Rex Ryan pokes fun at Tom Brady's bounced Fenway first pitch

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- In his classic style, Bills coach Rex Ryan stepped to the podium Wednesday and turned an otherwise routine offseason news conference into a headline, taking a shot at Tom Brady's first pitch at Fenway Park earlier this week.

"I think there's an obvious thing that we should talk about first," Ryan said, smiling. "My pitch actually made it to the plate. It was a little wide, but I understand somebody bounced it -- I'm not sure who it was -- but Tom needs to keep his elbow up a little bit more, I think."

Ryan was comparing Brady's pitch Monday -- which bounced on its way toward home plate andBoston Red Sox star David Ortiz-- to Ryan's ceremonial toss at the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons' home opener last week.

"I would have said, 'Hey, Tom. Let's take one practice toss out there on that mound, maybe,'" Ryan said. "But Tom likes taking advice from me, I know. I'm sure he'll be working with that."

Brady poked fun at his one-hopped pitch earlier Wednesday on his Facebook page.

Ryan hasn't shied away from taking jabs at Brady in the six seasons that the two have squared off in the AFC East.

Following the Patriots' 17-16 win over the Ryan and theJets last December, Ryan said his New York squad "always gives [Brady] the biggest challenge, whether he admits it or not."

Ryan, though, emphasized his respect for Brady later in his news conference Wednesday.

"Brady is funny because here is a guy who is first-ballot Hall of Famer," Ryan said. "If he ever does something wrong, yes, I'll be all over him. But that doesn't happen very often. So that was a given, you know I was going to say something there."