Buffalo Plus: Bills Travel Draft & Mailbag Q&A

Date: June 28, 2023
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Buffalo Plus delivers insider coverage on the Buffalo Bills’ 2023 road schedule through a "Travel Draft," where Jenna and Dan take turns selecting which away games they’ll cover. The trio breaks down the pros and cons of each location, with plenty of fun banter and behind-the-scenes stories. The second half is a robust listener mailbag, tackling key questions about the Bills’ coaching, roster battles, and breakout candidates. The episode is filled with personal insights, humor, and a deep knowledge of the Bills’ organization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bills 2023 Road Trip Draft

Starts at [03:36]

• Draft Overview:
  Jenna and Dan alternate picks for which away games they’ll attend, based on a mix of football significance, travel perks, climate, and even casinos and food. Mike moderates and adds color commentary.

• Draft Picks (with rationale):

  • Jenna #1: London vs Jacksonville, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
    • "I've studied the board. ...I'm going London abroad." (04:39, Jenna)
    • Personal/family connection, iconic stadium, excitement about international travel.
  • Dan #1 & #2:
    • Jets (Week 1, Monday Night): "I want the opener...Rogers, everything. ...I want the atmosphere that is that game." (09:14, Dan)
    • Miami (Final game of the season): “That could be for a lot. The food’s good.” (09:59, Jenna)
  • Dan #3: Philadelphia (Week 12)
    • Chosen for game magnitude, facing NFC champs, new experience.
    • "That’ll be a really one of those measuring stick games." (11:02, Dan)
  • Jenna #2: Kansas City
    • Chosen for post-bye timing; BBQ and game significance.
  • Dan #4: Cincinnati
    • Emphasizes emotional return after last season’s events.
    • "Cincy will be emotional. …Full circle moment to come back and see the game be played." (12:52, Dan)
  • Jenna #3: LA Chargers
    • Interested in seeing Justin Herbert, improving last year’s experience.
  • Dan #5: Washington
    • Chosen more for comedic/quirky value and casino proximity.
    • "I think it'll just be funny to be at one of the worst stadiums." (15:17, Dan)
  • Jenna #4: New England
    • By process of elimination.

• Behind the Scenes:

  • The draft order and rules spark a spirited on-air debate.
  • Frequent references to family, travel logistics, and personalities of each city.
  • Lighthearted ribbing about food (Jenna’s focus) vs casinos (Dan’s focus).
  • "First of all, they do have some good games...I would have liked to have seen us go to New York for the Giants and go to Dallas." (17:27, Mike)

• London Game Discussion:

  • Both hosts discuss competitive advantages/disadvantages of the Jaguars being in London for two weeks versus the Bills’ typical travel routine.
  • "I think the Bills have a massive advantage in that game, just monumental advantage..." (18:06, Dan)

• Quarterback Quality on the Road:

  • The schedule features elite QBs, making the travel slate even more challenging.
  • "Seriously, their road schedule...the worst quarterback is obviously whoever's playing in Washington." (20:04, Mike)

2. Audience Mailbag

Starts at [24:43]

Q1: Did the Bills miss an opportunity by not hiring a Defensive Coordinator from outside the organization?

• Mike:
  McDermott wants more control; likely wouldn't have welcomed big changes that an outsider might bring.
  • "If they were going to bring anybody in, it was going to be somebody calling from a very similar style of defense..." (25:09, Mike)
• Dan:
  Defense not truly struggling, so keeping continuity has merit, but “new voices can be good.”
• Jenna:
  Surprised by McDermott taking over DC role, acknowledges it adds pressure but fits his roots.

Q2: Sean McDermott—Pressure vs. Hot Seat?

• Dan:
  Emphasizes clear distinction: “pressure” is not the same as being on the hot seat.
  • "There's a massive difference between pressure and hot seat." (29:18, Dan)
• Mike & Jenna:
  Both agree circumstances would have to be extreme for McDermott to be fired this season despite national narratives.
  • "The NFL stands for not for long. Things can change." (30:47, Mike)

Q3: Has the O-Line been sufficiently improved?

• Dan:
  Some upgrades (e.g., Osiris Torrence, Connor McGovern), but question marks remain at several positions. Still some “faith-based” optimism required.

  • "You're kind of putting some faith into a rookie at guard and Connor McGovern who hasn't really proven a ton..." (33:03, Dan)

• Mike:
  "They have addressed it, have they fixed it maybe."

• Jenna:
  Underscores that Spencer Brown is under significant scrutiny this season.

Q4: Who Wins CB2 (Cornerback 2) Job?

• Mike:
  Sees clear competition, edge to Christian Benford currently, but Kair Elam is the desired pick because of draft investments.
  • "I'd still say it's Benford on the opposite side. I think he proved it as a rookie..." (38:59, Mike)
• Dan:
  Predicts Elam is still favored in the building, but Benford is “a star in the making.”
  • "I love the guy. I think Benford is a star in the making." (40:56, Dan)

Q5: How Will the Middle Linebacker Competition Work in Camp?

• Mike:
  Predicts they'll quickly focus reps on the top rookie (Dorian Williams) or Terrell Bernard, rather than rotating day-by-day.
  • "I think they're going to try to go into camp early on with a few guys getting mix of reps. But I think pretty quickly they will settle on a guy..." (41:27, Mike)
• Dan & Jenna:
  Believe Dodson has edge at first, but rookies will have every chance to push for the starting spot.

Q6: Biggest Breakout Candidate This Year?

• Mike:
  "Gabriel Davis." Cites health and contract year motivation. (49:03, Mike)
• Dan (joking):
  "Dawson Knox to get back on..." (49:25, Dan)
• Jenna:
  "Kair Elam. ...I feel like Kair Elam really got a lot better, especially at the end of the year." (50:04, Jenna)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[London] — I'm going to be British Jenna, I guess.” (04:39, Jenna)
• “I want the opener. I want the bright lights, the Rodgers, everything.” (09:14, Dan)
• “Cincy will be emotional. ...Full circle moment to come back and see the game played.” (12:52, Dan)
• “The defense hasn’t been the issue with this team. …In moments, it has failed them. But I think overall, where the defense has been at, and I’m curious to see how much it now will change...” (27:15, Jenna)
• “Pressure isn’t the same as hot seat. …Once the pressure cup runneth over, then it fills into the hot seat cup.” (32:24, Dan)
• “They have addressed it, have they fixed it maybe.” (34:44, Mike)
• “I love the guy. I think Benford is a star in the making. I really do.” (40:56, Dan)
• “Gabriel Davis. …Contract year. He’s healthy.” (49:03, Mike)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [00:36] — Podcast start, mic/tech banter, draft setup
• [03:36] — [23:36] Bills travel draft (full rundown of each pick, rationale, travel anecdotes)
• [24:43] — [53:33] Mailbag (defensive coordinator hire, McDermott's pressure, O-line improvements, CB2 battle, linebacker competition, breakout candidates)
• [53:10] — [54:11] Merch plug, closing remarks, shoutouts

Tone and Vibe

The hosts maintain a spirited, informal, and humorous tone with frequent teasing, inside jokes, and personal stories, balanced by serious football analysis and genuine appreciation of audience questions.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is an engaging mix of Bills insider content, team banter, and practical insights ahead of the 2023 season. The “Travel Draft” is fun and light, using travel preferences to illuminate both the NFL schedule and personalities behind Buffalo Plus. The mailbag segment is thoughtful and thorough—covering coaching philosophies, O-line and defensive questions, and player breakout potential, offering both analysis and predictions. Perfect for fans looking to get ready for camp and understand the team’s dynamics on and off the field.