← Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
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- [00:00]
Jenna Cottrell
The next category, Pass Catcher of the year. Hold on, let me.
- [00:06]
Mike Catalano
Oh, wow. Wow.
- [00:07]
Jenna Cottrell
Get my crown on, man.
- [00:09]
Mike Catalano
She's learning from Dan.
- [00:11]
Jenna Cottrell
Did you see that?
- [00:12]
Mike Catalano
So wait a minute. Since you had Shakira, the diva of.
- [00:15]
Jenna Cottrell
This podcast is absolutely Dan Face.
- [00:17]
Mike Catalano
Yes. There's no question. Yes.
- [00:22]
Jenna Cottrell
Wow.
- [00:28]
Dan Fates
This is the Buffalo plus podcast.
- [00:31]
Jenna Cottrell
Oh, my goodness. Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Buffalo Plus Podcast. We are live tonight. We have the full crowd if you guys want to give a little cheer as we're here at the Thirsty Turtle. We're here at the Thirsty Turtle, Bud Light, the sponsor, Lake Beverage, Thirsty Turtle and Victor. We want to thank you all so much for being here for also joining us on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe. That's my Catalana. Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. We're gonna get into this Bill season ahead, the 2025 season finally being here. A little preview of the matchup with the Ravens, as well as credit to me and also some other special stuff mixed in. So we want to say thank you so much for joining us here tonight. And, Mike, what do you think? Bud Light sponsoring this?
- [01:21]
Mike Catalano
Oh, this is great. Do you ever stop talking, for God's sakes.
- [01:25]
Dan Fates
And you wonder not to interrupt?
- [01:27]
Mike Catalano
I know. And we did. Aren't you proud interrupting Jenna? We let her speak.
- [01:32]
Dan Fates
She nailed all the sponsors.
- [01:34]
Mike Catalano
Yeah, she did. This is awesome. We love getting a chance to see you and we appreciate your support. I've been doing this a long time. I've been doing this a decent amount of time with these two. This is the most fun I have of anything I've ever done covering sports.
- [01:50]
Dan Fates
Jenna's gonna cry.
- [01:53]
Mike Catalano
But we're also. We've also reached the season, and I can't wait for it to get started. So Sunday night, we're gonna be ready to go. That's it.
- [02:00]
Dan Fates
Again, this is pre. We did this last year here at the Thirsty Turtle. But again, surreal for the support. This channel has grown so much thanks to you guys. So, again, really appreciate all of this. None of this is possible without Bud Light and Lake Beverage and the Thirsty Turtle. All this stuff. Just really appreciate it. The first of the Buffalo Plus Tour.
- [02:21]
Jenna Cottrell
Yes.
- [02:21]
Dan Fates
As there are five more events. Playoff events could be down the line. All of those things.
- [02:26]
Jenna Cottrell
Super bowl events could be down the line.
- [02:28]
Dan Fates
This is very cool. So.
- [02:30]
Jenna Cottrell
All right.
- [02:31]
Mike Catalano
And I also wanted to mention, he just walked in, standing over there. Greg Connors has been a big, big supporter. Connors and Ferris of our podcast for years.
- [02:42]
Dan Fates
And he believed in us when we did Nothing.
- [02:45]
Mike Catalano
And now. And now, Greg, what were you thinking? But he's also going to sponsor our brand new podcast studio that you will see debuted next week. So that's going to be a lot of fun. So thanks as always to Greg Conrad.
- [03:01]
Jenna Cottrell
It's going to be awesome. All right, we're going to. Ready to talk Bill's football.
- [03:04]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. Let's go.
- [03:05]
Jenna Cottrell
How we feeling?
- [03:06]
Mike Catalano
Let's go.
- [03:06]
Jenna Cottrell
All right, let's start with. We're gonna start with some positives. Let's start with. We're gonna go with kind of 10 things, what we think, bigger picture. Then also talk about the Ravens matchup. Mike, what is the biggest strength of this team as we get into week one and the season starting?
- [03:23]
Mike Catalano
I. I know this is a hot take. You're so Josh Allen.
- [03:27]
Dan Fates
Your sarcasm is thick tonight.
- [03:30]
Mike Catalano
Okay.
- [03:30]
Dan Fates
Silly is showing.
- [03:31]
Mike Catalano
Everything we talk about, we just say, exclude Josh Allen. Exclude Josh Allen. You got to exclude Josh Allen. Obviously, even Dan knows Josh Allen is the number one guy.
- [03:42]
Dan Fates
What is. Because I'm dumb. Is that. Is that a dumb comment?
- [03:48]
Mike Catalano
No. I think the strength of this team's the offensive line. I really think it is. I think it's. Look at that.
- [03:53]
Jenna Cottrell
Look at that.
- [03:54]
Mike Catalano
Look at that. We agree. That scares me. It's the O line. They've done a great job with that group I mentioned before we started here. You know, I think Connor McGovern's done a really good job. He's the next guy I think they'll sign. But that draft pick of Spencer Brown has worked out. Deon is Deion, and I love Osiris Torrance. Like, they are really solid on that O line. And even as good as they are, honestly, I think they can even be better. The one thing they do knock on wood. This is wood. Is they stay on the field. They play every week. Yeah. That is huge. And hopefully they do that again.
- [04:27]
Dan Fates
One of the big things they talk about when you draft a young quarterback is the three piece. It's protection. Play caller and play playmakers.
- [04:36]
Mike Catalano
Nailed it.
- [04:36]
Dan Fates
Nailed it.
- [04:38]
Mike Catalano
I almost.
- [04:38]
Dan Fates
Almost.
- [04:39]
Jenna Cottrell
Okay.
- [04:39]
Dan Fates
Didn't quite stick the landing. But I think that's something that Bean has done really well with the development of Josh Allen. It's the NFL. It is so quick and reactionary. And to give Josh the time. And again, I love Brian Dable more than certain members of my family. As I have said time and time again, the. What he has meant to Josh's career, obviously we're now past that, and Josh doesn't need necessarily that. But to have Joe Brady and to have the offensive line, we can maybe agree or not if Josh has enough playmakers around him, but the protection has been phenomenal. And to your point about Osiris, Torrance nailed that one because I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to turn to Myrish again. I think that he could be on the verge of an all pro season. Like, I think he's that close. And it's not like at tackle, like it's tough for Deion. Dion can have an amazing season and you still have Trent Williams, Penne Sewell, Joe all like Deion is very good. He should be a Bills hall of Famer. But it's tough to crack the that all pro level when you have some of those guys ahead of him. I think it's open at guard and I think Osiris Torrence could be the guy that at the end of the year we're going to. He deserves all pro honors.
- [05:53]
Jenna Cottrell
He has honestly been one of those players that being drafted and you, you don't even think about in the best way possible because of how solid he has been throughout his entire career. And I think we, we talk about like, oh, you know, drafting O line, whatever interior guys, but I feel like for him, what he has done, he's. He's been another guy that's just been that steadying source. And you talk about Josh Allen, the protection that he's had. I mean Josh also contributes with his legs. He's so elusive, he's so fast. He. But the way that unit has played over so many years and that has been just such a bright spot for this team.
- [06:26]
Mike Catalano
Sometimes though, when you have a mobile quarterback, he can, he can run himself into sacks. That's one good thing that Josh does not do. He moves around in the pocket. He will find a way to get rid of the ball. He rarely is tracked down that way. But the O line, it used to be like they really didn't know where he was going because Josh didn't know where he was going. I'm talking about 2018 Josh, 20, 25. Josh knows what he's doing on a play though. Sometimes he can, I think it's.
- [06:53]
Jenna Cottrell
Sometimes he can scare you.
- [06:55]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. But he can make the plays. But I think it's a, it's a well put together group and they hope they have the depth that they'll, they'll need if it's, if it comes to that.
- [07:04]
Dan Fates
I was drawing a total blank because I couldn't remember. I know I knew Torrens was the second round pick and he was A guy that had been projected to the Bills possibly at the end of the first round, needing interior help. That was the Dalton Kincaid draft.
- [07:16]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [07:16]
Dan Fates
Oh, I did not remember that.
- [07:18]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. Funny how that happens.
- [07:20]
Dan Fates
Well, it's like with that pick being so questionable to nail, the second round pick really helps. Bless you.
- [07:26]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. Oh, yeah. Well, bless you. Okay. All right, let's go into biggest concern. And I think a lot of people will want to talk about safety, Mike, and that is an obvious area for this team that they. They drafted Cole Bishop last year, injuries kept him off of the field. And this season, it's like, what are you going to get from a guy that you use the capital on? What do you think for this season.
- [07:48]
Mike Catalano
For him, he's got to step up. Like when you draft a guy in the second round like that. And it's such an important part. Dan's mentioned this a lot of times where when you're in Sean McDermott defense and Bobby Babich, they need to trust those safeties. And Taylor Rapp has been good. He is tough. And Dan will refer to him as.
- [08:06]
Dan Fates
A crash test dummy.
