Bills at Bye: Josh Allen's MVP resume, strength ,weakness & Tre White's return

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Bills at Bye: Josh Allen's MVP Resume, Strength, Weakness & Tre White's Return
Release Date: October 19, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills’ season as they hit their bye week. The panel analyzes Josh Allen's frontrunner status for MVP, discusses the team’s main strengths and lingering weaknesses, and explores the significance and logistics of cornerback Tre’Davious White’s anticipated return. Throughout, the hosts blend their trademark humor with insightful commentary, setting the tone for a thoughtful yet fan-centric breakdown of the state of the Bills.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Josh Allen’s MVP Resume and Status

• Recognition and Context ([01:32]):
  • Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.
  • The franchise has never had a quarterback win MVP in the Super Bowl era.
  • “It would be a massive deal for the franchise for Josh Allen to win MVP.” – Mike Catalana ([01:32])
• Narrative Building ([02:44]):
  • Voter narratives and head-to-head performances carry weight; Allen’s recent win against Mahomes highlighted.
  • “Whichever quarterback won that [Chiefs] game… That’s the difference.” – Dan Fetes ([02:44])
• National Spotlight & Ascendancy ([03:33]):
  • Offseason media, Twitter virality, and Allen’s ascension to superstardom have amplified his MVP case.
  • “He’s been the cover of the NFL Twitter page… and to win in the way that he has and in some moments, put the team on his back.” – Jenna Cottrell ([03:33])
• Competition and the Evolving MVP Race ([04:42], [05:05]):
  • The MVP has become a "Quarterback Award".
  • Mahomes remains Allen’s closest competition.
  • Jalen Hurts mentioned, but hosts consider Allen and Mahomes a tier above the rest.

2. The “Josh Allen Experience”

• Growth from Unpredictability to Controlled Chaos ([08:37]):
  • The reckless, unpredictable early career has evolved into high-stakes, controlled play.
  • “It’s not the red face, Josh Allen. Maybe I just feel biased because I’m confident now that he’ll figure it out.” – Jenna Cottrell ([10:52])
• Unique Athleticism ([09:10]–[10:43]):
  • Allen’s hurdles are discussed—are they instinctual or planned?
  • “You gotta be tall, don’t you? How do you get down Josh Allen? You have to cut down his knees. So Josh goes, well, I’m going to go above you. That’s part of what has made him.” – Dan Fetes ([10:29])

3. Narrative of Winning Close Games

• Breaking the Myth ([11:12]):
  • Bills win close, one-score games, addressing a previous inability and changing the "narrative".
  • “It’s a narrative until you disprove it… until you are able to win in close games.” – Jenna Cottrell ([13:30])
• Team Approach ([13:30]–[16:05]):
  • Defense and coaching are now also closing games, not just Allen.
  • “It’s tough to stop Josh Allen in those moments.” – Mike Catalana ([15:27])

4. Team Strengths and Exceeding Expectations

• Continuity and Key Additions ([16:45]):
  • The Bills have successfully mixed continuity and “fresh faces” (e.g., Jordan Phillips, DaQuan Jones).
• Von Miller’s Impact ([17:49]):
  • Miller’s clutch sacks have made him invaluable.
  • “Josh Allen and Von Miller are both underpaid. They should renegotiate new contracts right now.” – Dan Fetes ([16:45])

5. Tre’Davious White’s Return and Defensive Depth

• Return Strategy ([19:44]):
  • Trey is being slowly integrated post-IR; coaches are patient, will prioritize his mental and physical readiness.
  • “An ACL tear is not like an oil change. It could be two years for him to really recover from that, mentally and physically.” – Dan Fetes ([21:15])
• Depth & Coaching Acumen ([23:13]):
  • Many injuries across defense (Hyde, Jackson, Benford, etc.); depth players and coaching (Leslie Frazier) are praised.
  • “It’s almost like now you just take it for granted that these guys with limited experience are going to play well.” – Mike Catalana ([23:13])
  • “Leslie Frazier deserves to be a head coach… what he has done with all the pieces missing is just phenomenal.” – Dan Fetes ([24:26])

6. Player “Standouts” Beyond the Stars

• Hosts’ Picks for Under-the-Radar Impact ([26:03]):
  • Gabe Davis: Called possibly “number one A” receiver, provides a new dimension to the offense.
  • Tremaine Edmunds: Recognized for his defensive improvement.
  • Matt Milano, Jordan Poyer, and Mitch Morse (for calm leadership & line calls).
  • “He is now one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.” – Mike Catalana on Gabe Davis ([26:06])
  • “Mitch Morse is… the unsung hero of the offense.” – Jenna Cottrell ([28:54])
  • “I’ve never seen this before… what Poyer has given to his teammates and this franchise.” – Mike Catalana ([30:48])

