Dianna Russini talks Bills CHANGES, WR RUMORS and 'THE REAL' NFL Combine PLUS St Elmo's Review

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Dianna Russini talks Bills CHANGES, WR RUMORS and 'THE REAL' NFL Combine PLUS St Elmo's Review
Date: February 27, 2026
Hosts: Jenna Cottrell, Mike Catalana, Dan Fetes
Special Guest: Dianna Russini (The Athletic, Scoop City Podcast)

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Episode Overview

This episode features the Buffalo Plus team broadcasting from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. With insights from special guest Dianna Russini, the discussion centers on big changes for the Buffalo Bills—including coaching decisions, wide receiver rumors, and what’s really going on behind the scenes at the Combine. The hosts also bring their trademark banter as they recount their experiences meeting prospects, scouting potential draft targets, and (of course) rating the famous St. Elmo’s Steak House.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Combine Experience and Player Impressions

• The group acknowledges the grind of long combine days ("This is the day that it...sort of drags." – Dan, 01:03), with lean meals and lots of standing around.
• Safeties stood out for their intensity and big personalities. Prospects show high confidence; some made wild claims (Dan shares that a defensive back declared, "I'll die on the field." – 03:54).
• The recurring trope: all prospects sell themselves as “versatile.” This theme underscores the defensive interviews, especially at safety and linebacker.

2. Bills’ Safety Position and Possible Shifts

• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) was highlighted as a physical, “enforcer-type” safety with high turnover production. (Jenna: “Turnover magnet. Nine career forced fumbles and five career interceptions and enforcer type. So that would be...that physicality.” – 05:46)
• Cole Bishop earns mention for his adaptability.
• Taron Johnson to Safety? – The hosts discuss GM Brandon Beane’s openness to repurposing slot corner Taron Johnson to safety, prompted by questions about fit in new DC Jim Leonhard’s scheme (Mike/B: "Bean was asked about Taron Johnson...he said that it was a possibility." – 07:02).
• Jenna voices skepticism: "It felt like kind of trying to plug a square peg into a round hole a little bit..." (07:29), noting Johnson’s value but questioning positional fit.

3. Bills’ Organizational Change: Dianna Russini’s Insider Insights

• Dianna shares that she was surprised by the firing of Sean McDermott, believing there was “really strong support” for him throughout the season. (Dianna: “I was a little surprised. I had found out within probably 24 hours before it broke that stuff was brewing.” – 12:21)
• On promoting Joe Brady: consensus that Josh Allen’s support was crucial, but the interview process genuinely won ownership over. (Dianna: "He really was able to change their mind and get that job from that." – 13:23)
• The optics of Beane’s dual move (firing McDermott and promoting himself): Dianna feels the combined press release "hurt him," making it seem he gained power at McDermott’s expense, even though it wasn’t his solo decision (14:42–14:56).
• On Patriots’ rapid success under Mike Vrabel: Dianna cautions that they’re "still building" and unlikely to repeat a Super Bowl run this year (15:54).

4. Wide Receiver Rumors and Market Movements

• AJ Brown’s trade rumors: Dianna discusses the possibility with the hosts, noting that his situation in Philly "doesn’t appear to be growing or improving" (16:56). She sees both Patriots and Bills as potential landing spots if Brown is moved.
• When pressed for WR scoops, Dianna jokes: "No…I actually just did my own podcast and I was like, I need a few more days because stuff is just flying around right now..." (18:49–18:52).
• The hosts agree WR is the Bills’ biggest need (Dan: “It’s beyond funny now. It’s like...painful.” – 18:13), and Dianna does believe a significant move is coming, but timetable and target are unsettled.

5. Behind the Scenes at the NFL Combine

• Dianna and the hosts laugh about the myth of the Combine’s “war room” intensity; in reality, much of their work is about “gossip and beer,” not stopwatch times (Dianna: "I have never attended that. I’ve never talked to one of those players...I had about 17 beers." – 19:14–19:36).
• They agree the Combine is above all an "intel playground" for networking (Dianna: "It’s just a big playground of intel and I’m swinging around all day long." – 19:03).

6. Bills Draft Prospects: Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and Prospects Met

• Plans to interview WRs at the Combine are previewed. Denzel Boston and Casey Concepcion are flagged as intriguing, with Boston drawing a comp to Puka Nacua for his size/skillset (30:13).
• Tight end prospect John Michael Gillenborg (Wyoming) is a featured story; his path (only played 3 games in high school football), his admiration of Josh Allen as “so cool,” and the Wyoming connection delight the hosts (25:59).
• Notes on possible changes with Dawson Knox’s contract and tight end depth ("Something’s going to happen with Dawson Knox’s contract. I mean, Bean even said like it’s a problem." – 26:56).