- [08:07]
Mike Catalano
And he doesn't mean the dummy part. He means the tough part. Right, Dan?
- [08:11]
Dan Fates
He'll injure his own players.
- [08:12]
Mike Catalano
Yes.
- [08:12]
Dan Fates
His own teammates.
- [08:13]
Mike Catalano
Oh, he's done that. But he's become even a better player with the Bills. I think Rap has. And they need that second safety. And a lot of people were critical of demar Hamlin. They played demar because he was the guy they trusted. Demar does not have the physical ability to play the way they kind of need their safeties to play. And without getting too, you know, because we crunch tape 24 7, but without getting into that too much, you need your safeties to be able to confuse the other quarterback. You need them to play. You know, in the old days it would be strong safety and free safety. And now they need the guys to be able to do everything. Cole Bishop has the physical ability to do that. He's just got to show it on the field. Starting Sunday night.
- [08:56]
Dan Fates
Yeah, you start to see the problems. The best part about. And again, without getting too much into X's and O's. But like, Sean could call defenses and disguise defenses better than most when he had Poyer and Hyde. That's part of it. Bill Belichick did like an HBO when he was talking about inside the NFL and he said it was so challenging to face Sean McDermott's defense because it was like spinning a wheel and you didn't know what you were going to see. And as you got on. And Demar Hamlin is a fine safety in the NFL, borderline starter. He's a really good third safety to have. But his limitations are he can't disguise and rotate, because when you disguise, you have to be able to recover and move quickly and get back over the top. And you look back at that AFC championship game, the Kansas City Chiefs were just picking wherever demar was.
- [09:42]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [09:43]
Dan Fates
And it's not demar's fault that he's on the field. That's what the limitations were.
- [09:47]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah.
- [09:47]
Dan Fates
And so that's where you hope that Cole Bishop can be that physical talent to be able to disguise offenses and confuse them.
- [09:58]
Jenna Cottrell
I want to see that aggressiveness. I want to see the physicality from Kolbish. I feel like that's been a piece that has been lacking in his game. He just sometimes, to me, looks hesitant out there, Mike, and I think that comes from his lack of time on the field. He's battled injuries in the preseason last year, and then obviously this year in the summer, he's been out at moments. And I just feel like you see that that little bit of hesitation means a lot in the NFL.
- [10:22]
Mike Catalano
So we were talking about Jordan Poyer before the podcast about him being on the practice squad. And when you compare these players, you would certainly think Taylor Rapp is more of a Jordan Poyer type, the way he'd play physically. And Micah Hyde is. Would you think it's more with Cole Bishop? And they did work together last year at the end of the year. But I think Poyer being on the. Even on the practice squad can teach some things or push some things about physicality that Cole's going to have to do if he's going to stay on the field, I'm saying is it's a meritocracy in this league. You got to be good enough or they're going to play somebody else. So. And he's going to have to be more physical.
- [11:02]
Dan Fates
So that's. That's where I push back on this. They brought in Hyde at the end of last year, which is fine to be that mentor. And now you bring Poyer in. And my problem is, is that if you need Cole Bishop to see Jordan Poyer because Poyer's game was his toughness, he got the most out of his talent, and it was limited because he was tough as nails and flew around. If Cole needs Jordan Poyer to show him that Taylor Rap's been next to him for a year and a half, and that dude is also fearless. So if you need you don't think Taylor Rap's been into his face being like dude, let's go. Jordan Poyer now has to do that like you're bringing in another babysitter because Cole Bishop's not listening to the parents.
- [11:41]
Jenna Cottrell
I I hear you and it's a good one. No, that's, I took me off guard. That was very quick witted. No, I, I think they're just seeing what what could possibly work. Why not try someone else? Because Jordan Poyer has been so successful. Jordan Poyer has played at a level that I don't think Taylor Rap has. I think Micah Hyde we all grow. Exactly. That's what I'm saying. I think for him it's just been why don't we have another guy that's been in between the lines that has excelled in a way that Taylor Rapp has it. I I also he shouldn't need that.
- [12:13]
Dan Fates
But maybe babies in the 24 year old.
- [12:16]
Mike Catalano
I here's what you're doing. I don't think you're babysitting him. I think what you're doing is saying this is an asset we have on the team. We need to get get the most out of it and if we don't and it's going to be one of maybe a take for later in the podcast they're going to find somebody that can do that job. It's going to be a little sink or swim. Now here's the one guy you can look at and say Terrell Bernard played a rook as a rookie and special teams was not very good when he got in the one game against the jets. And you're like how's this guy? And then he got into camp the next year and he got hurt in preseason and they're like who's going to play the middle linebacker spot? And then they were like, okay, it's Terrell Bernard. Oh, here. Why do I set myself up? Because I called it predicted that a year before I did. Man. The quickest pat on the back in the west. This guy guys laughed.
- [13:13]
Dan Fates
I said terrain Edmonds is going to walk and they're going to do Terrell Bernard. And they did.
- [13:18]
Jenna Cottrell
You saw before anyone please cut this.
- [13:20]
Mike Catalano
Out of the pod. Dan was right.
- [13:21]
Dan Fates
Yeah, there it is. But are available@the buffaloplus store.com so Bobby.
- [13:28]
Mike Catalano
Babich we were talking and I made that reference and he said that's a good reference, Mike. That's a good reference. But this is what they need out of Cole Bishop because he didn't get a lot of time and they're throwing him out there. So let's see if he can play. So it's still my biggest area of concern, but the guy's going to get an opportunity to see if he can keep the job.
- [13:46]
Jenna Cottrell
Well, maybe he will have a breakout season. And that is our next category. A breakout season and just transition. I'm trying. It's my first time hosting. So nervous. I'm. Yeah, I'm so nervous. So thank you for all bearing with this. But in terms of a breakout season, Dan, there's been players. Last year pass catcher of the year. Mine, Khalil Shakir had a breakout.
- [14:08]
Dan Fates
It's fun to pat yourself on the back.
- [14:10]
Jenna Cottrell
It's like, am I doing this?
- [14:11]
Dan Fates
Yeah, you just keep yourself softballs and you just hit them out.
- [14:14]
Jenna Cottrell
Look at that.
- [14:14]
Dan Fates
It's easy.
- [14:15]
Jenna Cottrell
But I picked Khalil Shakir because I believed in him. I saw it and obviously it came to fruition. Now in terms of a breakout season.
- [14:23]
Dan Fates
It was a chalky pick.
- [14:24]
Jenna Cottrell
Oh, my. Really?
- [14:26]
Dan Fates
It was the only player that was returning that we said had caught a pass from Josh.
- [14:29]
Jenna Cottrell
They had drafted a guy in the man.
- [14:31]
Mike Catalano
He not only wants to take credit, he wants to take it from Jenna.
- [14:35]
Dan Fates
Good pick.
- [14:36]
Jenna Cottrell
Then why did you pick mbs?
- [14:38]
Dan Fates
Because he wasn't.
- [14:39]
Jenna Cottrell
He wasn't good.
- [14:40]
Mike Catalano
Well, that wasn't chalk. Yeah. That was not at all called hot takes. Oh, that's right. What do you got? Hot take. Who's your breakout?
- [14:46]
Dan Fates
It's Curtis Samuel. I've got too much stock. I bought too much stock this off season in Curtis Samuel that if I'm gonna go bankrupt, it's gonna be on Curtis Samuel.
- [14:55]
Jenna Cottrell
I don't like that bet for you.
- [14:58]
Dan Fates
Can't be worse than mvs. It can't be worse than what I thought the other one was true.
- [15:02]
Jenna Cottrell
And the bar is the floor.
- [15:04]
Dan Fates
Hearing Joe Brady talk about him today too. Just the understanding of like, you saw what he could do in the playoffs. I didn't use him correctly during the regular season. And this was a guy I think people wanted to trade or cut because of the salary that he was owed. But like they obviously saw a lot in him to give him his contract that he got last year. He battled injuries. We all said at the end of the season, we're like, they're going to say he wasn't healthy. And sure enough, I don't think he was healthy most of last year. When he was better at the end of the playoffs. It was impactful. Making big plays. He did those fourth. He had the touchdown against the Broncos.
- [15:37]
Mike Catalano
And He had the fourth down touchdown against the Chiefs.
- [15:39]
Dan Fates
So I still think that there's a role in this offense for Curtis Samuel and I don't see Elijah Moore taking it. I. I just think that this is a spot where used correctly. Or is Joe Brady now with a year under his belt? Because that was the thing is that if Elijah Moore, if Chris Sam was Elijah Moore this year, like not being able to be on the field, they at least have last year's tape to try and work with him during this offseason. Obviously, whatever happened in training camp kind of held him back.
- [16:06]
Mike Catalano
So I had Curtis Samuel last year. So if he has a good breakout season, I'm going to say no. I was way ahead of you. No.
- [16:13]
Dan Fates
Because I bought all your stock. You sold it. And I bought it all.
- [16:16]
Mike Catalano
He did.
