Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: Bills PRESEASON debut: Shavers SHINES, Davis DOES-IT-ALL + MORE Cook DRAMA

Date: August 10, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

In this preseason episode, the Buffalo Plus trio dives into the Buffalo Bills' 34-25 loss to the Giants in their first preseason game. While emphasizing the preseason's traditional mantra ("we're not going to overreact"), the team breaks down individual performances, key position battles, and off-field stories—including the budding James Cook contract situation. The episode is packed with humorous banter and pointed analysis, offering unique insight for Bills fans seeking more than just the box score.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Preseason Perspective & Standout Starters

• Hosts stress not to overreact to preseason outcomes but acknowledge that "individual efforts" and how players look are what matter most at this stage. (00:31)
• Matt Milano’s Return:
  • Mike Catalana is particularly impressed by Milano, noting his All-Pro capabilities and apparent full recovery from injury:
    • "My biggest takeaway: Matt Milano could be all pro…what we've seen in training camp...he is miles past that now."
      • [04:26] Mike Catalana
    • Milano’s sideline-to-sideline ability, agility, and coverage skills are back in evidence.
    • The pairing with Terrel Bernard could return big-play potential to the defense if both stay healthy.
• Game Planning Realities:
  • Sean McDermott downplays the extent of game planning for preseason—"somewhere between 0 and 1 out of 10":
    • "It's somewhere between 0 and 1. Like that's what I think people (don't realize)."
      • [06:45] Mike Catalana quoting McDermott

2. Quarterback Room: Trubisky vs. White

• Mitch Trubisky:
  • Gets majority of first-team reps; shows decent athleticism and playmaking ("Better than I expected." – [02:17] Mike Catalana).
  • Team consensus: They want him to reliably step in for a game or two if needed, not as a long-term solution.
• Mike White:
  • Starts rough (“His first pass should have been a pick six.” – [13:28] Dan Fates) but settles in with two late drives and a pair of touchdowns.
  • White's performance prompts question about a genuine competition:
    • "Do you think they really would give Mike the shot with the ones and make it more of a real competition?"
      • [14:16] Dan Fates
  • Hosts agree Josh Allen’s opinion may carry weight, but Trubisky’s “higher floor” and experience likely keep him in pole position.

3. Wide Receiver Depth: Shavers Emerges

• Tyrell Shavers:
  • Dubbed nearly impossible to cut from the 53 after this game.
    • "Sean called him tough as nails..." and noted his impact both as a receiver (caught a deep ball, solid slant catch) and on special teams. [17:04]
    • "Shavers was saying that he knew going into this weekend it was the biggest game of his life. I thought that was really cool..."
      • [19:04] Mike Catalana
  • Hosts compare his willingness to contribute on special teams with other WRs (Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore), suggesting Shavers' versatility sets him apart.
• Roster Bubble Notes:
  • Zach Davidson and Jackson Hawes, both TEs, are marked as having “arrow down” performances.

4. Defense & Rookies

• Secondary Standouts:
  • Jordan Hancock: Good at safety, described as “versatile” and “brains and toughness” [08:43].
  • Cam Lewis: Recognized for consistently stepping up and playing multiple roles. [09:22]
  • Scary moment for Taron Johnson (tent for possible concussion), but he clears protocol. [09:32]
• Dane Jackson:
  • Gives up a TD but quickly recovers—his position on the depth chart is tenuous.
• Rookie D-Linemen:
  • Deion Walker: Shows strength and size, including a tipped pass and an impressive “grown man” push [11:21].
  • TJ Sanders: Shows flashes, though hosts want more consistency.

5. James Cook Contract Drama

• Ongoing storyline: Cook warms up in pads but doesn't play. Sean McDermott reveals he wanted Cook to play, but Cook declined.
  • "Sean said, no, we wanted him to play. I wanted him to play. That’s where we’re at right now. Nothing has changed."
    • [22:22] Mike Catalana
• Hosts discuss how this is unusual but understand Cook’s desire to avoid injury during contract talks. However, they worry it's approaching "distraction" territory.
  • "I think we are teetering on distraction level…I think it's starting to get annoying."
    • [23:09] Mike Catalana
• Noted as the first time in nine years the Bills have faced a contract holdout (per Brandon Beane, [25:34]).

6. Running Backs & Special Teams: Ray Davis Does-It-All

• Ray Davis:
  • Not only had a solid outing at RB but also kicked an extra point after emergency arose—despite not having his kicking shoe fully on!
    • Quote: "I think I can go 45 yarder now, I believe. Nah...let’s pray that I never have to do it again." [26:54] Ray Davis
  • Davis shares his high school background as a kicker and the quirky, on-the-spot decision to make the kick.
• Other Backs:
  • Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr. both earn praise for their performances.
  • Davis on the competition among RBs:
    • "We went out there, we played football...we started a little bit slow, but again, we were able to ramp up, pick up some key first downs and get the ball moving." [29:18] Ray Davis

7. Memorable & Lighthearted Moments

• Hosts take comedic jabs at preseason overreactions:
  • "Jackson Dart might be the best player in the NFL." [00:05, 03:03] Dan Fates (sarcastically)
  • Jenna and Mike’s banter about the “kombucha girl” meme regarding Mike White’s performance [16:32].
• Ray Davis’s XP attempt and reaction from teammates and the bench is a highlight respected by all the hosts.
• Geico Ad Spoof (skip content; not included in summary).

8. Injury Updates & Final Observations

• Taron Johnson cleared protocol, Deonte Hardy went out with shoulder injury, but starters largely escaped serious injury—hosts consider that a preseason win.
• Some disappointment and critique on roster hopefuls (blocking TEs), questions about whether the Bills can afford “luxury picks” at this stage.
• The game itself was, in the hosts’ words, “boring,” with long stretches of uneventful play.

Notable Quotes (w/ Timestamps)

• "Say it all with me. The fact is, it's the preseason. We're not going to overreact."
  [00:00] Mike Catalana
• "Matt Milano could be all pro. I'm not gonna react to that. Holy cow."
  [03:08] Mike Catalana
• "Preseason is about the individual...Regular season is about the team."
  [07:36] Dan Fates
• "I think we are teetering on distraction level...I think the constant talk about a player that is not participating because of a contract holdout is starting to wear."
  [23:09] Mike Catalana
• "I think I can go 45 yarder now, I believe. Nah, it was cool. ...Let’s pray that I never have to do it again."
  [26:54] Ray Davis
• “His first pass should have been a pick six.”
  [13:28] Dan Fates, on Mike White’s tough start

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Preseason Philosophy/Intro: 00:00–01:30
• Matt Milano/Defense Analysis: 01:41–05:48
• Game Planning/Sean McDermott’s Approach: 06:24–07:09
• Preseason Is About Individuals: 07:36–08:37
• Secondary Standouts (Hancock/Cam Lewis): 08:43–09:32
• D-Line/Rookies: 11:00–12:32
• QB Battle (Trubisky/White): 12:56–15:22
• Tyrell Shavers & WR Depth: 16:36–19:04
• James Cook Holdout: 21:34–24:46
• RBs & Ray Davis Extra Point: 26:07–29:47
• Injury Updates & Final Thoughts: 31:23–32:09

Conclusion

This episode offers a genuine, beat-writer’s look at Bills preseason: cautious optimism for key players coming off injury (Milano), key roster battles (especially backup QB and WR), real concern over James Cook’s holdout, and a light-hearted appreciation for offbeat moments (Ray Davis, emergency kicker).
Fans seeking granular insight—beyond the box score—will find thoughtful breakdowns, concerns, and the kind of inside details only a connected panel can provide.

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