Bils Pre Dolphins: What is level of concern heading into Miami?

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Buffalo Plus – "Bills Pre Dolphins: What is level of concern heading into Miami?"

Date: September 23, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

---

Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus dives deep into the Bills’ dominant start to the 2022 season, the national narrative surrounding their Super Bowl hype, and the looming concerns as they enter a key matchup with the Miami Dolphins while banged up with injuries. The hosts evaluate how the offense and defense have performed, debate coaching standouts, and discuss roster depth, particularly on defense. Insider commentary and behind-the-scenes insight are highlighted throughout, with a candid, conversational tone.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Are the Bills Overhyped or Underhyped? (01:23–06:53)

• National vs. Local Narrative
  • Mike Catalana introduces the ongoing debate around hype levels. The consensus is that the Bills, now Super Bowl favorites, are finally getting justified recognition, although some critics are already searching for weaknesses.
  • "I think they should be hyped as a Super Bowl favorite because I think they're the best team." — Mike Catalana (01:56)
  • Dan Fates thinks the team is still "underhyped," citing that Miami's 2–0 record is generating surprise, while Buffalo being undefeated is just expected now.
  • Jenna Cottrell expresses the strange adjustment for both fans and local media seeing Buffalo as a national talking point.
• Media Pressure
  • The group discusses the pressure that comes with national attention, particularly noting how Buffalo was previously the "butt of the joke," but now commands serious coverage.
  • "There is so much pressure that comes with that national spotlight. And look, the Bills have lived up there." — Jenna Cottrell (04:09)
  • Mike highlights how some outside pundits are just now recognizing the Bills’ depth and quality, poking fun at the “revelation” of Josh Allen’s talent.

2. Bills' Changing Image & Pop Culture (06:36–08:45)

• Jenna notes how odd it is to see people on national TV and even “The Bachelor” sporting Bills gear.
• Briefly, the crew jokes about which current Bills player would be a good Bachelor contestant (Isaiah McKenzie and Dawson Knox get nods for their personalities).

3. Handling Success & Mindset in the Locker Room (08:50–11:06)

• Dan highlights the maturity and leadership in the Bills locker room, particularly the influence of Super Bowl veterans like Von Miller.
  • "This is a Bills team that…has leaders that have been in Super Bowls and Super Bowl MVPs." — Dan Fates (09:27)
• The group agrees that the team doesn’t buy into national hype or criticism and stays focused.

4. Perceptions & Media Ignorance (11:06–12:26)

• The hosts vent briefly about national commentators not being fully informed about the Bills.
  • Mike criticizes simplistic arguments like “Mahomes beat Allen in the playoffs,” pointing out how that ignores Allen’s stellar play.
  • "If anybody says that...that's grounds for automatic dismissal from the show." — Mike Catalana (11:52)

5. Coordinator Showdown: Leslie Frazier vs. Ken Dorsey (12:43–17:11)

• Who’s Done the Better Job?
  • Dan gives the edge to DC Leslie Frazier, noting that despite major injuries (Trey White, now Dane Jackson), the defense hasn’t missed a beat—especially impressive with two rookie corners playing big roles.
    • "People have gone out, they have been nicked up, there’s no Trey White…and he is still…kept this defense at the level of where it was last year." — Dan Fates (13:02)
  • Jenna gives a nod to new OC Ken Dorsey for seamlessly continuing (and expanding) the offense’s success without missing a beat after Brian Daboll left.
    • "The explosion of this Bills offense is a credit to that." — Jenna Cottrell (14:09)
  • Mike praises both but acknowledges Frazier took criticism for last season’s playoff defensive collapse, and Dorsey is still riding a system largely left in place by Daboll.
    • "Leslie’s part—and he’s so good with the secondary of mixing those young guys in the mix... I think he’s done a great job because he’s a steady hand. No panic." — Mike Catalana (15:58)
  • All agree it’s a good problem to have: both units have outscored opponents 72–17 and allowed no second-half points so far.

6. The Great Running Game Debate (17:00–21:41)

• Dan’s Take: The Bills are so explosive passing with Allen and Diggs that running the ball is mostly a waste. He points to short passing as a modern “handoff” and discounts late-game, stat-padding yardage.
  • "Don’t tell me you need to run the ball. You don’t. Imagine having Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs and being like…let’s give the ball to somebody else." — Dan Fates (18:39)
• Mike’s Counter: Insists that maintaining some running game—especially later in the season and in cold weather—is crucial for physicality and team balance.
• Jenna Mediates: Recognizes both perspectives; emphasizes a run threat is valuable even if the pass is dominant.