- [16:17]
Dan Fates
I bought it all.
- [16:19]
Mike Catalano
I got Greg Russo and I know they just paid.
- [16:21]
Dan Fates
Shocking.
- [16:22]
Jenna Cottrell
I'm.
- [16:23]
Mike Catalano
Yeah, I am a Greg Russo guy. I think Greg Russo tombstone is going.
- [16:27]
Dan Fates
To be like Mike Catalano.
- [16:28]
Mike Catalano
Why are you talking Tombstone with the old guy?
- [16:31]
Dan Fates
Here lies. Here lies Greg Russo's biggest supporter.
- [16:36]
Mike Catalano
First of all. Okay, so here's my comparison I will make for you guys. I think there's still a big jump with Khalil Shakir. I think they're similar range players on this team. Like, they are very good. They got second contracts with the team. I think if Shakir had a big time speed guy on the outside, his numbers would really pop. Like his numbers were good and everybody loves Khalil Shakir.
- [17:03]
Dan Fates
I don't hate the comparison ruse.
- [17:05]
Jenna Cottrell
Fair.
- [17:05]
Dan Fates
It's a good compare. It's a good analogy.
- [17:07]
Mike Catalano
Oh, the kids agree that it was a good comparison that I made.
- [17:11]
Dan Fates
I think the audience for confirmation, Greg.
- [17:13]
Mike Catalano
Russo needs Joey Bosa to be really good on the other side. So he's finally got somebody because AJ's a great dude. He's not that pass rusher. Von Miller after he got hurt, was never the same. They haven't had Leonard Floyd. The one year was good, was great. Leonard Floyd was good. I kind of wish they still had him. But I think Russo has the ability. He just needs. He needs some help and he needs. Ed Oliver needs some help on the inside too.
- [17:41]
Jenna Cottrell
But if you're the guy, wouldn't you be the guy all the time? Like, what. Why does.
- [17:45]
Mike Catalano
I'm not saying Curtis Samuel is the guy. You're saying he's gonna break. I think he can go to another level.
- [17:50]
Dan Fates
No, see, like you're. You're hedging your Gregory. You have been like Greg's gonna be all pro.
- [17:56]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah, you have.
- [17:56]
Mike Catalano
So I said he was gonna have double digit sacks. He had eight last year.
- [18:00]
Dan Fates
And he also came in.
- [18:02]
Mike Catalano
He also was. He also cleanup time, top 10 in the league in pressures. Had one of the highest win rates.
- [18:08]
Dan Fates
For any defensive analytics guy now.
- [18:10]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah.
- [18:10]
Dan Fates
Crunchy analytics guy. And his pass rush win rate was exceptional. Let me say the edge. He sets the edge.
- [18:17]
Mike Catalano
When you see big number 50 get on the outside and make a tackle on a run play. You know, somewhere I am saying to these guys, Greg's at the edge because I say it all the time. So I'm going with Rousseau. You got one.
- [18:30]
Jenna Cottrell
I am so shocked. I'm actually going to go with Matt Milano. I got the Milano, I would say over here. And I feel like, look, he is. He is obviously a former all pro player. Like, he has been phenomenal in his career. We know how much injuries has set him back the last couple of seasons. And it's hard to watch a player like that, of that caliber have multiple seasons end because of the injury front. So for me, last season you saw him getting better incrementally as he got out on the field. Spell it. Incrementally.
- [19:04]
Mike Catalano
Incrementally, Incrementally. Just pass.
- [19:08]
Dan Fates
I, N, C, R, A. No, no.
- [19:17]
Mike Catalano
Don't you feel like I sort of hold my breath when he does that and then I realize it's not gonna work.
- [19:23]
Jenna Cottrell
But incrementally. Matt Milano. Yeah. You writing it down. You. It's. It's still wrong.
- [19:33]
Dan Fates
Mentally.
- [19:34]
Jenna Cottrell
The A is not.
- [19:35]
Dan Fates
It's not an A.
- [19:35]
Jenna Cottrell
It's not an A.
- [19:37]
Dan Fates
It's an E. Are we sure?
- [19:39]
Jenna Cottrell
I real sure.
- [19:40]
Dan Fates
Because there was one time that we were both right.
- [19:42]
Jenna Cottrell
No allude. Don't get me started. Don't.
- [19:45]
Dan Fates
There's an allude with an E. Allude.
- [19:48]
Jenna Cottrell
We're. It's fine. We were talking about Sean McDermott alluding to something which is spelled with an a. Whereas if you allude something, something that's with an E, that means you're like getting out of the way of.
- [19:58]
Mike Catalano
Get out of the way.
- [19:59]
Dan Fates
Yes, he was shifting out of the way.
- [20:01]
Jenna Cottrell
No, he was not. And this grammar lesson was brought to you by Bud Light.
- [20:06]
Mike Catalano
Bud Light. Here we go.
- [20:09]
Dan Fates
Maybe Dan tries to spell after drinking too many Bud lights.
- [20:13]
Mike Catalano
There we go.
- [20:14]
Jenna Cottrell
Okay, getting back to what I was saying about Milano. I just think that he's putting it all together. I think he has a lot to prove to himself, honestly. And I think it starts with that and then also having Terrell Bernard next to you, the player that he can be. We've seen it, and I think this is a year he returns to that. And what would that do for the.
- [20:30]
Mike Catalano
Janet asked us, is it okay if I say Matt Milano? Because like you said, all pro player, he hasn't been on the field enough. We have seen those flashes. I got to say, at practice and in camp, he looks a lot like Matt Milano. So you just got to hope the guy stays healthy. His instincts are off the charts. His physical ability when he's healthy is really good. And he and Bernard have just not gotten enough time together. I think they can be great together.
- [20:56]
Dan Fates
They were together for four games at the start of 23. 23. And they were phenomenal together. The turnovers they forced, the sacks that they had, the interceptions, the past breakups. Like, they can be demidul. And to Jenna's point, you do kind of forget how, like, the Bills have just learned to live without Matt Milano the last, like, two years. Like, ever since that London game, they had to replace him. Then he gets injured at the practice right before in Pittsburgh.
- [21:26]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [21:26]
Dan Fates
I remember being there and telling Deion that, like, hey, how are you guys going to deal with Milano out for the season? He's like, what do you mean? It's like Milano tore his pack. He's done. And then he was like, that sucks.
- [21:37]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [21:37]
Dan Fates
It's like, yeah, but it was almost like. It was almost like at that point, you almost expected it or you almost knew how to deal with it because you had done it before. And whether it was the what was left of AJ Klein or other guys, they had brought him in. Who is probably getting a call from Brandon Bean to be on the practice squad. Him. Kyle Williams. Lorenzo Alexander.
- [21:59]
Mike Catalano
Jim Kelly. Thurman Thomas.
- [22:01]
Dan Fates
Scott Norwood.
- [22:02]
Mike Catalano
Scott Norwood. They need a kicker.
- [22:04]
Dan Fates
You know, Tasker.
- [22:06]
Mike Catalano
Tasker. I asked Tasker, could you give him a few snaps? He just turned and walked away from me. So I don't think he's on the practice squad, but just.
- [22:13]
Dan Fates
It's almost like you've. You've taken not Milano for granted, but you've just missed it so much that you forgot what it was like.
- [22:20]
Jenna Cottrell
You've adapted.
- [22:21]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [22:22]
Jenna Cottrell
But I think he will show that he's ready. And. And obviously that all hinges on his health.
- [22:27]
Mike Catalano
Yes.
- [22:28]
Jenna Cottrell
But what he can do can be special.
- [22:30]
Mike Catalano
Yep. And, you know, they redid his contract so it ends at the end of this year. But they love Milano. Like, if he's good and healthy, it's.
- [22:39]
Jenna Cottrell
Because he's such a talker.
- [22:41]
Mike Catalano
Oh, my God. The guy, he's One guy that would not interrupt. Jenna. I would say Milano says nothing. He didn't speak in Hard Knocks. If you saw it, it was quick, but he spoke. He. He never speaks to us. And what did Sean say? He speaks to him a little more than he speaks to you guys, but the guy can play, so.
- [23:01]
Dan Fates
And that was the other thing, too, is you talk about moving on and his contract being up and what that mean for the future. Last year, when he wasn't playing well right before the playoffs, and it was like, hey, are you.
- [23:14]
Mike Catalano
Do you.
- [23:14]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah.
- [23:15]
Dan Fates
Are you comfortable sitting Milano down for the sake of the team? And Sean was like, no.
- [23:19]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [23:20]
Dan Fates
Like, I'm going to ride with Milano when he's healthy. Like, that goes to show you that while his contract may be up, if he's anywhere near the caliber of play that we know Matt Milano can be, they will not hesitate to bring him back.
- [23:31]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah, it's very true. All right, so the next category. Pass catcher of the year. Hold on, let me.
- [23:39]
Mike Catalano
Oh, wow. Wow.
- [23:41]
Jenna Cottrell
Get my crown on, man.