7. Measurables and Draft Process Reflections

• Arm length and other combine metrics are discussed as big factors in player evaluations, especially for defensive linemen (Bain from Miami flagged for shorter arms, 31:01). Mike cautions there are always exceptions, but "start making exceptions, they're exceptions for a reason" (32:44).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Combine’s Real Draw:
  • "Nobody gossips better than NFL people." – Dianna Russini (19:42)
  • "I don’t even know if I should admit this, but I have never attended that...I go, I don’t know. But I had about 17 beers." – Dianna Rossini (19:14–19:36)
• On Taron Johnson at Safety:
  • "It felt like kind of trying to plug a square peg into a round hole. I’m not saying that Taron couldn’t do the position well, but..." – Jenna (07:29)
• On AJ Brown Rumors:
  • "I think that it’s going to come down to what A.J. Brown wants. I think Philadelphia wants him...but it doesn’t appear to be growing or improving." – Dianna (16:56)
• On Bills WR Needs:
  • "It’s beyond funny now. It’s like—it’s like painful...Just draft somebody, right?" – Dan (18:13)
• On being hungry at Indy:
  • "Mike looked at me at one point. I was editing the story, and Mike goes, 'You all right?' I go, 'I’m hungry.'" – Dan (02:10)
• On St. Elmo’s Steakhouse:
  • "Navy bean soup was phenomenal. Shrimp cocktail was humming. It just—it had a little extra on it." – Mike (35:37)
  • "When I’m here at Elmo’s, I can order—you know what they give you? They give you the nod." – Mike (36:46)

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 02:35 | Safeties and positional intensity at the Combine | | 04:55 | Discussion on college players who stayed at school | | 06:19 | Modern safety roles—no more "just strong" or "just free"| | 07:02 | Taron Johnson potentially moving to safety | | 12:21 | Dianna Russini on McDermott’s exit: “I was a little surprised…”| | 14:42 | Dianna on Beane’s PR misstep: “I didn’t expect him to put in a press release, a firing and a promotion in one.”| | 16:56 | AJ Brown rumors and possible destinations | | 18:13 | Bills’ historic WR woes: “It’s beyond funny now. It’s like—painful.”| | 19:03 | NFL Combine as “playground of intel” (Dianna) | | 25:59 | Gillenborg’s admiration for Josh Allen (“so cool”) | | 30:13 | Denzel Boston compared to Puka Nacua | | 35:37 | St. Elmo’s review: Shrimp cocktail and steak | | 41:17 | Mike “fixes” Dan’s audio…by powering through |

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Upcoming: Next Episode Tease

• Focus will switch to wide receivers as they speak to prospects at the Combine. Denzel Boston and Casey Concepcion are among those to watch.

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Tone & Banter

The episode showcases the crew’s balance of insider insight and relatable humor, especially when discussing hunger, the combine’s reality, and their culinary adventures.

Throughout, the discussion is candid and conversational, with lighthearted ribbing (“I would be a hangry woman”—Jenna, 01:39), and behind-the-scenes admissions that ground the podcast in authenticity ("I didn’t really fix the audio, I just powered through." – Mike, 41:10).

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For Listeners: Why This Matters

This episode offers invaluable context on the Bills’ off-season uncertainty, the stubborn search for a WR1, and fresh combine storylines. Dianna Russini’s NFL insider access adds depth to the main topics and provides fans with realistic expectations and insight on the team’s direction. The honest combine review (focus on networking, rumors, and socializing) and St. Elmo’s culinary critique round out an episode that’s equal parts informative and entertaining.

Transcript

[A]

I don't even know if I should admit this, but I have never attended that. I've never talked to one of those players. I don't. It's horrible because whenever I return home from the combine and I run into people that I know, they always ask me, like, oh, how was this event? And that. I go, I don't know, but I had about 17 beers.

[B]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast.

[C]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast. I am Jenna Cottrell. Mike Catalana and Dan Fates still out in indie. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. All right, gentlemen, day four of the NFL combine. We have a great interview or you guys did a great interview with Diana Rossini on the Bills. Oh, I thought you. I thought you were interrupting. Mike did a great interview. We're gonna talk about the safeties and tight ends you talk to today. Wide receiver, tomorrow, your St. Elmo's review. Let's get into it. Gentleme. Your. How's your afternoon been in Indiana?

[D]

This is the day that it. It sort of drags. Would that be a fair thing to say?

[B]

It was also the first time we've had to wait for a player that we wanted to talk to. We'll get to that in a minute. About a tight end. But that. That drag. We waited for an hour for a guy that the Bills are probably not going to pick.

[D]

And, Janet, I also want to say, I know you have fomo. Sometimes you'd like to be here, but I'm going to tell you some of the bad things, like today, very quick semblance of breakfast, and we haven't eaten since then. Yeah, I know you. I know you.

[C]

I would be a rough day. Be a hangry woman.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

We got done with some work, and Mike's like, I'm going to go run up to the media room, see if they got any of those box lunches left. Oh, kind of got my hopes up. I've had a muffin today. We are recording this at 3:14.

[C]

Aren't you glad you had that big pretzel yesterday?

[B]

That was two days ago.

[D]

We did have Elmos. Last was yesterday.

[B]

But, yeah, it's that. The hangry headache.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Mike looked at me at one point. I was editing the story, and Mike goes, you all right? I go, I'm hungry.

[D]

So, yeah. Yeah.

[C]

All right. So what did you think of some of the prospects today that you got to talk to? Obviously, safety of position the Bills are probably very interested in. You mentioned tight end. I don't know. The interest there. It's a cool story from the guy that you talked to, but what did you think of some of the prospects out there today?

[D]

Safeties are intense, that is for sure. Like, they're a group of, like, I can do whatever you want. I will hit. They enjoy it, like, in general, because you start bouncing around, listening to the players, and you're like, it's something about that position. I don't know. You don't. You don't hear it as much. You hear it from, like, linebackers, I would say, but just the way they talk, it's a. It's a confidence level. And then they say some things that are wild.