7. Injury Concerns & Depth Before Miami (22:08–27:17)

• Injury Status
  • Mike: This is the most injured the Bills have been under Sean McDermott—starters are out at key positions (corner, defensive tackle, receiver).
    • "It's key guys...starting corner, starting defensive tackle, starting wide receiver. Like, we haven't seen a lot of that." — Mike Catalana (22:34)
  • Dan: Praises the front office for building depth, but acknowledges that "depth is great until you have to use it."
  • Jenna: The main concern in Miami is the secondary’s ability to cover Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, especially if Hyde or Jackson cannot play.
• Roster Moves
  • Mike surprised the team didn’t bring in a veteran CB for insurance, but acknowledges Benford and Elam have stepped up.

8. Preview: Bills at Dolphins – Level of Concern (27:17–31:16)

• Miami’s Progress
  • Dan: Dolphins look improved; Tua is more confident and McDaniel’s coaching is producing results. Still, Josh Allen has dominated Miami historically.
    • "Tua looks more confident. It just looks like McDaniel is putting Tua in situations that he can be successful in." — Dan Fates (27:22)
    • Rates his concern as “mild wing sauce”—not great but notable.
• Additional Challenges
  • Mike: Cites Miami heat and humidity, combined with injuries and Miami’s speed, as serious challenges. Points out this may be Miami’s best opportunity in years to change the AFC East power structure.
  • Jenna: Main concern remains the Bills’ banged up secondary and whether they can handle Miami’s dynamic playmakers.
    • "The level of concern is just the Bills aren't as healthy as we would expect, that's at least in my point of view." — Jenna Cottrell (31:16)
  • Mike: Rams didn’t impress him; Miami’s offensive weapons (Hill, Waddle, Gesicki) are a legitimate threat.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the national perception shift:
  "Now, the stupid crashing tables...that was the only attention [the Bills] ever got." — Mike Catalana (04:54)

• Dan’s hot take on running backs:
  "Don’t tell me you need to run the ball. Just don’t...Let’s put it into Devin Singletary’s hands. Waste." — Dan Fates (18:39)

• On the Bills’ depth being tested:
  "Depth is great until you have to use it." — Marv Levy, cited by Mike Catalana (24:14)

• On Miami’s improvement:
  "Tua looks more confident...with Waddle, another year of experience and Tyree kill speed, that does concern me." — Dan Fates (27:22)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|------------| | Are Bills overhyped or underhyped? | 01:23–06:53| | Bills as pop culture & shifting image | 06:36–08:45| | Locker room mindset & national pressure | 08:50–11:06| | National media misperceptions | 11:06–12:26| | Frazier vs. Dorsey coaching breakdown | 12:43–17:11| | Explosive offense vs. running game debate | 17:00–21:41| | Injury update & roster depth | 22:08–27:17| | Dolphins preview & level of concern | 27:17–31:16|

---

Tone & Style

• The conversation is candid, humorous, and authentic—full of insider anecdotes ("America’s Guest") and tongue-in-cheek jabs at national media.
• The team shows deep familiarity with the Bills, local media dynamics, and team culture, while inviting listeners to feel “in the room” for real, unfiltered analysis.

---

Final Thoughts

The Buffalo Plus crew sees the Bills as deserving favorites, even if injury concerns and a tough Miami matchup present real new questions. The success of both the offense and defense is lauded, as is the front office’s depth-building, but the challenge of Miami’s speed—particularly with a battered secondary—has the group on “mild” alert. The energy, banter, and behind-the-scenes insight make for a compelling, informed listen for Bills fans and NFL followers alike.

---

Transcript

[Shopify Narrator]

Shopify's point of sale system helps you sell at every stage of your business. Need a fast and secure way to take payments in person? We've got you covered. How about card readers you can rely on anywhere you sell?

[Mike Catalana]

Thanks.

[Shopify Narrator]

Have a good one. Yep, that too. Want one place to manage all your online and in person sales? That's kind of our thing. Wherever you sell. Businesses that grow grow with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 a month trial at shopify.com listen shopify.com listen.

