Buffalo Bills MNF OPENER & 2023 preview: PRESSURE, SURPRISES & making STATEMENT

Summary

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Buffalo Plus Podcast

Episode: Buffalo Bills MNF Opener & 2023 Preview: Pressure, Surprises & Making Statement

Release Date: September 7, 2023

Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Main Theme:

A high-stakes season opener:
The Buffalo Plus team unpacks the anticipation and pressure surrounding the Buffalo Bills' Monday Night Football opener against the New York Jets. They analyze the Bills’ offseason narratives, key position battles, and offer a comprehensive preview for the 2023 season—highlighting the weight of expectations, unpredictability of Week 1, and what “making a statement” really means for Buffalo.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hype and Reality of Bills-Jets MNF Opener

• Emotional Stage-Setting:

  • Opening on the road at the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers’ debut, on 9/11, and in primetime—all factors creating an “off the charts” atmosphere.
  • Quote (Mike, 01:23): “The only thing I’m gonna say is … do not overreact one way or the other on what happens in week one.”

• Media Narratives:

  • National attention shifted to the Jets and Dolphins, with the Bills flying under the radar.
  • Players act unfazed, but “inside their answers” you hear they know it’s a big deal (Jenna).

• The Statement Game Motif:

  • If past “statement games” were about arrival, this one is “we’re still here.”
  • Quote (Dan, 07:37): “A statement here on Monday night would say we’re still here because so many people have checked them off...”

2. Pressure Points within the Organization

• Head Coach Sean McDermott:

  • Taking over defensive play-calling, following Leslie Frazier’s departure; more on his plate and under the spotlight.
  • Quote (Dan, 22:21): “To me, I’ve said it before, I think it’s Sean McDermott ... he’s putting his neck out there again.”
  • Jenna and Mike stress that both defensive and leadership pressure falls on McDermott, especially in high-leverage moments.

• Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey:

  • Year two as OC, now with healthier and improved offensive weapons.
  • Quote (Mike, 25:44): “The pressure, I mean, yeah, there’s pressure on Josh, there’s always pressure on the quarterback. But the pressure is on Dorsey this year. It’s really on the coach.”

• Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs:

  • Allen as a national face (Madden cover, commercials), scrutiny if performance dips.
  • Dan posits Diggs put himself under a microscope after off-season drama: “Every move that Stefon Diggs makes this season will be scrutinized” (32:09).

3. Roster Surprises & Battles

• Terrel Bernard Named Starting MLB:

  • Surprised most due to his preseason absence. Dan claims “vindication” for an earlier hot take calling Bernard the starter (13:07).
  • The hosts discuss the trend toward speed and instincts over size at linebacker, possibly shaping a “positionless” defense.
  • Quote (Dan, 16:04): “If the speed is getting faster on offense … maybe you’re adjusting to more speed at middle linebacker now.”

• Christian Benford at Corner:

  • Dan expects Benford to surprise and hold the CB2 job, praising his “Taron Johnson–like effect” and mental toughness.
  • Quote (Dan, 35:18): “I think Christian Benford surprises people by how well he plays... I think he plays physical.”

• James Cook as Breakout Player:

  • Mike singles out Cook as the likely offensive surprise, citing his versatile, under-the-radar potential in this offense.
  • Quote (Mike, 34:28): “I think it’s James Cook ... you’re going to finally see, I think that they got it right for this offense.”

• Dalton Kincaid’s X-Factor Potential:

  • Jenna chooses Kincaid as her surprise: his smooth, professional demeanor makes her excited to see his national breakout (42:08).

4. Reflecting on Last Season’s Finish and Fan Sentiment

• Lingering Disappointment:
  • Fans feel uneasy after an emotionally drained, underwhelming playoff exit, and fear the “spark” is gone (Jenna, 09:22).
  • Mike points to the “grit” shown last year, but admits it often masked narrow escapes: “They barely beat the Patriots, they barely beat the Dolphins. Like, you could see it coming” (09:27).

5. National Perspective and Shifting Expectations

• Bills as Underdogs:

  • Bills relish “being doubted” and “staying under the radar” (Jenna).
  • Comparison to last year’s preseason darlings—this year, that’s the Jets with “Hard Knocks” hype, while the Bills prefer the quieter narrative.
  • Vegas still has the Bills as favorites in the opener, showing broader respect (Dan, 12:11).

• Don’t Overreact to Week 1:

  • All hosts caution against making sweeping judgments from the result, citing the unreliability of early season form and overreactions (Mike, 01:23; Dan, 02:33).

6. On Team Culture & Leadership

• Veteran Core Returns:

  • Emphasis on Poyer and Hyde as a “safety tandem” (together 7 years), and Tre White back healthy (Mike, 39:47).
  • Leadership and continuity are pillars, even as new starters emerge.

• Team Mindset:

  • Bills value humility (the “humble or about to be humbled” NFL adage); determined to “release pent up energy” and prove detractors wrong.

7. Lighter Moments & Notable Quotes

• Dan’s “Victory Lap”:

  • Fun banter about Dan’s correct Bernard prediction, leading to playful ribbing and inside jokes about “brand wins” and hot takes (14:19, 14:38, 15:03).

• Team Chemistry:

  • The hosts’ playful arguing over predictions, including a back-and-forth on Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir’s prospects.

• Quote (Mike, 27:02):

  • "[The Bills'] O-line is the tires on the Ferrari. … You need to be able to run the ball. What you don’t need is a running back…”—emphasizing team-building philosophy.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Catalana on Week 1 Overreactions:
  “Do not overreact one way or the other on what happens in week one. ... No one pays attention to it.”
  (01:23)

• Dan Fates on Media Overstatement:
  “There’s no greater overreaction in the entire season than week one. ... Next stop is Vegas or the Super Bowl.”
  (02:33)

• Jenna Cottrell on Statement Games:
  “This is an opportunity to make a statement ... excitement, it’s the NFL. We are reactionary every week. ... That’s how it works.”
  (04:13)

• Mike Catalana on Josh Allen:
  “Josh set this bar so high now, and we keep moving it. ... All of a sudden it’s like, yeah. Maybe I’d rather have Herbert ... or how Trevor Lawrence is going to be.”
  (31:30)

• Dan Fates on Sean McDermott:
  “Sean wanted to take over the defense one way or another. ... He’s putting his neck out there again.”
  (22:21)

• Jenna Cottrell on Stefon Diggs’ Scrutiny:
  “Regionally, there’s a lot of pressure on Stefon Diggs, but it’s always going to fall on the quarterback’s shoulders.”
  (30:21)

