B (2:09)

Yes, like.

A (2:10)

So we have been stopping the podcast and I have been cutting it out and we've been restarting different parts of the podcast. This is the behind the scenes because Mike's. Mike sounds staticky. So if you've heard any static, we are now trying not to cut the podcast. If you see the signal. The signal.

C (2:29)

The signal.

A (2:31)

The signal mic that. The. That Mike's is working on his microphone to improve it for the rest of this podcast.

C (2:38)

Also, Chuck's not here today either. So I think we're. I think we're gonna be in a good spot. All right, let's jump into the podcast. So I've Been at.

B (2:48)

You're no longer the host.

C (2:50)

Oh, that's right. That's right. I will now hand you over, hand up, hand you over the hosting responsibilities. You can now put it in your Twitter bio.

B (2:58)

Okay, so here's the way this would work. We go to every road game. We go to every game, obviously. So I've been going to all the games. Dan or Jenna goes with me to the road games. We all go to the home games. So it becomes a question of who's coming to shoot and to work at the games. We split it up. It has worked really well, but the games have become very interesting. And if you look at this year's schedule, it's very interesting. The trips, we have London, we have LA again, we have a south Florida trip that is not in September. Like there are some trips out there and then the Northeast trips, they could have done us a little few favors like ditch Washington and play at Dallas or the Giants, but the NFL didn't do that for us. Those are home games, good for fans who are going to go to Orchard Park. But you know, there is a couple of, what would you say, dogs on the trip? I would say yeah, I mean, come on, at Washington, seriously, worst stadium in the league, but somebody's going with me to Washington. So this is the way we're going to do it. Jenna as the more senior gets the first pick now it's kind of, you know, Victor Wembayama or Connor Bedard. It's kind of known what the number one pick is, but she's gotten that right. So let's begin the 2023 Bills travel draft. Jenna Cottrell is on the clock. Jenna, what is the first pick?

C (4:39)

I've. I've studied the board. I've studied the board. I've been up since three in the morning studying the board, going through the simulations to shooing. I'm going London abroad. Tottenham Hotspur stadium. The Bills against the Jags. I'm going to be British. Jenna. I guess.

B (5:03)

Yeah. Dan, how you feeling about that?

A (5:07)

Yeah, it was also, I will say we have had discussions behind the scenes on when this draft was going to happen. I will say Jenna offered this to me. She, she wanted to give me the first pick and I said no, no, no, like I want you to go to London. There was a little bit of back and forth. Baby number two, as we talked about, will be on will be here. So my wife wasn't thrilled about the possibility of me being out of the country for a week as she's with a three year old. And like a three month old. So I was very happy that Jenna got the first pick. Not great food, though, Jenna. That's the only thing I think you got to be a little bit concerned about.

C (5:48)

So I have family there, so they know the spots. Oh, we've already discussed. Oh, yeah. Might be a trip, maybe something.

A (5:55)

What family's over there?

C (5:57)

My cousin's cousin, like my cousins. But we're all close. It doesn't make sense. But I have a large family and everyone's close.

A (6:06)

That's cool.

C (6:07)

Yeah, well, almost everyone's close.

B (6:11)

Yeah. I have my daughter's friends who are somewhat connected to British royalty live over there.

C (6:19)

I've never heard you say that.

B (6:21)

Yeah, well, you may meet them when we're on the trip.

C (6:24)

You talk all the time and you've never said that before.

B (6:26)

Yeah, she went to that wedding in Malta. Do you remember that? My daughter and her husband went. Yeah.

C (6:33)

Anyhow, beautiful.

B (6:35)

And it was wild. So that may be part of the trip. Not relatives, but very close friends. The people that introduced my daughter and her husband. So there we go. All right. So that is the number one pick. No surprise. Connor Bedard. Victor Wembayama.

C (6:52)

I thought it was Wemb.

B (6:53)

London. W E N. Benyama Banyama. Yeah.

C (7:01)

I just feel like you're really.

B (7:03)

They call him Wemby and he doesn't like it. All right, that's the number one pick. So it's off the board. Daniel Fates, you are on the board Also.

A (7:14)

Jenna and I go into some of these picks differently. Jenna is much more food and weather centric. I, I do like to factor in the magnitude of the game, like the, the bigger games. So I've been looking at this also. I get two picks here. Correct.

C (7:32)

Why do you get two picks?

A (7:34)

Because you got London.

C (7:36)

You couldn't go to London.

A (7:38)

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I was getting.

C (7:41)

Why would you get two picks?

A (7:44)

A hundred percent. This was. Are you messing with me right now?

C (7:50)

No, wait. I don't get why you would get two picks.

A (7:53)

You got London. I got two picks. And then we would go alternating. When? Since when has that not been the case?

C (7:59)

When would it be? The, why would it be?

B (8:02)

Did we do that last year?

A (8:04)

No.

C (8:04)

Micro.

A (8:06)

No, but that. I swear, I didn't know we were having this discussion. This is 100 was like, you get the first pick, but I get the next two.

C (8:18)

I mean, Michael, I, I, we have.

A (8:22)

To go to a judge here. This is ridiculous.

C (8:24)

I don't think that was a thing. Why is that a thing? I mean, I get it. I'm Going to London. But I also. You can't like, you can't go.

A (8:34)

That's besides the point. You still get to go.

C (8:36)

It doesn't factor in at all.

A (8:38)

No, it's. I get two.

C (8:40)

What do you mean?

B (8:42)

A few moments later.

C (8:44)

All right, you get two picks that.

A (8:46)

No, that's fine. I don't wanna. No, I didn't make that up. Out of thin air. We had this discussion of. Yet you get London, but you can.