[B]

So I think it gets to. The first part is that every player right here at the combine is versatile or versatile.

[D]

It doesn't matter how they say it.

[B]

Yeah, the versatile. They can play in any system and they can play in any scheme. Every player here. And like, Mike and I. And as that happened, a guy's like, yeah, I think I can play anywhere. I think I've shown that I'm versatile. And I was like, he just did it. And then I had a safety that I was. Or it was a defensive back from Arkansas, the name slipping me right now. But he said that the question was, what do you want teams to know about? You said, I'll. I'll die on the field.

[D]

And we can't laugh at that because of the circumstances with the Bills like that. You don't just throw that out there. Yeah, but dude said it.

[B]

There was another safety that said he had high expect goals for himself. And he said he's the combination of Ed Reed and somebody else. And he's like, when you put those two guys together, that's when you get me.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Two hall of Fame safeties.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

In the NFL. This guy's already there.

[C]

Seems like a really humble guy.

[D]

We did talk. I Talked with Emmanuel McNeil, Warren. He played at Toledo. Toledo is kind of a cool story. They got a bunch of guys here. Quinon Mitchell from the Eagles a couple of years ago was drafted. And you know what I like about Toledo? Look, those guys don't leave there, and they had opportunities. And that's something you really hear about, too, Jenna. The. The guys who stand out are the ones who stayed in school. And I can't remember who said it to us? Was it Brandon Bean that said it?

[C]

Yeah. Now it's a rarity. Yeah. How?

[D]

It's like, you're almost like, what's the deal with you?

[B]

Why didn't you.

[D]

Why didn't you leave? So I will say that about. I really liked the things that Emmanuel McNeil Warren, he goes by all the names was saying. I mean, I think he's one of those guys. He can hit like he can play. He's. Derwin James is his comp and he can hit people plays that deep. Safety has a lot of positives, but again, you said it, Jenna. Like it should be a need. But with all the other needs they have, I don't know what their plans are for that second safety spot unless they fill it internally, which.

[C]

Yeah, we'll see about that. I do think just some of the. The notes I had on Emmanuel McNeil Warren.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Turnover magnet. Nine career force fumbles and five career interceptions and enforcer types. So that would be. And that physicality. And I think the good thing is like Cole Bishop, I feel like we joke about versatile or versatile, but I do feel like Cole Bishop can kind of offer you what you need so you can. You don't have to specifically be like, okay, we need this type of guy, or we need this type of guy. But what Cole Bishop and his skill set and how, how much he's able to kind of move around, I feel like that does open you up to not having to pigeonhole yourself into one specific type of safety.

[D]

And even Sean McDermott had talked about it last year. Bobby Babich did too. Where it's not the old days of the strong and the free and the one guys, that guy deep. And you. You gotta basically try to hide coverages as best you can. In many cases, depending on the offense, it starts with the safeties. So you need guys that can play both. And Jordan Poyer did a pretty admirable job last year coming in when you did not expect him to be that guy. But they need, they need better than that. They need younger than that or they need differently. And that may be right inside the building.

[B]

Yeah. Jenna, on Tuesday, we weren't in this room. It was for the writers.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Bean was asked about Taron Johnson and. And how could he fit into Jim Leonard's new system and scheme and all these things. And he said that it was a possibility. Possibility of bringing Taryn Johnson to be safety or at least considering the option. What are your thoughts on Jeff? I have the echo in my ear. I. I feel like I've got like five voices in my head. I can't even finish a sentence.

[C]

There's a joke in there, definitely. Oh, this is. Now you're tossing to me so you get some reprieve. You're not used to that by now. No, I'm kidding. No, I think when I saw that, I was kind of like, okay, Taryn Johnson at safety. Interesting. He's been a guy that has been such a backbone for your defense for such a long time playing that nickel spot. I think Taran didn't have the season he wanted to last year and I think with a new scheme, maybe he wants to prove that he is able to play multiple positions. But I just think when I look at it, it felt like kind of trying to plug a square peg into a round hole a little bit. I'm not saying that Taran couldn't do the position well, but I just feel like maybe it's trying to maximize a guy you know is going to be on your roster and trying to figure out a place for him to play. But yeah, I wasn't surprised that he said it's a possibility, but I would be surprised if it actually turns into an actuality.

[D]

And the other thing we talked about with the safety, Jenna, is, or in terms of the Taron Johnson position is they played basically a. The base defense for years has been two linebackers. Taran in the nickel, first down going right. That's what the Bills did because he was so good at it. And between injuries and maybe age and Miles and all those things, he's not been as good. But I, I don't think that's going to be their base defense. I, I know they'll play a nickel, but it just depends on what they want. When now you have a front that is likely, you know, you're going to have sometimes four linebacker position players out there.

[B]

And now it makes a little bit more sense with what Jim Leonard was saying about Taron Johnson.

[D]

That was Tarant Johnson he was talking about.

[B]

Was Taryn Johnson about, hey, he's a really good player, he's versatile and we need to find a place for him because I don't know if he sees this nickel position as much as it was used under Sean McDermott scheme. So now all of a sudden you kind of connect the dots and go, was Jim Leonard coming in saying, hey, can we move this guy to a safety if we need to fill this spot when he comes in?

[D]

And maybe Brandon Beam was saying to him, this guy's going to be on the roster because of what he makes? I mean, that's the reality, John. You know, a thousand percent they have to do. And t's still a good football player. He just has been at his level. I think he can still contribute to the team. It's an adjustment, but I kind of like if Taran's going to play, get him out of the traffic and the mess right behind the line of scrimmage and maybe playing there. We'll see. We'll see if it's something he can adjust to.