[Mike Catalana]

Is the hype level too high or too low for the Bills so far this year? Plus, which coordinator Leslie Frazier or Ken Dorsey has done a better job in 2022? And what's the level of concern heading into Miami with the injuries? All that's coming up on this week's edition of the Buffalo plus podcast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast, presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. We're talking all everything Bills. Before we get started, please be sure to like, comment and most importantly, subscribe to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. See, I can sometimes do my job.

[Mike Catalana]

By the way, I like the comments. Sometimes every once in a while someone will just write comment.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Yeah, that's always appreciated. Hey, they're doing their part. They're doing their 1 11th.

[Mike Catalana]

That's it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Appreciate it. All right, we're gonna get into some stuff, but let's start first here. The dominant win over the Titans on Monday Night Football. Is this Bill's team? Are they overhyped or are they under hyped? Mike, I want your opinion.

[Mike Catalana]

It's so funny to see the way it works, right? It's a bit of like, what's the low hanging fruit for these guys? And when I say this overhyped under hype, I'm talking about the national narrative. We know what it is in Buffalo. There's excitement, there's enthusiasm for the fact that they're the super bowl favorites.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But.

[Mike Catalana]

But it's already begun where it's like, I heard somebody talking about the Bills and they were like, yeah, and Josh Allen looked good. But really, how good are the Titans and how good are the Rams and how have they looked and are we forgetting about the Chiefs and the Eagles look good and all that kind of stuff. So there's a, there's an element now in the national scope that is already thinking the Bills are overhyped and it's putting them in another place. So do I think they are? No, I think they should be hyped. As a Super bowl favorite because I think they're the best team. They're the team that is playing as close to the way they played at the end of last year, which is a good thing. And I think they embrace the hype. I don't think it bothers them one bit. So I think the hype should be high. So depends on who you listen to. Honestly, you're going to see more of it. They go down and win in Miami this week, you're going to. You're going to hear even more hype for this team.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I. And the. The reason this question was posed is because I think they're under hyped. I. I don't think they're getting enough attention, and I think that's okay. In years past, it was like, well, they may be good, but they're not getting the attention for being good. Now they're getting attention for being good. But they're like, yeah, they're. They're good. Yeah, you know. No, no, no. They're. They're really good. And I know it's two weeks and. Mike, you make a point about the national media and what does Nick Saban call it? Rat poison.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Like, we give them. All right. I don't think this team buys into it at all. And I think the hype that they had over the off season, like, that was what I always thought, especially early in the season, to not get so caught up in when NFL Network has to fill 24 hours a day for seven days a week when there's no football and. And all they do is talk about the Bills. I think it's toughest to. To carry that all offseason and then to bring it out in the first two games in prime time, in national spotlight, I think says everything you need to know about this team, that they can compartmentalize it to know how good they are. They're not getting enough attention like they're undefeated. But I still think that there will be more attention this week on Miami being 2. 0, because I think that's more of a surprise than the bills being 2. 0.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I agree. I just think this is a safe space. Right. It's just scary seeing. Turning on ESPN and seeing them talk all about the Bills. And I feel like if you're a fan of the team, it's just you're. You're reveling in the moment, but it's also just there is so much pressure that comes with that national spotlight. And look, the Bills have lived up there. I'm not saying they haven't. And the team in themselves is good. It's just. Mike, I mean, you've covered this team like the. The Bills have earned all the attention that they're getting. But for so long, I mean, Buffalo was never talked about in the national in the scope of things, or if they were, it was like. And they drafted Josh Allen or like, oh, the drought's ending, or, you know what I mean? It was like the butt of the joke.

[Mike Catalana]

Now, the stupid crashing tables. I mean, all that kind of stuff, that was the only attention they ever got.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The Rex Ryan.

[Mike Catalana]