C (8:54)

I get the first discussion.

B (8:57)

I'm just the host.

C (9:02)

Okay. I guess if we had the discussion. I don't remember it. Okay, go ahead, make your picks. Make start your first pick.

A (9:14)

It's the jets week one. I want to go to New York. I'm going to go the Monday night. I want the opener. I want the bright lights, the Rogers, everything. I want New York jets, week one season opener. I want the, the atmosphere that is that game. Also it's not going to New York when it's November, December. So I will take, I will take the jets week one against Aaron Rodgers.

C (9:43)

Okay.

B (9:44)

Huge game.

C (9:46)

Yeah. That is a good game. That was one on my list for sure.

A (9:50)

All right, you go your second round pick.

C (9:52)

Okay. I mean it's Miami.

A (9:59)

Good pick.

C (9:59)

It's Miami. Last game of the season in Miami. That could be for a lot.

A (10:05)

Okay.

C (10:06)

The food's good.

B (10:08)

We don't know if that game's going to be on Saturday. Sunday could also be.

C (10:13)

Yes.

B (10:13)

A game that nobody's playing. It is in Miami. Yeah. I mean since it's week 17, that one's a long way off.

A (10:22)

That was number three on my board.

B (10:24)

Wow.

C (10:25)

I'm actually, I. Okay.

A (10:29)

You also want to do some places. It's weird that we have two divisional games pretty much go the top two picks outside of London. Like London doesn't count as a pick because it was just such the number one. But to me, I had that. I had the jets game as number one and I had the Dolphins game at number three.

C (10:46)

Okay. So you go.

A (10:49)

This is maybe one that Jenna may not have taken, but I again magnitude of everything. I will take philly in week 12.

B (11:00)

Wow.

C (11:00)

I did not want that game.

A (11:02)

I know there was a possibility you didn't want that game, but I think that would be a really one of those measuring stick games going up against the NFC champs, I think again, haven't, I've never been to Philly at all. So like that'll be again. I've never been to, to see the link, things like that. So I, I, I'm excited about.

C (11:23)

Wow.

A (11:24)

I'm excited about that game also. Good casino there. Mike, just want you to know that this is where the draft gets weird. This is where the draft gets really weird.

C (11:33)

Not for the sake of, like, making things overly dramatic. Michael, I was not expecting this.

B (11:39)

No. I don't know. The board has changed dramatically.

C (11:43)

Tremendously changed. Okay. So, Dan, you have.

B (11:48)

Eric just took Philly. Yeah. He's got the jets in Philly. He's got. He probably has the two. Two of the most marquee games on the schedule. Obviously, you got the other big conference games, but. Yeah.

A (12:04)

Yeah.

B (12:05)

All right.

C (12:07)

I think this pick is gonna surprise you, but I'm going. I'm going Chiefs. Going Kansas City. It's after the bye week. We'll have some time to rest and relax. I actually do like the barbecue, and I feel like it's gonna be a big game. It's always a big game when they play them. Yeah. I'm going. I'm going Chiefs.

A (12:32)

I didn't know if you would go. I didn't know if you'd go Kansas City or this other pick. I was. I honestly wanted you to take one of them, so it freed up me to just take whichever one I wanted.

B (12:43)

Yeah, I think I know where Dan's going.

A (12:47)

Where am I going, Mike?

B (12:49)

You're going Cincy.

A (12:51)

I am going Cincy.

C (12:52)

Yeah. I figured. I don't want to go to Cincy, so.

A (12:56)

Cincy will be emotional. It'll be. It'll be a return there, which will be. I mean, Mike, you and I were there. We. We wanted to. We're there for what, 72 hours covering. That will be. Definitely be. But I also think full circle moment to come back and see the game be played. I know before, obviously, the. The tragedy that happened, and now it's a. It's a happy story. That atmosphere was electric. Like, that was one of the coolest pregame ceremonies that I had ever been a part of. Like, the crowd was into it, lights, the whole nine yards. Really cool. Another. Another marquee game that I think is going to be just an absolutely massive test for the. For the Bill. So I'm. I'll take Cincinnati in week nine.

B (13:51)

I think it's a much better scenario than if they would have been there for a playoff game. And I know fans weren't happy. Obviously, they lost the playoff game, but that would have been much too soon. I think it's still sort of jarring to go back in there, but now we're talking about close to a year later, so I think it's going to Be a great atmosphere. All right, Jenny, you're back on the clock.

C (14:14)

How many games do we have left?

B (14:16)

So we still have New England, Washington, the Chargers.

A (14:22)

That's it.

B (14:22)

That's it.

C (14:24)

Okay. Let me study my board again for real quick. I'll take la.

A (14:36)

Okay.

C (14:40)

I want to see Justin Herbert. I didn't love la, but I will say, like when we went out there last year. But I think it'll be having our bearings now, Mike. I think it'll be better.

B (14:55)

Yeah. Maybe it won't be a hundred degrees.

C (14:57)

Yeah. It was so hot. So hot. Wow. Again, not ex. Not at all expecting this.

A (15:04)

Jen and I both went back and forth over that LA game. Weird game.

C (15:12)

Yes. Christmas Eve Eve.

A (15:14)

Christmas Eve Eve Peacock game.

B (15:17)

Yeah.

A (15:18)

Which is just kind of a weird scenario, I think, for everybody. I'm imagining that all of the Chargers on. Are on IR at that point of the season. So that'll be part of it. They will all be injured. Okay, so what's. So we have. I'm actually really happy with this pick because I think there's. I think it's just comical like. Like to get Washington. I think it'll just be funny to. To be at one of the worst stadiums in the league. I also think there's a. A pretty good casino around the area.