[C]

Yeah, I do think he's capable of doing it, but I think it more is a tell of, like, he is going to be on the roster because of his contract situation, so. And he is a good football player. How do we make this work that he's out on the field? Because you're paying him to be out on the field and also fit within this new defense from Jim Leonard. So I feel like it's kind of like both situations, but that is. I mean, yeah, I think for Taran, like, he didn't, like I said, didn't have the season he probably wanted last year, but he's been a very valuable piece to the Bills defense for a long time. So figuring out what his role will be in the future and that's. That will be something to see. I. I definitely want to see, like, how the Bills do utilize him just because he has been productive and has been an important part.

[B]

But we talk about the change, it could be guys on the team playing new positions, and there could be guys coming from the outside and drafting. So all those things play into it. It's just something to put on the back burner as we go into free agency, because if they find a safe safety they like, then we're not probably having this conversation. And then we're wondering how much is Taryn getting on the field as the nickel corner? If it sounds like I'm having a stroke, I'm not. It just in my ear. I hear myself and you guys.

[C]

Yeah. Do you want to take a time out, Dan?

[B]

No, it's just not going to be my best pot. We're just gonna battle through it. It's not my best performance. It's fine.

[C]

Okay. Okay. That's. That's totally fair. Well, do we want to go to the interview, Michael, that you did? Because it's a really good one.

[D]

Well, Diana Rossini with the Athletic, she's a, you know, an insider for the league, and she's done a good job with that. She has the Scoop City podcast that she does, and we got a chance for her to sit down with us to talk about a variety of things, including when the Bills made their big decision in the off season, what to expect for this year, how about the Patriots, and also what it's really like here at The NFL combine. Hey, we have Diana Rossini, the athletic and everywhere that you are, the scoop podcast that you also do. And let's start with the Bills first. When you heard Sean's out, what was your first thought?

[A]

I was a little surprised. I had found out within probably 24 hours before it broke that stuff was brewing. And the reason why I was so surprised was I had gotten the sense all year that there was a really strong support, There was strong support for Sean as the head coach, as the leader, and that no matter what was going to happen in the postseason, he, he was going to be the guy. So obviously that changed. And you know, I'm actually more surprised that Sean is not coaching than I am that Sean got fired. But look, I have so much respect for what he did. He obviously, you know, was, was loved by so many of those guys in that locker room and, and he certainly could be missed in Buffalo. But I also, I also understand why they want to go in a new direction and see if maybe someone else could get them past this hump that we talk about all the time.

[D]

So, new direction, but they went from within. Where were you on the surprise meter of Joe?

[A]

So I was surprised by that. I knew he would be a top candidate because I know how impressive Joe is and sometimes those are just common sense. That Josh Allen obviously likes Joe Brady. This, an offensive minded head coach would make a lot of sense. Familiarity. Let's not make too much of a change. So from just looking through that prism, that made sense. But I was interested in the candidates. I liked the guys they brought in to meet with. But obviously in the end, and from what I had heard, Joe was phenomenal in the interview. I'd heard that several times, actually, that he. It's almost like they viewed him so differently off the interview than what they expected. He really was able to change their mind and get that job from that.

[D]

Yeah. With Brandon Bean, you could make an argument for most of his time in Buffalo, it was Josh Allen as the most popular person. And maybe Brandon Bean was number two with the Bills. And over the last year sort of shifted and there's been a lot of criticism of being that he did not get. Get before and then he gets elevated and he's sort of running the show there. Did you expect that to be the case of the criticism of him because of maybe the way it played out?

[A]

I didn't expect him to put in a press release, a firing and a promotion in one.

[D]

Yeah, maybe they wouldn't do that again either. Yeah.

[A]

So, you know, you Live and learn. And I actually think I'm kind of being playful about it, but I. I think that that hurt him.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it looked as if he was able to gain more power by getting Sean McDermott fired. It appeared that way. And that wasn't the truth. Right. Like, he's not. He's getting fired because they're. Brandon being not the only one making that decision there. Yeah. It'll be his final call. But there's a lot of voices that are weighing in on how they feel about Sean being their head coach. Look, I think when you lose in the fashion in which they are right now, and you're not able to be playing in the super bowl, no matter how well you. You're liked, if you're. If you're not winning, the fans are going to turn. And as wonderful and as I think nice and kind Buffalo can be, even for them, like, they. They want to win. They want to win and. And someone needs to take. Take the heat.

[D]

It hurt a lot for them to see the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Where is that Patriots team now? I know that's funny to ask somebody about a team that just came off the super bowl, but they're way ahead of schedule, aren't they?

[A]

No, I think it's a great question because a team like the Patriots that played in the super bowl are still building. They're not like the Eagles of last year, where the Eagles wanted. You immediately think, all right, they're going to come back and probably win this thing again. I would be shocked if the Patriots were in the super bowl again next year. We obviously know all the different factors that help them get there, but this is a roster that needs to really get better. I'm really interested in the offseason of New England because I do think they changed the standards of what fans are going to expect from them, because in their first year under Mike Rabel, they go to the super bowl, they're going to think this is normal. So I understand why Buffalo could be frustrated seeing that as quick as they did when they've had Josh Allen all these years.