- [23:43]
Mike Catalano
She's learning from Dan.
- [23:44]
Jenna Cottrell
Did you see that?
- [23:45]
Mike Catalano
So wait a minute. Since you had Shakira, the diva of.
- [23:48]
Jenna Cottrell
This podcast is absolutely Dan F. Yes.
- [23:50]
Mike Catalano
There's no question. Yes.
- [23:54]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah.
- [23:54]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. Just don't it.
- [23:56]
Jenna Cottrell
I love you, but.
- [23:57]
Dan Fates
Yeah.
- [23:58]
Mike Catalano
So you. You picked Shakir last year. So are we talking about yardage as pass catcher?
- [24:03]
Jenna Cottrell
That's what we did last year.
- [24:05]
Dan Fates
So who will lead the Bills in receiving yards?
- [24:07]
Jenna Cottrell
Yes.
- [24:08]
Dan Fates
Does the. You're.
- [24:09]
Mike Catalano
You.
- [24:09]
Dan Fates
Does the princess go first?
- [24:10]
Jenna Cottrell
I'm. I'm riding with my guy, Khalil. Shakir, the Yak King.
- [24:14]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. I love Shakir.
- [24:16]
Jenna Cottrell
I just got the new contract. I think what he's done for this team, the rapport he has with Josh, I think he's one of those players that just is a safety blanket. And when you need a big play, you can rely on him.
- [24:27]
Mike Catalano
Absolutely. And there's one thing you'll know when you watch the game. You know his catch rate. The pass is thrown to him. How many catches? It's insane with him. Like, if it's thrown to Kincaid or to Kincaid. Excuse me.
- [24:40]
Dan Fates
Just kidding.
- [24:41]
Mike Catalano
A little different.
- [24:42]
Dan Fates
Wow.
- [24:43]
Mike Catalano
Sorry. That was Freudian.
- [24:46]
Dan Fates
You wish.
- [24:47]
Mike Catalano
If it's. If it's thrown to him, Shakir, he usually catches the ball. I'm gonna go Josh Palmer.
- [24:55]
Dan Fates
This. Can I double up?
- [24:58]
Mike Catalano
Double up? Yeah. You pick whoever you want because I.
- [25:01]
Dan Fates
Think it could be Palmer. You go first, Mike.
- [25:03]
Mike Catalano
I just said I'm going Josh Palmer.
- [25:05]
Dan Fates
Do you want to explain your pick?
- [25:07]
Mike Catalano
I like the way he plays. He has had big target seasons like when he played with the Chargers, they threw him 108 passes one year. He's put up good numbers. In fact, as much as we like Shakir, he's played one year longer in the NFL and he's played with Justin Herbert, who's a good quarterback. He ain't Josh Allen, but his numbers are better than Shakir's. He played more early on than Shakir did. I just, I like the way he runs routes. I think he's got some speed. I think he's going to get a decent amount of targets. Might take a little while, but I'm a fan of his.
- [25:38]
Dan Fates
I like Palmer because I think he brings something that they didn't have. I for as much as I like Keon and I'm hopeful because we saw flashes of it, I still think that Keon is really good nine yards and in. And I don't know if he's necessarily that deep ball guy that they maybe hoped he would be as this ex wide receiver that would line up on the outside. I just don't think that's his strength. I think in a perfect world he would be lined up in the slot more and dull and Kincaid would be on the sideline or like somewhere else like so that key so that Keon could actually do more. But I like Palmer because I think he can win at multiple levels. I think he's quick enough to win at the line of scrimmage. I think he has the intermediate route and I think he has the speed to go deep. But I'm not gonna. I've learned my lesson taking MVs, so I'm gonna go with close. Shakir as well. I think he actually gets a thousand yards.
- [26:29]
Mike Catalano
Wow.
- [26:30]
Jenna Cottrell
I thought you were gonna pick Josh Palmer.
- [26:32]
Dan Fates
I'm gonna go with Shakira.
- [26:33]
Jenna Cottrell
Okay.
- [26:33]
Dan Fates
Chalky.
- [26:35]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. You get to talk smack about yourself next year.
- [26:38]
Dan Fates
I think you actually make with again. I'm not as high on Keon as other people or Kincaid. I think it may be relying especially more early on for Shakir. It could be a, you know, a thousand yard season for him.
- [26:50]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. Pressure meter. Yeah, you bring up those names. Who do you think is under the most pressure this season? Mike?
- [26:59]
Mike Catalano
I have Bishop, I have Babich is dc I have Keon and Dalton Kincaid. They need those guys. Look, Dalton Kincaid's a first round pick. Keon's a second round pick. Bishop's a second round pick. And listen, I will say this and they always know when I say listen. They think I'm gonna make some Big point.
- [27:20]
Jenna Cottrell
No, we don't.
- [27:23]
Dan Fates
Actually.
- [27:27]
Mike Catalano
I think Brandon Beane has let down Sean McDermott and the defense with some of the players they brought in. I don't think they have elite players on defense enough. And on offense they have very good players, but you start out with 17 and he is the cheat code for everything. So it makes the offense better. They've done a good job on the O line, much better than the D line. They've done a decent job of good wide receivers because you have Josh Allen, they had James Cook, a good running back. Like, the offense is in pretty good shape as we saw last year. Maybe they need a little more of spectacular players. I don't know if Bobby Babich has had the guys on defense and you hope some of these young guys help him, but there's pressure on him as a second year defensive coordinator.
- [28:13]
Dan Fates
It's interesting. I never thought of, like, what. I didn't think of Babich at all when I thought of guys that are under pressure.
- [28:19]
Jenna Cottrell
I mean, I, I think of the Dalton Kincaid who was called out essentially this season. I think of Keon. I also think of Sean and Bean.
- [28:27]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. Yes.
- [28:28]
Jenna Cottrell
And that's, that's the obvious thing when you think about it. But I think for me, Dalton Kincaid, when Bean drafted him, it was, this guy is like a wide receiver.
- [28:37]
Dan Fates
Traded up.
- [28:38]
Jenna Cottrell
Traded up to get him. And there is the pressure that comes with being a first round pick. I don't know if that's fair or not, but that's the reality of the NFL and that's how this works.
- [28:48]
Mike Catalano
Well, and you said they sold them as a difference maker.
- [28:52]
Jenna Cottrell
Yes.
- [28:53]
Dan Fates
A mismatch.
- [28:54]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [28:55]
Jenna Cottrell
And this is year three. I think that this is. And they're going to contractually have to make decisions soon on what they want to do. So for me, we've heard Josh talk emphatically about. Spell it. No, I'm kidding. But emphatically about believing in Dalton King, believing in Dalton Kincaid. I know Josh loves him, sees the ability. I want it to be apparent that he is that guy that they, they brought him in to be.
- [29:26]
Dan Fates
You and me were up there in Buffalo when they drafted him. And we went outside and did a video afterwards and I was like, I don't get it. I don't understand it. I don't understand why they drafted a tight end after they had just signed.
- [29:39]
Mike Catalano
An extension to Dawson Knox. Yeah.
- [29:41]
Dan Fates
Like, I didn't feel like tight end was a glaring need. And so it was pitched as, hey, here's this guy. That can be a mismatch and in today's NFL, if you can have a tight end that can stretch the field and put pressure on, be too big for safeties and too fast for linebackers, this is what it can be. And we've just never seen that level of mismatch. So I think more than anybody, it is Kincaid because his future in Buffalo is very dependent on this season. Meaning contractually, for as bad as a season as the Bills could have. Sean McDermott ain't going anywhere. Babbage. I don't think.
- [30:14]
Mike Catalano
I don't think so either.
- [30:15]
Dan Fates
I'm just saying is Dalton's future in Buffalo kind of hinges on where he is long term on this season? Yeah, because they have to start thinking about it. We can't be going into Brandon Bean can't be going into this next season and going to training camp like. Well, you know, we're still on the, like hoping what Dalton Kincaid can be. Yeah, it's that or you're. It's the poop or get off the pot.
- [30:41]
Mike Catalano
When I said Babbage, like I said, I also want to emphasize, I don't think he's had the guys. I don't think he's had the players. A lot of the guys the Bills let go from last year's defense either didn't sign with other teams or signed like the week before the season started. Like they were not high end players. There was a series of them. And so the hope is these young guys will help them. But I just think there's pressure on, on anybody involved with the defense this year. It's just got to be better.
- [31:08]
Jenna Cottrell
No, it does. To help them get over the hump. I think that's. We talk about it all the time. What is it going to take for this Bill's team to get over the hump? And I think having a defense that's able to contain a guy like Patrick Mahomes, a guy like Lamar Jackson, all those things. All right. Biggest offseason addition. To me, it is Joey Bosa. Now, can he? Yeah, right. I mean, the Bills have been after a guy that can get after the quarterback. And if you don't know, he can really help Greg Russo too.
- [31:40]
Mike Catalano
Yeah, it's about time he can.