C (15:51)

You make fun of me for the food, but you are right up there with the casinos.

A (15:55)

Yeah. So I'll take Washington. It is kind of funny because obviously we said baby number two on the way. My wife's on maternity leave for through November, so she was also the one that was like, hey, if you could schedule more games early on in the season, then later in the season, that works better.

C (16:11)

So I thought you wanted more games. Oh, I guess that makes sense, right?

A (16:18)

She's on.

C (16:19)

Yeah.

A (16:20)

Jen, I think your mic's off.

C (16:22)

Is it?

B (16:24)

Yeah. Ah, I can't stand these mic problems.

C (16:29)

Can you hear me?

B (16:30)

It's just your mic's not on. It's. It's the.

A (16:32)

You're getting this pod may take four years to. To edit.

C (16:37)

Oh, there we go.

A (16:39)

There you go.

C (16:40)

I don't know what happened there. Mike's rubbing off on all of us.

B (16:43)

Geez.

C (16:44)

Is there? What other game is there?

B (16:46)

That's it.

A (16:47)

Nope. You got New England trying to get to New England.

B (16:50)

So let me go through the. I'll go through the schedule here. The road games. Dan has the opening game Monday night.

C (16:56)

I am so shocked. You took that real quick.

B (16:59)

Yeah.

C (17:00)

I immediately thought you would go Miami. Like, I was like, do I? Do I?

B (17:05)

Oh, I Thought, yeah, we thought Miami at least I did.

C (17:08)

Yeah.

A (17:08)

Really?

B (17:09)

I thought Miami.

C (17:09)

Miami too.

B (17:10)

Miami is a risk. You know what the jets game is?

C (17:14)

Yeah.

B (17:14)

And the jets is loaded game.

A (17:17)

I think I got three out of the four biggest games on the schedule.

B (17:19)

They're at Cincy, at Philly, at the Jets.

A (17:24)

Just call me big game Dan.

B (17:27)

It is, it really is. I mean, first of all, they do have some good game. Like I said. I would have liked to have seen us go to New York for the Giants and go to Dallas. I think the Philly. I mean for me, obviously it's going back home, the Philly game, but I would have taken the Eagles coming in to go to those other places. It would have been fun. Washington is interesting. I mean, Washington's a cool city. You get to see other stuff. But yeah, the stadium's terrible. At least Daniel Snyder is not the owner anymore, so that's good. But London is unique. I think the stadium is the star of that game.

C (18:02)

I agree.

B (18:03)

And so, and I think that.

A (18:06)

I know we talk, I don't know if we've talked about it on one of the pods, but everybody freaking out about the fact that the Jags are gonna be there for two weeks and everybody's saying how the Jags have. Have this massive advantage because they won't have to travel and all this stuff. I think the Bills have a massive advantage in that game, just monumental advantage because those Jaguars players are going to be stuck overseas for coming on 13 days when they go to play the Bills or longer. Like I think that for everybody that says, oh, they don't have to worry about the travel, like the Bills are going to travel in. I don't think they're going to go the whole week is kind of what we're hearing is just the fact that they will. Players are used to whether it's a cross flight, you know, cross country trip or a trip to London, like flying in, adjusting to the time change, playing football, going home. Those Jaguars players are going to adjust to the time change, play a football game and then have to stay in another country for a week. They all want to go home. Like from what I've heard from, I just think it's going to be a miserable week for them. I think the Bills catch them at a great time. I think that Jaguars team is going to be sneaky good. I think they're going to have a good record because that division is going to be horrendous. So I think that'll be. The Bills catch them at a perfect time.

C (19:26)

Honestly, I agree. I mean, I think when some people are like, well, they're going to stay in the nicest hotels, like all that. I hear that piece. But, but I also agree with you where I feel like we've all been to a nice hotel and once you're there, you know, it, it is a work trip for them and they're going to want to get home. Like, that's just kind of how it works. So I do think that will factor in more. I kind of get why the Jags wanted to do that because you're not gonna, you're not gonna go back to back like that. But yeah, I think that there is an opportunity for the Bills over there. And honestly, like you talked about, Mike, I am so excited to see that stadium. Just what that looks like and how that is going to be translated into Buffalo.

B (20:04)

Yeah. The other thing I was thinking is how many good quarterbacks we're seeing on the road. I mean, I'm looking at this schedule you've got, obviously got, you know, Tua and Herbert. I'm going from bottom up to Herbert, Mahomes, Hertz, Burrow, Mac Jones, all the great. Hey, Trevor Lawrence, Aaron Rodgers, like, when you look at that schedule, seriously, their road schedule. And I'm not being a jerk saying this, the worst quarterback is obviously whoever's playing in Washington. And then what? Mac Jones is the second lowest rated quarterback and he might be certainly be decent this year. Certainly with, you know, with an actual coach. I mean, because otherwise, man, you know, you're talking about Rogers, Lawrence, Burrow, Hertz, Mahomes, Herbert and Tua on the road.

A (21:00)

Also.

C (21:01)

I told you, Mike, I hate this Bill schedule.

B (21:03)

Yeah, yeah.

C (21:05)

Like in terms of how hard it is and just all the trap, like all where we're going, all that stuff.

A (21:11)

Yeah. Be good.

B (21:16)

How you feeling?

A (21:17)

I'm happy.

C (21:19)

I'm shocked. Really.

A (21:21)

Well, you're still shocked from your CPR training? You're still shocked from.

C (21:25)

Well, yeah, yeah, but like, I just, I was not expecting that. Like, I, I, I got a best.

