Buffalo Plus Podcast - June 4, 2025

Episode: REID FERGUSON on LONG SNAPPING, LIFE in the NFL and HOW to ORDER COFFEE
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Guest: Reed Ferguson (Buffalo Bills Long Snapper)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Reed Ferguson, the longest-tenured current Buffalo Bills player and one of the NFL's top long snappers. The hosts (Mike, Jenna, Dan) explore Reed's unique role, insight into NFL life that fans rarely hear, detailed behind-the-scenes routines, game-day prep, special teams minutiae, and, for a touch of levity, his strong opinions on coffee orders. The conversation offers fans a rare look at the pressures, logistics, and daily reality of being a "specialist" in the NFL.

Key Topics & Discussions

1. OTA Updates & Bills News (01:00–03:58)

• Josh Allen’s Absence: Josh Allen was not present at OTAs following his recent wedding—hosts agree it's not a concern (02:01).
• Backups Getting Reps: Backup QBs – Mitch, Mike White, and Shane Buechele – took first-team snaps for important practice time.
• Young Standouts: Noted that Trey White and Dane Jackson praise young CB Maxwell Hairston; Dane is now wearing #23, previously Micah Hyde's number (02:54).
• Atmosphere: OTAs focus on acclimating rookies and avoiding drama regarding non-mandatory absences.

2. Reed Ferguson Interview

a) Life as the NFL’s Longest-Tenured Bills Player (04:32–06:11)

• Explaining His Role: Reed discusses the reactions he gets when he tells people he’s a long snapper:
  • “I will tell them that I’m a long snapper…More often than not, they don’t know what it is…so I just tell them I snap the ball to the punter and to the holder for field goals.” (04:52)
  • Often asked: “Do you snap to Josh Allen?” – "No, that guy outweighs me by 80 pounds." (05:42)
• Underappreciated Role: Emphasizes that the public rarely notices long snappers—“We’re on the field definitely when there’s less eyeballs, unless T. Bass is out there kicking a game winner.” (06:15)

b) Being a Fan & Social Media (07:03–10:39)

• “Best Shape of Your Life” Cliché: Reed plays along with the preseason joke: “I can come and say yes I am. We’re winning the off-season!” (07:20)
• Social Media & Fandom: Reed enjoys watching football as a fan, not just as a player:
  • “I don’t feel like I belong on the same field as these guys sometimes… I enjoy watching the game as a fan just as much as anybody else.” (08:05–09:00)
  • After home games he goes home and watches the late games, focused on entertainment, not just “scouting.”

c) The Rise of the Bills’ Reputation (10:41–13:35)

• Culture Shift: Describes how public perception of the Bills has changed since he joined in 2016:
  • “When I first signed… I couldn’t tell you where Buffalo was on a map.” (11:25)
  • “I think that the Buffalo Bills are America’s team…People love to tune in…It’s definitely changed; now people can put Buffalo on a map.” (12:20–13:30)

d) Kickers’ K-Balls: The Hidden Detail (13:35–19:03)

• Game Balls Breakdown: Explains specialist/kicker balls (K-balls) vs. offensive footballs:
  • “Each team gets 3 K-balls that are brand new on the day of the game…you get about an hour to break those balls in.” (14:12)
  • The best ball gets most of the prep, “maybe 25–30 minutes,” and they try to use the same one all game (16:44).
• Weather Complications: “Rain games present a bit of an obstacle…sometimes when it rains, we have a first-half ball and a second-half ball.” (18:28)
• Quote: “If you ever see Reed freaking out after an extra point or FG, there’s a reason — if you lose [the main] ball, you can’t get it right again.” (16:21)

e) Game Prep, Weather, and Wind Mastery (19:03–26:42)

• Wind Science: Wind varies across the field—“You could get 20 different data points [walking the field], each with a different wind reading…that’s just ground level!” (19:53)
• Adaptation in Buffalo: “You look back and say, I’ve done it in basically every condition imaginable. Negative eight degrees…100 degrees in Miami…30 below in Chicago—like snapping a frozen leather brick.” (23:18, 26:23)
• Heater Humor: “Dan probably has some B-roll of me just camping out by the heater all game. Players only!” (23:36)

f) How NFL Players Get Paid (27:17–32:04)

• NFL’s Pay Schedule: Now spread over 36 weeks for better financial planning, versus the old system of 17-18 checks during the season. (27:48–29:59)
  • “You get half your week one check after the week one game, then ‘Week 1A’ all the way through ‘Week 18A,’ then after the season, ‘Week 1B’…so it goes well into May.” (29:01)
• Playoff Pay: “The playoff bonus is a preset agreed-upon number—every player gets the same, whether it’s me or Josh Allen.” (31:06)
  • Playoff money is much less than most game checks for highly paid stars, but the same for all in postseason (31:44).

