Is JOSH ALLEN QB1 in the NFL? STADIUM MEMORIES from RICH to HIGHMARK and WHAT to EXPECT at Fisher

Summary

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Buffalo Plus Podcast – June 19, 2025

Episode: Is JOSH ALLEN QB1 in the NFL? Stadium Memories from RICH to HIGHMARK and What to Expect at Fisher
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive, insider-rich discussion about the Buffalo Bills as they head into the final season at Highmark Stadium. The trio dives into camp details at St. John Fisher, "Hard Knocks" anticipation, the latest national QB rankings (with special focus on Josh Allen vs. his NFL elite peers), and the hosts’ most memorable moments from decades of Bills stadium history. The episode closes with the signature "Credit to Me" segment—full of personal stories, gratitude, and playful banter.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. Buffalo Bills 2025 Training Camp at St. John Fisher

[01:27 – 05:06]

• Dates Announced: Camp opens July 23, with ten practices open to the public; Red & Blue scrimmage scheduled for August 1.
• Fan Experience: Ticket lottery system is in place, with fans picking their top 3 preferred days. Hosts advise avoiding peak dates for better odds.
• Team Dynamic at Camp:
  • Jenna Cottrell on Josh Allen: “Josh loves it. He couldn't wait to talk about it at minicamp. He's like, I'm excited to get down there in the dorms. The man loves the dorms.” [02:17]
  • The Fisher campus environment is praised by both players and coaches, especially for camaraderie.

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2. Anticipation for HBO's Hard Knocks Featuring the Bills

[05:06 – 13:53]

• Behind the Scenes:
  • Hosts predict safeties coach Bobby Babich could emerge as a “star” due to his personality and visibility.
  • Mike Catalana: “Not that he's going to yuck it up for the camera, but just…the most noticeable person voice wise.” [05:28]
• Player Storylines to Watch:
  • Ray Davis: Underdog running back with an inspiring background (foster care, homelessness)—poised for a Hard Knocks spotlight.
    • Jenna Cottrell: “Ray Davis’s is incredible. Was in and out of foster care…He went through multiple times being homeless throughout his childhood.” [08:32]
  • Frank Gore Jr. and Joe Andreessen (local connection)
• Desire for Positive Portrayal:
  • Hosts hope the show emphasizes the fans' charitable spirit and team’s culture, not stereotypical “table breaking.”
    • Mike Catalana on Bills Mafia: “Honestly…is known now more for their charity. Like, now it seems like anything happens, they're donating to charities for opposing teams, opposing players.” [11:44]

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3. Chris Simms’ Controversial 2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings

[14:03 – 21:30]

• Simms’ Top 4:
  1. Lamar Jackson
  2. Josh Allen
  3. Joe Burrow
  4. Patrick Mahomes
• Shock Factor: Mahomes at #4 sparks widespread debate.
• Evaluating 'Best':
  • Mike Catalana: “These are very, very dumb arguments, but it is June 16th, and this is what we're supposed…” [15:45]
  • Simms emphasizes recent performance (“playing the best”) over resumes.
• Mahomes vs. Allen/Lamar/Burrow:
  • Hosts agree Mahomes has the best career résumé but was not the clear "best QB" last season.
  • Burrow, Lamar, and Allen all credited for elevated play—Allen’s 2024 MVP cited as a crucial résumé booster.
  • Dan Fetes: “It’s about playing the position of quarterback…when he gets in the playoffs, [Mahomes] always seems to make a play.” [18:43]
• AFC Quarterback Gauntlet:
  • Concern expressed over Allen’s lack of Super Bowl appearances after eight seasons, despite elite play—framing the fierce competition in the AFC as a primary cause.

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4. Highmark Stadium: Nostalgia and Favorite Memories as a New Era Approaches

[26:09 – 45:54]

• Tribute to the Old Stadium:
  • Discussion of Matt Bové’s multi-part stadium documentary and the emotional weight of the final season at Highmark.
• Memorable On-Field Moments (Selected Quotes & Stories):
  • Jenna Cottrell: “Naheem Hines kickoff return touchdown…after Damar Hamlin…unforgettable…just like, how could you not get chills?” [36:57]
  • Mike Catalana: “Josh and Sean doing the Snow Angels…just one of those moments.” [33:35]
  • Dan Fetes (on 51-3 win over Raiders): “For me, it’s 51 to 3. The game is known by the score…Being down there on that field…was just so insane.” [38:47]
  • The legendary “Snow Game” against the Colts, Tyler Bass’s long-distance game-winner, and “the comeback game” (Frank Reich’s playoff miracle) all revisited.
• Nostalgia Factor:
  • Hosts note the old stadium’s quirks (single tunnel, tight sidelines), excitement for the new building (“modeled after Tottenham”), and community sentimentality.

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5. Signature Closing Segment: ‘Credit to Me’

[46:09 – episode end]

• Playful Banter & Personal Stories:
  • Mike rhapsodizes about his new chainsaw and the joys/dangers of suburban “chainsaw culture.”
    • Mike Catalana: “I am into chainsaw culture now.” [49:14]
  • Jenna and Dan joke about their role in Jenna’s upcoming wedding (Dan takes "credit" for Jenna meeting Zach, with help from hairdresser Heather).
  • Podcast closes with gratitude, wedding updates, and a call for audience engagement (favorite Highmark/Ralph moments and QB opinions).

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Josh Allen’s camp enthusiasm:
  “He couldn't wait to talk about it at minicamp. He's like, I'm excited to get down there in the dorms. The man loves the dorms.”
  — Jenna Cottrell [02:17]
• About Chris Simms’s rankings:
  “The idea that you have somebody ahead of Mahomes…do you find that surprising?”
  — Dan Fetes [14:22]
• Skepticism about ‘table-breaking’ stereotype:
  “I think Bill's Mafia, honestly, is known now more for their charity…It’s just kind of cool to see that aspect be highlighted.”
  — Mike Catalana [11:44]
• Nostalgia before new stadium:
  “There's a lot of buzz in this city. You know, they're getting a new stadium…we see all these things. It even goes back to the newer players.”
  — Mike Catalana [28:38]
• Personal highlight:
  “Naheem Hines kickoff return touchdown…after Damar Hamlin obviously had this episode on the field…just everything emotionally…was unforgettable.”
  — Jenna Cottrell [36:57]
• Chainsaw culture:
  “Honestly, I was the first thing that went through my head when I woke up this morning. Can't wait to cut some things down… I am into chainsaw culture now.”
  — Mike Catalana [49:14]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:27 – Training Camp at Fisher: Dates, ticketing, fan tips
• 05:06 – Hard Knocks: What to expect, likely stories & personalities
• 14:03 – Chris Simms QB Rankings: Mahomes at #4, Allen’s status
• 26:09 – Highmark Stadium Memories & Era Changeover
• 36:57 – Most Memorable Ralph/Highmark Moments
• 46:09 – Credit to Me: Chainsaws, weddings, show close

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Tone & Energy

Conversational, warm, playful, highly knowledgeable, and always intertwined with local pride. The hosts blend sharp analysis with friendly teasing, personal anecdotes, and a genuine sense of community with Western New York fans.