A (21:32)

Friend in New York City. My best friends is there. He lives in Hoboken. So to be able to see him Monday night, I'm excited.

B (21:40)

Yeah. And Miami's up in the air.

C (21:44)

When you guys go to go to New York?

B (21:51)

Probably Saturday. The game's not till Monday.

C (21:54)

Yeah, no, I know. I just wasn't sure.

B (21:58)

All right.

C (21:59)

Part of me is like, shouldn't we all go.

B (22:02)

Now? I gotta talk to the boss about that. I know that changes the picks.

A (22:07)

Then we got to do this whole Draft over again. You can't nullify my number. You can't nullify my first round pick. I just find out his medicals. I just find out he's got bad medicals.

B (22:20)

Well, Dan, then you're coming to London with us too. And Renee and the kids.

A (22:26)

If that's the case, I get Miami. That's it.

B (22:29)

That would be fair.

C (22:30)

That is fair. And I will. I will.

B (22:32)

And we'll flip. Okay. Wow. Some behind the scenes.

A (22:37)

This is like breaking news. This is like the Vikings didn't get up to the pick. It's like the next team just ran up on the clock. Like, this is unbelievable.

C (22:44)

I'm just. I'm floating it out into the ether.

A (22:47)

Like I was the one that dropped it out there too. I said, you know, if we do pre game shows, the drivable game, I.

C (22:54)

Mean, I have a place to say in New York. It's also my best friend's birthday that day.

A (22:59)

The.

C (22:59)

The on that Saturday.

A (23:01)

So that's why shouldn't have taken London. Could you imagine? London falls to three. Like, what is going on?

C (23:10)

Well, I'm not gonna lie. I was like, Mike, like, like, I have to like. I was like, I take London first, right? And he's like, yeah, that's what you do. Because. Just because we've discussed it, obviously.

B (23:20)

Yeah. I mean, London is a. And for anybody who doesn't know, well, obviously, London is a longer trip. Yeah, it is a very different. It's the. It's the one trip that stands out.

C (23:29)

So, yeah, I will say, Mike, you know where we're going in London. It's my favorite museum in the world.

B (23:36)

Oh, Churchill Museum's awesome.

C (23:40)

If you're a Bills fan going to the game, I highly. It's fantastic the way they. They did everything is really, really interesting.

B (23:47)

Yeah, it's so cool. Yeah, I've been there twice. I. I look forward to going back.

C (23:52)

Yeah. All right. I feel like I need to decompress. I gotta text some people, let them know. Okay. All right, let's go to the mailbag. Great questions. I know I said this earlier, but, like, I'm always just impressed. All right, let's start with the first. First one. Andy writing in. Do you think the Bills missed an opportunity to hire a DC from outside the organization? Bringing someone from outside brings a new perspective and also helps the players to refocus. The players have been listening to the same voices in the locker room for four years now. And sometimes change is good. P.S. frazier's one year sabbatical is not real. He ain't coming back next year, which. Yes, I would agree with that. Think we all would. But, Mike, I'll start with you. Do you think the Bills did miss the opportunity to hire a defensive coordinator from. Not in the organization?

B (24:43)

I mean, I think you could say that they did if you really believe they wanted a change. I think they wanted an adjustment to the way the game is called. I think Sean McDermott, no question, wanted more control. I think it gets to the point where there's a level of frustration. I believe they went to. I think Leslie Frazier could have remained as the defensive coordinator, but things would have changed. I think they wanted it to change. And we all love Leslie and I hope for the best for him. The question's correct. He's not coming back. But I think they like their style. I think they need to adjust it, and I think there's going to be some changes on the defense starting at middle linebackers. So McDermott wants this. So they weren't going to look outside the building. And if they were going to bring anybody in, it was going to be somebody calling from a very similar style of defense than they did with McDermott and Leslie. So no major changes. And I think McDermott is. Wanted this.

A (25:42)

Yeah, I think to the question, yes, new voices are good, and we talked about that before, where continuity only goes to a certain point and then it turns stale. But this isn't a defense that has really struggled, so it's whatever the voices are that are in the building or. And again, struggled in big moments at times. I get that. But still, since Sean McDermott has taken over, especially these last three to four years, they've been one of the top defenses in the league. So. So to sit there and say, like, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, I guess is. Is kind of what I'm saying here is that, like, the voices are.

C (26:20)

You.

A (26:20)

Know, good at getting the message across. In game planning, maybe specifically, they have struggled, but in the. The grand scheme, you kind of gotta take a. A step back and look at what this defense has done. And to sit there and just be ready to throw everything that they've done and start over, I think is the wrong approach, especially with a team that is so close to being a Super bowl, you know, super bowl contender. I think that what they wanted to do was kind of keep the thing going with maybe a guy different calling the plays. And that's what I think Sean wanted to take over more of. I don't think Leslie wanted to give up any of that, and that's how we had a late season split as we were right at the NFL combine.

C (26:59)

I feel like this is something that has been on McDermott's mind for years now. I think it was, you know, you saw him in moments kind of take over the defense and then Zas, you know, is this Leslie's defense or your defense? It's like, well, it's Leslie's, but it's, you know, it's one of those things where it was kind of, I mean, These are obviously McDermott's roots and I'm surprised only because him taking over the DC responsibilities adds that much more to his plate. And I feel like you don't have the ability to have that scapegoat if the defense were to go awry. But obviously that has been a stronger point of this team over the last four years. So I, when I look at it, I just feel like you see the tea leaves now, looking back, that McDermott wanted to have this type of control. And I, I hear that question from Andy, like, to get a different perspective, all that stuff, because I think we, I, I personally was kind of surprised when I was like, oh, it's McDermott taking over. But at the same point, once you have time for it to kind of settle in, it's like, yeah, the, the defense hasn't been the issue with this team. You're right, Dan. 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 with McDermott and what that will look like. But I think for the team, it makes Sense to have McDermott now. I wasn't expecting it, but Mike, I feel like it does make sense in terms of building off of what they've already accomplished.

