Skip to main content
Advertising

What they're saying: Bills contemplate what's next after loss to Pittsburgh

1211-wts-bills-steelers-postgame-comments.jpg


HEAD COACH REX RYAN

Q: Do you feel like you're coaching for your job?

A: Again, I'm just coaching to give our team the best chance to win and I'm going to put everything in. You can't expect your players to put everything in if you're not willing to do the same thing as a coach. So that's all I'm going to do.

Q: Rex, your team looked like they were not really there to start the game. How do you explain that?

A: I mean we were there. I think they just made some great plays on us. Obviously we knew we were going to be really challenged. Ben (Roethlisberger) had a great pass on one but (LeVeon) Bell's a hell of a running back obviously. They out-executed us and they deserved the game.

Q: Defensively, your run defense has struggled…

A: Yeah, to say the least.

Q:…Why so much today? What were they doing?

A: Well no I mean, you got a choice here and I mean eight-man spacing or seven-man spacing and we did a lot of seven-man spacing to help in pass defense against Roethlisberger and company. We did go to some eight-man and quite honestly he burned us quite a few times when we did that but that's kind of it. You're playing a chess match with him and that's what you did. Obviously it's disappointing when you get the ball run at you like that, there's no question about it, but you're sitting back and that's a tough offense. I mean they got a lot of weapons and they did a really nice job obviously.

BUFFALO BILLS RB LESEAN MCCOY

Q: About an hour before the kickoff there were reports of Rex having an uncertain future here?

A: I haven't heard that. I haven't heard that, and I love my coach. I am happy he brought me here. So I am totally behind him. It is a business and things happened and I learned that the hard way. So I understand how that works, but I am totally behind him.

Q: What concerns do you have with the offense, having only seven first downs in the first nine series?

A: It is crazy man it is not like us especially on the first drive. Usually we come out and put some points up, we usually move the ball. But like I said, they did a good job against the run. They played better than us today, there is no excuse, there is no answer … they played better than we did today.

Q: Rex was noncommittal to Tyrod starting next week?

A: That is above my pay grade. I don't know how that is working out, I love my quarterback. I think he is a hell of a player, a good leader, an amazing athlete. However they work that out that is what they do. I know in this game the quarterback takes all the praise, and they take all the blame. I am sure he will get all the blame for this loss and it wasn't just him. We didn't play well together. I didn't make any big plays really. The defense just kind of took me out, so I give them a lot of credit, they get paid also.

BUFFALO BILLS LB ZACH BROWN

Q: Just knowing the do-or-die nature of this game, you guys had to have it or you'd be watching the playoffs [from home]. Were you surprised that – did you guys feel like you came out flat? It just seemed like you guys got behind early and it was tough to get the momentum back.

A: I don't think we came out flat. I mean, they had two picks in the first half. We've just got to make sure that we capitalize on turnovers. We had three turnovers, so we have to score on turnovers. We have to stop Le'Veon Bell. Need to stop him and Antonio Brown. Make somebody else beat us. We've got to go into drive-mode on Monday.

Q: How does it sit now? Had it sunk in? Are you kind of numb? Where are you?

A: It kind of hurts. You want to go to the playoffs and keep fighting to be in the race but you never know what might happen. Somebody may end up losing their last two or three. You've just got to keep winning. You've got to compete. At the end of the day, if you're not trying to win then don't come on the field.

**

BUFFALO BILLS QB TYROD TAYLOR**

Q: How do you feel you played?

A: Left some plays out there. Definitely didn't play my best. I let the team down a couple plays, but gotta move forward. I was about to put some points up in the fourth quarter, but it was just too late.

Q: There has been a lot of spotlight on you guys with what went around about you last week and then the headlines that were released about Rex today, how much of an affect is that having on you as a player?

A: I just have to continue to keep playing week-to-week. Trying to get better from the things that we put on the field the week before. I don't think it affects me. As far as the team, I can't speak for everybody, but the main thing is that we don't point fingers after all our mistakes and continue to keep getting better.

**

BUFFALO BILLS WR SAMMY WATKINS**

Q: What is your level of frustration with how the offense couldn't get things going through three quarters?

A: Of course for a wideout, it's just frustrating. But we've got to look at the film and see what actually went on, and we've got to look at ourselves and fix it. Whatever the problem is, we've got to play better, we've got to execute the plays that are called. And we've got to play as a unit and be connected as one.

Q: How do you explain the offense coming out so flat in a game you guys had to have?

A: I don't know. Like I said, those are things that we can't let happen. Usually we start off fast and we put up points quick and later in the game, we can't score. Today was more so of first half was flat, second half you show little flashes here, we're driving down the field and then just three and out, three and out. I don't know why. That's for the coaches to tell us and we've got to watch film and go over it.

**

BUFFALO BILLS LB JERRY HUGHES**

Q: Was there something during the week that prevented you from starting?

A:  No, I mean I played an awful lot. I rotate in, Shaq (Lawson) rotate in, Lorenzo (Alexander) rotate in. Our job was to go out there and create havoc, be fresh. I think he wanted to keep us all fresh.

Q: Did you know you weren't going to be out there the first few plays?

A: We knew (the coaches) were going to work us into the rotation. I felt like they did a fantastic job keeping everybody fresh given the circumstances.

Q: How disheartening was the 236 yards rushing you gave up as a defense?

A: That is disgusting when you say that stat out loud. We understand that is not what you can do to get to the playoffs. We got to be better. Today the Pittsburgh Steelers were the better team, they came out and they executed on all phases and we didn't. We just got to come out and play better ball, especially late in the year when all the chips are on the table. 

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.
Advertising