Right, Exactly. And you know what's funny is I used to use this as a reason for how much coverage at the TV station we used to give the team, because I would say to my news directors, you aren't hearing them talk about the Bills on espn, because for many years, they were that team. So when we say espn, it makes me laugh, you guys. Sometimes I'll see some guy and he'll do a, you know, his podcast or his show, his betting show, and they'll be like, hey, guys, I got to tell you something. Was. Josh Allen is really good. And I'm like, oh, thank you, genius. You just figured this out. Like this. Bill's team is loaded, you know? And I'm like, yeah, okay. Because there's still those people that think it's some revelation that the team is good. I will tell you this. Let's say this. Roster wise, organization wise, quarterback wise, coaching staff wise, I think the Bills are. It's hard to say they're above Kansas City because of the success Kansas City's had.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And Andy Reid's won a Super bowl and all those kind of things, but, man, how many teams in the league would trade places with what the Bills have at all of those levels right now? So this isn't just Josh. Josh is Josh. And he's what takes them from being a good organization, a good team, to great. But this is. This organization's no joke. This roster is no joke. Like, they can survive some stuff. And that's, to me, the most impressive thing. It isn't the flash in the pan. The one thing the guy's playing well, like, whatever it is, you know, it's. It's the whole package. So they're. They're going to need to get used to this around the country.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, it was also weird on Monday night seeing, like, you know, the Bills Instagram posted this. Like, people on the Bachelor are wearing Bill's hats. I know Jason Tardick is from Western. He's From Buffalo. Like, that makes sense, but, like, one of the bad. I was just like, that's so weird to me.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, it's weird to me that you're watching the Bachelor.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, you know, I have range, folks. I thought this was a safe space. I've kind of fallen off. But it was just weird. It was just weird. It was weird seeing, like, a Bachelor contestant wearing it. Not Jason Tardick. But I just. That, to me, is something that I feel like as someone covering the team for a long time, when I would meet people, I'd be like, oh, you know, I have the opportunity to cover the Bills. And they'd be like, oh, and now, by the way. Oh, that's cool.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay. So I don't know if I want to go down this road, but it just made me think of something. Which guy on the Bills would be on the Bachelor, would embrace being on the Bachelor?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Embrace.

[Mike Catalana]

I mean, would be like. Wouldn't have to. Would. Would do it.

[Dan Fates]

And would they have to be currently single or.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes. Yes. We're not going to go down that road.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, I don'. Well, I don't always know.

[Mike Catalana]

I mean, come on. I'm saying not married.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

And let's take Josh out of the equation.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. I feel like Dawson would be good.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You almost, like.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, no.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like, you need a bigger personality. Like, Dawson has a great personality. Isaiah would be amazing.

[Mike Catalana]

It would be hilarious.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Isaiah would be his.

[Mike Catalana]

Of course, a lot of the women might be taller than him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's okay.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

He'd played up. It's like Kevin Hart.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. I'm trying to think if there's anyone else. I think Trey White. I don't. I don't know. Is. He's married. Oh, okay.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Married, two kids.

[Mike Catalana]

Kids, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, I didn't know they were married. I know. I don't know. Trey's personality, though.

[Mike Catalana]

I know. We got to get that back. Yes. Took a turn there.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Shocking, I know. Okay. What were you gonna say, Dan?

[Dan Fates]

Well, I was just saying, like, I think it would be so much easier if the Bills were one in one or lost in the Rams game and then came back and we could all sit here and go, it's a long season. Just like what they've said. But, you know, you go back to what Von Miller was talking about, that if you're starting to think about the super bowl right now, it's like drinking from a fire hydrant. Like, it's just the Bills have. Mike, I know. You've said, like, they really believe in all these Cliches, but they just seem to also have the maturity because this isn't like a Chargers team that hasn't even made the playoffs before and they're expected so much. This is a Bills team that. That's mature that, that, that has leaders that have been in Super Bowls and Super Bowl MVPs. So I just think that, like, while through two weeks the national media may not say, like, wow, have you seen the Bills? Like, what? They're such a surprise. Like, this hasn't surprised anybody. That's why I think they're not get. That's why I think they're underhyped, because I think that if they were like, what Miami's doing is surprising people. I think Miami may be a little overhyped based on who they have played.

[Mike Catalana]

And keep in mind the avalanche of opinions that come week to week. So I will tell you one, you're going to hear Bills win in Miami on Sunday. You will have national guys come out and go, well, the AFC east is over. The Bills just took care of it, blah, blah, blah. And that may be the case, but this is what we do. Like, this is the way we would not. We. I'm talking about the collective. We does that. And then, you know, again, this is, this is what happens when you. I mean, I hate to say the Bills can only come down, but to most people, they're already the super bowl favorite or close to it. So it's sort of like, hey, let's pick on it. What does Josh Allen not do? Well, this team can't run the ball. This team's secondary is thin. Like, whatever it is they want to come up with, that'll be what happens. Hey, it happened to the Patriots when they went 17 and oh, people are looking for cracks is the way it is. So the Bills are at that point now, they're going to be looking for cracks in the foundation somewhere. And the Bills haven't given them any reason to so far.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, no, I agree. I guess I don't think the team is overhyped because they are that good. But it's just, it's just still something to get used to turning on ESPN and seeing everyone talking about the Bills.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And some of them just. And some of them just don't know anything about the team.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's what it is. Where they're like talking and I'm like, you don't even. Yeah, no, like, yeah, they're really good, but they're like, they're talking about House way.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I mean, I was listening. I caught A clip. I wasn't watching the show. And they were arguing about who the best player is in the NFL. And these couple guys, former players, were saying, it's Josh Allen. And the person was arguing back about Mahomes. And they were. The person says, well, Mahomes beat him in the playoffs last year. Now, if anybody says that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that's wild.

