New York Jets coach Rex Ryan remains in a playful mood despite his team's 1-6 record this season.

On Wednesday, Ryan played a small prank on Buffalo Bills rookie receiver Sammy Watkins by pretending to be a reporter during a conference call. Ryan knows Watkins through his son Seth, who played with him at Clemson.

"Sammy, I got a question," Ryan said. "How did you help Seth Ryan out? How did he do out there? And if you could really help him, you wouldn't play this game. This sounds like Rex Ryan - I know it does - but this is a reporter. [Pause] How're you doing Sammy? You all right?"

A bewildered Watkins replied, "Yeah, how you doing?"

Ryan has long been a supporter of Watkins. However, that good will may be put on hold as the Jets will host the Bills this weekend.

"When you see him on tape, he's one of those guys that doesn't come around very often, kind of like the Julio Jones, [A.J.] Green at Cincinnati, one of those kind of receivers, elite receivers," Ryan said.

Watkins hauled in nine catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. For the season, he has 33 receptions for 433 yards and four touchdowns.