Buffalo Plus Podcast: Bills Wrap Up Training Camp – FIVE TAKEAWAYS from Their Time at Fisher

Date: August 7, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

This episode marks the Buffalo Plus team’s final daily recap from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University. With over 40 years of combined experience covering the Bills, Mike, Jenna, and Dan discuss their five key takeaways from the weeks at camp. The conversation covers standout performances, injury woes, depth chart questions, memorable player-fan moments, and what remains unsolved as preseason looms—a must-listen for Bills fans wanting an insider look at where the team stands heading into the season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veteran Standouts Set the Tone

[02:07 – 03:34]

• Biggest Surprises & “Best Camps”:
  • Jenna: Highlights Matt Milano and Tre’Davious White as “the two guys who had the best camp,” exceeding expectations following injury concerns.
    • “It gave you… not to say hope, but it made me think, hey, those can be big time contributors out on the field.” – Jenna Cottrell [02:29]
  • Mike: Praises their energy and work ethic as a model for younger players.
    • “They sent a message to the entire team… It’s Trey and Milano, and they’re out there fired up, making plays.” – Mike Catalana [02:45]
  • Recalls a near injury scare with White; his resilience and energy deemed “awesome.”

2. Optimism on Defensive Line Emerges

[03:34 – 06:34]

• Breakout Rookies & Depth:
  • Dan: Applauds rookies T.J. Sanders and Deion Walker for standing out, providing hope the D-line can finally be a strength.
    • "It has been disappointment and inconsistencies... but at least I have the thought they may have some dudes on the defensive line for the first time in a while." – Dan Fetes [03:34]
  • Sean McDermott’s Expectations: Defense will go as the D-line goes—Sanders, Walker, and even Landon Jackson (showing flashes) are names to watch.
  • Ed Oliver’s Maturation: Sean was “almost in tears” discussing Oliver’s progress from a “wild stallion” to a leader.
    • “He’s become a leader in that way. And... young players... are going to look to Ed.” – Mike Catalana [06:19]

3. Injury Issues: Caution and Concern

[06:37 – 09:17]

• Injury Count Rises: Injury list at camp swells to 12, with Taylor Rapp and Dorian Strong among those sidelined. Sean McDermott confirms injury numbers are up compared to last year.
  • "I'd rather have these now than in the playoffs, which I think is well said, but it's impacting." – Dan Fetes [07:13]
• Impact on Roster Battles:
  • Cole Bishop & Safety Depth: Bishop’s missed time (six practices) with a quad injury has left him far behind. Dan predicts Demar Hamlin may start week one by default.
    • “Cole’s now missed six practices… and that sets you behind. It’s daunting.” – Dan Fetes [07:40]
  • Taylor Rapp's Absence: Further strains rotation at safety.
• Positive Note: Khalil Shakir expected back for start of the year—Sean goes on record more confidently than usual.

4. James Cook Hold-In and Roster Uncertainties

[10:25 – 13:42]

• Hold-In Saga: James Cook absent from practices but present for meetings and walkthroughs as he seeks a contract adjustment.
  • “It is so much better that he is here… it is a much less of a step to start practicing than it is to show up.” – Mike Catalana [12:06]
• Concerns Over Workload & Offense: Coaches want Cook getting real camp reps, not just saving his legs.
• Impact of Absences: Max Hairston (top draft pick) and multiple others still out, further muddling roster continuity.
  • “We had fun. I don't think the coaches had fun at this camp. This was a tough, tough few weeks with the injuries.” – Mike Catalana [12:56]

5. Wide Receiver Depth & Preseason Battles

[14:30 – 18:56]

• Tyrell Shavers Ascending:
  • Special Teams Value: Mike is “on the Shavers train,” noting Sean’s uncharacteristically specific praise: “tough as nails,” “true professional.”
    • “If he could play some teams, I want to see him...I joked with him, maybe we can play the clip… He said, 'I'm good with that. Get me out there to play.'” – Mike Catalana [15:01, 15:26]
  • Injuries Opening Doors: With Curtis Samuel still hurt, extra reps and roster spots are open.
• Other Wideouts & Camp Standouts: Deon Cain, Christian Wilkerson, and Steven Gosnell mentioned as intriguing depth options.
• Defensive Line Rookies Revisited: Calls for more from Landon Jackson in preseason action.

6. Quarterback Competitions & Remaining Preseason Questions

[18:39 – 19:13]

• Mitch Trubisky vs. Mike White: Mitch will start in preseason, but Jenna wants to see what Mike White can do; believes “the upside is just so much higher for Mike White.”

7. Camp Highlights: Player-Fan Moments & Community

[19:14 – 22:36]

• Memorable Interaction: Josh Allen gifted Ryder Cup tickets to Nate Forestell, a Special Olympics participant and golf influencer.
  • “I screamed like a little 6-year-old kid.” – Nate Forestell, relayed by Dan [20:20]
• Landon Jackson & Community: Jackson, who has alopecia, shares a touching moment with a young fan, Emerson, with the same condition—highlighting the family atmosphere of camp.
• Fan Appreciation: Hosts shout out fans who interacted with them, noting the community atmosphere and support at camp.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “They sent a message to the entire team… It’s Trey and Milano, and they’re out there fired up, making plays.”
  – Mike Catalana [02:45]

• “It has been disappointment and inconsistencies... but at least I have the thought they may have some dudes on the defensive line for the first time in a while.”
  – Dan Fetes [03:34]

• “He was like a wild stallion... he understands now what is asked of him… that mentality has changed as a player...”
  – Sean McDermott on Ed Oliver, relayed by Dan [05:41]

• “Cole’s now missed six practices… and that sets you behind. It’s daunting.”
  – Dan Fetes [07:40]

• “We had fun. I don't think the coaches had fun at this camp. This was a tough, tough few weeks with the injuries.”
  – Mike Catalana [12:56]

• “If he could play some teams, I want to see him...I joked with him, maybe we can play the clip… He said, 'I'm good with that. Get me out there to play.'”
  – Mike Catalana on Tyrell Shavers [15:01, 15:26]

• “I screamed like a little 6-year-old kid.”
  – Nate Forestell on getting Ryder Cup tickets from Josh Allen, relayed by Dan [20:20]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Final camp observations, best performers: [02:07 – 03:34]
• D-Line optimism, rookie impact: [03:34 – 06:34]
• Injury concerns & safety depth: [06:37 – 09:17]
• James Cook contract hold-in: [10:25 – 13:42]
• Wide receiver depth battles: [14:30 – 18:56]
• QB2 competition: [18:39 – 19:13]
• Josh Allen’s special gesture, other camp moments: [19:14 – 22:36]
• Fan appreciation and camp wrap-up: [22:36 onward]

Tone & Style

The episode is a mix of candid Bills analysis, inside jokes, and community warmth. The trio maintains an engaging, conversational vibe, balancing optimism with measured concern—matching the mood of a team coming off a grueling, eventful camp.

Takeaway

Buffalo Plus leaves camp with both optimism—thanks to veteran leadership and emerging rookies—and note of caution, given the mounting injuries and uncertainty at several key spots. The coming preseason will be pivotal in resolving depth questions and setting the final roster. Player-fan interactions and team camaraderie added heart to a challenging camp, with Josh Allen and others delivering moments “bigger than sports.”

Buffalo Plus, to the moon!