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For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Buffalo’s training camp at Fisher remains a highlight for both team bonding and regional pride—get your lottery requests in early (pick off-peak dates).
• The Bills will star on Hard Knocks; expect both gritty unsung-player stories and a window into the team’s unique chemistry.
• Quarterback arguments are endlessly debatable: Mahomes remains the gold standard for accomplishments, but Allen, Burrow, and Lamar have a claim to “best in the moment.”
• This final year at Highmark/Ralph Stadium is special—fans, savor it. Share your memories with the podcast, as a new Bills era (and stadium) is about to begin.
• And, if you’re going to use a chainsaw, don’t do it in sandals.

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[Let the show know YOUR favorite Ralph/Highmark moment and where you’d rank Josh Allen among NFL QBs!]

Transcript

[Mike Catalana]

In the time it takes you to actually board that flight from Group 8.

[Jenna Cottrell]

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[Mike Catalana]

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[Jenna Cottrell]

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[Mike Catalana]

So while you're waiting for them to make up new boarding groups, you can order your dream car and the dealer will have it ready in no time.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Now boarding groups one through seven.

[Mike Catalana]

So close. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details. Limited availability pickup through participating Hyundai dealer in select markets. I want to make this very clear. These are very, very dumb arguments, but it is June 16th and this is what we're supposed to.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Not June 16th.

[Dan Fates]

It's June 18th, isn't it?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Sorry.

[Mike Catalana]

That'S close. This is the Buffalo plus podcast brought to you by Connors and Ferris.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. You know how much we appreciate it. All right, this episode, Chris Sims releasing his quarterback rankings. We're going to talk a little bit about it. Our take what we assess of that credit to me as well. We'll have some fun talking about training camp, all that. But do we want to start with camp? Do we want to end with camp?

[Dan Fates]

Let's start with camp. Why not?

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right.

[Dan Fates]

They just announced it, the exact dates coming up at camp.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. And we know obviously we are here in the Rochester area, what camp means to this area, what it means to western New York in general. And just I. Are you surprised at the dates? Are you. Is it? I mean, to me, I was like. And that those are the dates and that is how it goes.

[Dan Fates]

So I'm literally that I'm looking at this and I'm going, yeah. I'm looking back at a report that was like four months ago. Oh, that was my report that said.

[Mike Catalana]

Wow, credit to you.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was a Dan face.

[Dan Fates]

Camp was going to be back at Fisher.

[Mike Catalana]

So, Mike, when you pat yourself on the back, usually I go right hand.

[Dan Fates]

You are the pro.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So I will follow what you say. Yeah, we said this is what it was going to be. It's very, very similar to past years. You know, we have to say this every year. They like coming to Fisher for training camp.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Josh loves it. He couldn't wait to talk about it at minicamp. He's like, I'm excited to get down there in the dorms. I mean, the man Loves the dorms.

[Mike Catalana]

Is that how Josh talks?

[Dan Fates]

He's down there.

[Mike Catalana]

I can't wait.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Katan.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, he loves it. And McDermot thinks it's great for them. They have that vibe of the amount of time, the amount of practices and the amount of golf at Oak Hill. That's all the things that work out for him semantically.

[Mike Catalana]

First practice, July 23rd. Ten practices open to the public. Last practice, August 7th, the Red and.

[Dan Fates]

Blue scrimmage, August 1st, that Friday night.

[Mike Catalana]

So that's just kind of some housekeeping there.

[Dan Fates]

And the tickets, it's a pain.

[Mike Catalana]

I.

[Dan Fates]

We tell our families, just sign up for it. I don't get tickets. You guys don't get tickets?

[Mike Catalana]

Nope.

[Dan Fates]

I don't get anything.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I think people think we get a lot.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Shout out to Warren for the Amer.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

And shout out to Matt for Red Wings or Maury. Yeah, those guys. Like, if you guys need tickets to AMEX or Red Wings games, we got you.

[Dan Fates]

We can hook you up.

[Mike Catalana]

Sabers. Amex. Sabers are Bills.

[Dan Fates]

No, no, we don't get him. And they go super fast. So there's a lottery. You sign up. I don't remember if they did this before, but you pick your three favorite days.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So I think maybe that's good. What's bad at camp sometimes is you show up later in camp and it's maybe not packed packed, because some people who had tickets already, maybe they've been. They run into something, they don't go. It's a shame. Other people would have wanted those tickets. So maybe this will spread it out a little better.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think what you do if you're trying to get tickets for camp is you pick not the first day, not the last day, like kind of some random days. If you can work that into your schedule. Because obviously those are the days that are super popular. So if you kind of try and pick your spots and reminder. Yeah. It's a lottery. So you have to put in your information, go through the Bill's website, all that stuff.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. And our practices are all 9:45 in the morning, except that one Sunday after the scrimmage. The two days after the scrimmage. I think it's at 11:15. So, you know, you have to get up to get out here early. But it makes it way better for the fans, way better for the players to be early morning.

[Mike Catalana]

Marges Pittsford Dairy. You haven't been to the Rochester area. Feel free. Feel free to drop a comment, some suggestions, other people that have gone to camp, what's your Favorite part. Places to go around the area. Obviously. This is our backyard.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Literally pull. Hopefully to have Brandon Bean back in Mike's backyard again.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Bean loved it. He loved being there. He loved walking over. We did the interview last year. Gonna try to make this a yearly thing. So we see. Get the logistics set up and get him to walk over. He could bring Josh with him if he wants.

[Mike Catalana]

He could.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, It's. It's possible. He does know him.

[Dan Fates]

He does.

[Mike Catalana]

He could.

[Dan Fates]

He's in the building.

[Mike Catalana]

He is.

[Dan Fates]

He's in the building.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He will be in the building.

[Dan Fates]

We will be in this building.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Also hard knocks, too. I just. What do you expect?

[Mike Catalana]

Sprinkler shot.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Of there'll be St. John Fisher and then it'll be the sprinkler and then there'll be Hut. And I think Bobby Babbage will be the star. Yeah, I think Babich is going to be the star. I was talking to one of the Bill's PR guys and he's like, yeah, he doesn't shy away from the camera to begin with.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And then usually hard knocks, even hard knocks, like with the Lions, it wasn't all about Dan Campbell. Like. Like you. You grew to know the other Aaron.

[Dan Fates]

Glenn was one of them.

[Mike Catalana]

So I think this is a big moment for Bobby Babich. Not that he's going to yuck it up for the camera, but just the fact that he will be the most noticeable person voice wise. And Boris, you. You've talked about the tight end.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah. He's very vocal with the players, with his own players. Really? Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

I was gonna say, hell is Boris. I was gonna say Scott Boris. And that is not it.

[Dan Fates]

No. The other thing was I happened to put on NFL Network this morning and they had the Bears hard knocks. And I was watching. And Ryan Poles, another general manager. We know. We know them all. And he was. They were talking in the room, in the building about the players and who stood out when it came time for the cuts. And I was putting Brandon bean and Sean McDermott and those guys in that spot. They didn't give up too much, but they actually talked about some of the players. Like, you would hear things like that we wouldn't normally hear. And sometimes they won't tell us when. It's like, this kid has done everything we've asked him to do. He can help us now. Later. He's got great speed, like little things like that. That sometimes. Because they said, wow, last year he didn't do any of this. So that could be a player that we aren't as connected with.

[Mike Catalana]

Right.