• Mike Catalana on Bills Defense:
  “Poyer and Hyde back together again ... 7 years. This may be the last year. Like, we don’t know what these guys are going to do, but I think it’s awesome.”
  (40:07)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Week 1 Hype & “Don’t Overreact”:
  01:01 – 04:30

• Jets Hype & Bills’ Underdog Mentality:
  06:16 – 08:39

• Last Season’s Concerns & Mental State:
  09:21 – 11:24

• Terrel Bernard’s Ascension:
  13:07 – 19:10

• Who’s Under Most Pressure (McDermott, Dorsey, Allen, Diggs):
  22:10 – 33:44

• Surprise Players & Bold Predictions:
  34:19 – 49:31

• Veteran Core & Defense Continuity:
  39:47 – 41:00

• Team Chemistry, Lighter Moments:
  Scattered; ex. Dan’s Bernard predictions (14:19–15:51), Gabe Davis debate (43:22–48:35)

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Summary Takeaways for New Listeners

• The Bills enter 2023 with less national attention but ample internal and fanbase pressure.
• Sean McDermott and Ken Dorsey face the most scrutiny, given their expanded roles and the loaded roster.
• Week 1, despite the high emotion and storyline volume, will not define the Bills’ season—overreaction is futile.
• Youth movement: Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford are two poised young starters expected to surprise.
• Offensive improvement is expected, namely from James Cook and rookie Dalton Kincaid, with Gabe Davis as a swing player.
• Team culture, humility, and the motivation to prove doubters wrong are driving forces.
• Fans’ anxieties mostly reside in traumatic memories of last year’s playoff flameout.

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Top Memorable Moments

• “Don’t overreact to what happens in Week 1.” (01:23, Mike)
• “A statement here on Monday night would say we’re still here.” (07:37, Dan)
• “If you don’t continue to ascend… you know what gets old? If you’re not [good].” (29:02, Jenna on Josh Allen)
• “I just think it’s a perfect storm for the Bills to kind of release all of that pent up energy… get back to that ‘you don’t believe in us’.” (11:24, Dan)
• “It just feels good to win one … that was an August 11th, fire from the hip, man.” (13:31, Dan, on Bernard prediction)

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For Further Engagement

• Buffalo Plus Road Trip: All three hosts will be onsite for MNF at MetLife.
• Call to Fans: Share your Week 1 expectations, surprise players, and concerns in the comments.

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Buffalo Plus: Trusted, energetic, and deep Bills coverage—with just the right dose of banter and bold takes.

Transcript

[Jenna Cottrell]

Foreign.

[Dan Fates]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast, brought to you by Connors and Ferris.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome Back to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. Presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. It is a special day on the podcast for many a reason. 25k we hit. Really exciting. Thank you all so much. We really, really, truly appreciate the support. We're gonna keep growing this thing as big as, you know, we can make it. And we always appreciate all the fans and everyone. So thank you all. And also, it is football week one. We have made it, folks. But before we get started, please be sure to like, comment and subscribe to the channel again if you appreciate our content.

[Dan Fates]

100K is next.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, steps in between that. But hey, that's our goal. But no, gentlemen, you know what the.

[Dan Fates]

Most important subscriber is? It's the next one. That's, that's, that's how this is gonna work. We're gonna go one subs.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, it's the growth mindset, as Sean McDermott coined the phrase. But no. All right, talking week one Bill's jets. Mike, this is a huge test out the gate. Like, what are your thoughts on this game, especially the fact that it's on the road? Aaron Rodgers, new look jets and the.

[Mike Catalana]

Division to start has been mentioned maybe 25, 000 times on the Buffalo plus podcast. I have been covering this team for a long time, but you guys know what I always have said, man, when I step in a stadium, I love the feeling. That's why I keep doing this. And I cannot wait for the atmosphere of that game. I think it's going to be phenomenal. I like that the jets are relevant. They've been irrelevant like the Bills were and if it took Aaron Rodgers, so be it. I think it's going to be phenomenal there between. Obviously the 911 stuff brings a bunch of emotion. The Rogers thing is off the charts. Biggest story of the off season. And here the Bills are just like last year, walking in in a primetime game to begin the season. I love it. The only thing I'm going to say is, and I'm going to say it right now, do not overreact one way or the other on what happens in week one. I know we all will, but I'm just saying this as like, you know, it's like, don't tear the tag off the mattress. Like no one pays attention to it. Do not overreact to what happens in week one.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I totally agree with Mike. I think there's no Greater though overreaction in the entire season than week one. Like, it's either the team is a bust, the season's over, or next stop is Vegas for the Super Bowl. So. But all that comes with all of the storylines that have gone on this offseason. And Jenna, we talked about it on the blog yesterday. Whether it's, you know, the new toy, you know, the Bills kind of seem like that old toy that everybody's kind of over. And now it's the jets, it's Rogers, it's Tua, it's oh, hey, by the way, like, the Patriots now have an offensive coordinator. It's like everybody else. And again, I get it. It's media, it's national media. That's what they're supposed to do. They're supposed to make people upset and say things that are outrageous.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's what they're so good at it though, Dan.

[Dan Fates]

They're so good. And so I think that that's why all of this will get exacerbated by whatever happens on Monday night. Big word. There's your five dollar word for you.

[Mike Catalana]

Five.

[Dan Fates]

Don't even ask me to attempt dispel. I couldn't tell you what the first letter is of that, but just the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Fact of going, I know you're being honest too.

[Dan Fates]

