Buffalo Plus Podcast: INSTANT REACTION to the BUFFALO BILLS [initial] 53-man ROSTER

Date Recorded: August 28, 2024
Panelists: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers immediate reactions and in-depth analysis of the Buffalo Bills’ initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. The Buffalo Plus team (Mike, Jenna, Dan) break down notable surprises, roster decisions, the fluidity of cutdown day, overlooked storylines, and prospects for the team's upcoming moves. The discussion captures not only the football implications but also the human side of cutdown day for hopeful and departing players.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biggest Surprises and Key Cuts

• Returner Decision & Trade with Jets:

  • The team was surprised DaQuan Hardy was not kept as kick returner; instead, Bills traded with the Jets for return man Brandon Codrington.
  • “They hadn’t made a trade since 1937 with the Jets. Not quite that, but it’s been...” – Mike (01:34)
  • Having only five wide receivers on the initial roster was another shock, suggesting Curtis Samuel and MVS are healthy.

• Roster Fluidity and Practice Squad Ramifications:

  • Emphasis on how cutdown day isn’t final; moves from waivers, IR placements, and practice squad signings will shuffle personnel.
  • “All of this, Jenna, as we like to say, is a fluid situation right now.” – Dan (03:16)
  • Many released players (Shorter, Shavers, etc.) might return via the practice squad based on needs and injuries.

2. The Joe Andreessen Story

• Local Tryout to 53-man:
  • Emphasis on the remarkable journey of Joe Andreessen, a Western New York native and former tryout player, making the roster.
  • "We were all, were kind of like, oh, that's cool. Like a western New York native... but to see him play well, had his name noticed... what an amazing story." – Jenna (05:21)
  • The panel recognized the rarity; it's not just an undrafted free agent, but a tryout player making the team.
  • "He proved to them not only can he play, but he knows how to call the defense. Right. I think that is really a big sign. That's why testament to him a 1000%..." – Mike (07:31)

3. Wide Receiver Group & Practice Squad Dynamics

• Shocking to see just five WRs – notable with Tyrell Shavers and Justin Shorter both cut.
• “I thought Tyrell Shavers did enough to make that spot... I was expecting in my head, I was like, Tyrell Shavers will be on the 53 man roster.” – Jenna (08:10)
• Reference to Bills’ 2023 strategy (kept five WRs after cutting down due to IR), and speculation on who might land on the practice squad.
• Noted financial disparity for fringe players:
  • “Because it's about a $700,000 difference for what Tyrell Shavers would make on a practice squad and what Joe Andreessen makes on a 53.” – Mike (10:38)

4. NFL Cutdown Day—Then vs. Now

• Reflection on how roster moves used to be more definitive (pre-practice squad era), and how Twitter/social media changed coverage.
  • “Back when I first started covering the team, when you got cut, you got cut. Like, there was no practice squad at all. You were gone...” – Mike (11:38)
• Noted the invisible toll: for many, today marks the end of football careers.
  • “For some of these players, this is the last time they'll play football.” – Jenna (13:30)

5. Practice Squad Importance and Player Development

• Discussion on why teams invest in their practice squad players, and how/why some cut players might opt to seek opportunity elsewhere.
  • “You've already invested coaching resources, time into these players that you want to kind of keep them in your building... Like they could go to another practice squad if they want a fresh start.” – Dan (14:46)

6. Tight End Room Decisions

• Surprised Zach Davidson didn't make the 53, but recognized the difficulty of making the tight end room behind Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid.
  • “This is probably the worst roster he could be on. It's gotta be up there because Kincaid is a pass catcher, and Knox on a lot of other teams would be the number one...” – Mike (22:29)
  • Acknowledgment that Davidson and Shavers both felt they did enough to make the team (panel empathizes).

7. Quarterback Depth & Mitch Trubisky’s Status

• Ben DiNucci (cut) could return to the practice squad depending on Trubisky’s health.
  • "To me it's like, okay, what is the status end of Mitch Trubisky? That to me says that maybe he's trending in a better direction than I originally thought.” – Jenna (18:15)
  • If Trubisky can't go, DiNucci (familiar with the system) would likely be elevated.

8. Defensive Backs & Special Teams Focus

• Discussion of DaQuan Hardy being replaced as returner by Codrington.
  • “To make a move ... must have seen something enough... he caused fifteen missed tackles on his eight returns in the preseason. That's tough to do.” – Dan (31:14)
• Veteran safety Kareem Jackson cut; indicator that the team trusts its younger DBs (Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards).

9. Human Angle & Player Well-Being

• Several references to the challenging reality for fringe players and hope that those cut find new opportunities.
  • "You want to see all of them have jobs in league because they've worked hard to get there.” – Mike (14:21)
• Noted that, behind every move, “the families are there and they are hopeful.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Roster Fluidity:
  “All of this... is a fluid situation right now.” – Dan (03:16)

• On the Tryout-to-Roster Journey:
  _"He wasn’t even 'Hey, draft's over, we're going to bring the guy in.' He didn't get that. He had to try out. Three UB Bills on the 53 right now." – Mike (06:09)

• Human Perspective:
  “For some of these players, this is the last time they'll play football.” – Jenna (13:30)

• Player Salaries & Security:
  “There's only maybe 30% of the league that should feel really secure. And the rest of them, it's tough.” – Mike (17:30)

• On Making the Most of Your Shot:
  “If you are Tyrell Shavers... you have to do what Joe Andreessen did, at least for now. Make it that they can't cut you or don't believe that you'll be around.” – Mike (09:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Initial Roster Moves & Surprises: 01:11 – 05:00
• Joe Andreessen’s Journey: 05:01 – 07:45
• Wide Receiver Decisions & Practice Squad Impact: 07:46 – 10:52
• Cutdown Day: Past & Present: 11:00 – 13:44
• The Human Toll of Cutdown Day: 13:30 – 15:51
• QB Room and Trubisky Watch: 18:15 – 20:38
• Tight End Room Choices: 20:39 – 22:51
• Returner & Kickoff Team Analysis: 30:10 – 32:20
• Final Reflections & Fluidity Emphasized: 32:20 – End

Additional Memorable/Lighthearted Moments

• Panel Chemistry: Witty banter about age, the Hangover movie, and spelling “tutelage.”
• Inside Jokes: Running joke about Jenna’s feature stories correlating with players getting cut (28:29).
• Quotes on Player Types:
  • “He’s a Kirkland Dawson Knox.” – Mike, on Zach Davidson (22:21)
• Pronunciation Watch: Debate over the most mispronounced player names (e.g., Brandon Codrington, DeJuan Smoot) (29:20–29:46).

Summary Takeaway

The Buffalo Plus team delivers a comprehensive, empathetic, and analytical look at the Bills’ first 53-man roster for 2024, acknowledging both surprise cuts and the longer strategic vision. The hosts stress that much will shift over the coming days as practice squads form and IR moves take effect, maintaining perspective on the resilience and reality of players chasing NFL dreams. The episode balances hard roster talk with an awareness of the sport’s personal stakes.

For more coverage and updates as the roster evolves, visit BuffaloPlus.com and subscribe to the channel.