Rex Ryan on defending 49ers: “You’ve got to watch out for Hyde”

Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan spoke with San Francisco 49ers beat writers today on a conference call to discuss the upcoming game this weekend.

Ryan was asked about defending the 49ers offense, which up to this point has been one of the worst in the league. However, the 49ers announced a quarterback change this week. It will be Colin Kaepernick and not Blaine Gabbert getting the start against the Bills in New York. Ryan was asked if his preparations change now that his defense will be facing Kaepernick. "No. It's [Chip Kelly's] offense," Ryan said. "That's what you're trying to prepare for and all of the quarterbacks have mobility so it really doesn't change much – recognizing, obviously, that Kaepernick is a tremendous runner."

The media asked what the focus is for his defense on Sunday. "Well, you've got to watch out for [Carlos] Hyde," Ryan answered. "I mean, that kid is a heck of a back. It's a good start by us playing good run defense and you have to be sound because they can run the zone read. They can do all that type of stuff and then we've got to go, obviously, a great job of keeping Kaepernick in the pocket. We can't let him scramble on us. And we've got to do a great job in the back end. I think that's where the huge challenge is going to be. How we play in the back end."

Ryan was also asked about his interview with the 49ers last year and if the pairing was a serious consideration. "I have no idea," he answered. "You'd have to ask them. I appreciated the opportunity to come out and speak to them. It's a little different. I had just been fired. I went to Hawaii just to get away from it like I do after every season. I spent two days then I had to go interview. I had no clothes. I had no suit. No nothing. So I'm sure they weren't real impressed with my appearance.

"I really did. I enjoyed meeting everybody and I'm sure it's just going to be a matter of time before they turn it around. Hopefully not this week though."