- [31:42]
Jenna Cottrell
I do agree that he can.
- [31:44]
Mike Catalano
I. I have Joey Bosa here and I said here to help Greg Russo. Right. That's what it is.
- [31:49]
Dan Fates
Because Greg needs help.
- [31:50]
Mike Catalano
Joey Bosa has been, when healthy, an elite pass rusher in the league. All those Bosas, he has been that guy. When healthy, you got to be on the field and I think Bosa has ability. He's looked good. He has been out there. I think, you know, some people were like, oh, bubble wrap Joey for the year and get him ready for the play. No, no, that dude's going to play and he's going to play a lot of snaps and the hope is to keep him healthy. I think he's pretty happy to be in Buffalo right now and they don't get his opportunity.
- [32:20]
Jenna Cottrell
He told us during training camp he was with the Chargers before, he said at training camp, which mind you is July and August, he had spent more time with his Bills defensive lineman teammates than he did his entire essentially decade in la. Yeah, I'm like, dang, they did not hang out at all.
- [32:37]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. Who you got?
- [32:39]
Dan Fates
I think it's Maxwell Harrison.
- [32:41]
Jenna Cottrell
I was about to say Gabe Davis.
- [32:45]
Mike Catalano
Get him going.
- [32:46]
Jenna Cottrell
I won't do that. I'm sorry.
- [32:47]
Mike Catalano
So we'll get to that.
- [32:49]
Dan Fates
Tell us about that gaslighting. Yeah, yeah, don't gaslight me. I think it could be, I think Maxwell Harrison when he plays because there was such a hole at who would be the cornerback too. And again, while I may not have thought that Harrison would have been the pick and I'm not necessarily saying I even love the pick to Summers to some extent because I don't think he fits the Sean McDermott form tackling tough nose football like I expected him to be. But he provides speed, which is something this defense hasn't had. And when I look around and you see some of these teams, like all they're trying to do, they talk about it with the safeties is they're trying to get you into space. Offenses are trying to create it, defenses are trying to cover it. Maxwell Harrison maybe a raw product right now, but he can cover space with his speed. And we saw that at training camp while it was up and down. The way that he is comically fast.
- [33:45]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [33:46]
Dan Fates
Is something that this defense does not have, especially in the secondary and when he gets on the field and to what extent, I think he could be the biggest addition.
- [33:55]
Mike Catalano
I think he could help them. I'm concerned about the fact that he missed so much key time and it's not a veteran player. We're talking about a rookie who didn't play in the preseason, got hurt during camp. Now he's going to be a month into the year and practice is very different in the regular season than it is during the preseason and during training camp when there's 90 guys and they're basically playing like two different teams. He's not going to get the ability to ramp up as easily as he would have if he would have had that in his pocket. I do think his ability is strong. I just wonder how much he's going to be able to give them this.
- [34:31]
Dan Fates
So that's why I can't contradict myself because I said going into draft you've done that before. Yeah, I know. But I think I go, I went into this draft going draft somebody that has a special trait. I just kept wanting somebody. I wanted the Bills to sign a draft a baseball pitcher that had 102 mile per hour fastball because you can't teach that he loves the baseball or.
- [34:53]
Jenna Cottrell
Should we get a golf one in.
- [34:54]
Dan Fates
There or a golfer that hits the ball 350 yards. He can't teach that. You can work on the irons in the short game or you can work on the change up later. So even while I think that Maxwell Harrison could be very raw, I don't think his technique needs to be flawless.
- [35:10]
Mike Catalano
Or the he can make up for.
- [35:12]
Dan Fates
Because he can just chase things down. And that's something that the Bills have not had in the secondary. Benford's really good. I think he's no question a top 10 corner. But like they haven't had two corners that can just say we're playing man coverage.
- [35:26]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [35:27]
Dan Fates
Like that's not what they do. That's why Christian Benford so good is that he's smart. But if you have Max who just has raw speed, I think that's a big boost to the second.
- [35:37]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. My concern is just him getting on the field and he is, he is small. Like he is small and he is thin.
- [35:44]
Dan Fates
Yeah.
- [35:45]
Jenna Cottrell
That's the durability piece is. Is definitely something I think to your point, I think he's the biggest, one of the biggest off season additions. I do think he will have a big impact on this team. I just don't know if it will be this year because of the limited Runway he has missing out on training camp and everything that all the learning that happens at Fischer and early on in the season. So that's my one thing that I do think could hold him back. But you talk about having a special talent. That's speed is serious.
- [36:15]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [36:16]
Jenna Cottrell
And that is something like you said, this defense has missed.
- [36:19]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [36:19]
Dan Fates
Looking at just some of the comments too from Facebook, Rich has been constantly in the chat saying Dion Walker as we've like top this. Which I agree. And you talk about a special talent like Maxwell Harrison speed. Dion Walker's size is just comical. Like. Yeah, like he's so massive and the way that he.
- [36:36]
Mike Catalano
Six foot seven, three fifty. Yeah. And he can move.
- [36:40]
Jenna Cottrell
I would say. Tell them what Ed Oliver says.
- [36:42]
Dan Fates
He describes him as a dancing bear. Like he's a bear on ballerina legs. Like. Yeah, that is something that is special. And he's not just. We talked, right. He's not just a, you know, a massive human being.
- [36:56]
Mike Catalano
So he. Wait a minute, look, he's. Let him cook. Here we go. What do you got?
- [37:00]
Dan Fates
He's not just like a space eater. Like, he's not just somebody that's going to stand there and eat double teams.
- [37:05]
Mike Catalano
That's not really who he is at all.
- [37:07]
Dan Fates
No, he can finesse and. And you can be a pass rusher and all of those things. I don't know what I was going to say, but I was like, I.
- [37:14]
Jenna Cottrell
Don'T think space eater is that like.
- [37:16]
Dan Fates
I think I was going to say man eater. And I was like, that's like, that's not it.
- [37:20]
Mike Catalano
I will say one thing.
- [37:21]
Dan Fates
When you like short circuited there for.
- [37:23]
Mike Catalano
Talking to Dion the other day, he's this massive human being and he has like this baby face. Yes. And you realize he's 21 years old.
- [37:32]
Dan Fates
And plays with a broken back.
- [37:34]
Mike Catalano
Yeah, you broke it. Broken back. And he stayed on the field for his teammates so that to play defensive line in the SEC with a broken. Well, anywhere with a broken back. And TJ Sanders is talented. Like, they have guys, they need them to be good players. They have not done great drafting on the D line, especially on the interior. I mean, they drafted, you know, Boogie Bash, Boogie Bash him. You know, they just have not done well.
- [38:01]
Dan Fates
And they've just. Again, I like Jordan Phillips. They have just recycled him year after year because they haven't been able to find a replacement. It's the same thing. Like Demar Hamlet has started these last few years because the bills and beans inability to find a long term replacement at safety. So you're left with going with the devil that you know rather than the devil you don't.
- [38:21]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah, no, it's true. All right, Dan. I'm really excited for this.
- [38:25]
Dan Fates
That first.
- [38:26]
Jenna Cottrell
Not first.
- [38:27]
Dan Fates
Nope.
- [38:27]
Jenna Cottrell
I got to set it up though. What we're going to talk about. So the next topic we're going to talk about is the hottest take, which I think Dan would medal gold in terms of the Olympics in the takes that you have got good ones. You've got good ones. But you don't want to go first.
- [38:42]
Dan Fates
No, I want to go first. I mean, my track record.
- [38:45]
Mike Catalano
Why don't you go first? Because you're always known for your hot takes.
- [38:49]
Jenna Cottrell
Two things can.
- [38:51]
Dan Fates
Mike makes a good point, but Dan's also so true.
- [38:53]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. Me, I'm literally in the middle for a reason here.
- [38:57]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [38:58]
Jenna Cottrell
I don't. You go first.
- [39:00]
Mike Catalano
Okay. So I mentioned Cole Bishop, and I always say I introduce these two to the word meritocracy. Best player plays. It's based on your. What you do. At some point, I think rookie Jordan Hancock is going to start at safety and he's going to earn the job. He's going to earn that job. Maybe not off the start. They like him a lot. And he's going to eventually overtake Cole Bishop and be the starting safety.
- [39:28]
Jenna Cottrell
When we first saw Jordan Hancock on the field, you said it reminded him of a player that every Bills fan knows.
- [39:35]
Mike Catalano
The way he moved on the field reminded me of Micah Hyde, which was funny because on the field was Dane Jackson, who was wearing 23. But I watched the way. I always like the way Micah backpedaled, the way he moved side to side. Side. Not the greatest athlete in the world, not the biggest guy in the world. And I'd say that's kind of true of Hancock, but you can hear the way they talk about him. I think he's moving in that direction, and I'm saying that I'm not. I don't. I think it's going to take Cole Bishop taking a step back or not being what they want, but I think they want to get that young man on the field.