[Mike Catalana]

That's. That's grounds for automatic dismissal from the show. I mean, because the team lost. I mean, could Josh Allen have played any better, especially in that second half of that.

[Dan Fates]

Josh should have played safety.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Should have tracked down Tyree Kill on that crossing route.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, now, that doesn't mean wise, because the team lost that game. Right. The team. The team found a way coaching everybody to lose that game. But, I mean, come on, pay attention. Do your homework. It's. The Buffalo Bills are on national TV every week or every other week. It's not like it's hard to find them. Watch the games.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, let's. Let's change subjects. Mike's getting heated.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, well, that's. You know, I missed two putts today. It really bothered me.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Where'd you play?

[Mike Catalana]

This little chip and putt called Oak Hill East.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my God. You are just. Well, likability rating down.

[Mike Catalana]

America's guest.

[Jenna Cottrell]

America's. We literally call Mike Rochester's guest. All right, let's talk about Ken Dorsey, Leslie Frazier, the offense, the defense. I mean, it's hard to ask either side to do more in these last two games. But who do you think, Dan? Who do you think has done a better job so far?

[Dan Fates]

I think so far it's been Leslie Frazier, and. And that's. It's not fair. And this is not a Brian D. Bias, as we've said. This is a Brian D. Podcast. This is not throwing shade at Ken Dorsey. I think he's an admiral job. But I think it's pretty easy when you have Josh Allen and you've got Leslie Frazier rolling out two rookies, rookie corners, and. And really kind of answering the bell. And who knows how much. I mean, they both may now need to start with the health of Dane Jackson as we record this on Wednesday. Still up in the air, the good news is that he's home and he walked out of the hospital. But he was asked, Leslie was asked today about what do you do if they're ready and what are you going to expect from them? And they both kind of, you know, Leslie kind of said, like, they just need to do their job. Like it's. They needed their 111th and I think that is what, to me is most impressive about what Leslie has done. The fact that people have gone out, they have been nicked up, there's no Trey White and he is still mate. Kept this defense at the level of where it was last year. So I think that's why to me, Leslie gets the nod a little bit more than Ken.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I feel like Leslie Frazier, when I think of him, he's just a consummate pro. Like, he is a guy that just, he knows the strengths of his defense, he puts his players in positions to win. He's great with the media. And I just. Mike, I, I feel like I actually would say Ken Dorsey has done a better job only because that was my question mark going into this season of just like, you know, when you have the talent that you have in Josh Allen and the receiving core and all those things. Like, I just was curious to see if there would be maybe a drop off or things would maybe look a little bit different under Ken Dorsey. Obviously, that really hasn't been the case and the explosion of this Bill's offense is a credit to that. But I just, I feel like Leslie sometimes doesn't get enough credit. Leslie Frazier, just for the level of defense that this team has played over these last couple of seasons.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Leslie Frazier. I think he's been extremely consistent with this team. He's a great fit with McDermott. I mean, they've known each other since the Philly days and, and he's trusts them. But he caught heat and deservedly so for the way the season ended last year.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And it was right at the end and the defense did not come through in the clutch in Tampa, Tennessee and again in the Kansas City game in the playoffs. So there's that over him. It's a different type of pressure that's on Ken Dorsey. Kendors, Dan's right. I think Ken Dorsey's taken over this offense. They look good, honestly. People love to say this, but he's, he's riding the wave. That was started by Brian Dabel and he's going to put his own touches on it and I like it. And Dable evolved through the time and. Come on. People are comical when they say, I mean, look at the way this offense finished under Dable with the New England game and then the Kansas City game. Right. And Josh Allen. So you get Josh. So it's a different kind of thing. But Leslie's part, and he's so good with the secondary of mixing those young guys in the Mix in the mix. And still Dane Jackson is starting. He doesn't have Trey White. Like, come on. This is a different defense. I think he's. I think he's done a great job because he's a steady hand, no panic. But he's. He's got those veterans. So they look. Isn't it a pleasure to look at a team and say it's one in one A or, you know, a plus to A. Like, whatever it is. I mean, they would have outscored the team 72 to 17. I mean, they've both done no points.

