Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode: JOSH ALLEN wants MORE, MCDERMOTT'S new 'WRESTLER', JENNA does DAMAGE plus MAILBAG QUESTIONS
Date: June 4, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Buffalo Plus digs into quarterback Josh Allen’s candid outlook on the Bills’ evolving offense, the team’s unconventional signing of Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson, the push to land the NFL Draft in Buffalo, and a spirited, in-depth mailbag. The co-hosts deliver analysis, inside locker room perspective, and a few moments of classic banter—plus, a golf course mishap that earns itself “top five moment” status in show history.

Main Discussion Topics & Insights

1. Josh Allen’s Comments on the ‘New’ Bills Offense

[03:02 – 11:40]

• Context: Josh Allen appeared on Dave Farrar’s USA Today “Touchdown Wire” podcast to discuss his first full season under OC Joe Brady.

• Key Quote (Josh Allen):

  “He’s bringing a lot of different concepts into our offense right now… it’s not the same mundane things that we’ve been doing the last six years. It’s different stuff. My eyes have to be better, my footwork has to be better… it’s forcing me to be a better quarterback… and I’m all about that.” ([03:21])

• Panel Reaction:

  • Mike Catalana jokes about Allen “throwing shade at Brian Daboll” for calling the previous offense “mundane,” but the crew agrees it’s more about Allen desiring to be challenged.
  • Jenna Cottrell:

    “Maybe Dable’s offense was a little mundane compared to where [Josh] is in his career…. To get to where he is now, we’ve got to change it up.” ([05:21])

  • Dan Fetes:

    “You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run… Last year, we were essentially running the same thing back [with Ken Dorsey]. Now, with Joe Brady, there’s juice and new concepts.” ([05:47])

• Takeaways:

  • All agree Allen needs new offensive challenges appropriate to his evolution.
  • The lack of creativity under Dorsey is discussed, with optimism about Brady’s willingness to bring “the juice” and push Allen to new heights.
  • Jenna praises Brady’s past failures as key learning moments.

2. Gable Steveson Joins the Bills: Why the Wrestler Move?

[13:07 – 19:00]

• Context: The Bills signed Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson, who’s never played football, in a striking attempt to unearth raw, physical talent.

• Mike shares stats from wrestling expert Sean Carroll, noting Steveson’s nearly flawless amateur record:

  • “He won his next 174 matches… career record 212-3. Greatest heavyweight wrestler the USA has ever seen.” ([14:17])

• Panel Reaction:

  • All are clear-eyed about how rare it is for such an athlete to transition to football, especially at the NFL level.
  • Jenna:

    “…Goes back to turning over every stone… You’re trying to find pieces while the salary cap isn’t real.” ([14:44])

  • Team consensus: Steveson is a long-term project; seeing him in actual games (beyond preseason) in 2024 is unlikely.
  • Grappling skills lend themselves best to DL technique—leverage, hand placement—but even getting used to pads and a helmet is a major hurdle.

• Notable Moment:
  Mike: “Do you think they’ll make him just walk around all day in shoulder pads and helmets to get used to it?” ([20:01])

3. Buffalo’s Bid for the 2028 NFL Draft

[20:48 – 25:06]

• Context: Report by Ryan O’Halloran suggests the Bills will bid to host the NFL Draft in their new stadium in 2028.
  • The group is excited and see this as Buffalo’s “Super Bowl,” given no dome means no Super Bowl for WNY.
  • Past drafts in Philly, Nashville, Cleveland, Vegas, and Kansas City are recounted; consensus is Buffalo is deserving—weather is the only worry.
• Jenna:

  “This is an opportunity for Buffalo…you get to showcase the stadium, there’ll be shots of Niagara Falls, wings, all that… fits the blue collar, football city.” ([21:09])

4. Mailbag: Fan Questions & Answers

[27:59 – 43:14]

Salary Cap Space Post-June 1

[28:23 – 32:25]

• Robin asks how to spend new cap money.
  • Jenna suggests depth for O-line, more speed at running back/returner, or another corner.
  • Mike: Keep it as a “break glass in case of emergency” fund; you never know who’s available in August or who gets injured.

Bills’ 2024 Ceiling

[32:28 – 34:09]

• Matt Rollins asks about true ceiling for 2024.
  • Mike: “The ceiling for them is…go to [and win] the Super Bowl. If you have Josh Allen, you’re one of those teams that still has a chance.” ([32:39])
  • Dan & Jenna agree: the window is smaller but not closed.

Focusing on Offense vs. Defense

[34:31 – 38:23]

• 719 Tanker asks why focus is always offense; wasn’t defense to blame in big-game losses?
  • Strong rebuttal: Defensive stats are legitimate, especially given all the injuries. Offenses must now try to score 30 against Buffalo.
  • Jenna: “With all due respect…the numbers aren’t inflated. If anything, they’re more real.” ([34:56])
  • Dan: “If Terrell Bernard plays in that Chiefs game, I think they win.” ([36:31])
  • Group: McDermott and staff “coach up” defense exceptionally well. The way to finally break through is with more offense, not a defense overhaul.

Leading Pass-Catcher in 2024

[38:28 – 41:57]

• Several ask if TE Dalton Kincaid will lead the team in targets/catches.
  • Dan: “Most people are aligned on Kincaid…” ([38:48])
  • Jenna initially hesitates—but when numbers are checked, Kincaid had 91 targets as a rookie. The panel settles on Kincaid leading targets again, but total may just hover above 100 given the spread approach and no locked-in WR1.

Most Productive WR

[42:04 – 43:03]

• Jenna surprisingly predicts Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) will have the most yardage among WRs; the others float Khalil Shakir as a strong candidate.

Lighter Moment: “Man Purse” Merch

[43:14 – 43:49]

• Marty McFly (listener) jokes about making a “man purse” available in the merch store—hosts laugh at Jenna’s supporters for her love of practical accessories.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Mike (on signing Steveson):

  “He just turns around and goes, screw it, man. We’re bringing in the greatest wrestler in the world and he’s going to play for the Bills.” ([20:40])

• Dan (on the ceiling debate):

  “Why is their window [Chargers/Bengals] open? The Bills have done more.” ([33:09])

• Jenna (on defense criticism):

  “So easy to say the defense stinks when Mahomes scores. Do you say that about the Niners in the Super Bowl too?” ([36:02])

• Mike (on O-line depth):

  “If they brought in another offensive lineman, that’s not a bad idea. You need the depth.” ([32:25])

• Jenna (owning up to podcasting miscue):

  “That was terrible podcasting. Apologize, everybody.” ([41:28])

Notable Segment: Jenna’s Golf Mishap—A “Top 5 Moment”

[44:05 – 49:47]

• The episode wraps with a hilarious retelling of Jenna accidentally hitting Dan with a golf ball on the course—a “line drive” to the ribs, complete with shock, apologies, and lessons about tempo. It’s immediately crowned an all-time Buffalo Plus story, giving fans a glimpse of the crew’s off-air dynamic.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Intro / Topics Preview – 01:14
• Josh Allen & Offense Discussion – 03:02 – 11:40
• Gable Steveson Signing – 13:07 – 19:00
• NFL Draft Bid Discussion – 20:48 – 25:06
• Mailbag Q&A – 27:59 – 43:14
• Golf Story (“Jenna does damage”) – 44:05 – 49:47

Final Thoughts

This episode blends insightful commentary about a new era for the Bills offense, the intrigue of athlete crossovers, and the continued strength (and scrutiny) of the defense, with fan questions and an all-timer offbeat golfing story. The chemistry and humor between Mike, Jenna, and Dan make for a listen as engaging as it is informative.

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