7. Memorable Moments & Lighter Banter

• Travel Tales ([32:26]):
  • Jordan Poyer’s drive to KC (couldn’t fly due to rib injury) sparks a run of road trip hypotheticals and favorite/least favorite Bills for a 30-hour car ride.
• Von Miller’s “Celebrate” References & Personality ([18:22], [18:53]):
  • “He said four times in the postgame, ‘We’re gonna celebrate.’” – Mike Catalana ([18:27])
• Fun Quips
  • “He isn’t coming around the corner thinking, the next time that guy goes low, I’m going over him. He just does it.” – Mike Catalana ([09:42])
  • “I don’t want to be in a car with Little Dirty for 30 hours.” – Dan Fetes on Isaiah McKenzie ([34:38])

8. Primary Concerns for the Remainder of the Season

• Offensive Line & Run Blocking ([35:04]):
  • Roger Saffold’s play, injuries, and overall OL consistency are highlighted as weak points.
  • “They’re kind of piecing it together. It’s the least dependable unit.” – Mike Catalana ([35:58])
• Health/Lingering Injuries ([38:36]):
  • Continued health is a concern, but adversity has forced quality depth.
  • “All those guys got to play… going forward, that is a big benefit.” – Mike Catalana ([39:10])

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It would be a massive deal for the franchise for Josh Allen to win MVP.” – Mike Catalana ([01:32])
• “It’s a narrative until you disprove it… until you are able to win in close games.” – Jenna Cottrell ([13:30])
• “Josh Allen and Von Miller are both underpaid. They should renegotiate new contracts right now.” – Dan Fetes ([16:45])
• “An ACL tear is not like an oil change. It could be two years for him to really recover.” – Dan Fetes ([21:15])
• “He is now one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.” – Mike Catalana on Gabe Davis ([26:06])
• “I’ve never seen this before… what Poyer has given to his teammates and this franchise.” – Mike Catalana ([30:48])
• “It’s the least dependable unit.” – Mike Catalana on the offensive line ([35:58])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:32] – Josh Allen’s MVP context and franchise history
• [04:42] – MVP field narrowing to Allen/Mahomes, change in QB hierarchy
• [08:37] – Discussion of how the “Josh Allen Experience” has evolved
• [11:12] – Bills winning close, one-score games: narrative flip
• [16:45] – Team strengths, impact of new/returning players, Von Miller’s influence
• [19:44] – Tre’Davious White’s return plan and approach
• [23:13] – Defensive depth, emergence of backups, coaching praise
• [26:03] – Non-star standouts: Gabe Davis, Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Mitch Morse, Jordan Poyer
• [35:04] – Main concern: Offensive line performance and depth
• [38:36] – Injury/health as a looming late-season issue

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Conclusion

This episode captures the sense of optimism and focus among the Buffalo Plus team—and the Bills themselves—heading into the bye. With Josh Allen positioned at the forefront of the NFL, a battle-tested defense, and legitimate expectations for a Super Bowl run, only health and offensive line depth seem like possible stumbling blocks. The team’s nuanced blend of humor, insight, and insider perspective provides an accessible yet richly detailed snapshot of where the Bills stand in 2022.

Transcript

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[Dan Fates]

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[Mike Catalana]

Josh Allen is flying high. We look at the quarterback's MVP resume and what it would mean for him and the franchise. Plus a third of the way through the season, what are the Bill's biggest strengths? What do they still need to work on? And how does the team navigate the return of Tredavius White? All that's coming up on this week's edition of the Buffalo plus podcast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast presented by Connors and Ferris. We're going to talk all about this Bills team getting ready for the packers after a week off. But before we do that, please be sure to like comment and subscribe to our YouTube channel. And if you are listening to the Buffalo plus podcast, please be sure to subscribe as well as rate. We always appreciate that. All right, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. We're talking about a whole bunch. We'll start with the news of the day. Is Josh Allen being named the offensive AFC Player of the week for back to back weeks? Mike, I mean, he is really making that case for mvp?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I think there are certain things that help in that voting. And look, I think it would be a massive deal for the franchise for Josh Allen to win mvp. If you look at the Bill's history in the super bowl era. Okay, so we're talking about really since the NFL. Since the bill's been in the NFL, they've had two MVPs. And you guys see if you know O.J. thurman and Thurman. Exactly, two running backs. So Jim Kelly's a Hall of Famer, didn't win the mvp. So they've never obviously had a quarterback in the NFL to win most valuable player. And it takes a few things. Well, it takes being a great player, having a great season. It also takes a bit of a narrative and it gives voters certain things to look at and go, oh yeah, he did this, he did that. And this Offensive player of the week. Second straight time I Thought actually this week it could have gone. Matt Ryan. Yeah. Who had a great game, great numbers, veteran guy, new team. But Allen did it against the Chiefs, so. Jenna, he's done it twice. People look at that kind of stuff when they vote. And Dan, I would say he's got to be the clubhouse leader right now, right?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, he's the favorite. And we. We talked about that going into this Chiefs game. That who. Whichever quarterback won that game. It wasn't like Josh dominated Mahomes, like, in the com. Like, they both had their unbelievable moments, but Josh didn't turn the ball over and. And that. That's the difference. So they come out of that game with the drive that he did. The. Like you talk about narrative like the. You know, it's funny. I actually finished watching the Redeemed team yesterday after Stefan Diggs was talking about how they watched it the night before the Chiefs game. And that that. That helps to bounce back from that 13 seconds to build off that type of game, that soup, that game that put him into superstar status and that he really hasn't missed a beat. Which is the most impressive part, I.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Think, too, when you talk narrative, they're also the offseason narrative, how the season ended, the way Allen played at the end of that Chiefs game, and then having the off season with Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady on, you know, the golf match, things like that, that we talked about in the off season, how much Josh has ascended into that superstar realm. I mean, he's been the COVID of the NFL Twitter page. I mean, Dan's tweet went berserk of him giving the football to the little kid after the game. So it makes sense to me. He had all this national attention. People were talking about him, you know, the Bills in general. And then to see him put up the numbers that he has and to win in the way that he has and in some moments, put the team on his back the way that he has. Yeah, it all makes sense. But you talk about the context of what it means for this team having an MVP caliber, like, player. It is interesting to see how much the MVP award has kind of changed over the years as well. But, Dan, it's just huge for this team to be in that realm. A. And then B, when you look at what Allen has put together, I mean, is there even an. Is there another guy in your mind that comes closer?