B (28:26)

Yeah. And I think Jen is right. I think you will see McDermott put his stamp on it. I think there'll be some things that are just different. And I think there's a tendency when we hear McDermott is aggressive, I think the knee jerk reaction always is blitz, like that's the only way to be aggressive on defense. There are many things a coach can do in terms of the type of coverage, the type of player doing things like playing with one linebacker and maybe Taylor Rapp on the field. As we've talked about more defensive backs, if there's a strength of this defense, they wanted it to be the D line. Dan's talked about this a lot. It's really the amount of guys they have in the secondary. So get more of those guys on the field. Honestly. So I think that's where we'll see for me. Hey, but we've also talked about this. He's added a level of pressure to himself. So go ahead and let's see what happens.

A (29:18)

And that's one thing I wanted to talk about. Just real quick. Just about. I know we talked about the extension. Mike, you talked about the pressure that's on Sean McDermott. Jenna, you said there's no scapegoat if things don't go wrong, especially defensively, especially in those big moments where they kind of have come up short. Right. There's a massive difference between pressure and hot seat. Like, yeah, I don't think. I don't. Honestly, I don't think there's a coach with more pressure on them this season than Sean McDermott. I guess I could say Robert Sala is another guy that has a ton of pressure, but Sean McDermott is not getting fired this season, hence the extension in all these things. Now, Robert Salah is also in the hot seat, like, to win and win now because of the Aaron Rodgers window. But, like, when I say, well, if somebody says, wow, Sean McDermott has a ton of pressure on him, it's like, well, he's not getting fired. It's like, I didn't say that. I said that. There's a difference between pressure and hot seat. Sean McDermott has a ton of pressure because of the expectations and where this Bill's team is and how close they've gotten. And there is. Thank you. There is a massive difference that Sean McDermott is not on the hot seat by any circumstance for the season. Now, Ken Dorsey is on the hot seat this season. That's the difference. Like, Sean's not coaching for his job or to prove anything. He just has a lot of pressure on him because of the expectations.

C (30:35)

I feel like it's got to be like a spectrum or like a barometer, like pressure. And then if you go up it continue as a temperature continues to rise, then it gets the hot seat. That's my Mike. You're shaking your head. You don't.

B (30:47)

No, I agree with you. The only thing I will emphasize is what we say about in the NFL stands for not for long. Things can change. But I don't think this. You know, it's funny. I think it was. Is it? Tom Pelissero was on Dan Patrick's show, and right away, Dan Patrick went with this national Colin cowherd narrative that McDermott's on the hot seat. And I know there's some fans who think that, too. And he just went through the list of things that happened last year, and we've done it multiple times here. But when you hear somebody from the outside explain all those things in terms of, you know, they were playing well, Josh got hurt, Vaughn out for the season, then the demar Hamlin, all these things, and they still won that amount of games. Everybody's disappointed in the result. It's a big moment to then turn around and go, we're going to fire the head coach. I just. But again, you never know. I guess a season could go totally haywire.

A (31:43)

Yeah.

B (31:43)

And they feel differently. But I don't expect that with Sean. I don't expect that with the Bacolas.

A (31:48)

Great. And Mike, don't you always talk about. I always love it. It wasn't your quote, but you said the NFL is win or panic. And so, like, yeah, for right now, again, it's disappointing with the way the Bill seasons has ended the last two years and totally understandable. But this thought that, like, Sean McDermott's coaching for his job, like. No, but. But we just went through the schedule. We just talked about some of the teams they play, especially on the road, and some quarterbacks, like, pressure could mount into something. And to Jenna, your point? I agree that, like, it could mount into. Once the pressure cup runneth over, then it fills into the hot seat cup.

C (32:24)

Yeah. I feel like it's a thermometer. Like, the higher up the pressure, the more you get closer to the hot seat range. All right, we'll go to the next question from Tina. My concern is, have they done enough to improve the O line? All. All the weapons in the world can't fix a bad O line. Josh needs time, and that's been a lot of his bad decisions in the past years. Love all your contacts. Great show, Dan. Gray hair makes you look distinguished.

A (32:52)

I didn't need to hear that, but thanks.

B (32:55)

Tina.

C (32:56)

I was gonna say Dan, I'll start with you then, though. Do you think the team has done enough to improve the O line?

A (33:03)

No, but I think that they're working towards it. I think a big difference will be what is, you know, Osiris Torrance, because we talked about it. I would have loved him in the first round. They were able to get him in the second round. Connor McGovern seems like one of those guys that people think very highly of, but we really haven't seen it. And look, last year, there's no getting around it. Roger Saffold, Pro Bowl. Roger Saffold wasn't very good and neither was Spencer Brown. So if those positions can improve also, I think Dion Dawkins would admit that he needs to play a little bit better as well. So some of those things need to improve. And if Spencer Brown, I don't know if you guys know this, but he had a back injury that Brandon bean and Sean McDermott have reminded us with, along with Gabe Davis, who had an ankle injury. I don't know if you guys have ever heard that. But when they. If. If that was what it really was. And again, they didn't draft a tackle in this year, so they must have faith that Spencer Brown will return to more of his. How he played as a rookie. And so those things. So, like, you're kind of. You're kind of putting some faith into a rookie at guard and Connor McGovern who hasn't really proven a ton as a starter in the NFL. So you're putting some faith in those. And then obviously they have a bunch of veterans that hopefully. It's funny, everybody loves. Right, Mike? Everybody loves depth until you have to use it. Like, oh, these guys are all depth. It's like, yeah, I don't want to see them on the field. Like, it's one of those things they talk about wide receivers like, oh, Justin Shorter could have, you know, could really make an impact. If Justin Shorter is on the field for more than 15 plays this season, offensively, the Bills are in big trouble. So I don't want to see any of these veteran linemen that they added because that means their offensive line is decimated. So that's where I'm at.

