Rex Ryan: Bills won the offseason

Plan the parade.

The Buffalo Bills are offseason champions, according to head coach Rex Ryan, who's renowned for his measured, accurate, and never hyperbolic statements about his own team.

(End sarcasm.)

"I can't wait to get the season started," Ryan said, according to the Buffalo News' Tyler Dunne. "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 offseason. I would challenge any team. I think we've won the offseason. 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. I think we're committed as a group. That 'All In' mantra, I know it gets used a bunch but I feel it's appropriate for our team."

Ryan's position is a curious one. In the eyes of many, the Bills had one of the NFL's unluckiest offseasons; it was discovered that first-round pick linebacker Shaq Lawson needed shoulder surgery, while star receiver Sammy Watkins suffered a foot injury that could force him to miss all of training camp.

Meanwhile, rumors swirled that Ryan will be fired if the Bills don't make the playoffs, with team legend Jim Kelly even saying he believes it's do or die time for Ryan.

Apparently, none of that has fazed the brash Ryan, who remains as outwardly positive about his team's prospects as ever. Perhaps his words are simply a motivational ploy for his team, but knowing Ryan's tendencies it's just as likely he truly does believe what he says.