[Dan Fates]

No, we. Mike and I were talking at the airport on the way back to Kansas City, especially because this MVP award has pretty much turned into the quarterback Award.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Like, Saquon Barkley's having a nice season and things like that. But, like, that's not. That's not it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

How this works.

[Dan Fates]

No. Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, it's obviously, there's still two.

[Mike Catalana]

Mahomes is still very, very much in the race.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

I mean, that guy can light it up. No, no. Those guys got a long, long way to go, but it's absolutely still Mahomes with him. I mean, Mahomes had the turnovers, and Dan's right, that's a separator. Josh won the game head to head. That's the point about that game. They both played really well. Mahomes, I have to say, failed at the beginning and at the end. Right. He did it in the game, and so Josh has that edge on him, but Mahomes can just rip off five touchdown games and be spectacular. I honestly believe these two have totally separated themselves as quarterbacks from the entire league. We thought about you guys. You mentioned Herbert, and there was Rogers and Brady, and all those guys are way down now. It's not close. And you got to be fair. And it's funny, Janet, when we say this, you saw that NFL Films video of the players on the field after the game. You know, Diggs talking to Kelsey and him saying, man, you know, we'll see you again. And that's why there should be respect for these teams, because the Bills pulled it out and they won. But I still believe that these are the two best teams, and Mahomes and Allen are the two best quarterbacks. So while Josh has the edge right now. Come on, we've seen Mahomes just tear it up, and he could still do that during the season.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, no, I'm not saying he can't. He can't do that. I'm just saying right now, in my eyes, it's like, it's Josh.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like, I think with what we've seen so far through this many weeks of the season, it's like, it is Josh's award. Now, Mahomes, like you said, is fantastic. And it's so interesting because we talked at the beginning of the year, like, the afc, you know, you got the Broncos, you got the Raiders, you got all these teams, you got the Chargers. And then now to be where we're at in the year, and you're like, oh, oh, no, it's still. It's still just the Bills and Chiefs.

[Dan Fates]

No, I'm with you, Jen, because that's what. When we're talking about this, and you're like, all the hype around them this offseason. It's like they've lived up to the hype. We asked if this is too much hype now. This has been the. A correct amount of hypeness on the hype scale. They have matched for the preseason. It has been like I said, you got Russell Wilson, who. Hey guys.

[Mike Catalana]

Stinks.

[Dan Fates]

Hey, Mike. It's a real injury. It's a real pain injury.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, what was nice though is the injury went away when he made the one nice touchdown pick and people are like, oh, Michael. Then the rest of the game he played horrendous football.

[Dan Fates]

Missed reads, missed throws in high fives though.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, go ride. He better go ride somewhere. Honestly, he's terrible at the moment. I feel for Herbert a little bit because that guy doesn't know how to coach offense. And man, Dable should have been with the Chargers. But hey, it's probably better for the Bills. He's with the Giants and then look at the older guys. I mean, Jalen Hurts is really impressed and he's been fantastic. And you know he's going to stay in that race because they're winning and he does so many things for the team. But I think he's, he's more like. I don't think he's at Josh Allen's level. I really don't think he's close to that. He's the best of the other guys at the moment because he's playing so well. But he's Allen on the ascent is what he is. Not in every way they play, but in terms of you look at him, you're like, wow. Because like with Alan there was questions coming in and then boom, he takes off and the team wins. But in terms of like winning those awards and all. Yeah, I, I just, I don't see it. But Josh has been there, been in the mix, been close, and now he's winning these head to head games.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Jenna, you know, I was thinking about it. Cause we talk so much about the, the Josh Allen effect. Like the Josh Allen experience. And before it used to be like what did Chris Long say? It was like you're being operated on a roller coaster controlled by carnies who were evil. I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was the ups and the downs. So like where are we going next? Whereas now it's just while there's the moments of chaos, like hurdling a grown man and those types of things, it is just the gamer aspect and how much in control.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Jenna, I want to ask You. Do you think he consciously prepares for the hurdle or does it just happen?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think it's just. I think it's just ha. Like, I think he really is that much of a gamer, and it just matters that much that, like, he's like, I just need to get this extra yard and there's a grown man standing in my way. And it doesn't matter. I just think of the odd. Like, the audacity to be like, yeah, I'm gonna. I'm gonna hurdle you.