[D]

So they're going to be competing with the Patriots. They might be competing with them for players like one AJ Brown. Do you think both of those teams are going to be in on it? And you know what the Eagles do? Do you think the Eagles are going to deal them?

[A]

I think that it's going to come down to what A.J. brown wants. I think Philadelphia wants him. They've shared that publicly, but I don't think you have to Be a reporter to watch and see what has happened there. And it's a relationship that doesn't appear to be growing or improving. And I also think it's okay to just say, hey, you know what? He helped us get to two Super Bowls. We won one with him. Maybe this just isn't working anymore. We've seen it a million times in the league where a player just is almost outwears their welcome a little bit. And I think both sides could take some blame in it. So, yeah, I could see Philadelphia moving on from.

[D]

Yeah, he mentions Variable and he played

[A]

for Variable, so I cover them in Tennessee a lot and it's funny. And he went on a podcast recently saying that he never really even liked him, but then he eventually did and he talked about accountability and New England makes a lot of sense for as a team that would probably be interested if he was available. But Fury G. Brown, you want to go to a team that is built already. You want a team that's ready to go with the right head coach, with the quarterback that's ready and set because you definitely don't want to be frustrated.

[D]

Are the Bills going to get a receiver, though? I mean, you know, this has been the topic for going on years now.

[A]

It's beyond funny now. It's like. It's like painful.

[D]

Just draft somebody, right?

[A]

Just do it. Even when free agency, when, like, hot wide receivers. I'm trying to find out which teams are signing who. Yeah, sometimes I would call Buffalo.

[D]

Oh, come on. You're going to kill them now.

[B]

Kidding.

[C]

I call them all the time.

[A]

They hang up on me. I do, though. That's the. The irony of this conversation is I do think they're going to get a wide receiver. I think. I think they're. They're doing their homework right now, having conversations with different agents to see who.

[D]

Do you want to tell us who it's going to be?

[A]

No.

[D]

You got that Scoop City? Come on, you got that for us?

[A]

Give me a few days. No, I actually just did my own podcast and I was like, I need a few more days because stuff is just flying around right now and you like it has to settle.

[D]

Isn't this place the best for all the talk?

[B]

Right?

[A]

I love it.

[D]

Like, big gossip.

[A]

People think I'm nuts, that I like it. I'm like, my job is to collect information, and it's just a big playground of intel and I'm swinging around all day long.

[D]

People think we're here for, like, the sprints and the throwing and all.

[A]

I'm like, I Don't even know if I should admit this, but I have never attended that.

[D]

I haven't either. I said, maybe this year we'll go over.

[A]

I've never seen it. I've never talked to one of those players.

[C]

I don't.

[A]

It's horrible because whenever I return home from the combine and I run into people that I know, they always ask me, like, oh, how was this event? And that. I go, I don't know. But I had about 17 beers.

[D]

You're for here for the beers, the steakhouses and the gossip.

[A]

Oh, it's so good.

[D]

And all the information.

[A]

Nobody gossips better than NFL people.

[D]

Yes. It really is true. Hey, thanks very much for being with us, and we're going to get you back on the Buffalo.

[A]

I would love to be big fan of the show, so thank you.

[D]

We appreciate it. Diana Rossini.

[B]

Yeah. She just is one of us.

[D]

Yeah. Well, she's a fan of the show from Jersey, and she approaches the combine in the same way we do.

[B]

Yes. Also during that interview, Mike fixed. Mike fixed it.

[C]

I don't know how behind the scenes.

[B]

Yeah. The technical side, because I probably sounded a little bit off, but now I don't hear myself in my own ear or you guys, but I hear you guys in the right way.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Back and. Yeah, I thought Rossini was great. You know, it's funny, even she was saying that she expects the Bills to make a move at the wide receiver position. She just can't tell us who it is yet. So we'll be keeping an eye on Diana's reporting, but it was great to have her on. And obviously, like you said, Jenna, big fan of the channel.

[C]

Did that give you the impression that it's a free agency thing?

[D]

I. I think it's a trade. I think what she was referencing was a trade. But that's just what they're talking about. I mean, you saw there was a trade today with the jets made one. They can't make it official.

[B]

Yeah. My guy.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

Just say TV sweat, Dan.

[D]

Yeah. It doesn't matter. He doesn't play football.

[B]

Did he sweat?

[D]

But yes.

[C]

Okay. I could see that being in a trade.

[D]

And I don't really believe now we have a whole video up about the A.J. brown stuff.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

And it's out there. And look, I think you get the feeling that Howie Roseman is trying to build a market and trying to get maybe more than just the Patriots interested. Because it makes sense if it's the patriots. I mean, A.J. brown's played for variable before.

[B]

Absolutely.

[D]

They have cap space. They want to get rid of Diggs, or at least they may get rid of Diggs.

[B]

And it was funny because I had tweeted out the podcast, and I had tweeted out about, you know, would you want. Should the Bills take the big swing to get A.J. brown? And so many people were like, no, he's a diva. And I was like, click on the article. Like, click on the video. Watch the podcast. Like, maybe then you'll change your mind. I was like, clearly you're commenting without ever actually seeing what we just said. Because, Jenna, I always thought it was interesting when we talked about the fact that you were like, my opinions swayed a little bit after hearing Zach Berman.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. No, I agree. I think he was more impactful than I was definitely expecting. That being said, I thought about it again, and I'm like, I'm still out, but I'm out.

