Transcript of head coach Rex Ryan's news conference following the Jets' Friday midday practice at the Atlantic Health Training Center:
Here's the injury report. All of these players will be listed as questionable: Joe McKnight with his ankle, Bart Scott, toe, Sione Po'uha, low back and ankle, Bilal Powell, concussion. All four of those players were limited in practice. Jeremy Kerley did not practice today with a heel and a hamstring, but he is listed as questionable.
All these other players will be probable: Kenrick Ellis, knee, Brandon Moore, hip, Nick Mangold ankle/knee, Eric Smith, knee, Mark Sanchez, low back, Matt Slauson, knee, Mike DeVito, finger, Clyde Gates, shoulder, Damon Harrison, thumb, Jeff Cumberland wrist, Tim Tebow, ribs, LaRon Landry, heel and Stephen Hill [illness]. All of those guys practiced full today and they will all be probable. Calvin Pace did not practice today. He was out for personal reasons.
I know Rob Turner compared us to the Cubs. You know what I think of Rob Turner. I really like Rob. I like his personality. He's a tough guy. You know how I feel about him. If you're comparing us to the Cubs, and I expect that the double play combination of Tinker to Evers to Chance is going to show up on Sunday in St. Louis. I'm just going to throw it out there. For you baseball historians, they always claim it's the greatest double-play combination in the sport and I think they turned 10 one year. Either way we're bringing our mitts and here we come, but you can expect that. If they want to play two, that's fine also with us [laughter]. I thought it was interesting that Rob would say that.
On Powell's status…
No, I think he has a chance. I think they're all questionable [kidding]. I expect them to play. I expect to have a healthy roster and we'll see how that goes.
On Pace's status…
That's just a today thing.
On if he expects Kerley to play…
I do expect that, but he is questionable. That heel has been bothering him and a little tightness in the hamstring.
On Stephen Hill looking sick today…
I know. That's true. That illness, sometimes kind of zaps you a little bit. I think he's definitely getting better, so we'll see how that goes.
On if he expects to maintain the production from the pass rush the last few games…
I do. If we can get a lead on somebody, when we get a lead on somebody, I think that's when you can expect more of a pass rush. You know how I feel, most sacks happen in the second half, most sacks happen in the fourth quarter of games when you're ahead on defense. With that being said, you still have to generate a pass rush. I think our guys are doing a better job of rushing the passer. We're giving them more favorable fronts to do that and I think our guys are doing a better job of converting from run to pass than we did even earlier in the year.
On if the experience of rallying to make the playoffs in 2009 can help this team…
I think from a confidence standpoint, I would say yes because we've been down that would before. I know we were 4-6 our first year here in 2009. I believe we were 4-6, went on a run and then made the playoffs. Obviously that's what we're hoping for right now, that after this week, get that fourth win, get to 4-6 and let's see what happens.
On if they ran different plays with Tebow at Seattle for future opponents to prepare for…
I think that's part of it. We added a few different things. The thing with Tim, you can add things each week. Again, I think it's challenging for a defense to have to prepare for all the different things and the what-ifs – what if they line up like this or if they line up like this. I think there are a lot of things that you can do that are difficult for people to prepare for with Tim.
On how long it feels like since the Jets last win…
Forever, that's how long it feels. Each week you go in there, you feel confident and then we haven't got it done. It's frustrating and all that. Obviously, we expect a win each week. You put everything you have into it and when you fall short it's terrible. But again, we have to get a win. We need a win desperately. Not just, we need a win like every other team. No, we need one, we're desperate for a win. Clearly, if you have goals, as any team would have goals, to make playoffs and all that stuff then we have no choice, we have to win. There's no tomorrow, we need to win.
On how this week of practice has been…
It's been great. It's been enthusiastic. Guys have been flying around, competing against each other. Both scout teams are doing a great job and the energy has been right there. It's been great. Again, we haven't had that carryover to Sunday, but it starts with having good practices and we've had some good practices.
On if the offensive line has to step up against the Rams…
I think it's everybody. Because it doesn't always fall on the offensive line but it's on the protections in general with the backs, the tight ends whoever's in that protection scheme has to do a tremendous job against an outstanding group. And give Mark time. I think that's important. Receivers have to run crisp routes and get open, catch the football. So there are a lot of guys that a top pass rush, puts a lot of pressure on a lot of people. Not just the offensive line and backs and pickups and everything else. We definitely have to be at the top of our game this week.
On how much of an uphill climb the receivers have had this season…
It hasn't been ideal. Obviously, we all wish Holmes was here but that's not the case. We've had a player here and there out, so the next man has to step up. Obviously, there are no excuses, but I think it hasn't been probably as smooth as we would have liked, that's for sure.
On if they can stop WR Danny Amendola…
I don't think you really stop him because he's such a feature in what they do and they get him the football in a lot of creative ways, put him in different spots and things. He certainly has a lot of talent. He's very similar to Wes Welker. You have to have a game plan for him, specifically. But again, it's easier said than done to stop this guy.
On CB Cortland Finnegan…
Everybody knows I'm a fan of Cortland Finnegan. He's a tremendous player. I think one of the hardest things in the NFL is to play that nickel, to be in that slot and I think he does a great job at it. Because in there, you've got to be physical, you have to play the run, you have to be able to play zone coverage, be physical in zone coverage and also be able to play man and he does it all well, and blitz, he does. Everything you'd want in a nickel, that young man does.
On Quinton Coples' production…
I think he's been productive. When you get him per play average, I think it'll surprise you even. Like he makes a lot of tackles, tips, passes, pressures and things like that. So he is not having a bad year at all. You put him in a role, you try to get him there and get him going and then eventually, obviously, that role is going to increase and increase. I really like the way he's practicing. I think you see huge strides that he makes on the practice field. I think we're starting to see those type of things carry over to the game as well.
On what he's told the players about keeping their cool around Finnegan…
I know, Cortland loves the game. He's that kind of guy, passionate guy and all that and our guys know that. Really don't have to say a whole lot about it. Everybody knows who he is.