100. The fact is, Jenna, like, it's so funny and you did this story yesterday for the newscast was the fact of, oh, it's just another game. It's just the game. The players are saying, oh, it's, you know, it's not a big deal. But then inside their answers of all of them saying it's not a big deal was truth of them being like, nah, this is a big deal. Like Vaughn being like, this is what you would live for. And Steph being like, I love being on prime time. Like all of these things because it's Monday night are just magnified so much more.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. A thousand percent. And I mean, to start the season on the last game of the week, Sean McDermott talked like in his little bio, Monday Night Football was his favorite TV program growing up. Like, the magnitude of the game, the fact that it is Aaron Rodgers, the fact that it is a Jets team that we've had so much hype about on Hard knocks, it's on 9 11. Obviously, like Mike talked about emotional day, being down outside the city. Like all of these things. I think, you know, when I had Stefan Diggs in my story yesterday, he talked about like, everyone's eager and everyone's just ready. Like they want to make the most of this opportunity. And it's like, this is an opportunity to make a statement and you're right. Like there's a way to make a statement and, and then not extrapolate it throughout the rest of the season. And what I say yesterday, if everything goes right in this game, that doesn't mean everything is perfect. If everything goes wrong, that doesn't mean the season is a mess. You have to kind of take your cues from what you see. But at the same point, like excitement, it's the NFL. We are reactionary every week. Like it's a piece of it. That that's how it works. There's, you know, a limited amount of regular season games. We don't really know what we're going to see at the season. And. And there is so much pressure on this team. Dan and I were in Buffalo yesterday, Orchard park, and I felt like the team just sounded a little bit different. Whereas before it was more of a, you know, all shucks, like, we're the super bowl favorites. Like, you know, we got to prove ourselves all this, this year, this season. To me, a, they are not super bowl favorites, but B, Stefan Dig said, like, this team has done a good job of staying under the radar. This team has been doubted. This team has question marks. And Mike, I think that this team loves being in that spot. And to the point where you have the saying or someone has a saying in the NFL, you're either humble or about to be humbled. When I look at matchup going in, I'm like, one team is humbled and the other team could be about to be humbled.

[Mike Catalana]

I think the jets honestly sound like the Bills did a year ago and maybe even pumped up a little bit more. I mean, look, I get it. Sometimes you're in the middle of sound bites and Robert Salas talking about, guess what, those guys got to play us too. And you got defensive players read the safety talking about we could be an all time defense. I get it. They're confident, right? We talked to Janae Coakley from covers the Jets. She goes, they're confident, but they are, you know, they, they are feeling positive. And I get it. The jets haven't had a lot of that, but honestly, for a team that really hasn't done anything, I know you added a Hall of Famer. They sound a little like one that's about to be humbled at the beginning of the year. Now, that doesn't mean, I think guaranteed the Bills come in and win the game, but, man, you know, Rogers hasn't played Regular snap for them. And last year he is still really good, but he didn't look phenomenal and he's got to get used to all these guys and the play calling, Nate Hackett and all those things. So honestly, I like the mindset of the Bills maybe more than the Jets. Maybe that arrogance will work for them, but honestly, that's the way they've come across leading into this game.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Jenna, you talked about how this could be a statement game for the Bills.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And I instantly thought about how different this statement would be than other statement Monday night prime time games. Think about it. We always go back to that Thanksgiving game in Dallas. I always remember the Pittsburgh game Sunday night in 2019 when they clinched the playoff spot. We think about going to Kansas City in the regular season on Sunday night, winning games. Those were all statements. Telling the league, telling the world, telling the NFL. We've arrived. We are that team. A statement here on Monday night would say we're still here because so many people have checked them off like, like you said Jet, like they are somewhat like just like ho hum. It's like the Bills aren't going to be as good as as they were. Like that's just not what it is. But to come out and put on a good performance would really kind of silence all those critics. And the statement would be, hey, we're still the Bills.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I, I agree. I. That's why I'm curious to see how it will be. And my one thing is I've talked to fans, obviously, you know, at Wegman's running into people. And the biggest thing that I hear is people are, of course, people are excited for the season, all these things. But Dan, it's like that. And when we talk to the team, it's like, this is a new season, this is a new team, this is all these things. But it's like the way last year ended and, and I'm not even talking about the Stefan Diggs stuff as much. Just the frustration and just the lack of effort, the lack of execution, like the kind of laying down situation. I think that's something that fans are really nervous about. Just because we haven't seen this team back on field.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like the concern is that it's like, was that how they're gonna be?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I think the last impression was of a team that had lost that spark. And there are a lot of reasons behind that. Right. And obviously the DeMar situation really took a lot out of them. But if you go back before the Cincinnati game, we know they were struggling. They Were hanging in there. They had some grit. They found a way. By the way, that's a. That's a big coach's word, right? Grit. Yeah, grit. You gotta be football guy. They found those ways to survive. But, man, when you take a, you know, 10,000 foot view of it, you're like, they barely beat the Patriots, they barely beat the Dolphins. Like, you could see it coming. Maybe we all didn't want to see it coming. It's a new season. And the reality is, think back to that Rams game and the early Miami game and the way we felt about stuff and all really doesn't matter. I mean, it matters for positioning and all those things. What matters is when the weather's cold and the playoff games are starting. So that's part of the mindset. And that's why I say about the overreacting. And even on the other side, guys, you know, Aaron Rodgers could come out a little shaky. The line not as good as the offense doesn't work as well. And the Bills win the game. Don't go burying them because it's week one and they have a lot of new people. That's all I'm saying is you can get fooled a little bit early in the year, but I don't think emotion is going to be a problem for either team coming into this one.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan, your thoughts?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I tried to get that out of Stefan Diggs yesterday when we talked, because we're recording this Thursday morning. I asked him, we've talked about it, that he seems more fired up at practices than he has been. Like he's treated practices like games. And it just seems like the emotion of this thought of the script being flipped it. And I'm not talking about the script that the NFL puts out every single year for the games. I'm talking about the fact.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I love those commercials, by the way.

[Dan Fates]

Phenomenal way to lean into one little bit. At least the NFL has embraced that, that it's scripted and rigged. I think that's great. But the fact of the matter is, is that like, you've got. You've got whatever drama there was this off season, you've got the doubters, you've got Leslie. Like, you have all this stuff. And I think it does come to a head at the end of week one in. In the, you know, the Big Apple or the Meadowlands, whatever, close to the. The New York City market, and you have it under bright lights on national television. Like, I just think it's a perfect storm for the Bills to kind of release all of that pent up energy of kind of a lack of a better word, like screw you guys. Like, like get back to that. Like you guys don't believe in us. Which I do find funny because for like Mike says, for all the hype that the jets are getting, hard knocks is part of that. A lot of people like, yeah, it was a few years ago was the Lions like everybody bought into hype around the Lions because they see the team and they kind of see that behind the scenes access. The Bills are still two and a half point favorites to go into the Meadowlands. Like Vegas still thinks the Bills are a pretty damn good team. So I think that that's also part of. But around it it's different.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Yeah. The narrative around both teams feels very different heading into this season. And speaking of just the season in general, I mean the fact that we are at week one, this is a long year for the Bills. We've talked so much about this team getting over the hump. Mike, what is your outlook on this Bill's team for this upcoming season?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I think we need to be ready that there's going to be some adjustments. Right. They made the deal with Terrell Bernard. I don't know if you guys expected it. Dan. I don't know. At any point did you think Bernard could be a star?