[D]

I just don't think it's gonna happen. But, yeah, they could make another move. They could be making a play for Brian Thomas. They could be, you know, bringing in Michael Pittman. Like, I don't know what their plan's gonna be.

[B]

Talked to Matt Harmon yesterday. Obviously, we're gonna have that video coming.

[D]

That is really good interview.

[B]

Yeah. Either tomorrow, Friday, or maybe Monday of next week. But he talks about. DJ Moore is another name to keep an eye on. He has familiarity with Joe Brady from their time in Carolina, as well as Pittman.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

From the Colts.

[D]

And also, I just want to say the conversation Dan had with him is great. And I'm not just saying that because he's on the other side of our wall here. But I would also say that Dan brought up one of my points, and he took credit for it at his own.

[B]

Nope, it's a. We're workshopping a take.

[D]

It involves here.

[C]

Notice how it just changed from. To Weir. Michael.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Meaning me and people.

[D]

He is. Dan just co opted my take and

[B]

just find the receipts. I always find the receipts. You got to go find the receipts.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, that's. You know what it was, Jen, I don't know if you can relate to this. I said it, and Dan wasn't paying any attention to what I was saying.

[C]

You don't say.

[D]

Yeah, but. No, even beyond that, it's really good information about the draft, about the Bill's current roster, about the way players are used, the way other players have evolved in the way they're using, including the guy who might be the best receiver and in the NFL right now.

[B]

Yep.

[D]

I think it's kind of A fascinating thing when you look at the position as a whole. Not just a bunch of guys, like, how are they playing them, where do they get their snaps? And I think that's where the Bills have failed.

[B]

We also talked to tight ends today. Fun story. You know, part of the cool thing about coming to the combine is you get to hear stories about how players got here. And not all stories and journeys are the same. And obviously, Josh Allen's journey from zero star recruit, one scholarship offer.

[D]

We talked to John Michael Gillenborg.

[B]

Perfect. Nailed it. I didn't really want to have to say that. He is a tight end at Wyoming. He played three games of high school football, wasn't allowed to play or was told they didn't want him to play it.

[D]

He was a little kid. His grandfather said, no tackle football for him. So he's like, all right, I'll play every other sport. He was really good at that. And then the high school coach said, senior year, why don't you come play? Won't mess with basketball. He plays. He said he ran a lot of go routes.

[B]

Jet sweeps.

[D]

Jet sweeps. So, you know, perfect in Buffalo, right? Yes. And then he said, tore his acl, got hurt. Well, he said. He just said he got hurt. So he was out. But Wyoming, this coach had a connection with Wyoming and he said, I think you could play tight end for them. Went there, red shirted his first year, became a really good player, and now here he is trying to get in the NFL. But he talked about when Josh came down and how many times did he use the word cool?

[B]

So cool. He's just so cool. It's all he kept saying, so genuine, such a good dude. And.

[D]

And this kid, this guy's a bright kid. He's already got his mba. He's a finance major. But he sounded like a fan, obviously, when he was talking about Josh. And then he, you know, we asked him about playing with Josh. He said it would be incredible.

[B]

He was also one of the guys that, that when he said, hey, have you met with this team? He said, out of the respect for all coaches, I'm not going to disclose who I've met with and who I've talked with, but every coach that I've in team that I've met with has been awesome. And you kind of said, well, that's. You don't have to say it, but what if you could be playing in Buffalo? And he's like, oh, my gosh, Josh is such a rock star. If we could be Wyoming boys. And he goes, I know. He has such a great connection with his tight end.

[D]

With the tight ends too.

[B]

He goes, we asked him like, who are his best friends on the team? And he goes, Dalton Knox, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. So it was kind of funny.

[D]

Yeah. Now the other part of that is whether the Bills would do anything at tight end. We don't know. But something's going to happen with Dawson Knox's contract. I mean, Bean even said like it's a problem. So we'll see how that plays out as we go forward.

[C]

Yeah, that's. That is true though. They're definitely gonna have to do something. And Wyoming boys is pretty funny. Well, good. I'm glad you got to talk to him because that was one of the guys that I thought would be an interesting story just considering the background and just the connection to Josh Allen. And what did he say about the. Josh's retirement ceremony?

[D]

I think he just enjoyed the whole thing. I think mostly those guys really enjoyed talking with, talking. And he said he gave talk to us. He talked to, you know, talked to the whole team and that's that speech. People have seen some of it. You've heard, you know, him talking about he was coming off a brutal game.

[C]

Houston.

[D]

Houston. Yeah. And then he went out there so

[B]

said it still sucks to be a CSU Ram.

[D]

Yeah. My wife is not happy with that. She's a CSU Ram. Josh just took a big old shot.

[B]

There's also. They didn't have the best year. He thought they would have a better year. And I think that game also selling out that stadium, all of that. I think they. You enjoy getting that buzz off of that. So I think that was another reason that he thought it was so cool knowing what Josh means to. He said not only the university, but the state as a whole is what he goes. How much he means to that state.

[C]

Yeah, that's really cool. Coming up tomorrow, you guys are going to talk to some of the wide receivers kind of to set the stage for tomorrow. Is there anything you want to see? Anything you want to hear? Any guy you want to watch, like anything that you want to particularly like, stands out to you ahead for tomorrow.

[D]

Daniel.

[B]

A lot of versatility, versatile. And I think this is where it will be valuable to hear who the Bills have met with and who they haven't.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Disagree.