[Dan Fates]

I'm gonna jump.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Another athleticism. That athleticism that. That takes is just insane.

[Mike Catalana]

But. But no, like, he isn't coming around the corner and go, the next time that guy goes low on me, I'm going over him. He just does it. Or is there some trigger? If we could ever get him to answer it, he probably will on a podcast. He probably won't to us get him to answer that. He's like, I'm looking for it, and then when I see something, he's never going to.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think he would ever admit that, even if that is the case. He would never admit that. Yeah, I don't think so. At the end of the day, who's.

[Mike Catalana]

Who's the other guy in the team that could hurdle somebody?

[Dan Fates]

Knox has hurdled a couple people, right?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, but it's. It's not the same. And Knox really.

[Dan Fates]

Quarterback. Like, it's. It's Barkley or anybody else's. It's a quarterback.

[Mike Catalana]

Diggs isn't tall enough. You got to be tall, right? You got to be tall, don't you?

[Jenna Cottrell]

You gotta have ups to get over.

[Dan Fates]

But no, but Jenny's point is, is that you also have to be tall, because how do you get down Josh Allen? Like, you have to cut down his knees. You have to go low on Josh. So Josh goes, well, I'm going to go above you. That's part of what has made him.

[Mike Catalana]

Anyway, I didn't mean to derail us there. I just. You say that like, yeah, we haven't seen as much of the experience. And then in the biggest moment of games, he's hurtling guys.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's a crazy control moment. It's not the red face. Josh Allen. I don't know. Maybe. Maybe I just feel biased because I'm confident now that he'll figure it out. But in the beginning, it was always like, oh, Josh is gonna do a Josh thing. And now it's like, oh, Josh is doing a Josh thing. Which is a very different context and usually quite a different result.

[Dan Fates]

One Final thing on the MVP talk is the fact of the bills also being five and one. Like Jalen Hurts is going to stay in the MVP conversation because the Eagles are probably going to win 12 to 14 games. So like that's a very strong thing. Like we talk about checking the boxes. Okay, you need hey, AFC player of the week twice. Okay, check, check. Like you gotta be helps to be the number one seed. Like it helps to be all those things, the home field advantage, all of those things of leading your team and winning the games. Because breaking news, guys. The Bills can win close one score games. It's, it's shocking. But, but it is, it is true. They have done helps.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Mike, I know you had some thoughts on this though.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, I don't like when people just talk numbers on the close games and they're like, it'll eventually turn around, I get it. But it was seven in a row and it was alarming because when the game would get tight, they did not perform the same way. And you know, I was thinking about numbers and I was trying to think what would be. You know, when you try to talk about how that is, I was thinking of a field goal kicker who makes 85%, but for a stretch the 15% he misses are the fourth quarter kicks and you're like, yeah, the numbers are the same. It's 85% made, but he ain't making them at the tough at the times. And now when I'm watching this team in Baltimore, Jordan Poyer and then the drive and then the score, right to win the game and then, you know, then you see this game where it's Von Miller with the sack and then Allen brings him down the field and it's Dawson Knox making the catch. It's like, yeah, big moments, they made big plays. And I'm not saying they're going to do this the next seven close games, but there was a difference in these games. And I don't totally dismiss the idea that numbers will eventually come back to mean, but you know what helps them come back that way? When you got players who perform in big moments. And I think the Bills had those guys, but just something was missing for a little bit and I do think sometimes it can get in your head a little bit. And now they've won a couple of close ones, they make those plays and I think it changes. So it's not that it wasn't, it was maybe too much was made of it, but it was still something that they were failing in these close games.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's what isn't that what we talked about. Like it's a narrative until you disprove it. Like we're going to talk about it until you are able to win in close games. I will say too, talking about the confidence piece, I think it's huge that the Bills. I know last year in the regular season when the Bills, you know, had had that big win over the Chiefs, it was like, yay, they can do it. I think a win like this is so important because it was that close win. It was that back and forth, blow for blow type of thing where it was like it was. The Bills were able to handle the Chiefs and they were able to come out on top. So I feel like that also going forward just increases the confidence because it wasn't like they just blew away in this game and it was like super easy and the Chiefs did a bunch of stuff wrong, but a bunch of things wrong. It was like, all right, the Bills were able to hang in there, take some punches and then punch back.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. And the one thing to. To finish on the. The one score games Mike and I were talking as we're walking through the airport and the best part you made was people being like, oh, like everything. Like, it'll all even out. Like, all the numbers will eventually all even out. And you go, well, if you have Josh Allen as your quarterback on a team and you have Case Keenum on your quarterback as a team, those numbers are not going to be the same. And that was a really good point of like, you. It's like when teams always talk about analytics and going forward on third down like, or running the ball. Like the Ravens are different than the Raiders. Like, like those. You can't just take that person's analytics and go, oh, we'll use that because it works like, it works for them. So whereas it's more than luck. It is the defense at times has. Has fumbled away games, you know, hasn't been able to come up with the stops or. Yeah, Josh hasn't been able to put together odd drive like in Jacksonville. So that goes out to it where like John, like you said, like, it's a narrative until you prove it wrong. Because it was, it was more than just, oh, don't worry about it. It'll all even out. Like there was more to it.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And the last part I'll make about it is, Jenna, it's been. Allen's been spectacular, but the defense has made plays and I think McDermott and his staff have coached. Coached up at the end. We'll forget about right before the Half given up the three points. It's a minor nuisance this time, not a major 13 second story. But I think they've been better too. Really smart and they've got closers like Vaughn. It's a different type of team when you got the guys who love the big moment and make the plays and they've made them and they're going to lose some close. It just does happen. Doesn't mean everything's going to go well. But man, you see the guys they have. It's tough to stop Josh Allen in those moments.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I mean they're 5 and 1 on the season so far. That one loss against the Dolphins, who have obviously struggled since then. The Bills in the top spot in the afc. I mean, Dan, I love that like the expectations are exactly where they should have been because of what this team is and what we expect. But sometimes, I mean, like we talked about a lot of other teams on paper, they, the Raiders, you're like, oh, they're gonna far. They're gonna blow it away in the division. And maybe not because the Chiefs, but at the same point you, you thought they would be so much better than they are. But to see where this Bills team is. I mean, I, I expected them to be good, but they're better than even what I was thinking.