[Dan Fates]

That all of a sudden this year comes in and they're like, wow, like he's a different guy this year. And they notice it. This is right before they start making. Making those moves. So I'll be fascinated to see how much Bean gives him.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I also, like, I'm going to have to let Renee know, like, my job is going to have to be to watch TV like this. Like, I have like our job because like you said, there is going to be stuff that we don't have access to because we are not in the building that we are going to see from cameras that are inside the building. So, like that will be kind of cool to. To literally be asking Sean and Brandon and players like, hey, this is what the coaches said about you. This is what you're saying about players. I think that's the interesting dynamic because in training camp for the most part we do get a ton of access. It is. You find those training camp darlings, those stories, the. The guys trying to make the team, all this stuff. But it's even going to be peeled back even a little more this year because of all the addedness.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Do you think there's. You said training camp darlings, which happens every season, but there's. Do you think there's a hard knocks darling other than Bobby Babbage, like one of the players to you that you're like, I could see this guy really getting a storyline and maybe someone you're not expecting.

[Dan Fates]

No, I think this is an expected one. Your guy, Ray Davis.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

That's a layup. Especially whatever's going on with James.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's. It's so true. Right.

[Dan Fates]

Whatever's going on with Cook. Enter Ray Davis. You. They tell in any form tell his story. It's fascinating story.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

If you haven't seen it online. Award winner from Jenna Cottrell. She did a story on Ray.

[Mike Catalana]

She will be changing her Twitter bio shortly.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I want to thank Ray though because yeah, if you don't know his backstory, the journey for the NFL for every player looks different. But Ray Davis's is incredible. Was in and out of foster care. He. He went through multiple times being homeless throughout his childhood. Ended up playing on a football team and one of the his teammates mothers kind of took him in and ushered him in and kind of from there he was able to play in college and just the mentorship and that so really incredible story. And shout out him for let. Letting me tell the story because that's. You Know, that's personal stuff.

[Dan Fates]

And he came up, congratulated you for.

[Jenna Cottrell]

This, which was very nice.

[Dan Fates]

He's a super nice guy. A lot of players have had tough things happen in their lives, and some are really. And you. You wonder. His just was for a long period of time.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

You know, in. In that part. And to make it so when I look at a guy like that, if. If I'm the people at Hard Knocks, especially with the James Cook situation, it's. It's almost perfect. And Ray's got a great personality.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So he would be good.

[Mike Catalana]

Frank or Junior could be a sneaky good story.

[Dan Fates]

Senior might show up too.

[Mike Catalana]

Seniors there. I think that, that, that's a. A compelling story because they always. It's those fringe guys. It's those guys that could pop at a practice or pop in a preseason game and those kind of galvanize attention. So I think that could be one as well.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And I do think Joe Andreessen.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I could definitely.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Have. See that they want that hometown connection, what that means for him. And honestly, like, I mean, he's obviously been on the team before. What's that going to be like him once again being back at camp?

[Dan Fates]

And I really hope for the Bill's sake that the James Cook situation is not a distraction in any way. I don't know if that's going to be the case, but I really want Hard Knocks to highlight all the good things from this franchise. You know, you guys didn't live as much of it as seen some shit. Yeah. And, you know, I. Maybe you guys still like. I, I've never really liked the whole breaking tables. That's Bill's fans. I think Bill's fans way, way more than that. Like, it's, you know, it's fine for a little bit, but they do great things. There's all this stuff about Bill's fans, Bill's mafia. That's what I want to see. Highlight. There's nobody jumping through tables. St. John Fisher. I want to see all those things. I'm not saying they're going to get on the James Cook thing and it's going to be every moment because I don't think the team would allow that. They're going to say, hey, you know, you're going to have a show, you're going to have a moment, but it can't be the whole thing. There's so many positives with this team, including the quarterback. I'd like to see that highlighted and going off that.

[Mike Catalana]

Mike, I, I think Bill's it's not your phone. If you're at home, it's not your phone. It's Catalanis. Just for those people that are wondering, are you all right?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. I never turned the sound up, but I was out for like two days.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes. You're playing her sick.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And so I said I because I think I would have slept through everything.

[Mike Catalana]

I think your point about, like, Bill's mafia and the table breaking and the tailgating. I think the tailgating is still well documented as one of the best environments in the NFL. I think Bill's mafia, honestly, is known now more for their charity.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Say their heart.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Like, now it seems like anything happens, they're donating to charities for opposing teams, opposing players. It's just kind of cool to see that aspect be highlighted. More than drunk fans jumping through a table on fire. As the team is no longer the laughingstock of the league. It's. They're a great team also. Their fans are passionate diehard. And they're also giving their hard earned money to great causes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm just so excited for our area to get some shine. Yeah, like western New York just in general. And you talk about, like, yeah, like the fan base and how passionate they are, but how much heart, how much they're willing to do good things for other fan bases. Just like what they bring to football fandom. I think it's just going to be really cool. And I know obviously the Bills haven't been on Hard Knocks before, but to just have this opportunity and also have it be right here in our area in Rochester is just. I don't know. I'm. I'm so excited. Although, gonna be honest, guys, be honest. I'm stressed about what to wear. I feel like every fit has got to be good. Usually a couple. Couple days of camp, you're like, whatever.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, same. See, men, we could wear the same thing every day.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Nobody.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You know what? You're not gonna, like, step up your shoe game or anything?

[Dan Fates]

They're not gonna show his shoes, are they?

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, whatever.

[Mike Catalana]

Hey, I don't know. I could be that sprinkler shot. I'd want my Jordans to be walking through.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You want crispy Jordans?

[Mike Catalana]

Cat, you all right? Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

I was just looking for something because I love. I just wanted to make sure. Something. I love the voice of Hard Knocks. Liv Schreiber.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

You know who he is?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Vikings guy.

[Dan Fates]

Vikings.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, no, that's the announcer.

[Dan Fates]

Yes. Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

You all right, man?

[Dan Fates]

I'm fine.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

No, I'm Looking up. I want to make sure I've got the. The show. He's Ray Donovan. Oh, my God. I couldn't remember. Incredible show.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

Ray Donovan, old school. Beats the hell out of people all the time.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yes. He was in the Perfect Couple, too.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, you got.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's a good show.

[Dan Fates]

But his voice.

[Mike Catalana]

Hey, let's reel this one back in, guys.

[Dan Fates]

No, his. He's the voice of hard knocks. He's the guy you hear.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

You hear talking. So that is the guy who will say right as the sprinklers go off, yes, it's a beautiful morning in Pittsburgh, New York.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Book it. All right, let's talk a little bit about quarterback rankings because there's. Do you think this was baiting. All right, so Chris Sims released his quarterback rankings. He had Jalen hurts at number 10 in terms of his number. In terms of his top four, it went Lamar at number one, Josh at number two, bro at number three, and Patrick Mahomes at number four.

[Dan Fates]

So you buried the lead there. He had Mahomes at 4, and that's what got the attention of everybody, the idea that you would rank somebody ahead of Patrick Mahomes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And listen, Chris Sims, we've talked to him multiple times every year.

[Mike Catalana]

We see him at the combine. And you always feel like you have to reintroduce yourself. And he's like, yeah, man, how's it going? Good to see you again.

[Dan Fates]

And he gives us a lot of time. Yeah, he loves Lamar, he loves Josh. He loves Burrow. He loves and he loves Mahomes. And he says these guys are separate from everybody. I don't disagree with them at all. I think they have separated themselves, those four. The idea that you have somebody ahead of momes from a person like this who has ranked him as his number one quarterback for all these years, do you find that surprising?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, in defense of Chris Sims, here is what he had to say about ranking Patrick Holmes fourth overall.

