start, yet Eric is so valuable in all the roles that he has. But when he does start, he's more than capable. He is a starter type guy, but Rob is a guy that backs up the guard and center in the game. That's backing up three spots and he plays on special teams. He's a very valuable guy for us.
On the nature of Mangold's shoulder injury…
I don't know. It's the AC joint.
On if it's an injury that can get worse by playing with it…
I'm sure he's going to be uncomfortable, but I don't think it's something that would get worse. I just understand that it's a strain. He feels much better now than he did at the beginning of the week. Whether he'll go back after the game and feel like he did on Monday, I'm not real sure. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
On if the injuries involves a tear…
I don't believe there's a tear. I just know it's a first-degree AC joint strain.
On if Ducasse will be active since Hunter will not be traveling…
Vlad will be our backup tackle, the backup tight end and all those types of things that Wayne would do. We were working him in, in case Wayne couldn't go. At the beginning of the week, I thought Wayne would go, but they say he's gotten worse, not better.
On why he brought in Clyde Simmons…
He's an expert. He's a guy that clearly the players would look up to and they'd respect. I think he's on the top 10 of the all-time sack list for this league, so it's hard to ignore that fact, just the way he is, his personality. I had him in Arizona, he was a leader back then for me when I was coaching defensive line. I thought he'd bring that to us and he has. He's been outstanding.
On if Simmons' position is similar to the one Chuck Smith held last year…
Yes, it's a similar-type situation.
On how long Simmons will be with the team…
He's going to be here for the season. Chuck did a great job with us last year, working specifically with pass rush. Clyde is really working with the line, basically assisting Mark Carrier. He's doing a great job. He works, studies the pass sets and all that stuff with Jeff Weeks and our pass rush schemes. He's been tremendous.
On the degree of pressure on other receivers since Braylon Edwards will not start…
We're just going to go out and play. They're excited to get opportunities, everybody is. It's probably more pressure on Brad Smith, [David] Clowney and people like that.
On if he's made a decision on how much Edwards will play…
We're still looking at that.
On what will go into the Edwards' decision…
There's factors involved, but that's all I'm going to say.
On Miami no longer having Ted Ginn…
Well, that's good [laughter]. That's a positive. Ted Ginn destroyed us. I know people in Miami said, "Oh, he's disappointing," and all that but, you look at the games last year against us, he destroyed us. He caught a long touchdown pass against us, he returned two kicks for touchdowns, so hopefully that will hurt them this week.