[Dan Fates]

Well, it's like they've started. They really have picked up for the most part where they left off last season. They have built off of it. And I know coaches and Sean McDermott said it's a new chapter, you have to turn the page, you have to move on. But they had enough continuity sprinkled in with enough new guys of fresh blood and fresh faces, you know, even I'll call fresh faces, like bringing guys like Jordan Phillips back, you know, Jaquan, Jaquan Jones, like those pieces. And then we can't understate what Von Miller has been everything this bill's team could have hoped for and then some. I, I joked around after the game, I said Josh Allen and Von Miller are both underpaid. Like they should renegotiate new contracts right now because that is how high of a level they're playing to see Von Miller come up with those sacks when, let's be honest, Greg Russo and Epanessa and Boogie, like they haven't really taken that step. And if you were to take out Von Miller from this pass rush, wouldn't. You'd be looking at last year.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So that's where it's like telling me where Vaughn was that guy where they talked about like you needed that piece.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Let me tell you. I just. I just rushed to pass her. I go to the pastor. That's what I do. I love it. I gotta tell you. We're gonna celebrate this win. That's what we're gonna do back.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You do not sound like Von Miller at all.

[Mike Catalana]

But he. I love the way he says it, though. He's like, oh, and he gives you that look where he, like, turns his head every time he's saying it to you. So come on. It's a little like Von Miller.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, not really. I do love when he says the plane's gonna do backflips on the way home.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, we're gonna celebrate. He says. He said four times in the post game. We're gonna celebrate.

[Dan Fates]

I thought I was gonna try and clip that. One of those days where it's like, I'm gonna celebrate that. We're gonna celebrate this. We're gonna celebrate this.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You should do when he loves something.

[Dan Fates]

I wouldn't have enough time.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I only.

[Dan Fates]

Did I only get 2 minutes and 20 seconds in a tweet?

[Mike Catalana]

He loves the bye week. He'll love coming back. He'll love. Green Bay, loves Aaron Rodgers.

[Dan Fates]

History. Lambeau Field. I mean, come on.

[Mike Catalana]

Even though the game's in Buffalo.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

Vaughn loves it all. Why shouldn't he love everything? He's a closer.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's easy to love everything when you've had his career.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Yeah, he's been something.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Not saying he hasn't worked for it, because obviously he has, but. But, yeah, that's pretty. Pretty sweet. All right, let's talk about Trey White. The Bills have taken him off ir. He's been back to practice. I love that video that you guys got at practice of Trey racing against Josh Allen when he first got back out there. Obviously, the bye week right Now, Mike, what do you think their plan is for bringing Trey White into the defense? And then also, what do you think? I mean, think of thinking of adding that wrinkle, too, of a player like Trey. And his caliber is just bananas.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I think, you know, it's had to become a thing of patience. But I. I don't know. I mean, we won't really know how long this has been. The plan. I mean, they were pretty consistent in the way they spoke about it. I never heard any. Anybody in the organization say, you know, maybe by this. It just seemed to be. For whatever reason, once it got to a certain point, it was moving to post. Bye week. Right. We never saw him out on the field and all but then you see him and you see him running, which is a great sight to see, and he's Trey White. I mean, this team's been playing now for how many weeks now without Micah Hyde, and Trey White hadn't been on the field since last November. So it's. They've had to get used to playing without him. And he is. He's their best corner, Trey White, that we saw up till Thanksgiving that night. Now, I have confidence in the guy as a worker and what his skill is. And just you guys know him the way we know him is. Is that kind of guy to come back. But, Jenna, I think he's going to need to prove to Leslie Frazier, Sean McDermott, and not necessarily prove to the team because they love Trey, but prove and show where he is as a player before they. He's going to play. My assumption is when he's ready, he's going to start. And then to show if he's Trey from up to then or if it's going to be a little bit more of a process to get him back to where he. Where he can be.