[Mike Catalana]

So, yes, the man, the myth, the legend, one of the greatest I've ever seen and all that, and maybe the clutchest quarterback in football still. I understand that the quarterback play week in, week out, and I don't think he would disagree with me here. Has not been as high level right. The past two seasons as Burrow, Lamar or.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Or Josh Allen, your take on that.

[Mike Catalana]

I want to say this, I want to make this very clear. These are very, very dumb arguments, but it is June 16th, and this is what we're supposed.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Not June 16th.

[Dan Fates]

It's June 18th, isn't it?

[Mike Catalana]

Sorry, I was Close I was.

[Dan Fates]

That was a difference without a distinction. Isn't that what they say?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, I have no idea that I.

[Dan Fates]

Have a lot of things rattling around in his head.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A lot of empty space with the rattle. Is that what you mean?

[Mike Catalana]

But I think this is like Sims does this every year and sometimes it. It's surprising. And, and I also think you have to understand and like the point of this argument is who's the playing the best and who has the best resume. I, I think that's the interesting distinction between.

[Dan Fates]

He separated those two. Really. Cuz obviously your phone. Mahomes has the best resume.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

It's not even, it's not even a consideration.

[Mike Catalana]

Correct.

[Dan Fates]

Of anybody that's playing.

[Mike Catalana]

But I don't think anybody watched the NFL last season and thought he's the best quarterback this year.

[Dan Fates]

That was the point that Sims was making.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And where Josh falls in that category, it was interesting to me to have him have Lamar ahead of him. He loves Lamar. I don't know where you would rank Josh with Lamar in his case. Again, we're taking out the results because that's the guy Josh has the advantage on. He's beaten him twice in the playoffs, going to the AFC championship game, twice by beating Lamar, beating Lamar, beating the Ravens. But it is kind of wild now if you're a Chiefs fan, you're going, no, Mahomes is the best. You have every right to say that. He has been the best. His resume, his stats leading up to these last couple years were off the charts. What do you have? 51 touchdowns. The one year like crazy good. It's about playing the position of quarterback. Because I would go back years before Josh when Jim Kelly was playing against Dan Marino, same division. Kelly beat him all the time, Beat him in the playoffs, beat him in the championship game in Miami. I don't think anybody at that time was saying Dan Marino wasn't the better quarterback. I don't think we were as locked in as much now as it's results driven. That wins and losses is a quarterback stat. And it's so results driven. But it does open up a little bit to say Mahomes has not been as dominant as he was for those other years. He's still been good. His team has been good around him. I mean, they went what, 18 and 2 last year, made the Super bowl for a third straight time. It's crazy good. But I think I would agree with Sims, the specific play on the field, what a quarterback does. I think these guys were a little better than him last year. But of course, when he gets in the playoffs, he always seems to make a play.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, it's. It's so tough because I think about what it's. It goes back to. We've rehashed it 100 times. And it's, it's. It's also the MVP. It's. It's like what Lamar has and what he's working with and also what Josh is working with or worked with last year, because I think Josh has had better years. Statistically. Josh has had better moments. But what he did last year really solidified it was the lack of turnovers. It was that game manager aspect that he had while also being the superman of jumping over players. It was. It was all of that combined into one and the clutch moments and the. All of that into it. So it's tough. Like, when we. When the Bills went into that AFC championship game, I thought the Bills actually had the better quarterback. And so, like, it's not like, I know there'll be Chiefs fans that will somehow end up on this podcast and we'll, we'll comment in and like, you're right. Like, you don't. It's like when Patriots fans would argue for all these years, it's like, well, you got it. You've done it. Like, we get it, dude. It's not about that. It's the fact of the matter is that, like, Josh getting his first mvp, though, I think does elevate him with the resume. Like, Lamar has two of them. Like, so it goes back to all of those things. Wins and losses, stats, accolades. All of that stuff goes into where it is on top of who's playing the best. Because I would have had the argument of, like, Burrow was unbelievable last year, too.

[Dan Fates]

Right.

[Mike Catalana]

And what he should have been to the MVP conversation, it just, it got lost with how poor their defense was, which is not his fault, which Josh has been a victim of as well.

[Dan Fates]

Absolutely. I mean, look at now, Lamar made a couple of mistakes in that game against the Bills, but then he drove his team at the end. Andrews drops the ball, got the ball knocked out before him. You know, we talk about narratives for mvp. I think there's a really good Mahomes narrative this year. He hasn't won it in since 22. I think it was so.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You think so?

[Dan Fates]

I think there is, because I think he's going to put up some stats this year. I think they're going to throw the ball more this year. I think they're going to try to open it up, especially if Rasheed Rice Is healthy. Like they've got some speed on that team offensively and I think they're going to want to throw the ball a little bit more. And I think he, you know, the.

[Mike Catalana]

Pendulum of the Mahomes fatigue swing back a little bit.

[Dan Fates]

Even though they're.

[Mike Catalana]

That was part of it.

[Dan Fates]

They're trying to go.

[Mike Catalana]

Not for Jenna.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, but they're trying to go to a Super Bowl. That's the thing. Everybody's got us. The Bills went to four straight Super Bowls. This cannot happen. This year cannot happen. If the Chiefs go forth. The Bills. At least the Bills own that. No one else has that. The Chiefs have a chance for that even though they lost. I mean, the Bills lost all of them. They have a chance for their fourth straight Super Bowl. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I was just thinking about this today and this is a little off topic, but I'm just, I'm really. We're in the trust tree. We're in the trust.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. These guys.

[Mike Catalana]

There's not 38, 000 people that subscribe like comment, subscribe, trust tree.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm so scared that the Bills, like we're eight years. This is going to be Josh's eighth season. And I'm really scared because they haven't even got to a Super Bowl. Yeah, that's. That is my fear. That is my fear is like we're eight years in and this team has always been knocking at the door. Obviously last year they lost in the AFC championship game. They've been and lost in the AFC championship. But I just. I think they're going to win. I do. But I just have again, trust tree. I'm just scared that it's not going to come together.

[Dan Fates]

So we talk about those four guys. Burrow made it once. That's it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, these guys are all in the afc, right? Like, that's four quarterbacks.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Josh.

[Mike Catalana]

That's the worst thing that ever happened to Josh was being drafted to the afc.

[Dan Fates]

Well, I mean, you look at it and you say these. We talk. He just said, and they are the four best quarterbacks. Burrow made it once, give them all the credit. Beat the Bills, beat the Chiefs in Kansas City. Like, that was awesome for them. Hasn't gone great since then. But Burrow is still very, very good with very good weapons. But he's a great quarterback. But you think about those three guys because I say to you, back in that time when, you know, Dan Marino made it second year and people were like, this guy's throwing 50 touchdown passes back then.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Never made it back again. Made it the one time, Jim made it four times. I mean, you just don't know how it's going to play out.

[Mike Catalana]

But you only got to make it once.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh yeah. To win. Yeah. But I'm just saying, I'm just saying, like that's, that is. And that's why I think some times people, I had someone in the grocery store in Wegmans be like, you're so obsessed with them having weapons for Josh Allen. And I'm like, I get I weapon on either side of the ball, whatever, but I'm just like, I'm just. I'm. I'm afraid that you are not going to. And that's my fear happen.

