*Transcript of Jets head coach Rex Ryan's news conference before Thursday's midday practice: *
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, everybody. Practice was great [smiling]. It does feel funny that I'm having this press conference before practice. I will say this, the guys that never practiced, Braylon [Edwards], Thomas Jones, and T. Rich [Tony Richardson], all of them will practice today. Braylon we listed on the injury report with a knee. It's a bruise. He's fine. He'll go.
One thing I do want to do is mention the awards. I'm sure everybody knows David Harris won the Ed Block Courage Award. That's since 1984. It's given to a player who has displayed perseverance and overcoming adversity and David Harris won that award. The Kyle Clifton award, 1996 is when that started, is a player that is regarded as a good guy by staff members who do not affect his status with the coaching staff or on the football field. James Dearth won that award this year. The Marty Lyons award, established in 1990, is a player who gives from the heart through charity and community involvement. D'Brickashaw Ferguson won that award this year.
The next one is the Dennis Byrd award, 1992, the player who most inspires his teammates. This is one is probably pretty unusual. For the second year in a row, Thomas Jones has won that award, deservedly so.
Then our Curtis Martin MVP award. The MVP award was established in 1961, obviously Curtis never played then, but the MVP award is named after Curtis Martin in his honor, and deservedly so, Darrelle Revis wins the award. I just wanted to make sure you all were aware of that.
On D'Brickashaw Ferguson's growth…
This is my fist year ever being around D'Brickashaw. Ever since I got here, [he's been] an outstanding young man. It's weird to have a big guy that's a good looking guy like him [laughter]. Most big guys, there's something missing there. He's a handsome guy. He's somebody you want your sons to grow up like. He's got it all. Besides the obvious talent he has, the work ethic is phenomenal. He's just an outstanding young man, he really is. When you meet his parents, you know the exact reason why. His parents are great people.
On if he goes into the game with a number of points he thinks the offense will need to score…
If you just shoot par 72, it'd be nice. I'll take that right now. They're [the Colts] so talented. I haven't played very well against them. We haven't fared well, myself I know. I don't want that number is. I really don't have a number in mind. I just want to have one more at the end of the day then they have.
On the game not having the feel of a 13-10 game…
It probably doesn't. Unless a hurricane goes through that dome. It's ideal conditions. It's a huge, huge challenge for us. They deserve the credit we're giving them. There's no question about that.
On if the offense needs to step up and do more…
We're definitely going to have to score some points and score some touchdowns because they do move the ball so well. Like I say, it's going to be a great game. I respect these guys to no end, there's no question about that, but they're going to get our best shot.
On if feels like he's back in Baltimore because the defense is carrying the team…
The ideal thing is that you'd have a balanced team. What I picture in a football team, and I've talked about it from day one, [is] building each other up. One week, special teams may have to bail out the offense and defense. Maybe they're not playing to our standards, but the special teams can win a game. Maybe next week is the offense. As a team, I think to have a great football team, you've got to be able to affect the outcome of a game positively in all three phases. Right now, we've done that at times this year, but we've also done it the reverse fashion.
There have been times where maybe the offense has let the team down a little bit. Maybe the defense has. Maybe the special teams has and we haven't been able to overcome it as a football team. When we're going to end up being a great football team and one that can win consistently, those things have to happen. That's a heck of a lot easier said than done, but I think this week, as we go forward and we get the systems down, I think we'll start to see that from this team.
On if the offense will be going for fourth downs more this game…
I've got a scenario. How about a fourth-and-two from the 20 [laughter]? We'll be punting. We will be punting that ball [laughing]. No, I think you're right. It is one of those kinds of days. Again, I will say this. I have a lot of confidence in our football team. I know we're playing a team that has won 23 straight regular season games and they've earned them. This is an outstanding football team. We're doing it at their place where the conditions are perfect. We're going to show up.
On how they are going to prepare for the Colts' back ups…
We can't take anything lightly. We're fighting for our playoff lives. We actually have an opportunity to still make the playoffs. With everything that has happened to us and we still have that opportunity. It's right in front of us. We've got to win these two games. It doesn't matter if Tom Matte is the running back. We're going to play them. We're preparing for Peyton Manning. We're preparing for Reggie Wayne and all those guys. If somebody else is in that position, so be it. We're preparing that Peyton is going to play the whole game, that [Dwight] Freeney is going to play the whole game and everybody else.
On if the team has to spend more time preparing for the back ups…
No. I don't think you can do that. Will your plan change a little bit? It possibly will. We're making sure we're ready for Peyton Manning.