[Dan Fates]

I think it's a. Yeah, I think it's a. I think it's an insert tray into the system that the Bills have used for the last. Since Thanksgiving, since when Trey went out and they went to more. They went to more zone. Like, they took some of the response, a lot of the responsibilities off the corners where they can just kind of be there. Like. Like, I don't see it. To Mike's point, I don't see this. As Trey comes back, Trey, you go take the number one wide receiver. And then, like, it was at times before his injury. So I think you'll see more of that because I don't know if you guys know this. An ACL tear is not like an oil change. So it takes a little bit longer to recover. So, like, it could be. It could be like two years for him to really recover from that, like, mentally and also, like, you know, trusting structurally, like biology and stuff like that that I've learned about. Like, it's crazy. I don't know why anybody would call it an oil change. That'd be so irresponsible and such a hot take. But that's how I kind of assume that this Bill's defense will go. Like, I think they'll just integrate him into the system that has been working so far as, again, the num. They're the number one rated defense. They're the number one rated offense.

[Jenna Cottrell]

We're really proud of you, you really.

[Mike Catalana]

Come a long way.

[Dan Fates]

I don't know why you say that.

[Mike Catalana]

But yeah, it's not.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's not an oil change. I also think of how well the depth pieces have played like we were. So, I mean, especially with Micah Hyde not out there at points. Jordan Poyer obviously has been in and out of the lineup and to see how many players have stepped up. Mike, I feel like when you look at that, it's not like that's the great thing is I feel like you don't need to push Trey to get out there and the Bills haven't needed to do that. But at the same point, I don't think we've. We've rallied around how well that those death pieces have played considering the games that the Bills have been in.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, and look, you know, Dane Jackson got hurt and, you know, Christian Benford got hurt and you lose Micah Hyde, you know, while all this is going on, which is crazy, and that's where, you know, we've talked about it before, but immense credit to the coaching staff. I mean, it's almost like now you just take it for granted that these kids, these guys with limited experience are going to play well. Look, Sunday, you know, Kansas City got him. There was a few missed tackles and the Chiefs will do that. And that is against the Chiefs. And you know, they're going to see the Chiefs again. So it'd be great to have Trey White back. But I give them a lot of credit. It's now, you know, especially at the safety position. You know, I mean, sometimes you got to make adjustments, like, you know, getting a Mercedes van to drive Jordan Poyer 30 hours to get to a game and back to get him on the field. But they've gotten by without guys. That's the crazy part. They've gotten by. You think about the games they've lost with these guys over the last few years. Even until Trey got hurt, rarely did they not have one of their main guys on the field. Go ahead.

[Dan Fates]

Leslie Frazier deserves to be a head coach. If we didn't already know that last year, like, what he has done with all of the pieces that have been missing is just phenomenal. I don't think that we're giving like we talk like, Jenny, you make a great point about like the way that this debt pieces have come in and played well. I think a lot of 90% of that is coaching being prepared. Well, saw Dana Orlovsky doing breakdowns of the Chief, like how well prepared they were. And yes, they're only doing so much. It's the players on the field make the plays. I understand that, but the position that Leslie Frazier, the. The schemes that he is coming up with, the designs with, with one with Von Miller, but then two with Jamarcus Ingram and demar Hamlin, like, is just telling where this. Bill's defense hasn't had that game where if they gave up 30 points, I'd go, well, like, they. You know, it's. You know, it's okay because look at all the pieces they're missing. We haven't said that. All we have said is, look at these guys step up. And I think Leslie Frazier deserves a lot of that credit.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I agree. I mean, they limited the chief to 20 points at home. Yeah. Like, that, to me is like, wow. You talk about firepower and just what they've been able to do. It is cool to think about, like, how well this team is played. I feel like I have. I have two questions for you guys. One is, let's take out Josh Allen and Von Miller. What player. Which player has stood out to you so far?

[Mike Catalana]

I like Dan. Go first or you want me go first?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, it's Gabe Davis. He's moved to another level. He is now one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. And I don't know, you know, there's still that moment where you go to the number one guy doing it all the time. He certainly had number one moments in his career, but we talked about, could he ascend to that spot. Well, he's done that. He's the number two guy right there. Diggs is. Diggs is just almost unstoppable. But Gabe is the perfect compliment. And I made the comparison to the old days when you had Andre Reed, who just was, you know, such a great route runner, tough over the middle, big catches, great in the red zone and all. Then you brought James Lofton in. Now, that was different because that was a veteran player coming in, but he's a taller guy who could get down the field, make catches on the run. And I'm looking at Gabe Davis and I'm seeing that type of impact on the whole offense, and it opens things up. So to. To me, he's the guy. We looked for him to make a step to that, to solidify as a number two guy. Dan, I think he's number one A at the moment. I think he's been that good in big moments.

