Rex Ryan's Players Feel "Liberated and Free"

Our guest this week was Tyler Dunne, who covers the Bills for the Buffalo News, and used to be on the Packers beat for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. We started off by talking about LeSean McCoy responding to Chip Kelly’s handshake proposal by saying, “Chip can’t shake s—.”

We asked if this candor is not only permitted, but encouraged, by Rex Ryan. “He wants players to be themselves,” said Dunne. “I thought he had a great comment on it: ‘This is an opportunity for players to connect with fans, to be genuine, to tell their story. They can be real.’ He goes, ‘I’m not just gonna give them a message to say.’ He wants guys to be themselves, and so they are.”

Dunne brought up the time that Marcell Dareus was dissatisfied with his contract, feeling that the team thought of him as dime a dozen. “Guys are liberated and free around here, and I don’t think that was really the case for LeSean McCoy in Philadelphia,” the reporter said.

We also talked about the Bills’ upcoming matchup against the Eagles, which is crucial for both teams’ playoff hopes, as well as delving into Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins, and the state of Buffalo’s defense.

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Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (-3)

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Top Five

Ryan: Vikings, Patriots, Lions, Cowboys, Seahawks

Jason: Browns, Texans, Chiefs, Steelers, Bills

Last week: Ryan (8-8, 2-3 Top 5), Jason (10-6, 4-1 Top 5)

Season to date: Ryan (97-88-6, 31-31-3 Top 5), Jason (103-82-6, 36-27-2 Top 5)