[Dan Fates]

Well, you're right. So what I would say to them is in on a nice Sunday night game in September or Thursday night game and they're scoring 28, 30 points against somebody and rolling to the win. Everything looks good. It's January, Buffalo, Kansas City down three. You know those moments that need a dog? You need a dog. Other than Josh Allen, man, I told Dan very quickly when I happened to see the highlights of the perfect game against the Patriots. I know the Bills offense statistically was the best in team history, but man, that team could. Was exciting. Swinging the ball around, everybody making plays. Dawson Knox had an awesome game.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

In that game. Two touchdowns, 89 yards. Running over people.

[Mike Catalana]

89 yards. A Bills tight end had 89 yards in a game.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

That's wild.

[Dan Fates]

And Josh was perfect in that game. So the total numbers didn't add up, but man, that team could. Could just embarrass. Embarrass Bill Belichick. So that was wild.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Were you at that game?

[Mike Catalana]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And you were at that game?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

That was crazy cold.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

That was the comically cold game. That was like zero. And Josh talks about his tootsies and that his tootsies get cold.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But it was the. That was also because earlier in that year was the wind game.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

And that was windy and comical for that Monday night game. But it wasn't. It was. It was the rebatch in that one.

[Dan Fates]

When Sean got asked after the windy game about not being able to keep up with Bill Belichick.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And then Hyde employer got asked about how embarrassing it was and then they.

[Dan Fates]

Come back five weeks later, whatever it was, and embarrass Belichick. Well, he's done his own job with that, but on the football field. Embarrass him as bad as he's ever been embarrassed.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. That was a masterpiece by. By Dable in that one. And it's. That was. It's always funny because now when they're like, our job is to score every single time we get the ball, we know that's not realistic. And then Josh, Josh will always smirk and be like, most of the time. Yeah. Like.

[Dan Fates]

And by the way, in that game.

[Mike Catalana]

He'S never even done that against Miami.

[Dan Fates]

I don't know what.

[Mike Catalana]

And he owns Miami.

[Dan Fates]

I don't know what the separation numbers were, but, man, guys were getting open behind the Patriots. In front of them, Beasley was making. I mean, it just was. Gabe was catching the ball. Like it was one of those days.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But do you remember, I think the play that started it all.

[Mike Catalana]

Micah Hydes interception.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Unbelievable play.

[Dan Fates]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Unbelievable.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, well, talking a little bit about the stadium and stadium stuff.

[Dan Fates]

Do you want to talk about our friend Matt Bovet?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Matt Bovet, KBW in Buffalo. A lot of you probably know him. Friend of the pod.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Doing a really cool. Extensive research into the old stadium, whatever you want to call it. Rich Stadium. And. And the Ralph and High mark and all of those things.

[Dan Fates]

And New era.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And going in depth about the history of it. The people that had. It's meant so much to them, yourself probably included. He's put them also out on YouTube. It's every Thursday. Every Tuesday. Every Tuesday. It's coming out.

[Dan Fates]

I think it is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think it's every Tuesday.

[Mike Catalana]

They even got some old guys like Sal Marana and Mike Catalano.

[Dan Fates]

That guy never shuts up.

[Mike Catalana]

Never, never.

[Dan Fates]

By the way, when you see me in there, big old Buffalo plus behind you. We're gonna brand it. We brand that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

We love it.

[Dan Fates]

That was a lot of fun talking, man. I've been to a lot of games in that building. Seen some, seen some and seen some awesome stuff.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's so cool. I mean, I think it's going to be a little bit surreal. Not surreal, but like having it be the last season at high mark and like, what that will feel like. I. I mean, I've never. I've never been in a stadium like that where it's like, all right, this is the final year before we open the new building.

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[Dan Fates]

Yeah, it depends on. I know this sounds funny. It depends on how it ends. Ideally, that's fair.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I.

[Dan Fates]

Ideally, it ends with, they're going to the Super Bowl. They win a game, maybe they're the one seed, they got two games at home. They win, they go. Which would be awesome.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That'd be incredible.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Michael Hoyt talked about it, the history, and he's like, it's great. You know, we see all these things. It even goes back to the newer players. You know, Joey Bosa was talking. Nope. Yeah, Joey Bosa was talking about, like, you could be immortalized. And again, especially to be the last year of the stadium. And Michael Hoyt kind of laughed and said, like, there's a lot of buzz in this city. You know, they're getting a new stadium. He's like, and we'll just burn the other one to the ground. And it's like, don't joke about. About that.

[Dan Fates]

And it is.

[Mike Catalana]

Jenna, to your point, it does feel kind of surreal because as long as we've been covering the team, I grew up in Rochester, so, like, there was always the thought of, like, they need a new stadium, they're going to go to Toronto, they're going to need a new stadium, the owner, all of these things. And to then break ground on the stadium after all of the negotiations, figuring out a location, dome or not, all of this stuff. And then you're like, okay. And it felt like it'd be like a decade until we were in the stadium.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And then you drive by there. Once you leave for the city, you.

[Jenna Cottrell]

See all the cranes.

[Mike Catalana]

You see so many cranes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan loves cranes.

[Mike Catalana]

And then all of a sudden you're like, holy shit. Like, this is it.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And again, I'll say this love High Mark stadium. For some things, it is comical, the hoops that they have to jump through at times for fans, players getting equipment on and off the field, it seems like. So it's beyond outdated to then go to a newer stadium and. And like we traveled all the games. It's comical how long this stadium has lasted because of it's. It's just ancient.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Like the one tunnel thing. I'm excited for Buffalo to have a state of the art stadium.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Considering for a lot of opposing teams and a lot of opposing team members and stuff like that, it is, you know, it's kind of looked at as like pitiful Buffalo and I hate that. And I'm excited to see what the new stadium will look like.

[Dan Fates]

When you're at night, whatever you do, if you say little prayers, say a little prayer that this year goes with no issues in that tunnel. It's always been really scary. Jen is referring this. A lot of people think we're just talking about both teams coming off the field at the same time. Yeah. On occasion you see some yelling back and forth and whatever. Because they enter, exit. Oh, no, we're talking about the ambulances, the equipment, trucks, security. Like everything goes through one tunnel and it goes straight to the field. All the other stadiums for all the newer ones are built with a tunnel infrastructure all the way around the building. Some of them have parking all inside, like crazy big. I'm not exactly sure what we're going to see in the new stadium that way, but you're right. Sometimes when I'm there, I'm almost like when the San Francisco people were there, they haven't been there in a long time. Last year, like people weren't expecting some of it and I was telling one of the reporters, just be careful in here. It was cold, it was wet.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And I'm like, just be careful because you never know what's coming behind you. You just need to get through this year and everything be good.

[Mike Catalana]

The sidelines are tight. Just everything in the feel. Also, I know they modeled it after the Tottenham stadium.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

It does have a European soccer stadium look to it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's sexy.

[Mike Catalana]

It is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

It's a sexy building.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

So it is exciting to kind of move on to that. So we kind of wanted to take it over the. This off season. Take some time to think about some of the. The best moments at in Orchard park. Whether under the. The nuance of names pretty much well known as the Ralph.

[Dan Fates]

The Ralph works. By the way, the new place subtitle is the House that Josh Built.

[Mike Catalana]

It's so phenomenal.

[Dan Fates]

Because that place.

[Mike Catalana]

I almost had a stroke there.

[Dan Fates]

That place. I don't think. I think it would have been difficult to get that place built without 17.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A thousand percent.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. I mean credit, you know, to the state of New York.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Whenever anyone says credit to, I always laugh now.

