Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode: Buffalo Bills on Hard Knocks Episode 4 Reaction

Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus features Mike, Jenna, and Dan as they react to Episode 4 of Hard Knocks, which documents the Buffalo Bills’ preseason journey. The team dives into key storylines from the latest Hard Knocks installment—including player spotlights, cut-day emotions, behind-the-scenes mechanical coaching, and moments they felt HBO missed or nailed. They provide candid opinions about the episode's structure, discuss standout characters, and offer unique locker room perspectives informed by years of Bills reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mixed Reviews on Episode Structure

• Mike: Found the episode "a little bit of rehash" and “not my favorite episode at all” ([01:15]).
• Jenna: Disagreed, naming it her "second favorite episode," praising its look at roster fringe players and coaching ([02:02]).
• Dan: Agreed with Mike on the rehash, but highlighted emotional moments, especially around Jimmy Charlo and the rawness of cutdown day ([01:29]).

Standout Character: Jimmy Charlo

• Dedication & Parental Support:
  • Charlo’s commitment by staying late at the facility and overcoming adversity resonated with the hosts.
  • “The fact that he's staying there, the shuttle, you know, he doesn't have a car, all these kind of things. And staying at the facility this late is awesome” – Dan ([01:29]).
  • Discussion of Charlo’s family, his dad’s support, and the rarity of seeing the parent-athlete dynamic at the pro level ([04:38]-[05:17]).
• Memorable Moment:
  • Charlo’s humble reaction to picking up a fumble: “I didn’t do anything… I didn’t even make the hit” ([03:11]).

The Reality of Training Camp

• Behind the Scenes:
  • The episode offered a glimpse of rough practices and struggles not typically seen by fans ([05:36]).
  • “Fans don't see that stuff. So fans see the game, they see a couple posts from social media... But... it was hard to put into words how bad of a football team they were that day” – Dan ([05:36]).
• Self-Critique:
  • KJ Hamler’s candid admission of a bad practice and the visible mental struggle of players trying to make the team ([06:33]).

Player Development & Josh Allen’s Evolution

• Biomechanical Training Segment:
  • Coaches were shown working on Allen’s mechanics, with a coach exclaiming, “Josh is an alien. Alien level… it sometimes takes guys two months to figure out these things—he does it in two reps” ([08:07]).
  • Mike emphasized the impact of biomechanical work: “It’s not just a coach saying to you, hey, you look better with this. He's like, we've measured you for the last couple years. Like, you've never done that before.” ([08:46])
• Allen’s Growth and Leadership:
  • Comparing Allen’s early, raw years to now: “He looks like an actual man... Whereas before he was, you know, a child” – Jenna ([11:36]).
  • Allen’s relentless work ethic: “The amount of reps that he gets… when he gets frustrated, the more reps he takes.” – Jenna ([13:04])
  • Focused on continual improvement even as an MVP, and how this might be the difference maker for elite longevity ([12:04]).

Missed Opportunities & Criticisms of the Edit

• Tyrell Shavers TD Not Spotlighted:
  • Dan was particularly disappointed Hard Knocks didn’t show Shavers’ big moment: “That could have been a moment where it's like, Tyrell Shavers... made the biggest play of his career. And it was like, ‘great pass, Shane’ and you're like, that's not what I wanted to see.” ([14:11])
• Callouts/Celebrations:
  • The show focused on reactions to others, but omitted the emotional Shavers celebration that fans and insiders value ([15:07]).
• Assistant Coaching Features:
  • Positive note: defensive backs coach Adai Jamil Alai and wide receivers coach Dr. Adam Henry received some deserved screen time ([16:21]).

Locker Room Culture & Professionalism

• Practice Intensity:
  • Discussion of how NFL players, versus college athletes, treat each rep with immense seriousness for career survival ([17:22]).
• Team Chemistry & Fun:
  • Call-out of light-hearted and funny moments, including Allen’s rapid golf swing correction and playful banter among players ([10:55], [19:18]).
• Bonding with Coaches:
  • Mike: “Like when a kid… was saying Hairston... it bothers Trey this much, ten years into the league when he has a bad rep. And I thought that was cool… to the players.” ([16:44]).