[Dan Fates]

Allowed in the second half.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And it's been. It's been really impressive, and it's nice when you can nitpick a little bit, but I can't even really nitpick either guy. I mean, the offense looks really good. Had a couple moments. Defense looks really good. Oh, Dan's gonna nitpick.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Why are you running the ball?

[Mike Catalana]

They don't run the ball.

[Dan Fates]

Can we stop. Can we. Can we stop running the ball? No, it's a way they. Josh can take knees. If he needs a breather, just take a knee and not.

[Mike Catalana]

What it is.

[Dan Fates]

Go to the next.

[Mike Catalana]

The O line. We saw it last year when they struggled. They ran the ball effectively. They ran the. Come on. They had a struggle in the middle of the year. McDermott was pushing for them to be more physical, and honestly, I think it helped. And Devin Singletary became a key guy for them for a while, and I think it helped get them on track. You do need to run the ball at times.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I. I agree.

[Mike Catalana]

He.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Look at him, but I get Dan's.

[Mike Catalana]

No, don't indulge him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I understand. Again, I think Dan is very all or nothing. That's. That's a trademark of Dan, which I think I'm a little bit more in the middle. But that being said, I understand Dan's propensity to want to see them always throw the ball because it's just so effective, but I also imagine. Go ahead.

[Dan Fates]

Go ahead, Jenna. No, I'm sorry.

[Mike Catalana]

No.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I also understand why you need to have a threat of a run game. That's important, too.

[Dan Fates]

But they don't have a threat. They. They. They are. Their threat is 17. And the fact of. They may allow a run, but it's. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut. Like, oh, wow, like Devin's. Like, everybody wants to say, like Devin Singletary. Like, I had somebody tweet at me today when I said the short passes that Josh Allen was doing to Stefan Diggs. I. It's a quick pass. It's what New England did forever with Tom Brady and Edelman. It's a handoff. It has a 99% completion percentage. And then Diggs gets 6 yards. That's their running game. And somebody goes, well, they ran the ball for 101 yards against Tennessee. They could run the ball. 50 of those yards came by James Cook on the final series one when nobody cared. Don't tell me they can run the ball when. Look, 101 yards, Dan. They can run the ball. Ken Dorsy and the Bills after I retweeted my own tweet saying it's a waste to run the ball. Devin Singletary got blown up for a five yard loss in the second quarter with about nine minutes left. Josh Allen threw the ball 21 straight times. Don't tell me you need to run the ball. Just don't. You don't imagine having Josh Allen and Stefan Diggs and being like, nah, let's give the ball to somebody else. Let's. Let's put it into Devin Singletary's hands. Waste.

[Mike Catalana]

Waste. Okay, the Tampa Bay Bucks have, when they're healthy, have Tom Brady, Godwin. They had Gronk, this one. They won the super bowl and Mike Evans and they ran the ball.

[Dan Fates]

And defenses are worn down late in the year and it's tougher to tackle in cold weather and nobody wants to hit. It's why Devin Singletary was better at the end of the year, too. It's what I said about why Derrick Henry isn't good early on in seasons. I'm killing it. This pod. I am crushing it.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, my God, King Dan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, I get why I, I again, I understand your thinking. I just feel like realistically they're gonna have to run the ball sometimes. Like, that's just how it works.

[Dan Fates]

One more point. Somebody else was arguing me today on.

[Mike Catalana]

Twitter about how people like to argue with. You don't.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I. And I, I take the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was gonna say you do.

[Mike Catalana]

You.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You just have to.

[Dan Fates]

I think it's healthy. I think it's healthy to just let it out on people. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. You're really relaxed.

[Dan Fates]

You need to have. You need to run the ball well to, to be well, to do well and be successful at play action. No, you don't. Every analytics, Google it. There's articles that, you know, you matter.

[Mike Catalana]

You are creating strawman arguments. You get dumb questions from people and then you shoot them down and you think that you win. You win against people that ask bad questions. Oh, yeah, Sean McDermott wants them to be a team with a physical presence. If you listen. I listened to Zach Taylor one time. Not the best guy to be talking about right now because the Bengals. But they were in the super bowl last year and he talked about that. The ability to run the ball, it helps your team. You need a physical nature to your team. As the season goes on, it becomes better and better. And they brought in Aaron Cromer because they want to be able to run the ball at times and be effective. So, yes, right now it's September and everything's going great and you're doing that. They will run the ball at times this year and Devin Singletary can be effective in the running game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan.

