Transcript of head coach Rex Ryan's news conference following Friday's midday practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
Drew Coleman did not practice. He will be listed as questionable as will James Ihedigbo knee and ankle] and Brad Smith [groin]. Those guys were limited today at practice. The only other one limited was Darrelle Revis [hamstring]. All the other guys I will mention were full participants today. The guys that will be listed as probable are [Antonio] Cromartie [groin], Ben Hartsock [back], Santonio Holmes [quad], Nick Mangold [shoulder], Brandon Moore [back], Sione [Pouha, back], Tony Richardson [finger], [Mark] Sanchez [right shoulder], Bryan Thomas [ankle] and Patrick Turner [illness].
On if Drew Coleman and Brad Smith will play on Sunday…
They are questionable and that's what I'm going to stay with. Let them figure it out. Both of those guys could be gametime decisions.
On holding back information on injuries this week…
Both of them are gametime decisions. I think I've been very truthful. The fact that Brad Smith gives you all of the Wildcat stuff, I'm not holding back, I'm just saying it will be a gametime decision.
On how important this game is for the franchise…
It's huge. This will probably be the second-biggest game in the history of this franchise. Obviously, Super Bowl III being the first. I think it's more so than even last year's Colts game. I think this one is huge because you have your rival, who is a team that has won three Super Bowls, in your own division, at their place and coming off the huge, embarrassing Monday night loss. This without question will be the second-biggest game in the history of the franchise. That's my opinion.
On if Isaiah Trufant will be active…
I don't know. He very well may be active. There are a couple reasons [he could be inactive]. He probably doesn't know the defense as well as other players, which would probably be the biggest setback. He's a little guy. I'm not saying he won't be active.
On how prepared the team is for Sunday's game…
The hay is in the barn. We're ready. We are ready to go. We're making that trip up and we're going to show up. I guarantee you that. For anybody who thinks it's going to be the same exact outcome that it was last time, I don't think that's true. I don't believe that's a fact.
On Wes Welker's comments…
I think this is a huge rivalry type game and anything goes. I can take it. I'm not going to discuss it, but I can take it.
On if Welker's comments were out of line…
I'm not getting into that. Anything goes this week. That's the way it is.
On comments by Reggie Jackson about him and Antonio Cromartie...
I'm not really familiar with what he said. That's his opinion. We're always going to be who we are. Reggie Jackson is always who he was. We could use Reggie's bat this week [laughter]. If he wants to help us out, I'd be happy. I've met Reggie Jackson and I was impressed. He's really a good guy. We're always going to be who we are.
On if he stayed longer this week preparing…
I thought our teaching and our focus were great. I wanted to make sure that we cut out the gray, "This is what it is, this is how we're going to play it," and take the gray out. If I felt there was too much gray or there was too much thinking going on, then we would eliminate it. I feel good about it. I think it's going to be a physical matchup now and I think that's what you want. You want to give your players an opportunity to be successful and I think, in our preparation, we've done that.
On if the week went by slow or fast…
I liked it. I think it was just right. I don't think, at the beginning of the week, we were as sharp as we needed to be. So, we cut things out, tightened things up. I think right now, we're ready to go to approach this game in a physical fashion. That's what it's going to be about. We know the plans on both sides of the ball and, on special teams, and now we just need to go out and execute.
On if he has thought about taking the ball first if they win the coin toss to avoid getting behind…
No, we're going to defer like we always do. The one time we didn't, you guys convinced me and we went three-and-out [laughter]. I'm not pointing fingers or placing blame. You know what? I just think this is who we are. We're not afraid to play defense. We'll kick it off to them and see what happens. Their percentage of scoring is higher than anybody else in the league, but regardless of when they get the ball, it's going to be a challenge. To be honest, I'd just as soon play defense first.
On when he knows that he has an advantage over an opposing coach or vice versa…
There is one easy way of looking at it and that's if you win the game or you lose the game. That's one good way. Quite honestly, I don't care if everybody says Belichick outcoached me. If we win the game, I'll sign up for that, but I think it will come down that. I've said it the whole week and I'm confident.
On if it is possible that Brad Smith will play but not return kickoffs…
That's certainly a possibility. The way Cro [Antonio Cromartie] looked, he's an explosive returner back there and, certainly, we could definitely do that.
On Trent Dilfer saying that Cromartie is particularly vulnerable on certain routes…
I have a lot of respect for Trent. Obviously, I was with Dilfer in 2000. We won a Super Bowl. I'll say this, everybody has a right to their own opinion, but if it was that easy, I think people would run those specific routes or whatever he is saying.
On if Indianapolis ran Pierre Garcon on certain routes last week that cause trouble for Cromartie…
We had the one route that he gave up for a touchdown, but we're not the only ones in the league that Garcon has beat on a skinny post or whatever you want to call it. Cromartie has done a great job and he had a great year for us. I was talking with [Bengals head coach] Marvin Lewis the other day and he voted him to the Pro Bowl, so I think there are a lot of people that have perceptions that watch a ton of film that have the perception, like I do, that Cromartie is an outstanding corner.
On what his message was to the team this week…
I just think we have to go out, we earned this right to come back here and play against the New England Patriots. One thing I can tell you right now, we have plenty of respect for them up there, but we don't fear them. I can promise you that. We do not fear them. We respect them and we're going to win the game. That's our message. It's our message every week. The stakes are as high as you can stack them, but we're going out there. We know we have to go out and take it and that's what we plan on doing.
On the primary emphasis for Mark Sanchez this week…
It's what it is every week. Try to throw completions without turning the ball over. It's easier said than done, but those are the things that you always try to focus on. We're a team that believes in runs and completions. If you can out-number your opponent in that at the end of the game, add that total up and if it's higher than your opponent, you're generally going to be successful. This week, more than probably any week, the turnovers as well.
On how his father feels that his brother is interviewing with the Dallas Cowboys…
He'd still be a Jets fan regardless of what happens. I think that's the big thing.
On the Cleveland Browns coaching staff being fired...
I thought it was unfortunate because I thought that team was close. They had some big wins. They had proved that they can beat anybody in the league and be competitive with anybody in the league. I thought it was just a matter of time before they turned the corner. But as we all know, sometimes you don't get that extra time that you need.