[Dan Fates]

No, he absolutely has. And that was probably quick thought, was just how Gabe has changed this offense. The offense has been clicking the best. When Gabe has been healthy. It was with the Rams, it was the Baltimore or not the Baltimore game, the Steelers game, and then obviously last week. So, yeah, he. He is Ben, that it's not fair to call him like an X factor, but like, because he's a steady guy, he's a consistent starter, but he is again, another guy that has been everything the Bills could have hoped for. The other one, I'll say Tremaine Edmonds.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

How well he has played. Yeah. And it's been one of those things.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Where I talked about like, must listen to the podcast.

[Dan Fates]

Must listen. Must must be like. Yeah, I. I think Gabe and Tremaine, I've just given them fuel to their fire of that me talking down upon them. So, yeah, I think those two guys have really stood out to me as the. The difference makers, along with Matt Milano would probably be my third choice.

[Mike Catalana]

Absolutely. Milano has been great. I think Gabe's going to come looking for you. What do you think? One?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wouldn't be the first time.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

How about you, Jenna? Who you got?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, I was thinking like Stefan Diggs. We know he's the one a guy, but I just think of how many catches that he has made that have just been incredibly huge for the team. But then also just him putting his body on the line. Or he could easily just, you know, after a catch, he doesn't have to worry about the yards after, but like fighting for every yard, just putting his.

[Dan Fates]

His.

[Jenna Cottrell]

His play has just been impressive. Especially after last year. We kind of saw him maybe not have as many explosive plays that we were used to as the year prior, but to me, he's just been someone that I've just been incredibly impressed with. Then also Mitch Morris, which I know sounds really random, but I feel like he's that. That unsung hero of the offense because he adds that layer of experience and comfort and I think calm to a lot. And I think he's done so much for Josh's development and just, you know, when he wasn't in the game, I think you saw that. So I just wasn't playing earlier this season for that game. I think you saw that. So those are just the guys that jump out. To me.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I'm with you on that. On Morse, I agree. And I think it's not just the calm which he has. It does sound like he's the real adult in the whole room. And guys, how many times does Diggs say. It's just funny to me to think about Diggs and Mitch talking in the locker room because I think Stefan Diggs has said that about three times. You know, I was just sitting there talking to Mitch Morris. It just makes me laugh because I don't see their personalities being, you know, they're not the same in that way because, you know, they're just a little. But I think he values, like, it's almost like he gets in there and values talking things out, like a little bit after a game with Mitch, because Mitch is, is the adult and calling those, you know, everything on the line and trying his best to, to keep, you know, keep Josh upright.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Also on the defense, for me, it would be Jordan Poyer, just.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, incredible season so far. Done everything you could have asked and more. The his play is spoken for itself. All emits, you know, obviously wanting a new contract and all this stuff. So I just, I mean, I think everyone is.

[Mike Catalana]

I've never seen this before, Janet. I honest to God, I've never seen this in the league where you're talking about a guy who went to the team and said, you know, however it was phrased that he wanted a new deal and they worked out this thing with extra bonus money. But you know what he wanted, he wanted more years put on. And that's a tough thing because you're playing and risking injury in the final year. That's the way the league is. Then he goes out and he gets hurt. What looked bad in camp, you saw it was looked really bad, but he's back. Then he gets hurt again and he's nicked up. Then his running partner gets hurt. He's out for the year. And then, you know, he says it's, you know, I got the wind knocked out of me. It's ribs to the point where it was so bad that he couldn't fly. And he takes the, you know, the van back and forth 30 hours. I mean, when you think about the dedication he's given to his teammates and to this franchise, when, at least at the moment, financially, they haven't done that for him. A little bit of change in the contract, but you know what we're talking about. Yeah, that's as an impressive of a. And not holding out nothing that's as impressive as I think I've seen since I've been around this team.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I, I, I hope that everybody that commented Jordan Boyer should just play by his contract. He's not being a team player should go back and say, I was wrong, I'm sorry, because I wouldn't drive 30 hours round trip to be anywhere. So. So it is astounding.

[Mike Catalana]

Next, the Next time we play in Kansas City, we've decided we're driving.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Just for solidarity with Jordan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

With the family, too.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, I feel like that's. That's a lot. If it's. If it's, like, one person, that's okay. Okay, wait. I was asked this on Duffy's show, WCMF radio show. If you had to go on a Bill's road trip for 30 hours, what. Which bill would you most want to go with and which bill would you least want to want to go with? I said most. I would say either Trey White or Dawson Knox just because they're nice, personable, funny. Feel like we would split the duties. They wouldn't just make me drive the whole time. Least was Isaiah McKenzie, because he has.

[Dan Fates]

To be the last one.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Much like Catalana.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Wow, wow, wow. And you've been on a lot of trips with me. I would say most. I would say most Mitch Morris because we went to high school together.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And least, is he the new Lorenzo Alexander?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I'm telling you, there are times I'm like. And then I realized these guys are, like, younger than you sometimes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

It just seems different. I think Micah Hyde be pretty cool, too. I think he'd have. He'd talk, he'd say some stuff, but he wouldn't be. I'd love to sit with mackenzie just because I could be quiet for a while.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You don't like doing that.

[Mike Catalana]

I know, but I think it would force me to do that.