On if he has done research on what the Colts have done in the past when they've wrapped up home field advantage…
No, I haven't. Remember that this is the same guy up here that thought we were out of the playoffs, so I never did that [laughter]. I'm just trying to beat Peyton Manning and trying to see what I see is on film. That's what we're trying to stop. If they would let us that decision, obviously Peyton wouldn't play. I don't think he should [smiling]. I don't think he should and that's my story.
We know he's going to play it's our job to go out there and see what we can do. I feel a heck of a lot better going into this game then I did a couple of times when we had back up corners in there. That much I can promise you. We don't have our back ups in there. We've got our starters. We're ready to roll. If they beat us and they're able to pummel us like I've been pummeled before by them, then OK. I know one thing, they're going to get our best shot.
On how they are preparing Mark Sanchez for the game this Sunday…
The thing about Mark is he's got to actually go out there and be himself and let it go. He's better that way. Sometimes, maybe he's been too tight. Let him go play the game. It's up to us to help manage the game as well. We can't just put that on the player. That falls under me. I've got to help him manage the game and we're going to do that. I look at this game as an opportunity for Mark. The whole country is going to be watching this game, not because they want to see the Jets play. They want to see Peyton Manning. They want to see the Colts and see if they can stay undefeated. Hopefully, by the time this game is over that people are going to see that the Jets are a pretty good football team.
On if he's sending a mixed message to Sanchez by saying that he's too tight but then implementing a color coded system…
I don't think so. With some of the things that we do, the coding thing is actually there to help relieve the pressure, but there are some specific things in there that you've got good vision on your receiver. The receiver is open. You've got passing lanes to throw through then make the throw. If it's not, then check the ball down and get rid of it. I think there are some things in place there.
He doesn't have to carry this football team. I think I mean that more than anything else. Just go play. Play the position. You're playing Peyton Manning. The thing that's funny is that he played against Tom Brady and beat Tom Brady in Week Two. He's got to remember that. Look at that opportunity. You're going to be compared against Peyton Manning for one week. Play the position, but part of playing the position is we've got to help him manage the situations and he doesn't have to force the issue. If you force the issue, here that's a mistake. Against this football team, that's a mistake.
On if he will remind Sanchez that he beat Tom Brady…
No question. It seems like a long time ago. I'll let you guys tell him that and then I'll enforce that later today. I haven't told him yet.
On his relationship with Brian Schottenheimer…
I definitely think we are on the same page. Here's what's funny, we're leading the league in rushing. I know stats and all that stuff, but we lead the league in rushing. That's something that any head coach would be proud of. Generally to run the football means you're a physical football team. When you combine it with the fact that we lost Leon Washington for a bulk of the season. If he is not the best third-down back in the league, he is certainly up there. That's impressive to me. We have a young quarterback, we know there's going to be some growing pains. We are absolutely on the same page. Our third-down conversions have gone down a little bit, but Leon was such a weapon that it really hurt when Leon went down. It really hurt this football team.
On if he still goes to offensive meetings…
Yes, absolutely. I get in there. I am just now starting to know a little bit where I can be dangerous [laughter]. I can tell you this, the more I'm in there the more I realize wow, what a great staff we have. I'm just telling you, both sides of the ball. Special teams I don't bother with.
On if Mike Westhoff would throw him out of special teams meetings…
He wouldn't throw me out. I'll tell you that much [laughter]. He ain't throwing me out [laughing]. Westy [Coach Westhoff] is one of the funniest guys I've ever been around. Like any great coordinator, he totally believes in himself. We kid with him that he invented the game. He's seen it all at least 25 times. That's him, that's what makes him who he is. He has that confidence, the team has confidence in him. He's a funny guy now. He's smart, he's passionate. I enjoy being around him, in spurts [laughing].
On Donald Strickland…
He's going to have a huge responsibility in this game. Nobody has a perfect game. It's just that if he makes a mistake and he took responsibility on the touchdown catch. Trust me, everybody in the game, nobody plays a perfect game, not even Revis. I think he had one minus. The competitor in him, you love that fighting spirit, that competitive spirit. He doesn't want to let his team down and I expect him to play a huge game. I know he is on the cover of the defensive playbook this week. We know he's got a heck of a responsibility in front of him, but we're very confident in him.
On putting Strickland on the cover of the defensive playbook…
The fact that he was a former Colt, this is obviously going to be a huge game for him. The fact is his role in the game is going to be big, it's significant is another reason you put him on there. There are different times you put different guys on there.
On if Strickland will be a game captain…
That's a possibility.