[Dan Fates]

Unbelievable. What a day for the brand.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It was Dan saying that. What a day for the br. Like I would never think to say like the brand. But it is. It's the Dan Fates Incorporated guys.

[Mike Catalana]

How was it yesterday? Did McDermott come up and congratulate Dan at any point or no handshakes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Champagne was popping.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay, doing your 1 11th.

[Dan Fates]

Listen, I have taken a lot of stuff, okay. I've had my fair share of bad takes and I deserve every time that I say an ACL is an oil change or something like that, like I rightfully so I deserve to. To eat crow and all of those things and get dunked on in the comment section. But it goes back to like that. The clip of Kevin Malone in the office when he goes. It just feels good to win one. Like it does. It just feels good to really. That was. That was an 8. August 11th. Fire from the hip, man. This. This. Why is Bernard practicing at middle linebacker? That's strange. And to take it and turn it into a hot take of that. He's going to start week one. Just feels good to win one. Guys, a little.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A little inside baseball. Yesterday we're at the Sean McDermott press conference. Obviously we have a group chat between the three of us. Sean McDermott barely got out the words that Terrell Bernard would be the starting middle linebacker. And Dan Fates was in the group.

[Dan Fates]

Chat with just like, oh, my God. I think it was, oh, my God.

[Mike Catalana]

You know what's so good about it? I didn't think there would be something that would surpass. We reached out about Christian McCaffrey more, but this far surpasses it in a moment of a news conference because that was a year in advance. Would you agree, Dan, or do you like the. We reached out to McCaffrey.

[Dan Fates]

The McCaffrey one may have been better. Personally, to validate me, this was just a proven hot take. And again, for. For somebody that I'd like to. Yeah, I don't like to consider myself like a hot takes specialist, but like, I see some of the comments that, like, it is. Dan has a lot of hot takes. You swing and miss on a lot of them guys. You swing and miss and you just keep shooter shoot like Jenna says, and to stick with it. Yeah. The text all of a sudden, all caps, which I'm a big all caps guy. Huge all caps guy. In the text messages, I just said I was right. Oh, my God. And then it just goes. Jenna responds with flip the mug. And then I just said, huge day for the Dan Brand, Bernard and Benford. Unbelievable.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, still talking, by the way, while.

[Mike Catalana]

We continue to congratulate you. What do you guys think of Bernard starting?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm surprised. So.

[Dan Fates]

No, no, no. I guess when I look back to it and it's funny from hearing some of this stuff from the offensive side, I don't know. And this is like, maybe it's dumb. Maybe I'll go back to being dumb Dan and things like that. I don't know how much like the offensive side and defensive side, like, collab, like, the lot from what I'm hearing from the Bill side, Ken Dorsey, Brandon Bean is speed, right? Speed, speed, speed. That the NFL isn't getting slower. That's why they went out and got Deontay Hardy. That's why they looked at a guy like Andy Isabella. Like, they talk about all this speed at Dalton Kincaid to be more tight end with speed, right? All these things. And then I look at Trail Bernard and how many times have we. How many times have we kind of joked, like, he doesn't look like a linebacker. Like he. He doesn't have the physical size and build. He almost looks like a safety. So maybe they want to get just a little faster. And the big thing is, is that if the speed is getting faster on offense you need, maybe you're adjusting to more speed at middle linebacker now. The one thing that I really like about Bernard, and it's, it was part of the take, was that he has instincts that he, from day one they complimented his instincts, his, his knowledge of the defense. Jordan Poyer said it yesterday, Sean McDermott said it again. And that was the one thing we always saw that lacked with Tremaine Edmonds, all the physical skills but didn't have the instincts trail. Bernard by all accounts has the instincts to play that middle linebacker role and maybe he has more speed and agility to play in an NFL that is getting faster and quicker. That instead of the big bruising AJ Klein, Tyrell Dodson linebackers, they're going to a Matt Milano type for two of them.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I, I will say I feel like that leads to what we're kind of seeing in terms of like positionless, like a lot of guys kind of coming in and having similar frames and you kind of mention all this stuff like what you're not going to get the physicality that Tremaine Edmonds had walking out the door. So you're not going to have that. So why don't you like when everyone else is zigging you zag type of thing. The only reason I was kind of surprised was because he's missed so much time having that hamstring injury not playing in the preseason. I think that says a lot about what they think about Tyrell Dodson as well. You can kind of say a message without even thinking of, you know, what it means in terms of that. But I was just a little taken aback because with that time missing those reps on the field, that's a huge spot to be at. But at the same point I think McDermott trusts him and I think it's a situation. The Bills did sign Christian Kirksey, which hand up I said his name wrong like 15 different ways to Sunday on one of our earlier blogs. Christian Kirksey, he's a 10 year NFL guy. You know, I, I still think if he can figure out this Bill's defense in a couple weeks, maybe there's a switch at middle linebacker, depending how on how Terrell Bernard is playing. But the only reason I was taken aback was because he just, Mike, he just wasn't out there this summer.

[Mike Catalana]

And the other thing, Janet, I think we need to say that Sean McDermott is thinking bigger picture here. It's hard to replicate this and say if this was the playoffs, you know, and Terrell Bernard was at this level and you had veterans who had been around. Maybe you say I gotta play the vet. Well, it's week one. As big of a game as it is. It is week one and if you think this kid can play, you got to get him on the field. That's the only way he's going to be that way. Are you taking a little bit of a risk? Well, sure you are. But let's also be honest. You're talking about Kirksey, who hasn't been on the team, by the way. Kind of. You know, I don't like names that are so hard to say. You gotta, you gotta focus on the first name, how it goes with the last name. It kind of, it doesn't flow that well.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I thought it was Kirk's. Lee.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, but it's Christian. It's its Kirky.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Remember like a hockey loss, like a hockey nickname.

[Mike Catalana]

So do we call him Kirksey? Yeah, right.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean that is his last name.