g) Road Life & Game Day Routine (32:04–39:48)

• Night Before Routine: Players stay at a hotel before all games, even home games. “It would be nice to stay home, but guys appreciate a good night’s rest.” (32:42)
  • Veterans can “buy out” their own room after several seasons; Reed went solo ASAP—“Charge me the other half of my room!” (34:44)
• On Game Day: “Early riser…stop by, get my Dunkin’ Donuts, just a large black coffee. Not into the morning milkshakes.” (36:13)
  • Family helps pick out his ‘game day fit’: “Gotta get approval from all three girls now.” (38:15)
  • Routine: Arrives 8:30–8:45am, breakfast, locker room at 10:00am, field warm-ups around 11:15am. (38:11)

h) Team Culture, Recognition, Longevity (39:49–44:04)

• Pregame Speech: Specialists aren’t usually in the main team huddle during the speech (39:13).
• Career Longevity: “How long do you want to do this?” — “’Til they stop paying me.” (40:04)
  • Notes several long snappers playing into their late 30s, even 40s. (40:57)
• Community Recognition: “I do get recognized in public—not a ton, but people in Buffalo are always super respectful.” (42:52)
  • “The girls love it…‘Oh, somebody recognized daddy!’” (43:29)
• Long Snapper Summit: Reed jokes about a summit like QBs/Tight Ends—“It has been discussed…maybe a golf trip!” (41:18)

3. Coffee & Food Banter – Reed vs. Dan (36:13, 44:04)

• Iconic Exchange:
  • Reed: “Large black coffee. I’m not into the morning milkshakes.” (36:18)
  • Dan: Orders elaborate grande salted caramel cold foam cold brew; Reed/Tom joke this is a “Danielle” order. (37:15)
  • “How can you appreciate the taste of coffee when it has all that added stuff?” – Reed (37:48)
  • Reed gets playful heat for being a coffee purist.
• Raising Cane’s/Sauces/Burgers: Reed reveals his favorite is Raising Cane's (wants them in Buffalo!) and has never had a Big Mac; prefers dense treats over scones. (44:04-45:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Specialist Life:
  “We’re on the field definitely when there’s less eyeballs, unless T. Bass is out there kicking a game winner.” – Reed Ferguson (06:15)

• On Experiencing Football as a Fan:
  “I enjoy watching the game as a fan just as much as anybody else.” – Reed (09:00)

• On Career Longevity:
  “How long do you want to do this?”
  “’Til they stop paying me.” – Reed (40:04)

• On Cold Weather in Buffalo:
  “We use it to our advantage…but Dan probably has some B-roll of me just camping out by the heater all game. Players only!” – Reed (23:36)

• On NFL Pay:
  “Everybody gets the same bonus in the playoffs…so for a guy like Josh, that playoff check is way below his normal check.” – Reed (31:44)

• Coffee Order Roast:
  “How can you appreciate the taste of coffee when it has all that added stuff?” – Reed (37:48)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Bills OTA Updates: 01:00–03:58
• How Reed Explains 'Long Snapper': 04:32–06:11
• NFL Social Media & Fan Interaction: 07:03–10:39
• Bills Reputation Transformation: 10:41–13:35
• K-Ball/Football Mechanics: 13:35–19:03
• Game Prep & Weather Science: 19:53–26:42
• NFL Pay Structure Explained: 27:17–32:04
• Hotel/Room Rules for Players: 32:04–34:44
• Game Day Routine & Coffee Orders: 35:49–39:48
• Longevity and Recognition: 39:49–44:04
• Raising Cane’s/Personal Preferences: 44:04–46:07

Episode Flow & Tone

• Language: Friendly, conversational, often self-deprecating among hosts and guest.
• Tone: Mix of lighthearted ribbing (especially around coffee), technical football nerdiness (long snapping, K-balls), and genuine insight into unglamorous NFL realities.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for fans curious about the overlooked details of NFL life. Reed gives an honest, approachable look at both the unique role of the long snapper and the broader culture of the Bills, from paychecks to pregame coffee quirks. The conversation is filled with laughs, plenty of “inside baseball,” heartwarming anecdotes, and helpful explanations for casual and hardcore fans alike. The chemistry between the hosts and Reed, plus the deep-dive into underappreciated aspects of NFL operations, make for a richly entertaining and informative session.