Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Day 9 of BILLS Camp: The 'KEON COLEMAN' Show CONTINUES to IMPRESS

Date: August 4, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

The Buffalo Plus team recaps Day 9 of Buffalo Bills training camp, focusing on rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman's standout performance. The hosts provide in-depth analysis on Coleman's development, the impact of Stefon Diggs' departure, depth battles at wide receiver and tight end, and notable moments from both offense and defense. They include behind-the-scenes observations, player interactions, and address roster speculation as camp intensity rises.

Main Theme

Keon Coleman Emerges as a Standout

• The episode centers on Keon Coleman impressing on and off the field, particularly after a highlight-reel touchdown catch from Josh Allen. The hosts discuss what Coleman's rise means for the team as it adapts post-Stefon Diggs, while touching on the overall atmosphere and key position battles at Bills camp.

Detailed Breakdown & Key Insights

1. Keon Coleman's Best Day Yet (00:38 – 06:05)

The Play of the Day:

• Jenna sets the stage: "Beautiful catch from Keon Coleman in the back of the end zone after a Josh Allen scramble." (00:38)
• Mike details the play: "Josh Allen pressured. Rolls out. There’s Keon trying to get open. Benford’s on him. Keon just goes up and over, pulls it in. Both feet in. Everybody reacts." (01:05)
• Dan highlights the chemistry: "That's the play you need to be able to do with Josh because of his ability to extend plays... Even though Benford was all over him, Josh just throws it up, gives him a chance, comes down with it." (01:48)
• Jenna adds, "It’s the poise that stands out — his ability to play above the rim, but today was really above above the rim. The poise and maturity is what stands out." (02:26)

Memorable quote:

• Mike, on Coleman's separation: “Keon’s separation is this way (vertical). He’s big... Going up and getting the ball with a defender right on you is very important.” (03:09)

Coleman's Consistency & Growth

• Dan: "Today was probably Keon's best day... He had a strong camp, but today was on top of it." (01:48)
• Jenna: "I haven’t seen anything I’m concerned about in his game." (08:14)

Notable:

• Dan notes Coleman staying after practice for extra work and a mentorship moment: “The 21-year-old stays to talk to Rasul [Douglas]... picking his brain on the other side of the ball. More maturity from Keon.” (05:23)

2. The Stefan Diggs Void & Emerging Offensive Identity (06:05 – 08:14)

• Jenna shares a question from John Wawrow (AP) about replacing Diggs’ production.
• Coach Sean McDermott (06:27):

  "You don’t. You never replace Stefon Diggs. I don’t even think you try to. It’s a different team... No one’s going to… I’m not asking anyone out there to try and be Steph Diggs. They need to be themselves and build our offense around who we have."

Analysis:

• Hosts agree this is the right messaging, cautioning against burdening one player with Diggs' shoes and expecting a more distributed offensive approach.

• Dan: "I think Keon's exceeded expectations of where I thought he’d be nine days into camp." (07:41)

• Jenna counters: “For me, his expectations are about where he’s at — and that’s impressive, not a knock.” (08:14)

3. Observations on Other Key Offensive Players (09:23 – 13:08)

James Cook’s Inconsistencies

• Dan: “James Cook caught a pass in 7-on-7, was in the running for pass catcher of the day. But then dropped the next one in 11-on-11.” (10:28)

• Mike: “Those are the frustrating plays… He’s not going to get eight balls a game. But James, when you’re open, you got to make that play. Made the tough one. Let go of the easy one.” (11:03)

• Jenna: "He is their guy in the passing game and as a running back, but it's plays like that that are a concern." (11:16)

Reliable Contributors

• The hosts highlight consistency from Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid:
  • “He’s like Kincaid — we don’t talk about it enough because it’s just always there.” (Jenna, 12:09)
  • “The route running is outstanding… Kincaid himself is a challenge to all the defenders. Khalil is difficult to stay with, a challenge in a different way than Keon." (Mike, 12:14)

