Transcript of head coach Rex Ryan's news conference following Wednesday's midday practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
Players that did not practice today: Jeremy Kerley, illness — showed up at 6 o'clock this morning, we sent him home. Guys that were limited: Plaxico [Burress], he has an illness. Receivers, I don't know what's going on [joking]. Marquice Cole, knee, Mike DeVito, knee, Joe McKnight, shoulder/elbow, Brandon Moore, hip, Eric Smith, knee.
And now all these other guys are full: Vlad Ducasse, knee, Shonn Greene, ribs, shoulder, Ropati [Pitoitua], hand, Mark Sanchez, neck, and Caleb Schlauderaff, knee. OK, so that's it.
Now, opening statement today would be to challenge our fans — not challenge them at all but to ask our fans to let's go out there and wear green for this game. Let's everybody deck out in green, if you can. Obviously, you know, I think the weather's not too bad this time of year. Really, you look at it, it's great. If we could wear green, that would be fantastic. We're going to give out the white towels and really have a playoff atmosphere.
If we can have that, I remember when we played Cincinnati in a similar situation where we had to win to get in into the playoffs, I felt like just feeling the presence of our fans that I never thought anybody could beat us that day. I really felt that way, and our team went out and played that way. I think when we get that kind of energy out of our fans, it's going to go a long way to helping us achieve what we want to do, and that is to have a huge win on Saturday and keep our playoff hopes alive. That's what my shout-out is to the fans. With that, I'll open it up for questions.
On if anyone who wears blue to the game will be stopped at the gate…
See, a few years ago I would pop off on these things [laughter], but obviously, no. I'm not going to say anything. Hey, there are going to be a few Giant fans out there, but I have a funny feeling the Jets fans will drown out those Giants fans.
On if it feels strange to share a stadium with the Giants…
No, it feels like this is our stadium. I'm sure they feel like this is the same thing, but this is our stadium. When you look at it, when you come in, the way the stadium is, you've got our colors, you've got our fans and everything else. This is a great venue. Obviously, this year we're 6-1 at home, trying to go 7- 1 at home, I think that will tell you that we feel this is our stadium. Obviously it's been a big help to us this year.
On he feels more at home in MetLife Stadium than he did in the old Meadowlands Stadium…
Yeah, I mean, the old stadium said Giants Stadium on there. It's what you can call it. MetLife Stadium. It definitely feels like our home stadium, without question. That's what it better be.
On if they have to make adjustments on special teams with Jeremy Kerley's illness and Joe McKnight's injury…
Yes, we feel great having Cro [Antonio Cromartie] back there as a kick returner if Joe can't go. But Jeremy, when I talked to the trainers, they feel like he's going to be fine for the game. Even if he's sick, let's go. We'll worry about that later [joking].
On if Kerley has the flu…
No idea.
On if McKnight will be able to play…
That one, I think will be a game time deal. He looked OK out there today, I think he keeps getting better, so we'll see how he is. I'm not ready to say that he's definitely going to play.
On if the Giants will be "freaked out" seeing the stadium in all green this week…
Yes, I hope so. That would be good. Everybody wear green. That will be great. I will say this. It did feel kind of funny when it was Giants stuff for the preseason game this year. That was the first time. Wow, it seems weird. I just think it will be a great atmosphere for our team and for our fans to wear that green, show your support for your Jets. Let's have that. Let's be 7-1 at home.
On he feels he has an advantage on special teams each week with Mike Westhoff…
Yes, you always go in feeling good about your special teams. Obviously, the Giants have a good special teams group. [Lawrence] Tynes is kicking well, and Steve [Weatherford] is doing a nice job punting. But we try to set up our team thinking that Westhoff always does a great job. But it's not just that. It's the type of players that we have on our special teams we always feel good about. Same thing about our defense, and same thing about our offense. So when we go into every game, we feel confident in all three phases.
