FOXBORO, Mass. — Rex Ryan is now resorting to openly mocking New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, but don’t expect the Buffalo Bills head coach to take any shots at Bill Belichick.
Ryan, who never minces his words, made some surprising comments about Belichick on Wednesday during a conference call with the New England media. Ryan called Belichick the better coach in the Patriots-Bills Week 2 matchup, and even said his family is proud of New England’s first two Super Bowl victories.
“I’ve never discredited anything about them, but that’s just the way I am,” Ryan said. “If someone wants to discredit someone, whatever. Am I envious of the fact that they’ve won four Super Bowls and I’m sitting back there, I’ve won one? Of course. Never to the point where — I love competition.
“I recognize the best coach in this game is the one I’m up against. I don’t concede anything, though. I’m going to give it my best shot. That’s what you want as a competitor. You want that.
“My twin brother was fortunate enough to win two Super Bowls there, so we’re very proud of that fact that he won two rings there. I think our family has been to six and won five of them, so we’re proud of that. To discredit them or whatever, I certainly don’t discredit him.”
Would New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator and former Patriots assistant coach Rob Ryan take exception if Rex discredited the Patriots?
“If he did, I’d kick his ass,” Ryan said.
The Bills have confidence going into their matchup with the Patriots, but Ryan isn’t worried his team will be too cocky after beating the Indianapolis Colts 27-14.
“Trust me. We know we’re not the hunted,” Ryan said. “We know who is the hunted, so don’t think for a second we don’t get it.”
Belichick did appear to take a subtle shot at Ryan on Wednesday in his conference call with the Buffalo media, but Patriots players were predictably uncontroversial talking to reporters in the locker room.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