[Mike Catalana]

I know, but yeah, it's just as that's what we call him. We don't call him Christian. I guess be the first name. But, but in terms of this, I think they're thinking of it like, okay, this kid, this guy is, has the traits that we like. He's going out there. And when you look at the other options, I mean it's really at the moment in terms of knowing the defense, it's Tyrell Dodson. So I think Sean McDermott is having faith in himself, having faith in the guys on the back end, having faith in that D line and having faith in Matt Milano that it's worth playing him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

It'S, it's always, you kind of always look back and I go, I always remember, like I said, the take started from training camp that he took all the middle linebacker reps and going. He, he models his game after Matt Milano. Like why would he be working as an ins. As the middle linebacker when he's done so much as the. As you would imagine, the outside linebacker. And it's just. You wonder where the step was because last year, like let's not forget like Dodson and Klein filled in for, for Edmonds when. Yeah, he wasn't there. Like this, this is obviously Sean McDermott takes a lot of the training camp into account and what the off season was. But like this is going to be getting thrown in the deep end of the pool for a guy that has not started at all. So he's earned the green dot and they're gonna, they're at least this will be the first gamble is, is replacing the, the Middle linebacker with a guy that is a, somebody they think very highly of.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, we'll see. I, I, that is why I'm like, you didn't really have you this summer. You weren't out there. That is why I have question marks, concerns. But at the same point, I think Terrell Bernard, like you said, Dan, he was out there training camp last year. He was working in that spot before. He's been in the meeting rooms, like all this stuff.

[Dan Fates]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Terms of the season and pressure, a lot of pressure on this team this upcoming year. Dan, I want to start with you. Who do you think is under the most pressure?

[Dan Fates]

To me, I've said it before, I think it's Sean McDermott. That doesn't mean that Sean McDermott's on the hot seat. That doesn't mean that he's coaching for his job. It just means whatever happened with Leslie Frazier, and we still may not ever get the full answer. Everybody can have their speculations, but Sean wanted to take over the defense one way or another. He wanted more control for a defense that again, this has been a top five defense since Sean McDermott really took over, but it has fallen short in big moments, and now he's putting more on his, on his back. He's putting, he's putting his neck out there again. So for a team that again, has kind of fallen out of love with this, you know, the, the, the super bowl favorites, Sean has now put more on his plate. So it's, it's a big step up for him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I will say, too, I think that pressure is twofold because one, you have him stepping up in terms of calling the defense, being the defensive coordinator, and then, and there have been moments the defense has come up very short and let this team down. Then there's also the fact that he is the head coach of this team, and this team, in big moments, has not been able to get over the hump. So it's like this team has all these expectations once again this season. We talk so much about Josh Allen, his window, all of these things, and it's like Sean is putting himself in a spot, Mike, where it's, he's got pressure with the defense, but overall, this entire team, this entire season falls once again on his shoulders.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And look, some of this goes on Brandon Bean, too. Yeah, that's very fair, you know, but it's going to be different now. This team is set and you, no one could make an argument that this is not a very talented roster. There are still holes, there are people. Look, he drafted Osiris Torrance. He's getting the start. I love it. Let's get him out there. It's a big kid, looks like he has talent. Soft spoken guy, but he's. What is he? Wide. Wide is the way Dion described him. Get him out there. Christian Benford, I don't care if he was in the sixth round. Sorry, Kair. The train's going to. The better players got to be on the field, so they're doing that and I think McDermott embraces that. That's why Benford started last year. There's one move left to make if things don't go well and that's an offensive coordinator and that's the only thing I keep in mind. There is a lot of pressure on Ken Dorsey this year and just straightened up. Well, there is. I mean it's year two for him, but it's year, what, six with the team. Whatever it is, whatever the number is. And I will say this, I like in theory, I like the moves that being made to help him on the offense. I think we all like Trent Sherfield as that kind of guy. Gabe Davis is healthy playing first contract. It's Josh freaking Allen and Stefan Diggs. Okay? Make it work. James Cook is going to be a huge player in this offense in terms of making it. And then obviously there's Kincaid. So this is a better offense on paper than it was last year in large part, I think, because I think a healthy Gabe Davis does make that difference. And then Kincaid gives you another option. But the pressure, I mean, yeah, there's pressure on Josh, there's always pressure on the quarterback. But the pressure is on Dorsey this year. It's really on the coach.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, agreed.

[Dan Fates]

I'm just glad that I wasn't the one that got to beat up Dorsey on this pod. I thought I let somebody up at.

[Mike Catalana]

The moment because I think a lot of those problems last year were on the O line and we're on some of the players, you know, and Davis is. Whether it's his injury and guys that didn't do McKenzie didn't do what you would hope they would do. And you've seen what's happened. They had Mackenzie and Beasley in there and you know, Mackenzie I think got brought back by the Colts. We love the guy but he didn't do his job. And so let's see this year what they get. Let's see how it works out.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, again, I think that if you look at this team, you still feel pretty confident with this defense and I still think that goes back to the Ferrari. And, Mike, you've said it before. I thought you made a good comparison. The one day where I always talked about how you're giving the keys to the Ferrari to a guy with a learner's permit and that Josh Allen and Stefan Diggs are the Ferrari. I don't hate your analogy about a running game. I don't. As much as that pains me to. Like, I feel physically ill saying that, but why don't you share that one with us?

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, he was talking about the O line.

[Mike Catalana]

I was talking about the. You're talking about the tires.

[Dan Fates]

The tires.

[Mike Catalana]

You need the tires on the Ferrari, and that's the O line to me. And in terms of the running game, we've said it all along. The league is telling everybody, you need to be able to run the ball. What you don't need is a running back. You don't need a superstar running back, but you need to be able to run the ball. I mean, the thing about the Bills, it's. It's not. Yeah. It's not just like they were like, screw it, man. We're going to throw it on every down because we've got Josh Allen. They made him run it. They. When they tried to run it, it wasn't effective. I mean, that's the problem. It wasn't like they didn't try. I like their mix of backs this year. I think they can be effective. It's the Cook brothers against each other. Right, this week.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But I. I like, again, I think giving him the option to be a weapon, not just a back. Devin Singletary was a back and a solid player, but if you want to give the ball to a guy in this offense, and that means it's not going to Diggs or Davis or maybe even Kincaid, then that guy better be able to make some plays and not just put it all on. Go ahead, Josh, run the ball. So, yeah, that's why I'm saying is when I look at the whole roster coming in and, you know, Janet, Spencer Brown, come on, he's got to be better this year. But I think in total, I like what's there. Now it's up to Dorsey to make it work.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, if you have the Ferrari and the keys, you got to take care of it. That's the thing. And that means not just like you talked about. It's. It's the tires, it's the. The car washes and the oil changes and all the things that go into it.

[Dan Fates]

All right, who has the most pressure for you? You didn't answer the question.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Me. I said Sean McDermott.

[Dan Fates]

Okay.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was saying how it's twofold, how it's both. Yes, as defensive coordinator, but it's also as head coach, because, hey, but let.