Emergent Tight Ends

• Dan: “Zach Davidson… outside Kincaid, I think he’s been the best tight end at camp for results.” (14:11)
• Contention on if the Bills can "sneak" Davidson or Tyrell Shavers onto the practice squad, given heightened league-wide awareness and social media coverage.
  • “It's not as easy as, ‘Oh, he's unnoticed.’ They get picked.” (Dan, 15:04)

4. Roster Construction & Camp Depth Battles (15:50 – 16:40)

• Jenna: “Now we're at the point in camp where those roster conversations are starting — do you keep three or four tight ends? Quinton Morris is a contributor on special teams.”
• Mike: “Trust level with Quint. Morris, but they’ll play a lot of two tight end sets with Knox and Kincaid, otherwise it's limited. There might be a moment where they take a higher upside with another player.” (16:02)

5. Defensive Highlights & Projects (16:40 – 19:20)

Gabe Steveson Flashes

• Dan: “One guy that stood out … Gable [Steveson] would have had a sack, had a pass breakup … all next-level things. He’s a project but worth the investment.” (16:40)
• Mike: “He’s going to be on the practice squad — can’t trust a roster spot to a guy who's never played unless he’s a dominant force in preseason.” (17:21)
• Jenna: “I was expecting it to be a cute story… but he’s shown athletic flashes — literally just whooped right to the quarterback.” (18:08)

Von Miller Sighting

• Jenna: “Von Miller had a sack today, chased down Josh.” (20:35)
• Dan: “What stood out was the bend to get around Spencer Brown… would have been a sack.” (20:59)
• Mike: “Difference between being in the backfield with a pressure or a sack is massive... Last year, he didn’t have that extra whatever that is in Von Miller... If he’s got it back, it’s monumental.” (21:19)

6. Quick Hits & Insider Jokes (21:41 – 22:36)

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS)

• Mike: "He didn’t mention MVS — he got tons of first team reps." (21:41)
• Jenna/Hosts note: While he’s getting reps, not a lot of targets. "Running around… not a lot of first team catches." (22:24)

Locker Room Chemistry & Fun

• Lighthearted banter about interrupting each other, Dan using up everyone else’s talking points, and recurring inside jokes on the podcast.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sean McDermott on replacing Diggs:
  "You don't...You never replace Stefon Diggs. I don’t even think you try to...They need to be themselves and develop...build our offense this year around the personnel that we have." (06:27)

• On Keon's vertical separation:
  Mike: “Keon’s separation is this way”—motioning vertical—“He’s big…getting the ball with a defender right on you is very important.” (03:09)

• On Coleman's maturity:
  Dan: "Just more maturity from Keon, staying after practice to learn from veteran Rasul Douglas." (05:23)

• On practice squad challenges:
  Dan: "With social media, if someone's having a good camp, everybody knows. It's more difficult to sneak guys on the practice squad now." (15:04)

• On Von Miller's bounce-back:
  Mike: "If he’s got that [the bend, explosiveness] back, the difference...would be monumental for this defense." (21:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Keon Coleman's highlight catch and camp performance – 00:38–06:05
• Replacing Stefon Diggs; McDermott's honest answer – 06:05–08:14
• James Cook, Shakir, Kincaid & consistency – 09:23–13:08
• Practice squad, Davidson, and Tyrell Shavers – 13:08–16:40
• Defensive notes: Steveson, Von Miller, and roster philosophy – 16:40–21:38
• MVS & roster speculation – 21:41–22:36

Takeaways

• Keon Coleman is exceeding or meeting high expectations—physically talented, mature for his experience, and showing the ability to thrive in the Bills' new-look offense.
• Bills are firmly not trying to “replace” Diggs, instead building around their current group and allowing new leaders/playmakers to emerge.
• Depth at tight end (Davidson, Morris) and WR (Shavers) is strong—practice squad spots are more competitive and visible than ever.
• Defensive progress to watch: Von Miller's improved health and impact, Steveson's surprisingly rapid growth.
• Overall camp intensity is ramping up, with both established and fringe players making their case as roster decisions loom.

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