[Dan Fates]

And the Pulas and the state and all of you taxpayers. It's a lot of money goes into this. But, hey, people in western New York deserve a nice stadium. The government wastes a lot of money. And I'm sure NFL owners could afford to build their own, but they got a little leverage. They use it. But this place is built and this team's not going anywhere.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Favorite Ralph Memory.

[Mike Catalana]

I was thinking about games that I've been on the sidelines for and trying not to be.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, sorry. That scared me.

[Mike Catalana]

That was a flash flood warning that we all got on our phone. So you probably got that at a different time as to when we were recording this. But I was trying. You're asking about, like, my favorite moment. I was trying to think of, like, games that I was on the field for and not trying to just pick, like the most recent one. Like, cool little moments is like, to me was Josh and Sean doing the Snow Angels.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, that's just like one of those moments.

[Dan Fates]

49Ers game, right?

[Mike Catalana]

The 49ers game when they won the division again, like, it was those kind of little moments and I wasn't even there. I was. Watched that game in the hospital because Taylor was just born. So, like. And I think about. To me. To me, the. The one that really. And again, we weren't even there.

[Dan Fates]

Time off to have a baby.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Crazy.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I would never.

[Mike Catalana]

Was the Terran. Was the Taryn Johnson.

[Dan Fates]

The pick six.

[Mike Catalana]

The pick six against Baltimore.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And it's funny in the sense of that was during the COVID year and there was only 7,500 people, but they'll probably be like 70,000 people that said they were there. And just watching that game and Al Michaels on the call, all of that, as this was a team that was starting to ascend and to start to be a real super bowl contender. Like, that, to me, was one of those games and one of those moments that you can specifically pick out of him. Josh was like, average in that game, but it was that play that you were like, holy cow. The. The roar of that crowd that was limited. Was just insane.

[Dan Fates]

They were loud. I was thinking, I'm not going to give you guys one. But you were both down on the field for the snow game, right?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Oh, when Dan and I worked at competing stations.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, that's probably.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That one was awesome. That was against the Colts. LaShawn McCoy walk off. Touchdown. That kept the Bills in the playoffs.

[Dan Fates]

Ran Right to. You ran.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Right.

[Dan Fates]

I don't know what Dan shot was because he worked for that other place.

[Mike Catalana]

Yours was outstanding. I was behind. I was behind the Play. Jenna got McCoy running right to him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I literally, at one point, was like, oh, my. I think he's gonna run me over. Oh, sorry. Yeah, I remember it was snowing so hard. Dan and I obviously have always been friends. We walk out of the tunnel, the snow is, like, impenetrable by how much it's falling down. And Dan was so mad. He's like, this is. I'm not gonna be able to work. And I was like, I'm not gonna be able to work.

[Mike Catalana]

You couldn't see across the field to, like, get shot shots. And I was like, this stinks. Jenna's like, yeah, I'm just gonna put the camera down. Like, I'm just gonna enjoy.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Awesome.

[Mike Catalana]

It was. I'll never forget that game in the sense of it was Peterman versus.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I.

[Mike Catalana]

Don'T know, Colts quarterback. That wasn't good. And I had bet the under wasn't.

[Dan Fates]

What's his name that played for the Patriots?

[Mike Catalana]

Berset. Yeah, may have been.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I thought it was Joe. What's it.

[Mike Catalana]

Joe Webb came in because Peter Peterman got concussed in that game.

[Dan Fates]

Right, right.

[Mike Catalana]

Kelvin Benjamin caught a touchdown early in that game. I think that was his first one with the Bills.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. And then Janet ended his career.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes. But I just remember. The funny thing is, I remember it was like, these two quarterbacks, Bills were struggling at the time. The season was kind of going south. And I remember the under was like, 36.

[Dan Fates]

Of course he remembers the bike.

[Mike Catalana]

And I remember telling my friend, like, we're gonna bet the under. And he's like, that's crazy low. And then I remember placing the bat, walking out to the field for warmups, and it was fine. Like, there was no snow. Anything like that is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I forgot about that. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And then we walked out of the tunnel, like, to get ready for, like, the national anthem. And I turned around, went back in, placed more money on the under, because I was like, this is comical, what this is right now. And the underhand.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

So that's what I remember about that game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I want people to comment in their favorite memories. Yeah, I always. I always love that. But, yeah, we were there for the snow game. All right. My favorite memory, and this was. This is a couple years ago now, but Naheem Hines kickoff return touchdown. Fantastic first play after demar Hamlin obviously had this episode on the field. And I just remember being in the stadium before that game, there was a lot of just nervous energy. It was the first time the Bills were going to take the field. After everything that happened in Cincinnati, I think there was just a little bit of anxiety of how would it go, how would it feel? What would it look like to be playing football again? And then to have Nahim Hines run it all the way back. I. The energy and just like the explosion of celebrations and there's some fans, like, crying. I think just everything emotionally that the team, that the fan base had been through, and obviously knowing that demar was going to be okay, just like the emotion of that was just. I mean, it's unforgettable. It was, it was.

[Dan Fates]

And then he did it again.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And then. Yeah, and then he did it again. But it was just like that first moment of like, yeah, wow. Everything. It was like, okay. Everything's gonna be okay. And for it to be the first play after, it's just, it was incredible.

[Mike Catalana]

And also the fact of you were on the field. I was back at the station. So you, you don't get to see everything when you're on the field. It's cool to be in that atmosphere. But I just remember, like, watching it back here and to get to see the different camera angles of Josh, of the players. Josh is like, putting his hands on his head. Like, you've got to be kidding me. All those things was really kind of cool to see because I, Maybe you were too, like, watching it on tv to get to see the perspective of Everything was wild. And Nance with a phenomenal.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, but like the, yeah, like the benches reaction, like the bands. It was just like, how could you not get chills? Yeah, I love sports.

[Dan Fates]

I, I, I'm in the piece bs. Matt Bove asked about this specific thing. So for me, it's 51 to 3. The game is known by the score. They beat the Raiders. It was snowing. The Raiders were a really good team, very talented, but they had Jay Schrader as a quarterback. He was okay. I mean, Jim Kelly, James Lofton, everything the Bills did in that game went right. Jim fumbled a snap on a, on a shotgun. Picked it right up, found James Lofton for a touchdown. They had defensive touchdowns. It was 38 to three and a half, something like that. I should know what it was.

[Mike Catalana]

And that was the afc. That was their, that was nice to.

[Dan Fates]

Go to the first super bowl because.

[Mike Catalana]

They had been two AFC championship games before in 88.

[Dan Fates]

So they were in an AFC championship game against the Bengals two years before. 88 and then they came back. That group came back that year. So it was their second AFC championship game, but that one was at home. That was, well, it was the only. Yes, this one was at home. It took them to their first Super Bowl. I, I, you know, we have the comeback game.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, that's, I was also craziness.

[Dan Fates]

All that was incredible for all those moments to remember. There was nothing like being down there on that field. After 51 to 3, who would have thought they were going to go to three more in a row?

[Mike Catalana]

Right.

[Dan Fates]

Which is, you know, obviously what they did. But that day was, that day was just so insane. And as people know, it's also the day the Gulf War started. So NBC, I did not know that cutting away to.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wow.

[Dan Fates]

You know, Baghdad Bob or whatever they called that guy. And like, bombs are going off and they're cutting away from the game.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And then it was, I wasn't born later. It was seven days later that we were at the super bowl and they were playing the Giants.