- [40:09]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. All right. I think Michael Hoyt could be a difference maker. He suspended the first six games of the season. Not ideal. The Bills did know that before signing him to a contract, but I think we've seen some pop from him at camp. He's made some noise in his ability and just the motor that he has. So for me, Michael Hoyt, look, I know he's not coming back till, you know, later on in the year, but I think he can give a boost to this defensive line in a way that they have been waiting for. Joey Bosa, I think, contributes, but Michael Hoyt, I think, can add that edge that this Bills team has been looking for.
- [40:46]
Dan Fates
Steven Gosnell catches the game in the AFC Championship game. No, I think it's been one that I've been high on all year is I just really think that TJ Sanders will get the second most snaps for a defensive tackle. I think that you. I think as the year goes on, I think Daquan Jones's snaps will decrease and TJ Sanders snaps will increase. I. I really think very highly of him. I. Deon Walker gets all the attention because of his literal. Just size. And, yeah, he draws attention by just standing in the huddle. But I think TJ Sanders provides a bigger version of Ed Oliver that can kind of not only be better against the run that Ed is a little bit, but also have that inside penetrating ability for. For to affect the quarterback they've always wanted to like. Everybody overreacted to the Eagles super bowl win. Mike, congrats. We have made it 41 minutes into this.
- [41:43]
Mike Catalano
I never said a word about that.
- [41:44]
Dan Fates
Yeah, I know. And everybody's like, by the way, you know how good it. If you get interior pressure on the quarterback, it can really disrupt them. It's like, brilliant.
- [41:54]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [41:54]
Dan Fates
Like, no way. It's like the Bills have been trying to do it. That was.
- [41:58]
Mike Catalano
By the way. Can I just pause? Was it not great to see Mahomes just get his head handed to him?
- [42:07]
Jenna Cottrell
No notes.
- [42:08]
Dan Fates
Say. Say it. Say your favorite fun fact about the Super Bowl.
- [42:11]
Mike Catalano
Oh, and by the way, that game was 40 to 8 and they dumped Gatorade on the Eagles coach, and Mahomes stayed out there and threw two touchdown passes. The ultimate garbage touchdown passes in the history of the NFL. Did I get that one out there?
- [42:24]
Dan Fates
Yeah, that was good.
- [42:25]
Mike Catalano
I've used that one multiple times. Yeah.
- [42:27]
Jenna Cottrell
That is fair.
- [42:28]
Dan Fates
I just. I think that this defensive line. I'm cautiously optimistic. Can be a strength.
- [42:35]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [42:35]
Dan Fates
Of this team and not a weakness like it has been in years past.
- [42:39]
Jenna Cottrell
I think that is also the key in the playoffs.
- [42:42]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [42:42]
Dan Fates
What.
- [42:43]
Jenna Cottrell
When you need to get the pressure, who is going to step up to do that? I totally see what you're saying, though. T.J. sanders. Maybe not originally, but as the season goes on. Because the season is a journey. Right. We talk. You should probably tell everyone not to overreact on Sunday.
- [42:59]
Dan Fates
I.
- [42:59]
Mike Catalano
We'll save. We'll. We'll. We'll wait until.
- [43:01]
Jenna Cottrell
Okay. All right. But that being said, I definitely like both TJ Sanders and Dion Walker.
- [43:09]
Mike Catalano
They're gonna need. Yeah. Yeah.
- [43:12]
Dan Fates
I have a negative hot take.
- [43:14]
Mike Catalano
Oh.
- [43:15]
Dan Fates
And I don't like. Again, we talked about this. Jenna's like, you're gonna go full heel on this show and like all this stuff. I am concerned that the offense is going to take a little bit of a step back. I don't see this as an offense. Josh is incredible. I still don't know if they've done enough. And you've said it, like, bringing back James Cook and obviously, like, figuring out that contract situation was massive. I still wonder if they have done enough to help Josh. And I don't want this Bills team to end up being this patch, this Packers Aaron Rodgers, where they never gave him enough or the right players to win multiple Super Bowls. And again, any Bills fan here would take one super bowl like Aaron Rodgers has. But I'm just saying, you look here and go like he's so great that I just want enough and more playmakers.
- [44:05]
Mike Catalano
I think Dan, the point is really making too is the way they did it last year. They were very efficient. They also turned the ball over seven times. Six times on offense. Yeah, six times. And every one of those turnovers was made by the guy they probably should just get rid of because it was Josh Allen. He had four interceptions and two lost fumbles. No running back lost a fumble the entire season, which is crazy.
- [44:30]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah.
- [44:31]
Mike Catalano
And Josh only threw.
- [44:32]
Dan Fates
I would bet my mortgage that the Bills will have more than six turnovers this season.
- [44:37]
Mike Catalano
Your father in law is here.
- [44:38]
Dan Fates
He doesn't want to hear shaking his head. He's got a big beautiful house. He would welcome me with open arms in my.
- [44:45]
Mike Catalano
Well, he'd welcome his daughter and grandkids.
- [44:46]
Dan Fates
But that's where my level of concern is, is I think there's a regression there. It's not that Josh won't play as well, but like again, we've talked about it. Josh didn't win the MVP based on his stats. He won it because he did more with less. And I don't know if Josh Palmer and hoping that Keon and Kincaid step up is necessarily enough to help Josh and this offense get through. Because we watch, we've gone back. It's on NFL film or network all the time. That AFC championship game against the Chiefs last year was a slog for this offense. Mack Hollins was your best receiver and you let him go. Like that's where my level of concern is, is for this offense. I think the defense has optimism, especially what it'll be later in the year when there's been experience and you have all that kind of health and all those things. But I do have a little bit of a concern for the offense.
- [45:40]
Mike Catalano
The other thing is the defense, while they struggled last year, took the ball away.
- [45:44]
Dan Fates
Insane numbers.
- [45:45]
Mike Catalano
That's how they beat the Ravens in that game. The defense took it away. The offense was pretty pedestrian in that game, but they ended up scoring 27 points because the. Because the defense took the ball away. Yeah.
- [45:57]
Jenna Cottrell
Did the job. All right, let's talk a little bit about the Ravens Matchup on Sunday. I know a lot of fans very excited. I mean, this is a big challenge right out the gate. We talk about how this could be possibly for the one seed, it could be an AFC championship playoff primer, all that stuff. So I want to ask the Picasso pizza player of the week, who do you think other than Josh Allen comes to mind of a player that could be a difference maker on Sunday night?
- [46:25]
Mike Catalano
Yeah, I'm gonna say Terrell Bernard because they're going to need a good game out of the defense. Now, that doesn't mean they don't do something offensively, but Terrell Bernard made an incredible play last year. One of the biggest plays. God, if they would have gone on and beaten Kansas City, it would have been thought of even more. One of the biggest plays, playoff plays in Bill's history. Yeah, what he did with Mark Andrews, taking the ball away, just an incredible play. I think he's got the ability to do that. He has great instincts and I think they're going to need that out of the defense to keep them in the game and try to slow the Ravens down. I think it's going to come more from turnovers than just stopping them at the line of scrimmage.
- [47:04]
Jenna Cottrell
I think for me also. I'm sorry, I'm thinking about pizza now. Picasso pizza and a Bud Light. Are you kidding me?
- [47:10]
Dan Fates
Slice of pizza.
- [47:12]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah, it does sound really good. I think my player of the week. In terms of who I think James Cook. I've talked about him all off season. I wanted them to resign him. I know some people. Thank you for the applause. That makes me feel so good. Some people were like, you're crazy. I can't believe. Believe it. But I think early on.
- [47:29]
Dan Fates
How do they sound?
- [47:30]
Mike Catalano
Shut up. How?
- [47:32]
Dan Fates
I read the comments.
- [47:34]
Jenna Cottrell
But I do think early on, sometimes it takes a little bit of time for players, especially sometimes Josh Allen in the season opener to get into a rhythm. And that's okay when you have a guy like James Cook that could be dynamic with the football in his hand. We saw how amount of touchdowns he had last season and I think his game evolved. It took the next step because we saw the dynamic, explosive plays that he was able to put together and how that changed the way other teams defenses had to react to the Bill's offense. It wasn't just Josh in his arm and running the ball. It was also James Cook. Where is he at on the field. And you need to make sure you're able to tackle him. So for me, James Cook is my, you know, Picasso player. Of the week. Yeah. Thank you. Because I just think what he can add.
- [48:16]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [48:17]
Jenna Cottrell
And Dan, it is so important for a team to be able to win in multiple ways, and that includes running the football.
- [48:26]
Mike Catalano
I love when Janet just tells Dan the way it is. Yeah.
- [48:33]
Jenna Cottrell
What was that? Sorry.
- [48:34]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [48:34]
Jenna Cottrell
Oh, okay. Was I, was I?
- [48:36]
Dan Fates
That's debatable. I, I, I know we've talked about him a lot, but if the Bills are going to win this game on Sunday, Cole Bishop has to be. I'm not saying he has to be the star. He doesn't.
- [48:48]
Mike Catalano
Good.
