Rex Ryan is a master of media relations. Maybe not in comparison to politicians or corporate communications professionals but, as NFL coaches go, he's smart, savvy and relaxed in front of a microphone. He's a natural. He knows exactly what to say to motivate the fan base and the team and to show the appropriate deference to the team's relatively new owners, Terry and Kim Pegula.
Contrary to one of the main discussion threads from yesterday's season opening game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor did NOT record his first career NFL start against the Indianapolis Colts. League records will show that Matt Cassel was under centre for the Bills first play from scrimmage, a trick play, in the tradition of the "wildcat" formation, which landed with a resounding thud and resulted in a six yard loss. Ryan explained in his post-game press conference that offensive coordinator Greg Roman conceived the play which went for touchdowns in practice. That led Ryan to brag about the upcoming play to game officials and to Terry Pegula as kick-off approached. Among some of his other comments, Ryan declared that the home crowd was better than the players yesterday, who were "pretty darn good" themselves. In the days leading up to the game, Ryan had called for Bills fans to make the stadium louder than ever yesterday - and they (we) responded accordingly. Noise levels when the Colts were running their offence were as loud as I can recall them ever being.
Taylor did get his first NFL start yesterday, if not officially, and he delivered a poised and confident performance by demonstrating his ability to throw the long ball on a pass to Percy Harvin, scrambling when it was required, showing a nice touch on screen and check-down passes and by not turning the ball over. Taylor has a long way to go before his name goes on the Wall of Fame at the Ralph but the 5th year man out of Virginia Tech likely went a log way towards earning the trust of Bills fans who haven't seen a real answer at quarterback since Jim Kelly retired after the 1996 season.
Then, there's the defence. Andrew Luck is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL but the Bills defence contained him and his new look offence with veteran running back Frank Gore by shutting them out for nearly three quarters as the Bills offence staked them to a 24-0 lead. And possibly the Bills best defensive player, lineman Marcel Dareus, didn't even suit up yesterday as he served a one game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Word is that he likes to smoke a little bit of marijuana. The Bills signed him to a contract extension last week and I think he may have smoked a little more to celebrate. Who am I to judge?
Kitchener, Ontario native and undrafted Yale graduate Tyler Varga got a few touches for the Colts yesterday with one carry, one pass reception and two kick-off returns.
Yesterday was a great day to be a Bills fan and to help answer Rex Ryan's call for the crowd to do its part. Next week, the stakes are even bigger as the defending Superbowl champion New England Patriots with quarterback Tom Brady and his entire legal team come to Orchard Park. Can the fans make even more noise next week?
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