[Mike Catalana]

So I asked my dad for Father's Day, I was asking him and was talking about Bovet doing this in my dad friends had season tickets. He grew up in Buffalo and things of that. And I was asking him, like, what his. What games were you at? And things like that. And hey, everybody talks about the comeback. And I think what gets lost in the comeback for even, like my generation, our generation that's a little younger, like, the comeback wasn't to go to the Super Bowl.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, no.

[Mike Catalana]

So, like, I think that gets lost. I think that's why that Raiders game is so unbelievable. Because my dad was at the game and he said, and you've always talked about it and you were like, it was three quarters of a party because you knew it was over.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

So. And he goes, I was in the three hundreds. Yeah. Like, it was unreal to, to be able to celebrate for an entire game.

[Dan Fates]

Knowing you were going to the super bowl was crazy.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wow.

[Dan Fates]

You know, the comeback game late in that season, Jim Kelly got hurt because Frank Reich was playing in that game.

[Mike Catalana]

Correct.

[Dan Fates]

And the Bills were expected to win the division and would have had a buy, but instead they lost. And it ended up being a wild card game and they were at home. But the game didn't sell out. And back then, if it didn't totally sell out, the game was blacked out. So it was blacked out. Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

TV playoff game.

[Dan Fates]

Yes. Back then was crazy rules. And it was really unfortunate. That's for fans. Now there were ways to get the games or places that had sat right. This was before DirecTV having the games, but you could, you could go to bars and they could. They had satellite dishes that they could pick up the broadcast so they could get it. And people watched it. And there's a lot of people that absolutely walked out in that game. Walked out. It was 38 to 3.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And then they came back to. And came back to win and that team obviously ended up going back to the super bowl later. But that first one for me, I mean, it just was. I remember thinking, I'm going to get to cover a Super Bowl.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh my gosh.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Other little cool moments that you just get to see. And Jenna, you probably have some as well. Like TYLER Bass is 60 something yarder. And like you're on the field, like, yeah, there was another play after, but just filming the bench, just getting to see the reaction and to get to see like what felt like a monkey off of Tyler Bass's back.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Were you on the field for that?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And then it was like, he's celebrating and. But not only is he celebrating, but it's also the fact of McDermott coming up and giving him the hug. And like those kind of moments have really stood out to me as some of the ones that I think are the coolest and a game that nobody probably remembers, but it was one of the ones that stuck out to me was 2019, week three at home against the Bengals.

[Dan Fates]

Day ball on the field with Josh. Big moment for those two.

[Mike Catalana]

So they were ahead both teams. The Bengals were 0 2, Bills were 2 and oh. Going into the game, Bills led 14 to nothing at halftime. Bengals scored 17 on hat unanswered took the lead with five minutes to go. Josh drove them down the field. Frank Gore scored a one yard touchdown run. And I just remember being on the field and d like pounding Josh in the chest and being like, you did this. Like this was it and this was. That was the year that they went to the playoffs, obviously. And Josh started to become what they hoped he would be. And that was just one of those moments where you saw a coach and player, the father, son relationship, whatever their, their tight knit bond was, was one of those moments. Because I don't know if it was that game couldn't have been because I was on the field. But I remember one of the games where maybe it was the season before where Dable's like screaming at Josh on the sidelines.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And it's like, we can't do this and all of these things. And then to see when it works. And to be like, see, like, listen, we can do this. And that was just a cool moment. Frank Gore, Brian Dable. Josh Allen was kind of a cool moment.

[Dan Fates]

Very cool. You know, Josh has so many of them, but I thought. I think that Chiefs touchdown run, fourth and one, was one of the loudest I've ever heard.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think I was on the field for that.

[Mike Catalana]

You were on the field for that?

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's so funny. I feel like I can see it even if I wasn't on.

[Dan Fates]

So loud, like, through the camera built like. I think the fans were nervous. It was fourth down, they went for it. And then he starts to go. I think once you realize he's got the first down, I'm not going to say it was like relief, but it.

[Mike Catalana]

Kind of was 100%.

[Dan Fates]

Then just kept going. He just barreled into people. It was the quintessential Josh Allen run. I know everybody talks about the hurdles and the loan when he did with the Cardinals, when he hurt his hand like that. Don't do that one again. But that was incredible. And then the pitch.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

From amari Cooper.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. 49ers.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But Mike and I were packing up because there was two minutes left. Two, three minutes left. And we knew we had to get down to the press room. And it was fourth down and we're packing up and like, oh, he's got. The first time. We almost, like, went to sit back down, and then he scored. We're like, let's just keep going. Like, that was again, to hear that volume.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

From the press box is chilling. Like, it is a really cool experience to feel that.

[Dan Fates]

I mean, it was the Chiefs, too. I mean, that was the thing that at home, where they got them in that one. So we'll see if we have some more of that. We know we're going to have some more big moments and then know how it all plays out. Getting ready for the next season, when you go into the new place is going to be cool. A lot of great things coming for the franchise.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I want to. I can't wait to read other people's like in the comments, what your favorite memory is and just how special you think that place is in terms of sentimentally what it means to you and what stands out as we look back on a final season at high mark. So very cool.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Credit to me.

[Mike Catalana]

Credit to me.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You want to start, Michael?

[Mike Catalana]

I got one if you need a second. I'm real big into chainsaws. Okay. Follow me on social media. Yeah. Cranes is one. One crane. Cranes are one, one tunnels are second. Like they just.

[Dan Fates]

You're just amazed by those things.

[Mike Catalana]

Amazed. If I see a crane, I'm taking a picture. It. The logic doesn't make sense. And then tunnels, like we drive to New York City all the time and in Jersey and all that stuff. I don't understand how a tunnel goes underwater.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'll give you that. I have no idea. How do you do that? How do you build that? Also, you also love, like how a plane flies.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, that's. Well, I give the credit to the. Do I give credit to the pilots? I can't remember what my thing is. No, I. No, I give credit to the plane. Like whoever built it. Like planes. It's nuts.

[Dan Fates]

The Wright brothers.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, but they didn't build this.

[Dan Fates]

They got it started.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, but they had like a rubber band and a propeller.

[Dan Fates]

Like these guys jumped in that thing.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That is wild, right? Yeah, yeah, but I know it's something about thrust for a plane.

[Mike Catalana]

Sure.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

It's. It's nuts. And cranes is one, one tunnels is two. But I just recently I was gifted a chainsaw by my father in law and my wife was like, hey. We had to get some yard work done. She had like a small. We had a small like Christmas tree like thing that was like near our garage and she'd always want to cut down. I was like, oh, one day I'll get the chainsaw going and I'll take that down. Got it going yesterday. I cut down so much stuff in my yard. So.

[Dan Fates]

Elon Fates.

[Mike Catalana]

There was. There was. There's a massive pile in our front yard hoping that the town of Fairport is supposed to pick up tomorrow.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But I could have stayed out there forever just like cutting like firewood. Like some guy messaged me was like, this is what my front yard looked like after hurricane hit Augusta, Georgia. And I was like, whoa, I wish I could have been there.

[Dan Fates]

Just go, go help him.

[Mike Catalana]

I just, I. That's all I want.

[Dan Fates]

Drive down. You and the chainsaw.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Would you ever use an axe?

[Mike Catalana]

No.