B (34:44)

I would agree. I would say it is the type of thing where you would say they have addressed it, have they fixed it maybe. Right. I mean, if those guys play well, I mean, there's a lot of ifs. There's certain guys, you know how they're going to play. I think you made a good point about Dion. I think it was tough for him. I don't think, you know, I don't think he played great and. But I also think the line was in a bit of flux last year, so. But she made you say was Tina. I'm trying. Yeah, that's great question. And I think she's right on the money when it does. Did impact Josh. He started to do things that you don't expect out of him, and he needs more confidence in his offensive line. That can come. Let's see. But I think that would make a massive difference for them. You know, he's healthy, the line's better, the confidence is there. And honestly, it also helps Dorsey because I don't care who your OC is, man, if you're not blocking it, it makes everything a mess. But these things feed into each other, and I think she was right on the money with that.

C (35:48)

Yeah, I agree. I also like the addressed bit of what you said, Mike, because I think that's the perfect way to put it. They have addressed what they think they need to improve on. But you're right, they're really panning on or banking on having some of these picks as well as some of these other guys really, you know, play well. And Spencer Brown is going to be fascinating to watch this season because I feel like they have given him all of the leeway in the world it has felt like. And if he continues to play the way we saw him play last year, at what point is it going to be, oh, oh, oh, we need to address this type of thing. So I, I'm curious to see how that will all play out, because you want to talk about hot seat. I think externally the hot seat is on in terms of Spencer Brown and what he can do for this upcoming season. All right, let's go to the next question. This one is from Kyle. Would really like to know updates on the CB2 position throughout camp. Please keep up the great work, Buffalo plus. So let's talk on it. Let's touch about it. Just the cornerback to slot. I mean, Mike, what do you make of the. The position battle that is that heading into camp?

B (37:05)

Yeah, I think there really is a battle there. Look, the hope is that Trey is the unquestioned guy again, which I think when you start out, you say Trey's number one. We hope he's the old Trey White, which would be phenomenal. But he's. He's the most experienced, most successful player there. So.

C (37:24)

Flip around the mug, Mike. Oh, on the acl. Oh, no.

B (37:35)

Well, in terms of. Yes. In terms of the other side, I'll put it to you this way. I think there can be a. A real competition. The Bernard and Elam thing to me is kind of fascinating. You know, we saw them in the spring. Or Benford. I always say we. Benford. We see them in the spring. Come on. That's. It's. It's just sort of setting everybody up to see what you do in camp. And then even in the preseason, look what they did last year. I mean, who would have thought Benford was going to start the first game? And he did. He earned it. But I think Elam's got a shot. You know, Dane Jackson is In the mix there, you know you some people pumping him up because he's been around, he knows the defense but I look at it that way and say to me it's wide open if I'm predicting now if you said to me who do I think is going to start on the opposite side? I'd still say it's Benford on the opposite side. I think he proved it as a rookie and he'll be if he's healthy which he has been. Yeah, I mean I would love to see Elam step up. I want to, you know they're going to need three corners, four corners because obviously we, we sometimes forget about Taren. He's their second best corner in that sense. But I don't know betting odds Dan, I got, I got Benford as the, the betting odd to be the number two guy.

C (38:59)

Just to jump in real quick Dan, like I hear you say that Mike and I'm like Bill's fans want to hear though that it's Kair Elam. Yeah, he's that first round pick. You want him to become that guy, all this stuff. So I hear you when you say Benford because I believe that as well. But it's like man that is tough to hear Dan, when you think about what they invested in terms of draft capital.

A (39:23)

Mike I would set it as yeah, betting odds to who starts at, you know, CB2, Elam minus 125, Benford plus 150. Like I, I still think and again this is from somebody who says I thought that Benford in the grand scheme of the season played, played better than Elam did but at the end of the season Elam was getting better and he was turning into that guy that they, they thought and maybe it took a little bit more time. Part of Elam playing better was Benford with an oblique injury, a hand injury, a wrist injury, those kind of set back his season. But again they traded up for Kair. I think they won, want him to be the guy and for as much as the rookie seasons they treat kids with kids kid gloves. These, these, these high picks I think they are going to want to see Kair kind of jump up and be that, that guy. So I still think they would like it to be Kair but I have said before that I think Benford is one of the best 11 defenders at a time and he needs to be on the field, they need to find ways to get him on the field whether it's safety, slot, corner, whatever it is because I just think his length, versatility, speed, intangibles all those things. I, I love the guy. I think Benford is a star in the making. I really do. I think he can change this defense. But I think they want Kair to really be that guy.

C (40:56)

Oh, they want Kair to be that guy because what is Benford, a six round draft pick?

A (41:01)

Yep.

C (41:02)

Yeah, leave it at that. All right, Christy, asking when you have so many players trying to earn a spot like middle linebacker, would they try out a player for a day, then give next day to another few days in a row for each to try it out? Have they ever had in the past a spot so wide open as this one? Who do you think earns that spot?