[D]

I think it's always important that they say they met with them. They're going to meet with a lot of players and I think a lot of them are receivers. Then it's. I think the visits maybe are more important.

[B]

Absolutely.

[D]

Total.

[B]

Absolutely. And I know they've also met with a lot of guys from the Senior Bowl.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

And all of those that have taken place over the last few weeks and months.

[D]

I'm looking forward to talking to Rochester's own Casey Concepcion. He lived there till he was two.

[A]

Two or three.

[D]

Yeah, two or three. And then he moved to Charlotte. I think so. But we're going to claim him, especially if he's on the Bills, I think.

[C]

Hey, who is there? Anyone else you're curious to talk to or anyone else you're planning on talking to?

[B]

Denzel Boston.

[D]

That's Dan's guy.

[B]

The two.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Oh, I love Denzel Boston. Love what he can bring to the size and on the outside and what that could possibly open up for some of the stuff underneath. For Shakir or for A. Kincaid.

[D]

His dad was a physical beast.

[C]

David Boston.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

His NFL comp. Denzel Boston's is pukinakua, so no pressure there.

[D]

Is he good?

[B]

Is he good? I've heard that he also waited behind my boy Rome.

[C]

Oh, A Dunes.

[D]

A Dunesay. Yeah.

[B]

Also, in four years, he's had five drops.

[C]

That's why.

[D]

Wrong.

[B]

No.

[D]

Oh, Conception. Oh, Denzel Boston.

[B]

Conception's got the catching.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

He's got the drop problem.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

It's also wanting to see what he measures at, because is he. Is he 511? Is he 5, 10? Is he 6 foot? I think all of that plays in.

[D]

Yeah. And Janet, today the big thing was measuring arm length of defensive pass rushers, defensive linemen.

[C]

That's a big deal.

[D]

Bain is the guy from Miami that everybody says is going to be the dude. He's got shorter arms.

[B]

Not even 31, right? He was under 30. Oh, he was under 31.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

What are your thoughts on that?

[B]

Length? Can't teach it. I mean, like, height or length.

[D]

Here's what I'm saying.

[C]

It like that lens length.

[B]

I'm so hungry.

[C]

I do think I would say, like, a lot of people will be like, oh, well, this guy's got shorter arms. No, it. Or it's got to be a certain, you know, specific measurement. And some people are like, you can have the exception. How do you. How do you look at it, Mike?

[D]

It's funny. Look at the left tackle for the Patriots. The big questions about him was his arms are too short.

[B]

Watch it on YouTube.

[D]

I do think it is impactful, especially when you're coming from college to the pros, and there's so many things, you know, you're playing against all these great players and the league Believes it. There are like, Jenna, you said there are exceptions. And some guys are just freaks of nature. It's like, it's like physical size, like not everybody can play at a lighter weight or guys who play guard and they're 6 foot 5, 6 foot 6, which is not really supposed to be the case. So there's always exceptions. But you start making exceptions, they're exceptions

[B]

because there should be one of them.

[D]

Right.

[C]

Then you have a roster full of exceptions.

[D]

Right.

[B]

Then. Then you're. You're in trouble.

[D]

Yeah. So we'll see.

[C]

I want to. Jordan Tyson and Carnell Tate. I'm. I'm curious just what the. There's some of the guys that are obviously talked about like that top tier level. I know there's not a ton of like big talent, they say for wide receiver in this draft.

[B]

But so when we talk about the arm length or we talk about speed, a guy not running as fast as what the, you know, they say the percentile needs to be at for a certain position or size and things like that.

[D]

And.

[B]

And players will rightfully so come up here and say, yeah, Will Campbell last year. It's not a concern. I've never had a problem with it. Right. You've also never played at the NFL. Like, yeah, you can just be physically better than your high school and you can be also physically more talented at college. It is a different world stepping into the NFL. And so that's why there are these draft experts and analysts that look at what is their vertical for wide receivers. Because if you don't jump a certain height, the rule of thumb would be, this guy's not going to do this or won't be. This level of eliteness, all of that plays into it, which is, you know, it's kind of wild.

[D]

And some teams have preferences about certain things in physical makeup for certain positions. They will make exceptions. But like you said, be careful. It depends how often you do that. You still really hungry?

[B]

Thinking about Elmos, I was about to

[C]

say, let's do the Elmos review. I had massive amounts of fomo, but it looked like a very tasty night.

[D]

So we went to Elmo's. They were right on time. We were 8:30 reservation. Dan and I made a decision. It was light beer. We started light beer because my friend Matt joined us. And Matt is a generous.

[B]

That's the perfect way to describe it.

[D]

Beer drinking partner.

[B]

What? He's the buddy you have that doesn't ask if you want another one. He pretty much just gets you another one.

[D]

Yeah. So we went Light, so.

[B]

And then bud light, by the way, we. Yes, bud light. Yeah. Or white claws, but they didn't have any of those. Yeah, just went bud light. We went shrimp cocktail. Oh. Our server had been there for 26 years. 26 years.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

Dude had tremendous hair.

[B]

He could have been a pilot. He could have been a pilot, Jenna. Like, he had the pilot look.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And he's. I was like, how long you been here? He said 26 years.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

It's like, unbelievable. Shrimp cocktail, old fashioned. I'll put the pictures in here. Navy bean soup was phenomenal.

