Buffalo Bills News: Rex Ryan Promises To Build A ‘Bully,’ Bring Team Back To The Playoffs

The Buffalo Bills have now gone 15 seasons without making the playoffs, but new head coach Rex Ryan wants the team to bully its way back in.

In his introductory press conference since signing a five-year, $27.5 million deal to be the team’s new head coach, Ryan promised to build a team that opposing teams are afraid to face.

In the press conference, Ryan oozed confidence, a personality that made him a fan and player favorite in New York before the Jets imploded this year and he was fired.

“I’m not going to let our fans down… I’m not going to do that. I know it’s been 15 years [since Buffalo reached the playoffs]. Well, get ready. We’re going.”

Though initial reports indicated that Rex Ryan was headed to the Atlanta Falcons, the team dragged its feet in bringing him back for a follow-up interview and allowed Bills and aggressive new owner Terry Pegula to swoop in.

Ryan will inherit a Bills team ranked near the top of the league on defense, finishing fourth in yards allowed. Rex Ryan said he’s ready to make them even better.

“Fourth in the league was probably a little disappointing… I know we’ll lead the league in defense.”

But the Bills have some glaring deficiencies on offense, namely at quarterback. Veteran Kyle Orton stepped in this year and guided the team to its first winning record in the last decade, but Orton retired the day after the season ended and has left question marks at quarterback.

The Bills could turn to E.J. Manuel, who was benched four games through this season, but are also likely to bring in a veteran.

Still, Rex Ryan said he was blown away by the potential he sees in the Bills.

“That’s definitely false. Did I interview with the Falcons? Did I interview with the 49ers? Absolutely… When I came in, I was kind of blown away by the direction in many things about this. I came back and I told my wife, I said, ‘Wow, this is really something.'”

Rex Ryan also made a dig at former Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone, who used his opt-out clause to leave the team four days after the regular season ended. Ryan said the Bills fans are the most loyal in the league, and in turn deserve a loyal coach.

[Image via NY Post]