B (41:24)

That's a fantastic question.

C (41:27)

Yeah.

B (41:27)

And when we were talking to Bobby Babich, the linebackers coach, I tried to ask him in terms of do you need to settle on a guy and, or would you be able to use guys in different ways? And for those that don't know, I mean the middle linebacker, not only that player but he's calling the defense. So, you know, Micah Hyde told us like, like we need a guy in there because we go as the middle linebacker goes in terms of getting him in the right spots. So I think, I don't know how much they'll do of that. I think there'll be moments they do that, but 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 that they believe is going to be in that spot and give him the number one spot. And you know, I think they think the rookie is the guy, Dan. I think they believe they can get him ready and the fact that he's a rookie makes you go okay. I mean they did do that with Tremaine. He was a higher pick but they just put them out there and work off of that because they, while you'd want to try a bunch of other players, somebody needs to get those reps and get everybody on the same page to what they want to do week in and week out.

A (42:49)

So you think it's Dorian?

B (42:51)

Yeah. Wow. I think he's going to be the guy when we get to camp pretty quickly. There'll be a day, three days into camp that it's like he's taking the number one reps.

A (43:03)

So.

B (43:03)

And then they see how he does.

C (43:04)

I was going to make the joke that it has to be the youngest guy, but I.

A (43:09)

That is good. That is good. Jenna, Jenna, who had that question again, what was her Name?

C (43:14)

Christy.

B (43:14)

Christy. Yeah.

A (43:15)

Christy. Great question. Because I, I think of, what I think we'll see is I think you'll see Bernard and Dorian alternating a lot early on in camp because you already know what you have in Dodson and Klein because they have done it. So to, like, when you talk about Micah Hyde being like, we need to see, you know, these guys need to, how do they command the huddle? So I don't know if it'll be alternating every single day, but I think early on in camp, you're going to see a lot of Dorian and you're going to see a lot of Terrell Bernard being the middle linebackers to see, okay, what is it, what is it like when they run with the ones? What's it like when they're looking their guys in the face and calling the plays and making the audibles and changing plays of the line and coverages, so. Because I think they already know that, like, hey, if this doesn't work out, they may give each guy three, four days and then they'll say, okay, it didn't work. Not, not ready yet. And it's, I think it's easy to pull the plug to go to, to Terrell or Tyrell and to go to an AJ Klein and to say, that's our guy, because we know what he's done. They have filled it in spots. They, they are used to coming in in the middle of a game, looking those guys in the face in the huddle and saying, this is what we're doing. I'm here, we're good. The end. So that's, that's where I think it goes. I think they're going to give the rookies, the young guys every chance to prove themselves and that if it doesn't meet, you know, McDermott standards and expectations, I think it's an easy switch to go to a veteran.

B (44:42)

Jana, I'm curious what you think, because I was going to say, I think it is a 90% chance that it's one of those two guys as the starter. I think it'd be a defeat for them to have either one, Dodson or Klein start the season unless there was injuries. I don't expect that to happen. I think either Bernard's going to win it or they really, like, I mean, obviously they brought Williams in first. They were saying, you know, he's going to be on the outside and then, yeah, he's going to work on the, on the inside. They feel that. I think he can handle taking on the responsibilities. Now the question is, can you take on those responsibilities and play and being drafted. Two guys, you know, second, but one on the second day, one on the third day, if I'm right. Yeah, but. And I heard a wise man predict that Terrell Bernard was going to be the starter in 2023.

C (45:46)

Whoa. What a callback, right?

A (45:50)

Awesome. That would be awesome. If I'm right.

B (45:53)

We were walking from. From the far field towards the stadium field and Dan made that prediction and I was like, wow. And this is obviously before Tremaine had played the year and got the money and all that stuff.

A (46:06)

Unbelievable.

C (46:09)

So Nostradanus.

A (46:13)

The hottest of hot takes.

C (46:15)

I will say I. In terms of the two younger guys. Like, I could see it being Bernard more because he's just had more time this time system. Like, it makes sense that he would be more comfortable. You're right. Like, you can call the plays and you might be confident in that. How do you show up on the field? But I think being able to be more confident and comfortable in the plays also equates to having that more of an instinctual feel, feel, feel on the field as opposed to kind of trying to process and react.

A (46:41)

But I'll go with Dan here. Here's. Here's mine for you, Mike. 50% Dodson, 30% Bernard, 20% Williams.

C (46:55)

Interesting.

A (46:55)

I think it's. I think it's Dodson's job to lose again. This isn't an offense. This isn't a defense that is being revamped. That's. This is part of why I wanted a bridge middle linebacker. I wanted a veteran to come in that could get ready. I don't think they're ready to necessarily hand it over. When they gave the. The defense to Tremaine Edmonds, he was young. I don't know if you knew this, but he was really young. And they were trying to figure out what they were defensively. Like they know who they are defensively and Dodson has been a part of that and of who they have been in times and has played pretty well. So I think he's going to get the first crack at it. I think it's going to be his job to lose and I think one of the rookies will be ready to take it from him in camp. But I just think. And listen, I would love to be right. Love to be right and have it be trail Bernard. Like that would be. That was the hottest of hot takes. Like that was. That was inferno take. Like just unbelievable. From the clouds that would.

C (47:57)

From the hip. Like, that was shooting off the hip.

B (48:01)

But Dan, you only said It. Because you totally believed it. You would never just do a hot take. Throw it. Yeah, could be right though.

C (48:10)

If that pans out, you guys will.

A (48:13)

Never hear the end.

C (48:15)

So inseparable.

B (48:16)

But how about Dan, like hedging his bet, you know, going with Dodson now? I mean, come on, just lean into it.

