Rex Ryan is feeling confident about his team. He told reporters Thursday that the Buffalo Bills won the offseason and challenged other teams to match what his team has done.
“I can’t wait to get the season started,” Ryan said, via The Buffalo News. “I’m just telling you right now: forget the vacation. I wish it was shorter. And I mean it. I’m excited about this team. Obviously a lot of things have to happen and we’re a month or so away. I told our players today to ‘Win July.’ We’ve won the off-season. I would challenge any team. I think we’ve won the off-season. But we need to win July. That’s when everybody is by themselves, on their own but doing the things to be in great shape when we get to camp, let’s avoid those injuries we had last year.”
“That’s one of those things I shouldn’t say because they’re going to kill me anyway,” Ryan added. “But we’re on vacation so nobody’s going to read it anyway.”
The Bills finished 8-8 last season, Ryan’s first year as coach. Buffalo hasn’t reached the postseason since 1999.
The Bills, however, have had setbacks during the offseason. First-round pick Shaq Lawson had shoulder surgery and could miss nearly half the season, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins broke his foot and probably won’t be ready until training camp.
But in Ryan’s eyes, the Bills are still the winners of the offseason. We’ll see if winning the offseason translates during the regular season where it matters most.
