Transcript of Jets head coach Rex Ryan's news conference following Friday's midday practice:
We're going to list Brad Smith and J-Co [Jerricho Cotchery] both as doubtful. I know it's been reported that J-Co is already out, but that is news to me. Do I expect him to play? I'm not sure, but it's doubtful. I will probably make that decision a game time decision. We're going to move Lito [Sheppard]. He fully participated. He is probable. [Donald] Strickland, we still have questions on him. I believe he is questionable. [Shaun] Ellis will be questionable, Damien Woody. The two that are doubtful are Jerricho and Brad Smith.
On if Ellis was able to practice today…
Yes. He was limited, but he did practice.
On Ellis throwing a nice pass…
He does throw a nice pass. You know, the more things you can do.
On Woody's injury…
His is one where it's the NFL, so the miracle of medicine. He's probably going to be ready to go Sunday. It's not something that will further an injury. In other words, he took a shot last week, he'll take a shot this week and we'll see how it goes. He's a tough guy. He's durable. He wants to be out there. He's studying. He's getting all the mental reps. Wayne [Hunter] has been outstanding on the practice field as well. I think Damien will be able to play.
On if he is seeing more intensity out of Revis after the Miami game…
Nah, he's still the same guy every week. That's why he's so great. Those things happen. Everyone gets beat. It's just so rare that he gets beat. It was a combination. It wasn't just him by himself. A lot goes into it. They did a nice job protecting and [Chad] Henne made a great throw. You've got to give them credit. Certainly, my money's on him every time. He's that kind of corner.
On if all great cornerbacks share the same mentality of having a short memory…
Absolutely. You have to. When a corner makes a mistake, the whole country knows it. Everybody sees it. If a defensive lineman makes a mistake, he may miss a tackle, it's kind of like well, linebacker's can get him, safeties, corners, whatever. When you're out there on you own and it doesn't go well, everyone knows when you get beat, so you have to have a short memory. The great ones got to come right back. Everybody gets beat. You can't like it. You've just got to compete and he's a great competitor. He'll just line up again and look down the barrel again.
On how much of Ted Ginn's touchdown was Revis' fault…
Well, it's quarters. I look at it this way: it's quarter coverage. He's one quarter. Then there's another inside quarter and then there's a pass rush. You guys figure it out.
On if it was 25 percent Revis' fault…
I called it, so that's the other quarter, so 25 percent. The one kid's fast and we tried to jam him at the line. He got on top of us. It was a heck of throw by that kid too. He had great coverage. One thing you can't defend against is perfectly thrown ball. You've got to give that young man credit. He put in there and the kid made the catch.
On if Terrell Owens is more dangerous since he has not had a lot of catches yet this season…
I've had to go up against him several times. He's a special receiver. You're exactly right. I don't need him to get well this week. Let's hope we're saying the same thing after the game, "Well, he never did a whole lot." He's a guy that can be a difference maker.
On what Owens' problems have been this season…
He's a big dude. We've got our own issues. I'm not really focused on theirs. All I know is looking to try to defend against him, that's a day where you're very nervous going in. You know his capabilities.
On Bills fans criticizing Trent Edwards for throwing too many checkdowns...
Some of those things is, there trying to get the ball out to their backs. They've got two excellent backs. You can look at the New England game where Jackson was used as a great weapon – flares, screens, check downs. They almost won that game. I think that's part of their attack, to get that ball checked down to those backs because they think they can make people miss and they can. Obviously, we've struggled a little bit defending against the screen pass. I hope they take that out of their game plan this week because they have two excellent backs.
On if Sheppard will play…
We'll see. I think Lito's going to play. We feel good about him stepping up in there and starting. We'll see how he feels during the game, but I don't anticipate any problems.
On Lowery playing nickel if Sheppard cannot…
We'll move him to nickel. You still have Drew Coleman. There are a lot of options for us.
On how eager he is to see Leon Washington break his first long run…
I've seen him do a bunch of things already, but yes it would be great. I would love to see him spring loose for a big-gainer, for a big touchdown. That would be fantastic. Am I disappointed in Leon Washington? Absolutely not. This guy is terrific. He's been terrific all year. Would I like to see him bust a long one? Of course. I would like to see anybody bust one.
On if Washington's lack of a big run is because he isn't getting enough touches or defenses are keying in on him more…
You guys, I guess, expect him to score every time he touches it. That would be great. I'm all in. That would be fantastic. What I'm seeing is a heck of a football player. When he's on the field, he is dangerous.
On David Clowney…
Great vertical speed. He's doing a great job. I think Henry Ellard has done an excellent job with him. I think he is more than just a speed guy. He has a chance to develop into a good receiver. The first thing you notice when you think of David Clowney is blow-by speed.
On Baltimore's defense facing Brett Favre this week…
It's funny because Brett Favre, we played him twice. He might have had his best game as a pro against the Baltimore Ravens when I was there. He also probably might have had his worst game. The last time we played him was a Monday night game in Baltimore. It wasn't a good game for Brett. It was a bad game for him. I think we beat them by 40 points.
I remember in 2001 we went to Green Bay and I don't think he threw two or three completions in the whole game. He threw like 35 passes. It was unreal. The sun was out, it was great. It rained, they had hail, they had snow and he threw in everything. We walked out of there saying, "Man, that is ridiculous how good that guy is."
We'll see what happens. That one is going to be a great game because not only is it Brett Favre, it's Adrian Peterson. It will be a huge challenge, but I know that defense is going to be dialed in. I think it will be a heck of a game.
On difficulties preparing for Brian Schottenheimer's offense…
It's multiple. It's hard to get dialed in on one specific thing. He is multiple, the system is complex but I think it is easy for our players. To defend against it is not easy at all. Multiple formations, motions, guys running different routes. He changes the pass protections up. It looks very complicated from a defensive standpoint. It's hard to dial in on any specific thing.
On the Baltimore marching band…
I know a little bit about it, being there for so many years. Ten years. I know they still have the band. I don't think it's the Baltimore Colts marching band anymore. I think it's just Baltimore's marching band. But that is pretty impressive. For years they never had a team. They would go over different places. I never realized that was the reason Baltimore got a team. I know they're crazy. I met a bunch of them. The old Baltimore Colts fans, I met a lot of those people. The band has been there forever. You talk about passionate people, there is no question about that.