[D]

Yeah. The shrimp cocktail was humming, man. That was. That is.

[C]

It cleans out your sinuses.

[D]

Oh, no doubt. Yeah.

[B]

It had a little extra on it.

[D]

Yeah, it did. And then I went filet and. And got it medium rare.

[B]

Plus.

[C]

What is that?

[B]

It's.

[D]

It's.

[B]

You don't know? You don't know?

[C]

Yeah, I don't know.

[B]

It is.

[C]

It is a. I'm asking you because I don't know.

[B]

So I like it. I like medium rare steaks, but sometimes they can be almost too rare. Yes. Almost red.

[D]

And sometimes you get medium and it's a little too far, so they know it's that sweet spot. Yeah.

[B]

And I'm not going to Outback and ordering medium rare. Plus, there's.

[D]

There's nothing wrong with Outback. Some people go to Outback, mister.

[B]

I'm just saying at the bottom.

[C]

Go to Outback, it goes to Elmo's once

[B]

I go to Outback. But when I go to Outback, I just order a medium rare steak.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

When I'm here at Elmo's, I can

[D]

order, you know what they give you. They give you the nod. Yes, yes.

[B]

It's the ball knower like, you know, ball like. That's what it is, Mike.

[C]

Is that how you got it?

[D]

Yeah, yeah. It's the same. It's really good.

[C]

Yeah, I think I would just do

[D]

medium rare, and that's fine.

[B]

Yeah. Just don't know what you're doing.

[C]

But, like, if I'm going other places, I'll just get. I'll get a steak rare.

[D]

Now I will say, do you like it?

[B]

Like, cool.

[C]

No, I'm saying if I were to go to Outback and for some reason get a steak, I would order it rare because it would probably be closer to medium rare.

[B]

No, you.

[D]

You can't order it rare.

[C]

You really. I mean, that's the way your dad

[D]

likes his steaks at.

[C]

No, no, no, no. My grandma. My grammy loved, like, rare but blue.

[D]

Oh, okay.

[C]

I Just I. If I'm at an actual, like, steakhouse, like St. Elmo's, I'm gonna order it medium rare. I like it to be like warm in the center.

[B]

I don't like the cool red with a yes. So that's why they're on the plus.

[C]

Have you ever heard black and blue?

[B]

Yes.

[C]

That's how my brother likes a steak.

[D]

Really?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

My.

[C]

I can't get that. That's too much for me.

[B]

My mother in law likes her steaks like blue. Like, and my father in law likes his steaks like a hockey puck.

[C]

And so when I marry each other.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So when I'm on the grill, it's like, hey, put my steak on now. And then when you think it's done, leave it on for another 10 minutes. It's like shoe leather. I'm like, dude, Chuck, it's already. It's already cooked. It's already dead.

[D]

Hey, Janet, next year when you're out here in Indy with us, we're going to order the steaks. Medium rare, buffalo plus.

[C]

How do you like that? I do like that. Mike, what was your side?

[D]

String beans.

[B]

Yeah, you want the beans?

[C]

String beans.

[D]

I had eaten that pretzel the night before. I couldn't have any more potatoes.

[B]

I did the red skin, mashed potatoes.

[D]

Bread. Yeah.

[B]

It was probably one of the better food rounds that we've had. It almost. It's always good. But I thought that one was. Was.

[D]

Now I will say this. Normally we get a lot of run ins with people. Like we saw Brian Dable.

[B]

Yep.

[D]

And you know, we've seen other people around the league. And we saw Mike Brable. We saw him out. We were out a little later because the reservation was later.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

So it wasn't a big. Oh, people. Because, I mean, they got stuff to do here. So did we. Yeah. But we were just out a little later. Yeah.

[C]

Okay. Got that late. I like, like a nice 5:30 dinner reservation.

[D]

Well, that's what we're having tonight.

[B]

Yes. We're gonna do Mexican.

[C]

Oh, that sounds good. Sounds tasty.

[B]

What's it called? All right.

[C]

Anything else before we wrap up?

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Huh.

[B]

Agave and rye is where we're heading. Tacos and I could do a margarita.

[C]

Yeah, that sounds good. And spicy Mark.

[D]

Yeah, definitely. Chips and salsa.

[B]

Chips and salsa.

[C]

Spicy Mark. All right, we won't hold you up any longer then. You guys good?

[D]

I think we're good.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. All right.

[C]

Tomorrow, the big day. Wide receivers. You guys will get to talk to them. We'll have another podcast recapping plus now,

[D]

Jenna, I have a little confession to make.

[C]

What?

[D]

I didn't really fix the audio. I just knew I could handle. So right now I'm getting the same thing Dan was getting. I took care of him. He's having a day, so he's got our fearless leader, good audio. And I'm. I'm used to this.

[B]

This is actually better than him actually fixing the technical side.

[D]

No, mine was working fine on my computer.

[B]

Doesn't it feel like you're like, this is so.

[C]

This. Very funny, though. Dan was like, I can't do it.

[D]

And I'm hearing. But, you know, a lot of times in my normal day, I hear a lot of voices in my head.

[C]

You're used to it.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

All right, so, Mike, you didn't fix it. You just powered through.

[D]

Yeah, I just manned up.

[C]

Yeah. Fearless.

[D]

I didn't Dan up.

[C]

Okay. All right. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe, and share. For my Catalana and Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. Thank you so much for watching the Buffalo plus podcast.

[B]

Buffalo plus.