[Dan Fates]

No, I'm all good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. You're not gonna take the cheese?

[Dan Fates]

Nope, nope.

[Jenna Cottrell]

If you ever want to get Dan fired up on Twitter, just.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, you know, and Dan. And then they'll run into problems with the salary gap.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, yeah. The reason they can't run the ball well is because the salary cap doesn't allow them to go out and pay and get a free agent running that will be successful.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, man. All right. Getting ready for this week will be in Miami. It'll be a 1pm slot time on Sunday. This team, though, as we head into this game, this is a more beat up team that we're used to seeing in Buffalo. Mike, I mean, is this the most injured team we've seen under McDermott?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I think so. I mean, look, they have done a phenomenal job.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Of getting players ready, avoiding injuries, rehabbing players back. What it was actually OJ Howard, they used the phrase before he ended up getting cut by the Bills. But he was talking about prehab and rehab. And he said, this is the first time I've done prehab, like, to prepare yourself. And I think what they do, they got a great staff and what they do is effective. Now, the way these guys were injured, I mean, we weren't there on Saturday when Gabe got hurt, Gabe Davis. But the two injuries to Micah and. I mean, there's nothing. And Dean Jackson, I mean, that's the NFL. It's brutal sport. But, you know, when you think about the guys that are nicked up, it's key guys, starting corner, starting defensive tackle, starting wide receiver. Like, we haven't seen a lot of that. They've been fortunate based on some element of luck, but also all of the things they do, giving guys the time off, the way they practice, all those things and guys coming in, in shape. So it's been a good thing. Hopefully for them, this is like a rough patch a little bit. And these guys. Because we'll see who's playing on Sunday. But yeah, I would say so. Dan. I can't think of a time when they had this many guys, key guys that were picked up.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, me. Me neither. Since McDermott's been there, it's just been. This goes to show you the depth that Brandon Bean has been able to put out. Look, last year the offensive line was constantly banged up, kind of guys going in and out of it, but nowhere like, to this extent. So this is the depth that we've talked about. The Bills have the deepest roster and you, you hate to use depth. What, Mike, what does Marv Levy say? Depth is great until you have to use it.

[Mike Catalana]

Yep.

[Dan Fates]

You know, so, like, this is going to show you, though, like said, to have a guy like, you know, Christian Benford be your number two or three corner. Like, you go deep. Like, it's nice to have Taron Johnson. You hope that guys like Jaquan Johnson and demar Hamlin, like, like have been in this system to really step up. It's why you went out and got Jordan Phillips, who also left with a hamstring injury. And you brought in pieces behind the linebackers because that's a very thin position for the most part. You drafted a linebacker. You, you re signed Tyrell Dodson, like, so that's, that's, that's all going to get tested this week against a, a team that is built on speed. Jenna.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that's, that's the concern is just. We knew it was going to be an issue or somewhat of an issue having Trey White be out and on the IR just because, you know, we didn't know what we would see in the rookie corners and just what the secondary would look like. I mean, obviously having Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. But we're not sure about the status of Micah Hyde, what that will look like and what the extent of his ability to play. And with the Dane Jackson not knowing really what he, he will be like, I think, yeah, this is, that's the one thing that scares me about this game against Miami is just the speed that they have, and that's, that's hard to cover for anyone. You know, when you have guys that are just faster. Tyreek Hill is just faster. He's a playmaker. And to have guys that are not as used to the NFL and playing with one another in terms of that secondary, that is, that is one thing that does definitely concern me going into this game.

[Mike Catalana]

And And I think being took a bit of a chance starting the year without bringing in another veteran corner, even somebody. Because if you look at to me was like, yes, I understand. You have faith in Benford, you have faith in Elam to come in and play. And those guys two games in. I mean, come on.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

You know, even though Benford is. Benford is staking his claim as a starter on this team. Playing.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Please.