- [48:48]
Dan Fates
He's got to be really good. Because you talk about all this extra prep time. The Baltimore Ravens are circling. Wherever Cole Bishop is on the field, that's where we're going to attack. Whether it's going to be running or whether it's going to be with Mark Andrews or Zay Flowers, that's where they're going to attack. He doesn't need to have, I'm not saying he needs to have an interception and force fumble and all these things. He needs to be good and he.
- [49:12]
Jenna Cottrell
Needs to be competent.
- [49:13]
Dan Fates
Competent. And that's what he wasn't last year.
- [49:16]
Mike Catalano
Well, yeah. And like I said, that first game, nobody was good against the Ravens and they got run over as a team. They were much better, certainly defensively, when they won in the playoffs.
- [49:27]
Dan Fates
Picasso's player of the Player of the week. Player of the week.
- [49:31]
Jenna Cottrell
Perfect way to tailgate. All right, season prediction and game prediction prediction time.
- [49:39]
Mike Catalano
You want to, you want to go first?
- [49:40]
Jenna Cottrell
I'll go first.
- [49:41]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [49:41]
Dan Fates
Because she's so excited about this.
- [49:44]
Jenna Cottrell
For Sunday night, I have the Bills winning 31, 31 to 24. I have a breakout game by Matt Milano. I think for this team, it's going to be tough early on in this game. I think for both sides. I think it's just going to take a little bit for the players to get into it. Josh Allen joked this week, week at practice, we were saying, what do you need to get into the game? And he said, I like to get hit. Well, he said, no, no, no, no.
- [50:11]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. He said he used to like to get hit.
- [50:13]
Jenna Cottrell
Well, I was going to follow up.
- [50:14]
Mike Catalano
And say that I interrupted her.
- [50:16]
Jenna Cottrell
No, that's mild for you. But I think, I think for him and for this team, it's going to take a little bit. But I think once the Bills get going, I think James Cook, I think I want to see some stuff from Keon Coleman. What can he do in year two, too? And then the defense, I think, does enough. I think they're able to weather the storm that is the Ravens and the their just offensive firepower. But I have the Bills starting out the season 103124 win and I have them in terms of my season preview. I have. I think the Bills can win 14 games. I. I really. I know that might sound. But I think the way the schedule opens up when they played certain teams, how they were able to attack. I think the team defense needs to get figured out. But I have the Bills going to the AFC championship game. I think they beat the Ravens and they head to the Super Bowl.
- [51:08]
Dan Fates
Look at Jenna firing up the crowd.
- [51:09]
Mike Catalano
Wow. Look at Jenna right before.
- [51:12]
Dan Fates
Yeah.
- [51:13]
Mike Catalano
So.
- [51:14]
Dan Fates
So.
- [51:15]
Mike Catalano
So here's what I'm going to say.
- [51:18]
Dan Fates
I have to play Mrs. Lincoln.
- [51:20]
Mike Catalano
No, it doesn't work there.
- [51:22]
Jenna Cottrell
You just shoehorn.
- [51:24]
Mike Catalano
So I'm going to start with the good stuff. I also have them going to the Super Bowl. I have them beating the Ravens in the championship game. I have them at the lowly 13 and 4. Not 4. Well, you have 14 and 3. I have 13 and 4. I think one of the four is on Sunday. I think it's going to be a tough game. I'm concerned about the defense. The Ravens are coming into this game. Look, it's not like revenge. If you win the game, they don't put you in the AFC championship. That's what the Bills did last year. I think for Baltimore, there's. They felt like they gave that game away to the Bills and I think they are a little more equipped early in the year. I still think it's close. I think it's one of those games the Bills don't lose very often like this 10 and oh.
- [52:09]
Dan Fates
@ home last year.
- [52:10]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. But I think it's a 27, 23 Ravens win. But the Bills will still be going to the Super Bowl.
- [52:17]
Dan Fates
Boy.
- [52:18]
Mike Catalano
How's that?
- [52:18]
Dan Fates
There was like a collective groan and I'm not going to make it any better. All week I was kind of looking into this game and I said my head says Ravens, but my heart says Buffalo at home. Final home opener at High Mark Stadium. Like they're just going to find a way to get it done because that's what they've been able to do. Then I was at.
- [52:38]
Mike Catalano
But.
- [52:40]
Dan Fates
But then I was on it practice on Wednesday and Trey White wasn't there. And I have questions.
- [52:45]
Mike Catalano
Tyler Bass is hurt, too. Yeah.
- [52:47]
Dan Fates
And the Bills were one and a half point favorites and they're now one and a half point underdogs. Like this is. I don't like this matchup. I didn't like the matchup back in week four of last season when Terrell Bernard and Matt Milano were missing that game too, and they got boat raced and then I liked them again in the divisional playoffs. I thought they were a better team. So Mike has told me I'm trying going to learn from the elder statesman and hall of Famer. And hall of Famer. I'm giving you the compliment, too.
- [53:12]
Mike Catalano
Thank you. Yeah.
- [53:14]
Dan Fates
That you can't overreact. And it's going to be so hard. It's going to be so hard. But I don't like this matchup with these inexperience and the injuries. I think a lot of these guys that are going to be playing, the Dion Walkers, the TJ Sanders, the Jordan Hancocks, all these guys are going to get will be better week 17 and 18 than they will be in week one. So not to overreact over that, I think The Ravens win 31, 24, easy. Ready? Hang on, hang on. The plus side is I think the Bills rattle off eight straight wins after that and don't lose again until Tampa. So I have them winning 13 games, beating the Bengals in the championship. Jenna loves how I says Bengals bracelet.
- [54:00]
Jenna Cottrell
Like the Cincinnati Bengals.
- [54:03]
Mike Catalano
The.
- [54:03]
Dan Fates
They beat the base.
- [54:05]
Mike Catalano
Cincinnati.
- [54:06]
Dan Fates
Cincinnati, the AFC championship game to play in the Super Bowl.
- [54:09]
Mike Catalano
Yeah, I, I would say this. Dan's right to. About the. Oh, my God, I said it again. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. Not right about the pick. But here's the thing about the Ravens, and that's what was so tough for the Bills last year. You prepare for the Ravens and then quickly had to turn and play the Chiefs. Very different team in every way. I think the Bills match up much better with the Chiefs.
- [54:32]
Dan Fates
Agree.
- [54:32]
Mike Catalano
Than they do with the Ravens. And to answer the question for Deon Walker and TJ Sanders, not only are they that fast and that big, but they're not getting any slower and not getting any smaller. And I do think, like your point, early in the year, that's a tough first matchup.
- [54:48]
Dan Fates
And it's also interesting too, because when we're having our meet and greet before the podcast, we were talking to so many people and I was kind of asking like, hey, how. What are your thoughts about Sunday? And there was a lot of that. Like, see, like, I, I think there was a little bit of understanding. Like, there's not just this blind faith of like, oh, they're gonna be fine. It was like, this could be a close game. I talked to another person Was like, I don't know, man. Like, this is going to be tough. So, like, understanding that like this, what hap. They've been two and two in their last four week one games, and it hasn't affected their outlook on their season.
- [55:20]
Mike Catalano
And also last year, they got blown out in that game by the Ravens in week number four, and the Bills still ended up with the home field advantage when the playoffs came. So sometimes we overreact to that early. The Bills have gone out to Kansas City and won early and still ended up having to go back there for the playoffs. So it's a long season. Let's see how it plays out.
- [55:41]
Dan Fates
But we all win.
- [55:42]
Mike Catalano
Would be spectacular.
- [55:43]
Dan Fates
We all have them in the Super Bowl.
- [55:45]
Jenna Cottrell
Yes, we do. So just to recap. Ravens, Ravens, Bills. Just so we're all clear here. Just so we're all clear. Okay. So we always do our guesses and the season predictions are very important because as most of you know, we keep a record. Now, last year, I won and I made Mike and Dan do Pilates.
- [56:08]
Mike Catalano
That was the punishment, which, if you.
- [56:10]
Jenna Cottrell
Haven'T watched that video, don't watch it.
- [56:12]
Dan Fates
You're fine.
- [56:14]
Jenna Cottrell
I recommend.
- [56:15]
Dan Fates
Don't need to laugh.
- [56:16]
Jenna Cottrell
If you're feeling down, watch that.
- [56:17]
Mike Catalano
It was not a Pilates studio. It was a black site torture chamber. It was bad.
- [56:25]
Jenna Cottrell
It was. Yeah. For you. Yes. It was hilarious. But we're gonna say our punishments that we're gonna pick for one another. So this, the setup is, is that whoever wins the records will have to force the other two to both do the activity of their choosing.
- [56:41]
Mike Catalano
Okay, so you're first. You won.
- [56:44]
Jenna Cottrell
So for me, I'm going to do like, hot ones where you eat spicy wings. And then I'm going to curate mean comments about you guys that you have to read. Now. They'll be funny and all that stuff.
- [56:57]
Mike Catalano
Mean comments that people send about Dan and myself.