[Dan Fates]

It's not that much of a man.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, but I felt like I meant. Also the chain popped off. I didn't know how to do it. Boom. Fixed it. Chainsaws running.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wow.

[Dan Fates]

It was turned off when you did it.

[Mike Catalana]

It was turned off also, like I said, I tweeted out. Bunch of responses. There's like a big chainsaw community on social media. Yeah. Like a bunch of. You learned this. Bunch of people were pointing out safety tips. Glasses.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

Pants.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

And boots.

[Dan Fates]

You didn't know all this.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wait, did you not.

[Mike Catalana]

I was wearing sandals.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my God.

[Dan Fates]

Dude.

[Mike Catalana]

And gym shorts, sir.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I just got. I was like, oh, let's see if I can even get this chainsaw going. And as soon as I got it going, I was like, I have to cut something.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my God. I can't believe you.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. So, like, we've taken steps. We're. We're learning today. I put on boots and jeans, so I at least knew, but I was. Honestly, I was the first thing that went through my head when I woke up this morning. Can't wait to cut some things down.

[Dan Fates]

Wow.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, I'm. I'm. I am into chainsaw culture now.

[Dan Fates]

You guys have some stuff. Just invite Dan over. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Seriously?

[Jenna Cottrell]

You don't have anything? No.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, it is. It's awesome.

[Dan Fates]

It is something.

[Mike Catalana]

And like, I know people are like, oh, like, we've trimmed our hedges with like the. The clippers. Yeah, I'm just gonna take chainsaws to it.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, I am. I'm.

[Jenna Cottrell]

We can have you do that. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

I am so in you.

[Dan Fates]

You might not want to use the chainsaw on the hedges, but you can.

[Mike Catalana]

No, I don't know. It's like, he's like hot. Knife through butterfly.

[Dan Fates]

Wow.

[Mike Catalana]

They were like trees. I was like, ah, this tree can go. I was just walking.

[Dan Fates]

It's like, it's brand new tree.

[Mike Catalana]

The kids were playing outside, so I was like, hey. She was like, I'm gonna go upstairs and give the kids a bath. I was like, I'll be right there. I'm just gonna go pick up the kiddie pool.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The.

[Mike Catalana]

The splash pad, all this stuff. And I was like, oh, see if the chainsaw starts. 20 minutes later I come up. She's like, where were you? I was like, a lot of stuff. I did a lot of stuff.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Make sure everybody's out when you're doing this.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Or in the house.

[Dan Fates]

Yes. Out of the way. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I also thought, like, if something did go wrong, I probably somebody could have been a little bit closer. But I'm going to be from now on. I'm going to be real safe. I'm going to be real safe.

[Dan Fates]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

I'm going to get glasses.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. All that stuff's important.

[Mike Catalana]

Headphones. I'm going to be like lumberjack.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan, you have like. Do you have any trees left in your backyard?

[Mike Catalana]

There's two. One, One. I couldn't do one one. It's like the size of the house, so that's okay. Yeah, but there's one that's Half the size of the house.

[Dan Fates]

Have you ever seen those dudes that climb up the tree?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

And their saws are, like, belted to.

[Dan Fates]

Them, by the way, Chainsaws are awesome. The guys who knock the stumps out with the big saw. That thing is wild.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think. What is that?

[Mike Catalana]

I don't.

[Dan Fates]

When they got to dig the stumps.

[Mike Catalana]

Out after you cut down the grinders.

[Dan Fates]

Unbelievable. That thing will just. Oh, it destroys everything.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's terrifying.

[Mike Catalana]

I remember when I first got, like, our weed whacker, and I was like, this is pretty sweet.

[Dan Fates]

And then I moved up chainsaw.

[Mike Catalana]

But then I was also. We got, like, a leaf blower. It's really good to do the garage. It's a rear. Really satisfying feeling to just blow everything out of the garage. I don't have a power washer. I feel like that's the next thing in, like, being a man. So I could just power wash everything.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Zach has a power wash. Yeah, but I am.

[Mike Catalana]

I am. I am into chainsaw.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You're, like, hyped. I can tell.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And I wanted to save it to get, like, genuine reaction from you guys. Mike's like, how's it going today? And, like, what's new? And I wanted to be like, chainsaws.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Just.

[Mike Catalana]

It's just chainsaws. I just want to talk. I just want to talk Chainsaws.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my God. Okay.

[Dan Fates]

All right. Credit to me. I mean, you mentioned Zach. Fine. I guess he's got something to do with it. But I'm the real reason Jenna's getting married in a short period of time. Let's look at the facts here. I hired her. I brought her here. I did everything possible to keep her here, here. And then I introduced her to, of course, my hairstylist, Heather, who then introduced Jenna to Zach. And now here we are a few years after that, and it's all come together. My master plan has worked. Actually, it was more Heather's, but we got you there. We're all looking forward to this so much. It's been a lot of buildup, but credit to me. I'm the one who did it. Zach. Zach did his part with the ring and all that stuff.

[Mike Catalana]

What are we going to talk about after this wedding? We're going to run out of a lot of content.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, no. There might be some content from the wedding. We'll see how you do there, ordained minister.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, there's. There's other people, too, that might.

[Mike Catalana]

I'm nervous.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You're nervous?

[Mike Catalana]

I need the first laugh.

[Dan Fates]

I need the first Are you doing a bit at the Chuckle Hut here? This is her wedding.

[Jenna Cottrell]

As that's actually okay. That was going to be my credit to me was to credit to you guys for your support and your love. And you're welcome. Just say awesome. Mike was a part of introducing me to Zach. Dan was a part of me staying to Zach. Zach and I's first date. I was like, I don't know. Dan was like, he's a great guy.

[Mike Catalana]

Went to high school with him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

His dad coached me a little league.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Jeff, small world.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. So.

[Mike Catalana]

And I still don't know if Zach is spelled with a C. It's with.

[Dan Fates]

A K, but it's Zachary with an H. Yes, but it's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Which is a little. Which is a little messy, but yeah.

[Dan Fates]

You can just change that.

[Mike Catalana]

He could just be Zach. Zac.

[Dan Fates]

That's like.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, that's like, weird though, if you've been Zach with a K your whole life or Zach with an H if.

[Dan Fates]

He just goes by Z. Z.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, that's weirder.

[Mike Catalana]

Flip that in the.

[Dan Fates]

We're just gonna call him Z. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No.

[Dan Fates]

Getting married next next week.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So we're closing in a week from Saturday.

[Dan Fates]

Wow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Yeah. So I just want to thank you guys.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, you're welcome. But it is all because of me.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And Heather. Shout out Heather.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A phenomenal hairdresser. And as you can tell, I remember the first time I was like, oh, I'm trying to find a place to, like, get a haircut. I got to get, you know, like, want to get a blowout. All this stuff. Mike's like, oh, I got a woman. And I was like. I was like, I don't know about that. And then now, like a decade later, and she introduced me to.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, she's the best future husband.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, cool. All right, thank you so much for joining us.

[Mike Catalana]

Chainsaws.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Chainsaws, weddings.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All the good stuff. Oh, yeah. And Bills Common in your favorite memory from High Mark Stadium as we enter the final season there. And your take on Chris Sims's QB rankings.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Do you think that's fair, having Mahomes at four? Do you think Josh should be number one? What is your take on it? We want to hear from you all, and thank you so much again for watching. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. That'll do it for us. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I'm Jenna Catal. We will see you next time on the Buffalo plus podcast, presented by Connors and Ferris.