[Dan Fates]

So how about. How about best? What about Devin Singletary? Because he'll just. He'll just do his job. He'll do his job as he's asked. And he won't talk, so you can listen to whatever podcast you can just. He's just there.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's true, but I feel like you need a little interaction. 15 hours.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, I'd love to hang with Leslie because. Because he would just say whatever you would like. Mike, that's fine. You need to stop. Let's stop. Oh, that's really nice. He would. He's the nicest man in the NFL. So.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Also, the reason that. Another reason that it's the least person you want to go with is MacKenzie is because of. His nickname is Little Dirty.

[Mike Catalana]

So I don't want to be in.

[Dan Fates]

A car with little dirty for 30 hours. So.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that seems fair enough. Okay. That wasn't even my other question. My one question was just looking forward for the year. We're like. We talked about. We're like, a third of the way done with the season. What concerns. Is there anything that concerns you ahead for this team?

[Mike Catalana]

Go ahead, Dan.

[Dan Fates]

No, the offensive line, it's just Roger Saffold hasn't panned out to be that road paving run blocker that I think they thought he would. I think they're learning to adjust to who they are as a smaller offensive line. They can be physical, but it is not in a run the ball down your throat kind of way. I think there are still concerns. Obviously now we have, we don't know how long Spencer Brown is going to be out, but they're kind of piecing it together a little bit. Like I said, Mitch Morris has been outstanding, Deion's been solid. But besides that, everybody else has just kind of been hodgepodge together. So they were able to run the ball well against Kansas City and it was nice to see because as Mike says, when a team is giving it to you, you need to be able to take the yards and for a lot of the season they haven't been able to. But I think the offensive line needs to, needs to play better.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, yeah, I agree. And that's the part I've been concerned about. I would say this. Everybody talks about Brandon Bean. You know, what's he going to do maybe at the deadline, is he going to be. It's going to be an interesting deadline because there's so many teams all bunched together. There's only a few that might look fire Salish. I mean, it's hard to be out of it because there's so many teams in that 2, 3 win thing. So we'll see. But honestly, I think he's going to be searching for offensive line help. I think there's, there's going to be somebody out there and I would not be stunned. I don't know for sure, but I feel like he's going to want to add some depth and maybe a guy who can step in to play because first of all, that's tough to deal with if there's any injuries even going forward. But I'm with Dan. I think they've been, they've been. I think it's the least dependable unit of the, of the team going forward. You know, it's what it's been and it's not on any individual guy just as a group and maybe some of it is just getting used to Aaron Cromer and what they're looking for and you know, they'll self scout during this time and you know, maybe it'll be a little better. But the last part on the running game, to Dan's point, that model of what they were able to do in Kansas City, and some of it, as you said, was them, you know, giving some stuff because of the offense. Teams are going to have to do that with the way Josh Allen can move the ball, especially the way the receivers are playing. So if it's there and it could be like it was in Kansas City, I'm fine with that. That running game was absolutely fine for this team.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, the running game was fine in the first half.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Then they tried to get cute with it in the second.

[Mike Catalana]

That third and one third and two.

[Dan Fates]

Draw play at midfield. That got blown up. Like, that's. I hate to say it because, like, I was watching that game and I'm going, man, I got a lot of good Devin Singletary runs, you know, 8, 9 yards, 8, 9, 10 yards a pop. I'm going this. And then all of a sudden I'm going, oh, my gosh, he's falling in love with it. Like. Like they're falling in love with. With the run. And it was one of those things where I was like, don't take the cheese. Like you're thinking like, oh, this is so easy. It's like you still have Josh Allen. This team is still based around Josh Allen. Just don't fall in love with the fact that you were able to run the ball because they weren't able to do anything in the second half.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Feeling like I had to say, I had to tweet, keep the ball in Josh Allen's hands was like, what? Why am I doing this? Like, why are we here? But, yeah, I think for me, the one thing that concerns me is just health. Just because we've seen this Bills team battle injuries and it's been different than it has been in years past. Seems like the Bills are on. On the upswing, which is great, but that's always a concern going forward.

[Mike Catalana]

That's an interesting point too, Jenna, because coming out of this and where they are going to be, the health issues at the beginning, take Micah Hyde aside, because it would be great if he was coming back and he's not. I think it's now a plus.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

All those guys got to play. I mean, they have had a lot of guys in and out and normally it's been same five in the secondary, run them out there every week, and it has not been so Hamlin has gotten to play and Johnson has gotten to play and Benford and Elam and all these guys.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

So going forward, I think that is a big big benefit now because they've gotten a lot of snaps and they're going to need them all.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that's a good point. Like the adversity has helped prepare guys that maybe weren't so far in the spotlight or hadn't been out there. So I agree. All right, well thank you all for joining us here. Please be sure to like comment and subscribe on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. Please also be sure to rate and subscribe and listen to the Buffalo plus plus podcast. Also want to do a quick plug because when we do games right after the game we'll have a podcast that you can listen to two that's the audio only version. You can find that on the Buffalo plus podcast. Wherever you find your podcasts, we'll have that ready for the morning after the game. So just want everyone to be aware of that as well. But yeah, for Mike and Dan, I am Jenna. We will catch you next time here on Buffalo plus.