C (48:26)

Dan, you were made for. For TV and sports radio. I swear, you really, you really were. All right, final question from Sean. Who is this year's biggest breakout candidates? Dan, who comes to mind?

A (48:40)

Biggest breakout.

C (48:44)

Or Mike? Whoever is ready to go.

A (48:46)

Yeah, Mike, you go first because I'm not sure I got one right now.

B (48:49)

Good, because I'm going to light a fire here.

A (48:52)

No, don't do it. Don't do it.

B (48:55)

Gabriel Davis.

C (49:00)

Burn it to the ground. Wow.

B (49:03)

Contract year. He's healthy. I don't know if Dan had mentioned that he had some ankle issues and he's sitting there watching everything going on, seeing them bring other guys in, all this kind of stuff. Gabriel Davis.

C (49:18)

Interesting.

B (49:20)

Dan, the floor is yours.

A (49:25)

Dawson Knox to get back on. Was he not breakout enough for you? Michael, that eye roll, I felt it all the way over here in Iran.

B (49:39)

No, I think Dawson's going to be Dawson. I think Dawson's been pretty consistent as a really good player and I think that's what he's going to be. Again, he's still going to be really good, but wow. Hey, you're entitled to your opinion, even when the ones that are wrong, that's fine.

A (49:57)

I thought about taking a running back, but then I would just have to.

C (50:00)

Oh my gosh.

A (50:02)

Playing traffic.

B (50:03)

Janet, who you got?

C (50:04)

I'm gonna go. Kair Elam.

B (50:07)

Okay.

C (50:08)

Probably pretty surprising or maybe the CB2, we'll put it that way. But I feel like having a year both in the system. The intangibles that were mentioned, I feel like Kair Elam really got a lot better, especially at the end of the year and can build off of that going into this off season and into this upcoming year. I just feel like the things were getting easier for him to recognize, you know. What game was it? The Miami game. He had the interception. Yeah, I think just like plays like that, having more like marquee plays like that and just building his confidence up as well because I think it's. It's been kind of touch and go considering it's been kind of him and Benford and I feel like I could see him if he has and takes over that role. I. I could really feel that he could take that next big step.

B (51:02)

Yeah. And the Guy. If I was going to say somebody on defense and they would love to see this happen would be Greg Rousseau.

C (51:09)

Yeah.

B (51:09)

You know, especially early in the year.

C (51:12)

Gasoline.

B (51:12)

Yeah. Before Vaughn is back. Yeah.

C (51:16)

So what about AJ Epines?

A (51:18)

Best shape of his life.

C (51:20)

Sorry. That was mean. That was mean. I was being mean. Game Davis. I love it.

A (51:29)

Gabe Davis.

C (51:30)

I actually could see that though. Mike. I really.

A (51:32)

I would love it. I love. I would love it. Is Mike's typing something? This is bad.

B (51:40)

No, not typing anything. Just making sure it just. We. We've got this on the record.

C (51:46)

Put down the date time. All right. Anything else before?

B (51:50)

Well, I keep showing these. I'm just letting people know. This is awesome. This is so good. It came in the mail the other day.

C (51:57)

Show that Dan is wrong. The being hit by the camera. I just. I'm sorry, Dan.

A (52:01)

I love that I got hit by the football.

C (52:03)

Oh, yes. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry.

A (52:05)

I think that was a Peterman pass.

B (52:07)

Of course it was. This is. The pictures are just so.

C (52:10)

Dan, it's so good.

B (52:13)

It's so.

C (52:13)

I wanna. I wanna make a mug of me being tackled. I gotta figure out how to do that. I think that would be. My parents would definitely.

B (52:21)

So let people know. Buffalo plus store.

C (52:24)

Buffaloplus store.com have a bunch of new merch up koozies. Love the koozies. Some new shirts. Some obviously some new mugs. Also a pint glass which I think is pretty cool.

B (52:36)

Your hat. The hat you're wearing. We can get a hat. Yeah.

C (52:39)

Winter hats as well. Trying to think. Let me see. There was one thing that was also just added that I really liked tumblers. The tumblers are cool. Oh, if you have a baby or a baby bib. Yes.

B (52:52)

I am bringing them to my granddaughters later this month.

C (52:56)

Yeah. Love that. Yeah. The Tumblr is cool. And then I just. I do love the Dan is right. Dan is wrong. And then there's a great shirt called that says throw the damn ball. That I just think in essence is everything that Dan.

B (53:10)

And how about let James cook where other people are trying to steal our T shirt.

C (53:14)

Oh, it's. Yeah.

A (53:16)

We are such designers of the game that people are. Are there. There is now black market Buffalo plus merch.

C (53:24)

Everybody has the Buffalo plus logo on their shir.

B (53:28)

Yeah.

C (53:30)

I will say if anyone has a shirt idea or. Or merch idea.

B (53:33)

Yeah.

C (53:34)

We make it. So let us know and we can try to put something together if there's a bunch of interest. But BuffaloPlus store.com. where to check out for your Buffalo plus gear. All right. For Michael and Dan. I'm Jenna. Good draft, Dan. Well, gentlemen, Shake. Let's just say please be sure to, like, comment and subscribe. Comment your thoughts on the draft as well as what you think of what we had to say in terms of those questions that we answered. And thanks for joining us. I hope everyone has a fantastic lot of vacations coming up, myself included.

B (54:11)

Vacation Jenna.

C (54:12)

Vacation Jenna. Hey. I will wear that badge with honor, truly. Bless you. All right, we'll catch you next time here on Buffalo Plus. Thanks for joining us.