[Mike Catalana]

Me ask you, I mentioned Josh. What level of pressure you think there is on Josh?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, I think there is pressure because he's ascended into this household name. He's on the COVID of Madden. He's. He's a guy that's on. I feel like I turn on my TV and it's like the Gillette commercial, the latest commercial. All this stuff where it's like, yeah, you know why you can get these opportunities? Because you're really good. But you know what gets old if you're not. If you. If you don't continue to ascend, if you don't continue to. And look, I think this is no secret. Like, Josh knows all these things, right? But I think there, because you're out.

[Dan Fates]

There, is Baker Mayfield still locked in that State Farm place. Remember when he was on every single commercial? There is pressure. I think that goes along with it. I saw somebody that, you know, came up and talked to me, was like, I feel like every single time I see. I'm on my. I'm watching tv, Like, Josh pops up. Like, that's part of it. I'd argue there's more pressure on Diggs than Josh, you know, in a. In a little bit of a way. Me, personally, I. I just think that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Steph firing from the hit Mike.

[Dan Fates]

No, I'm just saying Steph put himself under a microscope more than Josh did.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think I. I think I hear what you're saying go off, Michael.

[Mike Catalana]

No, go ahead, Jenna.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I think regionally, there's a lot of pressure on Stefan Diggs, but it's always going to fall on the quarterback shoulders. Always.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes. And I think Diggs is. Some people will perceive him as just this diva wide receiver. He has put up numbers. He. He's been outstanding. And not that people wouldn't want Josh Allen, but there's a difference in the way quarterbacks are looked at. Like, I was listening to people, and right away they go, well, Mahomes is the best quarterback. And then it's Burrow. And now they put Herz ahead of him. And I love Herz, and I love what he does, but no one in the world would have put Jalen Hurts ahead of Josh Allen last year. I mean, Herz was the guy with all of it. Now, he also played outstanding, a great offensive line, great scheme, the whole thing. And he made it work and he got him to the Super Bowl. But I wonder if you took 32 general managers out there and said, how many of you? Well, we'll say 30. Take out the Bills and the Chiefs. And even if you take out the. How many. Who wants Hertz? Who wants Allen? I think, I still think most general managers would say, I'll take Josh Allen seven days a week. But Hertz did it in big moments, had great season, did it all. He's got to replicate it again. Josh has had those years. But I think Josh set this bar so high now, and we keep moving it. He was compared to Mahomes, and he's right there. And now all of a sudden it's like, yeah. And then you're going to hear people this year, well, maybe I'd rather have Herbert. And who knows how Trevor Lawrence is going to be. It's like you're letting. Just like the team, the teams below you are getting this attention as opposed to just the ones above you.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dan Fates]

But Diggs's actions, right or wrong, which we have talked about one way or another, put a magnifying glass on him. Every move that Stefan Diggs makes this season will be scrutinized. And if he drops a pass or two or if he doesn't have a play, it will be looked at more critically than Alan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like, I don't know if I agree with that. I think if, if things go very awry, then that'll circle back to being a national narrative.

[Dan Fates]

But I'm not saying it's fair. I'm not saying it's fair. And again. But I'm just saying, like, you don't think that If Steph goes 3, 4, 34 on Monday night, you don't think it's going to get talked about that. Where was he in this offseason? You don't. You know, he was in France and he was in Paris. Like, you don't think all this stuff comes back up, right or wrong? It. It'll be asinine. I'm just saying that, like, his, the leash on the hot tags for Steph because of what he did or did not do are going to make him a. A bigger candidate for those discussions. Dumb takes.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I will say, though, if the Bills win that game that you're talking about on Monday night where Diggs doesn't have a good game, it doesn't matter. Like, if they lose, it's like, it's.

[Dan Fates]

Like, well, it matters when they win.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But it all comes down to. I feel like it all comes down to Josh. Like, that's. Josh Allen is a household name now.

[Dan Fates]

Stefan dig shuts down Diggs. There's a talking point.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, no.

[Dan Fates]

All of a sudden, yes. So, so Josh could throw for 300 yards, but if Diggs has three catches, like, what's wrong with Stefan Diggs?

[Mike Catalana]

He ain't throwing for 300 yards against the jets if Diggs has three catches.

[Dan Fates]

I'm just saying, I'm throwing out scenarios. People, people.

[Mike Catalana]

Jenna, he's on a wine dance on a win streak of one and he's leaning into it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Don't let him get hot.

[Dan Fates]

Don't let me get hot.

[Mike Catalana]

Taking those acuna swings.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. What is our. What do you guys think will be the biggest surprise this season player like, game? I don't know.

[Dan Fates]

Go ahead, Mike.

[Mike Catalana]

I, I said it just a moment ago. I think it's James Cook and again, I'm not saying he's a 1500 yard running back. I'm saying is you're going to finally see, I think that they got it right for this offense and what they need and out of whatever level you consider a number one back, I think he's going to be really good for him. I think he's going to make some plays near the goal line. I think he's going to get incorporated into the past game. I think he. I think we've just gotten to the point where we don't expect a lot out of the running backs because they've tried to draft them. I think a year into it and I think he's. He's under the radar. He really is. Because Kincaid's gotten so much attention, I think, and it's year two, but I, I think, I think he's going to be a big surprise for a lot of people.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan.

[Dan Fates]

It's tough to find a real surprise. Also, it's. It's tough because we were so deep into this team that like, you know, to sit here and be like, oh, I think this guy is going to be the surpriser or that thing. I'll say. I think Christian Benford surprises people by how well he plays. I have been a Christian Benford. Stan account for going back to last season. I think if injuries hadn't, you know, inhibited some of his playing time. I think he plays physical. I've said it before. I think, I think he can have a Taryn Johnson like effect on this defense where Taren is changed the way that they play schematically because of his versatility and because of all those things. I think we kind of forget about Kyre Elam. I think he kind of becomes an afterthought. I think Christian Benford takes the job. I think he hangs out of the job and becomes just a key part of, of this defense.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that was a guy that I thought could be a surprise. Mike.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, I was just gonna add, you guys both talked about Bernard having instincts. I think Benford has instincts. I think he does. He has what we just, it's sort of like, I'll say Elam is more like a Tremaine Edmonds physically, long arms, all those things, but there's just that little bit missing and it's frustrating because you see it. And I'm not saying Benford and, and Bernard are both going to be stars, but they do have something. Benford just has something. And by the way, those three guys who are starters, like, good for the team, not exactly great for reporters getting soundbites because those three guys are very soft spoken and that's fine. Osiris and Benford and Bernard are not exactly Dion Dawkins talking to the media. And that's cool, but I kind of like, be quiet. Go do your job, guys. That's what I love about coming out of Villanova. Seriously, I love that.