On Tom Coughlin's comments…
That is the old saying. Talk is cheap, money buys whiskey. I understand all of that. You know, that's the truth. I don't care about Tom Coughlin or anybody else. I know how I believe. I don't care if it's acceptable in everybody's opinion. I really don't care. I'm worried about my opinion. This is how I feel. Quite honestly, I could care less what anybody thinks.
On comments that he doesn't cover tight ends well…
I would say absolutely, that's true, that I don't cover tight ends very well [laughter].
On defending tight ends this season…
First off, I don't even know who is going to play tight end this week for them. But if it's Mark Bavaro, I'd be more concerned. But to be honest with you, there are strengths and weaknesses in every coverage you have, and the same thing about match ups and everything else. Sometimes, if you're focused in one area, sometimes you expose your team a little bit in some other areas. We did that. When [Eagles TE Brent] Celek had that big [73]-yard catch, it wasn't an ideal situation to be covering a tight end. Obviously, we thought it was going to go a different direction. We were a little exposed there, and he took advantage of it for an [73]-yard catch. But those things happen.
On Celek have more than just the one big catch…
He had the one touchdown catch, too, and we had a corner on him then. So sometimes those things happen.
On having Vladimir Ducasse as an extra blocker to get him on the field and if it makes the offense more predictable…
I agree with what you're saying. Sometimes you try to work guys in. Give them an opportunity and there's only really one way to get better, and that is to play. And maybe that was part of it. But he does a good job. It's interesting that you mentioned about more predictable. At first, the first several games that we did it, we actually threw every time, and then we started running. That's really what you want. We're not the only team that does that. The Giants do it, a lot of teams do it, where they'll put an extra lineman in. It should help you in protection. You've got a bigger guy. That is the thing with it. Obviously, you'll get more movement in the running game than a tight end would.
On how he feels Santonio Holmes will respond this week…
I think he'll play great. I don't think there is any doubt he'll play great. To have the fumble and then the one catch, I mean, the guy's got great hands. He dropped it. It led to an interception. Hey, those things happen to everybody. But he's such a good football player that I think he'll respond the way he always does, and that's to play a great game.
On Victor Cruz's development…
Well, he still hasn't had the day that he had that preseason game against us. You talk about getting burned. I don't know what the numbers were, but it was like, wow. It was eye-popping, that's for sure. He's done a nice job developing. Seems like they go to him an awful lot, him and [Hakeem] Nicks, I think. But he's really developed into a fine player.
On how much advice Plaxico Burress is able to give about the Giants after having not been on the teams since 2008…
Well, I think you search for everything and Plax played there a long time. He knows whether it's tendencies or whatever it is. Then we're certainly up for some suggestions.
On if Burress is more up for this game than any others…
No, every week he's the same way. He's level-headed and he hits the field with a purpose. He tries to get better each day. He practices hard. He's a great teammate, so that's what I've seen this week also.
On if he has any impression at all that this game means more to Burress…
You would never know.
On having thoughts about re-signing Burress to a long-term deal after the success he's had this season…
Well, to be honest with you, we're focused on finishing this season and then we'll address that. Mike [Tannenbaum] will start looking at that at the appropriate time. Right now, it's about finishing this season and getting in the playoffs and we'll worry about several of those situations as there are every year, but we'll address those at the appropriate time.
On the Giants allowing some big passing performances recently and if that will encourage the Jets to throw the ball more this week…
I just think we're built as a team that can run it and throw it. So we'll mix it. That's been our plan, and that's the plan we'll use.
On the Giants running game…
Well, they have three really good backs. That is the first thing that jumps out at you as far as their running game. They are 32nd in the league in rushing, which is obviously uncharacteristic of them. But I think part of that is due to they really feel confident throwing the football. They're more of a vertical passing team than I can remember them being, but they still have a lot of talent back there running the football.
On Holmes' penalty last week…
I love enthusiasm. There is no doubt about that. That is part of the game. But obviously you don't want it to affect your team. You don't want it in a negative way. Obviously, we got a penalty there and that's not acceptable. So again, I think we've learned from it.