- [57:00]
Jenna Cottrell
About Dan and Mike. Dan and Mike. And so as the sauces got get hotter, so do the tweets.
- [57:07]
Mike Catalano
So we'll have to eat the wings and then read the terrible things people write about us.
- [57:13]
Jenna Cottrell
Yes.
- [57:14]
Mike Catalano
Yes. You're mean. You don't think she's nice? She's a little mean, right? Yeah. Zach was nodding when I said, you're mean.
- [57:23]
Jenna Cottrell
He laughed too hard.
- [57:26]
Mike Catalano
Okay, I'm gonna give you my punishment for them. When I win, the two of them are going to have to do duo karaoke to the song of my choice.
- [57:43]
Jenna Cottrell
For the record, we can.
- [57:45]
Mike Catalano
By the way, this is not like in, like, Dan's basement. This is at A karaoke place where there's people there. Yes. Oh, you guys are all invited when it happens. Song of my choice.
- [57:58]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah.
- [57:59]
Dan Fates
Can't have Mike win.
- [58:00]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [58:02]
Dan Fates
Just can't have Mike win. And if.
- [58:05]
Mike Catalano
When. Dang it.
- [58:08]
Dan Fates
I'm already off the rough start. When I win, Mike and Jenna will both have to catch for however long it takes at a not diabolical speed, but it's going to be a fast pace. Catch 10 passes from a jugs machine and you guys can be on the other end of receiving the pain.
- [58:29]
Jenna Cottrell
Do we have to walk into the jugs machine?
- [58:32]
Dan Fates
So you.
- [58:32]
Mike Catalano
I don't know if you guys remember that Dan literally walked into the jugs machine and it wasn't turned on. No one was using it. Dan just banged his head against it.
- [58:41]
Jenna Cottrell
At training campionary item, in case you're wondering.
- [58:43]
Dan Fates
And the amount of times that I walk out of the tunnel at high mark stadium and there's like, watch out for the jugs machine. Dan at training camp. So.
- [58:50]
Mike Catalano
So we're going to catch passes like the players do.
- [58:53]
Dan Fates
Like the players.
- [58:54]
Mike Catalano
Hopefully some of them. Yeah.
- [58:56]
Jenna Cottrell
I'll channel my inner mps.
- [58:58]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. Yeah. Okay, we're ready to go.
- [59:01]
Jenna Cottrell
Okay. I love it. All right. The final thing before we head out is credit to me. So do you want. Do you want to start?
- [59:10]
Dan Fates
I'll start.
- [59:10]
Jenna Cottrell
Okay.
- [59:11]
Dan Fates
Yeah. Busy week, obviously, with kids going back to school. Credit to my daughter Shane. She was here earlier today. She did her first two days at kindergarten and crushed it. I've never been more nervous as a parent to send a kid on a school bus and be like, I have no idea. Like, if she's gonna make it, you just don't understand. Like, at preschool, you walk them to the classroom. And this was just at the end of our driveway. And off she went. And she came home and loved it. And her. The bus ride was her favorite part. So it's a busy week to go back to school. My wife's just starting at a new district. She's back in the classroom. So big weeks for back to school and parents. And I didn't cry at the bus stop.
- [59:53]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [59:54]
Dan Fates
I cried after dropping off the two on my two younger daughters at daycare. And then I was by myself in the car. And then I cried thinking about nice. I can't believe I have a kindergartner. And going off. I am not as old as that guy.
- [60:09]
Mike Catalano
Wow. We're also the same age, so it was funny. I was thinking about when my daughters, when I would put them on the bus and then I Followed the bus to school.
- [60:22]
Jenna Cottrell
Did you really?
- [60:23]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. For only until they were like 14. And by the way, I. We had a big week because I had two granddaughters go to school and they crushed it too. Except when the two year old just threw herself on the floor and refused to eat and my daughter had to go back and pick her up. Other than that, they did great. So they were fine.
- [60:45]
Dan Fates
And again, so especially Renee. My wife barely watches this podcast. She was here earlier, then went to go be super mom and put the kids to bed. But she will enjoy that. I made Shane my credit to me.
- [60:58]
Mike Catalano
Credit to you.
- [60:58]
Jenna Cottrell
That's very sweet.
- [60:59]
Mike Catalano
Yeah. And also I wanted to say, and I said it last year, and I'm not trying to make Janet cry, but as I mentioned before, 38 years for me doing this, I have never had more fun. These two are the best. Even though they're a pain in the ass. Both of them.
- [61:13]
Dan Fates
The feelings mutual 247 problem.
- [61:16]
Mike Catalano
Yes, it's great. We have fun. They're gonna have to drag me out of Buffalo. Plus doing this. I'm having a lot of fun.
- [61:25]
Jenna Cottrell
You're firmly planted.
- [61:26]
Mike Catalano
Okay. But this is great. And thank all of you for coming out. This is awesome. This is great. We appreciate it.
- [61:34]
Jenna Cottrell
Yeah. Truly, that was the credit to me. Is everyone here showing up and truly, we're. We're closing in on 40,000 subscribers.
- [61:43]
Mike Catalano
Yes.
- [61:44]
Jenna Cottrell
Which is unbelievable. And I can't tell you how much it is means. I mean, tonight. Thirsty Turtle. Thank you, Bud Light. Thank you, Lake Beverage. Thank you, Mike and Dan, I guess also thank you.
- [61:55]
Dan Fates
I look like an asshole now. Credit was my daughter. And you guys were like, all of you. And I was just like the selfish person.
- [62:02]
Mike Catalano
And by the way, diva of the podcast, Jenna mentioned Bud Light. They're here with us. We love the Thirsty Turtle. We'll always be back here. We're doing some other stops. Come along. Bud Light is with us and we'll. Maybe we'll make it back here for the playoffs. Who knows what we got going. This place is great.
- [62:18]
Jenna Cottrell
I know. We. We so appreciate. Truly, everyone. It was so nice to meet you. Talk to you. Also the people on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. I can't say how much it means like, we are a. A small podcast. We're trying to grow. We're trying to take it to the moon, but we are not the Kelsey brothers.
- [62:35]
Mike Catalano
Yeah.
- [62:36]
Jenna Cottrell
Shocking. I know. I would say.
- [62:39]
Mike Catalano
Wait, Jenna's gonna.
- [62:41]
Dan Fates
We got.
- [62:42]
Mike Catalano
Oh, Greg, hold on. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. First of all, this is not a small podcast. And I want to congratulate you guys because I don't know if you know this, but Bud Light does not sponsor local podcasts or local productions like this.
- [63:01]
Jenna Cottrell
That's really cool.
- [63:03]
Mike Catalano
And you guys have proven and demonstrated what you guys have done for western New York. And what you do for Bill's coverage is national. Right. And so. And so what. What. What Jay Barber and Lake Beveridge and Bud Light are doing is they're acknowledging the accomplishment that you guys have done.
- [63:21]
Dan Fates
For the Bill's mafia, not just western.
- [63:23]
Mike Catalano
New York, but throughout the country. So thank you, guys.
- [63:26]
Jenna Cottrell
Wow.
- [63:26]
Mike Catalano
What you have done.
- [63:27]
Jenna Cottrell
I didn't have my bet on Greg making me cry. Okay, real quick. Quick. I. I told this idea to Mike years ago and I was like, I think it'd be really cool if we did a podcast, if we did a YouTube channel. And Mike bought in a thousand percent and Dan came along and did the same. So thank you. So. And so did you. So thank you so much. All right. I got.
- [63:49]
Mike Catalano
By the way, I love this suit. This is awesome.
- [63:52]
Jenna Cottrell
I know.
- [63:54]
Mike Catalano
Oh, look at that. What do you think the prediction is for this year? I don't know.
- [63:59]
Jenna Cottrell
I love it, Greg. Thank you.
- [64:00]
Mike Catalano
Thank you guys.
- [64:01]
Dan Fates
And this is so much fun.
- [64:02]
Mike Catalano
Thank you guys for coming out. This is what we've talked about for two years of trying to make this happen. Yeah.
- [64:08]
Dan Fates
And so Jay Barber and Lake beverage.
- [64:10]
Mike Catalano
And Bud Light, you guys really made this happen. We're going to bring it throughout western.
- [64:14]
Dan Fates
New York and throughout Rochester.
- [64:15]
Mike Catalano
So thank you guys for bringing the fun. Thank you, Bill.
- [64:19]
Jenna Cottrell
Thank you so much. Thank you, everyone. All right, thank you, Greg, Connors.
- [64:24]
Mike Catalano
Connors and Ferris. Thank you again.
- [64:26]
Jenna Cottrell
Thank you.
- [64:26]
Dan Fates
Thanks for the new podcast studio.
- [64:28]
Jenna Cottrell
Thank you to everyone. New podcast studio. Thank you, Greg. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We will catch you next time on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. Thank you, everyone.
- [64:49]
Dan Fates
This is the Buffalo plus podcast.