[Dan Fates]

Go, Cat.

[Mike Catalana]

He's not quite the undrafted guy. You know, he's not like Levi, but.

[Dan Fates]

You know, but I think it's even more surprising because It's A, it's D1, double A. Like, it's not even power. It's not power five.

[Mike Catalana]

Right.

[Dan Fates]

Like, yeah, you're right.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, this is Alabama.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, this isn't even Sunbelt. Like, this is. Half the guys he was playing against are probably doing taxes now. Like, like they're, they're smarter than all of us. And, and to go off that, you talk about Kair and again, I'm not, I hope the best for Kair and like, he's dealing with failure and I think it's something new of how you deal with failure. And Kair had talked that he's been good at football since like 8th grade and that, like, this is last year was the first time that he really struggled. And I think those struggles, I'm not trying to get into people's personal life, but if you listen or, or talk to Christian Benford, like his life is unbelievable, that, that he's still here at this level where with the violence and things that went on in his life, like growing up in the inner city of Baltimore, like, all these things, I don't think he cares about talking to the media. Like, I These little things. And like, the. The chip on his shoulder is massive. And I was watching him yesterday because I was like, we need to get shots of him at practice. And what really stood out to me was Christian Benford's a starter now. Named a starter. He was still the last guy at the back end of every single drill.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like, really?

[Dan Fates]

Do you think. Like, you would think, hey, I'm a starter now. Like, I get to be in the front of the line with Trey, Micah, and. And Jordan now. Like, do you think he gives. Do you think he cares at all about who goes first or who goes second? Like, I'm Christian Benford. Like, I just go out there and do work. Like. Like. And it. To me, that was just one of those things that stood out to me that it was like, man, you made it. Like, you've earned the starting job again because you had it last year. You did start. I know they rotated that. That number two corner spot, but, like, that. That just. Was just something that really stood out to me at practice was like, he does not care about when he gets reps or anything like that. Like, he just wants to go out there and compete. And I think that's very telling.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I agree. I think he's going to be a guy that Bill's fans will root for. Like, I think his story and his work ethic, and it's kind of the Sean McDermott model of, like, I don't care where you were drafted. If you're the best guy for that job, you're going to be out on the field.

[Dan Fates]

Yep.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And the other thing coming into this is Poyer and Hyde back together again. It'll be cool. I think Hyde's going to be fine. You guys talked with Poyer. He thinks he'll be. Let's. Let's see. He was out there with his pads on, but those two playing. What would this be? Seven straight years.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Seven.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

By the way, guys, NFL history.

[Mike Catalana]

I was thinking about the way this defense has been built and before Brandon Bean, Matt Milano. Right. Signing free agents, Poyer and Hyde, drafting Trey White.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's Theon Dawkins.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, you're talking about the oh, no defense. Four mainstays on that defense that have been there. And I say pre because that was the Doug Whaley pseudo. Whatever. Not privy. You know, McDermott's in there. Those are guys that are still there. Seven years. This may be the last year. Like, we don't know what these guys are going to do, but I think it's awesome. They're going to Take the field together with Trey. Right. Dan is first time since Thanksgiving.

[Dan Fates]

Thanksgiving of 20, 21 1.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's crazy.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. The three together. So that's cool. But that's also what gives them confidence.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And they don't play on Thanksgiving this year.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Mike. That was the Thanksgiving meal at the Superdome. That was the. The ham sandwich.

[Jenna Cottrell]

There's an incredible photo of Dan.

[Dan Fates]

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. New Orleans. I mean, Dallas, We. We all.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dallas was fantastic.

[Dan Fates]

Detroit was good.

[Mike Catalana]

Cowboys. Detroit was good. Dallas was off the charts. They do a lot of things that are laughable, and I enjoy it when it's laughable with the Cowboys, by the way, like Jerry Jones saying when he traded for Trey Lance, I didn't need to talk to everybody. I knew how he was. I just. I seen this kid before. I just went out and got him, like, okay.

[Dan Fates]

Really?

[Mike Catalana]

But a meal on Thanksgiving. Off the charts. Not New Orleans, man.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Very good.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. So.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right. My. My surprise.

[Mike Catalana]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's not even. It's Dalton Kincaid. I'm just. I'm really curious if he can be a guy that, like, my friends outside of Buffalo have no idea who Dalton Kincaid is. You know, I feel like he's a guy that nationally is really under the radar, but I think for this Bills team, I. I just feel like I've been so. We've all been so impressed by what we've seen this offseason, this preseason, just how smooth he looks, just his ability to make catches, his. I. I feel like the catch radius that he has, it doesn't feel like he's a rookie. We haven't seen that moment from him. And that's not to say that it won't come, but at the same point, I just think he's been really impressive, and that's why I'm excited to see what he can be for this team this season. Obviously, Dawson Knox has been. You know, he's had great seasons in Buffalo and the Bills. That's their guy. But I think Dalton Kincaid can kind of add a little change up in there, and I think I'm excited to see what that will be for this team.

[Dan Fates]

Do you want to know my honorable bench in that? I almost went with what? Do you have any guesses on who I could say would be a possible surprise?

[Jenna Cottrell]

A possible surprise? Terrell Bernard?

[Mike Catalana]

Gabe Davis.

[Dan Fates]

Not.

[Jenna Cottrell]

See, But I was gonna pick him, but my thing is, like, he's already set the bar. Like, I think this will be a bad.

[Dan Fates]

He's. Has he. Has he set the bar?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. He's set A level of. If he plays really well, I wouldn't be like, oh, my God, did you see, like, Gabe Davis? Like, I think he can really see.

[Dan Fates]

Be what?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like, I think he can really be that. That second guy that the Bills need.

[Mike Catalana]

Him to be, which is he has. That he hasn't been right.

[Dan Fates]

Which is where. Another time I was right. I was right again. But I think that we talk about.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Here's my thing. He. He didn't play well last year.

[Dan Fates]

And. And who was. Who was nervous when we did this before the season last year? Who was the one player I was injured? Was he really? And it's Jermaine Edmonds Young.

[Mike Catalana]

Hey, Janice.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's not the same thing as being injured. Being young and being injured are very different.

[Mike Catalana]

Janet, let me ask you this. You've been to shows before, like Broadway, right?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

How many times do they come out to take a bow at the end? It's usually like once, Right. Little quick bow. Dan's gone triple here. He's taken bows.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. He had the victory lap yesterday. My thing is, if Gabe Davis has a phenomenal season, I won't be like, oh, my God, I never thought it would happen. Real. Okay. I guess I just feel differently.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, I think it's frustrating because he had those big, big moments. Yeah, I want 575 is what I want.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think he's capable of that. I think his teammates think he's capable of that. He was voted a captain this year.