[Mike Catalana]

I mean, I love. I said this the other day, I love the play he made against Henry. Oh, against Henry. He just dragged him down the line and then tackles him four yards behind. I mean, that's what you want, but, you know, you're one injury away from, you know, it looks like maybe to be Cam Lewis out there, if he would be the guy. And nothing against him, but he's not a starter in this league, but he might be starting. Like we don't know what's going to happen. So that's the part. But I'm just surprised now they may be bringing something for all we know, they bring somebody in, but, you know, tough to get them ready. But you gotta be. You kind of constantly be ready for that. So rosters get tested at different times. They probably have a good sense, whether they let this out early or not, of who looks like they're close to being ready to go and maybe they get those other guys back. But yeah, it's. It's an issue right now with these injuries going forward because you got how many more games till the buy? We got six weeks in. They play six weeks. Right. So you got four more. Gay. Got another month of games before you get the bye week.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan, really quick, where is your level of concern against this Miami team?

[Dan Fates]

They're definitely a better team. And obviously everybody goes, you know, crazy about TUA and the six touchdowns against Baltimore. And. And like I said to me, it doesn't even matter as much that it was six touchdowns or three touchdowns. TUA looks more confident. Like, it just looks like very fair. It just looks like McDaniel is putting Tua in situations that he can be successful in. And I was listening to Trent Dilfer. He was talking the Ryan Rosso podcast about people believe that Mike McDaniel is that next Sean McVay guy, like just wonder boy offensively. And what he said is it was very interesting is that quarterbacks in the NFL aren't asked to be superheroes and make all of these different reads on 33 drop backs a game. That there are some times where Mike McDaniel will tell Tua you're going to throw the ball here. Like that's what you're going to do. And he goes. Trent went on to say Aaron Rodgers does that every quarterback. Patrick Mahomes does that. Like that's just coaching. And that's where the coaching matters in the NFL so much. And TUA looks more comfortable. It's better to have these weapons that like I said with Waddle, another year of experience and Tyree kill speed. That does concern me as I think that this is a better team than obviously what they were last year. But the Bills have been successful against TUA as well as Josh Allen has just crushed the Dolphins.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So that some level of concern. Moderate. If we. If we'll put that mild. Mild wing sauce of concern of the Dolphins.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Mild wing sauce. Gross.

[Mike Catalana]

I have a level of concern because combine the injuries going down there in the heat. I know it's not supposed to be but it's like I talked to Will, man. So you can see that interview here. He's like, it's muggy, it's hot. And it's going to be that way. And that can affect a team late in the game. The Bills are the better team with the better quarterback. I say that just about every week, if not every week. But you know, there is points in a season where, you know, for Miami, this is huge. They can say what they want. This is huge for them.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Dan made the points. They two has failed against the Bills. They failed against the Bills. This is their chance to tell their own fans who have marginally come back that they're good. And they could say we have a right now what happened with the Bills, even with Josh against the Patriots when they were building up like, you get better. You get better.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

They never really got over the hump.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

When Brady was there, they got close. They got a couple of good games, but they. It was tough to get there. And that's a thing to prove that Bills proved they were close and then eventually have overtaken him. But when he was gone. But yeah, I mean there's a level of concern. I don't love the Dolphins defense. I think if Gabe Davis is back, that's big because they will pass the ball all over them, maybe even run it a few times. But I am concerned about the secondary just because of if Dane Jackson's not healthy or Micah Hyde. I mean, you know, attrition after a while, really you do feel it. But maybe Josh just has to, you know, put up 45 to win the game. I mean, you just don't know he can do it. So let's see. But yeah, it's a. It's. I'll say this right now. I think it's the. It's the best team the Bills have played. I'm not impressed by the Rams. Not impressed by them. I mean, they're banged up. They made some changes. They don't have weapons that scare you. I mean, look at the. The weapons here. Scary. I mean, if they, if the weapons on the Dolphins don't scare you, then. Then you're not paying attention because those guys are good. Kaseki with those two wide receivers. But, yeah, that's the only thing I would say is there's a level.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, the level of concern is just the Bills aren't as healthy as we would expect. That's at least in my, my point of view. All right, thank you for joining us on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel for this podcast. For Mike and Dan, I'm Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, and most importantly, subscribe. Also, just a really quick, quick note. Thank you for everyone who donated to my Leukemia Lymphoma Society charity fundraiser. We have over a thousand dollars, which is crazy, and I really appreciate it. That money goes directly towards finding new cures, funding clinical trials, and patients in the Rochester, Buffalo, greater western New York area. So thank you so much. And. All right, for Mike and Dan, I'm Jenna. We'll catch you next time here on Buffalo Plus.