Notable Quotes & Segments

Josh Allen’s Biomechanics & Coachability

• “Josh is an alien. Alien level… it sometimes takes guys, like, two months to figure out these things. He does it in two reps.” – Coach (recounted by Mike) ([08:07])
• “You saw things with Mitch… He's like, we've measured you for the last couple years. Like, you've never done that before.” – Mike ([08:46])

Jimmy Charlo’s Moment

• “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even make the hit.” – Jimmy Charlo ([03:11], paraphrased)
• “He’s just the most McDermott guy ever.” – Jenna ([26:01])

On Player Emotions and Practice Culture

• “I think these players take practice much more seriously in the pros than they ever did in college.” – Mike ([17:22])

On Editing and Storylines

• “That could have been a moment… that guy made the biggest play of his career… that's not what I wanted to see.” – Dan on Shavers’ TD ([14:11])
• “I don't really care about Tracy McGrady or Vince Carter.” – Dan on the non-football celebrity segment ([20:06])

Fun & Memorable Moments

• Allen’s Golf Swing:
  • The hosts joked about Allen's ability to fix his swing just as quickly as his throwing mechanics.
• Chef’s Table Music:
  • Jenna praised the “Chef’s Table” style music during slow-motion football sequences ([19:18]).
• ‘No Rhythm, Bro’:
  • Mike’s favorite moment was Sean McDermott playfully telling James Cook, “you got no rhythm, bro” ([20:03]).
• Trampoline in Locker Room:
  • Amused reaction to spotting a mini trampoline, wondering if it was for training or just passing time ([25:03]).

Critiques and Gaps

• Overt Focus on Side Characters/Celebrities:
  • Dan and Mike weren’t impressed by segments on NBA stars who are minority Bills stakeholders ([20:06]).
• Wishing for More on Key Storylines:
  • All three expressed they wanted deeper dives into certain players’ stories (especially Tyrell Shavers and Frank Gore Jr.), feeling the show skimmed some compelling narratives ([23:15]).

Additional Notes

Roster Cuts & Practice Squad

• Lots of airtime given to players who were cut that day, with speculation many would return to the practice squad. Real-time reactions added emotional context to the episode ([03:11], [04:26]).
• Discussion on which teams might claim Jimmy Charlo, with particular focus on the Patriots, Giants, and possibly a Jets return ([27:05]).

Camera Work

• All hosts, as field reporters/videographers, admired the artistry of NFL Films’ camera shots: “perfectly centered in frame, ball perfectly in focus, spiraling through the air… you’re like, awesome.” – Dan ([19:16])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Biomechanical Training/Allen’s Development: [08:07] – [12:04]
• Jimmy Charlo Feature: [01:29] – [05:17], [26:01]
• KJ Hamler’s Struggles/Player Mentality: [06:33] – [07:23]
• Camera/Production Artistry Commentary: [19:16] – [19:29]
• ‘No Rhythm, Bro’ Moment (James Cook): [20:03]
• Missed Shavers TD Moment: [14:11] – [15:40]
• Critique of NBA Guest Segment: [20:06]
• Frank Gore Jr. Reference: [23:15]

Summary

This episode of Buffalo Plus delivers a spirited, behind-the-scenes critique of Hard Knocks’ depiction of the Buffalo Bills, mingling professional insights with humor and candid fan frustration. The team highlights the standout personal stories, especially those of Jimmy Charlo and KJ Hamler, and lauds the show’s access to Allen’s developmental journey. However, they also openly express disappointment with missed narrative opportunities, especially omission of Shavers’ big moment and some over-focus on peripheral storylines. Throughout, the trio’s dynamic remains a blend of journalistic expertise, personal anecdotes, and genuine Bills fandom, making their analysis valuable for both die-hard followers and casual viewers of the Hard Knocks series.