[Dan Fates]

I think that could be. I talked about how you learned from failure. I think he could have learned a lot last year by the struggles that he went through, because the first two seasons he was everybody's favorite underdog. And the minute that he got put in that spot of, hey, you're the guy now, he came up short. He'll admit it. Bean won't admit it, but. But everybody else, he was throwing a hundred passes last year. It wasn't like he didn't have opportunities. He didn't catch a whole lot of them. I think this year, with what he's gone through now, knowing what to expect as that guy, I think can help him to have the type of season and what to expect. That's the thing. Again, I'm aware that he had an ankle injury. I've heard that quite a bit. He seems healthy, he seems focused, and I think the captain means a lot. I think that sends a big message to have a guy that his contract doesn't say that he's going to be here forever. So that to me, I Think is a. Is. Is a big testament that I think he could be the guy that we said. What does he need 75 catches. The Bills need 75 catches out of him this year, at least.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I will say this. This was my hot take a few weeks ago. I think he gets off to a great start, is playing well and they sign him to an extension during the season.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I think that's what they want to happen.

[Mike Catalana]

Yep.

[Dan Fates]

I agree.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

I also think Khalil Shakir could have a sneaky good year. He has been forgotten about. I think he could have a bigger role in the offense than Deontay Hardy. I think he could.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I want him to play well. I think he's. He's. I just. I have questions about his consistency, but if he can show that, I think he can be.

[Dan Fates]

But you think Gabe is the consistent again, Dan?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, go ahead, Mike. No, no. I just think it's outrageous, Dan, for you to be like. Well, I mean, Tremaine, he's young. I'm like being injured and young are completely different things.

[Dan Fates]

I will say what is Mike called their reasons. Not excuses.

[Mike Catalana]

Not excuses. I will say this. Gabe Davis.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I hope Gabe Davis has a victory lap for you.

[Dan Fates]

Like I. I'm sitting here saying I think he could have a breakout season.

[Jenna Cottrell]

My worry sounding, what you're saying and how it sounds are very different.

[Mike Catalana]

Jenna. He's setting himself up for a bow. That's what he's doing.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh. Because either way, if Gabe Davis doesn't play well, Dan, be like I told you. But if he plays well, he'd be like I said he was gonna to be a breakout player.

[Mike Catalana]

Nope. My worry about. Oh, my God, you guys, you're worse than me.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I'm mad now.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay, go ahead, let Jenna vent.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I, I just want to hear how Dan didn't do that.

[Mike Catalana]

He did.

[Dan Fates]

I think this year is the year that Gabe. I have been a Gabe skeptic. Not rooting against Gabe like everybody thinks that I. I root against him. Not the case. I've been skeptic of the hype around him now. This year, I don't think there's as much hype. I think he's learned from the struggles last year, which I correctly predicted. And the fact of the matter is, is that this year, Mike's face. That was great. I think this year he could have a big season. I'm hoping that he has a big season. I'm projecting him to have a bigger season than last year.

[Mike Catalana]

He has to or he's going to be on the free agent market, coming off a bad year, if he plays well, he's getting paid and he's staying in Buffalo where he wants to be. And Jenna's right. Bean wants to sign him. He absolutely wants to sign him. And my worry about Khalil Shakir is I don't know if he has the physical gifts to be a different maker in, in this league. I don't think he's quick enough. Fast enough. He's got to be very, very, very sure of himself, sure of catching the ball, running his routes. He can't get by with physical ability. You guys watch him out there. There's nothing physically special about him as an NFL receiver. The question is, there's been guys like that that have made it and done really well in this league. He can't drop the open passes. He's got to be able to block. He's got to do those things. And that's why I think they're worried about him. And that's why I think Hardy is absolutely going to get the shot early because he has done it in the NFL.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I would agree with that.

[Dan Fates]

You all right, Jenna?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes, I'm, I'm fine. I just, I feel like it is so fun. You love doing your victory laps and I'm very proud of you, but sometimes you set up an argument so that either way, you're right.

[Dan Fates]

No, I'm allowed to change. Last year I was. I was skeptical. This year I'm not.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, okay. All right. We just agree to disagree.

[Dan Fates]

I don't know. I don't know, Jim.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. All right. Thank you all for watching anything. Oh, do you want to tell them about the show, Mike?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, we have our show pregame. We're gonna be right on the field. MetLife Stadium, 7 o'. Clock. We'll have it streamed here. You can watch us. It's also, if you're in Rochester, you can pick it up on 13 Wham. ABC leading right up to 7:30 when ABC picks up programming of it. Plus, we're going to be down at Jersey, you know, Sunday, Saturday, Sunday and into Monday. So we'll be putting on videos, we'll be continuing with our content, and we can't wait to start this season.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

First ever Buffalo plus road trip where all three of us are going.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Very excited. It'll be a lot of fun. Thank you all for all the support. 25k. Big deal. Please be sure to like, in terms of comment, what's.

[Dan Fates]

What is expectations for week one?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, expectations for week one or who's Your surprise player or what are you most concerned about? Really anything that we talked about, you give us your opinion on that. Not just, you know, Dan was right or wrong.

[Dan Fates]

Also, Uncle Dan's best bets be coming out tomorrow, Friday, Friday afternoon at some point. So it's pretty hot last year.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm not mad at you, Dan, just disappointed. No, I'm not disappointed either. I mean, you, you are. Dan fades like you're my best friend. I love you. Just sometimes you just. You send me.

[Dan Fates]

I love it. I. I love it because sometimes Jenna will play the middle between Mike and I and I just love it when Jenna goes all in on one side or another. I, I love it when Jenna gives her take of Mike. You're wrong, Dan. You're wrong. I love it.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, yeah, because this was no middle.

[Dan Fates]

This was.

[Mike Catalana]

You were on both sides.

[Dan Fates]

No.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Say I'm usually New year new. Gabe, New year new. Yeah, okay. New year same Dan. All right. Like comment. Subscribe again. We love it. Appreciate the support. Dan was right. Dan is wrong. You can find your merch on the buffaloplus store dot com. Be sure to get your own mug and figure out. Send us what side you agree with for Mike and Dan. I'm Jenna. Thank you so much for watching. We'll have plenty of pre game, post game coverage from the Bills Week 1 matchup prime time against the team Jets. We always appreciate the love. Thanks for joining us here on Buffalo plus, presented by Connors and Fairs.