Rex Ryan: Firing Roman 'the move I felt we needed to make now'

Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the media Friday after firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman hours earlier, and he insists the decision didn't come from the top.

"This morning I informed ownership of my decision and they were supportive of it," Ryan told the assembled media.

"I met with Greg this morning. We decided to part ways. It's a decision I believe moving forward will help our team."

The Bills sit at 0-2 on the still-young season after a 13-7 opening-week loss to the Baltimore Ravens and a 37-31 defeat Thursday at the hands of the New York Jets.

It came as a surprise the Bills decided to ax the leader of their offense a night after matching scores with their divisional rivals. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw for three touchdowns and almost 300 yards. Two of the scores were of the quick-strike fashion, an 84-yard bomb and 71-yard connection.

Conversely, the defense couldn't get near Jets passer Ryan Fitzpatrick as New York racked up 493 net yards.

"Certainly the defense has to improve. No doubt about that. But this is the move I felt we needed to make now," Ryan explained.

Roman was hired last season after spending four years as the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator. He will be replaced by assistant head coach and running backs coach Anthony Lynn, his first foray as an offensive coordinator.

Speculation about Ryan's job security has swirled since a disappointing debut season in which the Bills finished 8-8. With his job reportedly on the line, he told reporters he's comfortable tying the rest of this season to Lynn, his running backs coach for the past seven seasons.

"I believe in the direction that Anthony Lynn will take us," Ryan said. "We have to get the ball in playmakers' hands.

"Lynn can coach them all, the superstar player, the rookie free agent. He has the respect of the entire locker room. A lot of focus will be on getting playmakers on offense more involved. Coach Lynn's primary focus will be that."