Episode Overview
Theme:
The Buffalo Plus team delivers an in-depth report from the Buffalo Bills’ recent practice, spotlighting the development of wide receiver Keon Coleman in his second training camp, rookie safety Cole Bishop’s push toward a starting role, and the emerging leadership of Christian Benford at cornerback. The hosts discuss notable ups and downs from practice, offer behind-the-scenes insight, and share interviews and standout quotes from players and coaches.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Offense Struggles in Practice
- Timestamp 00:51-03:00
- The hosts immediately note that the Bills’ offense looked rough in latest practice.
- Issues included bad center snaps (especially from Alec Anderson), false starts, and lack of unit cohesion.
- Josh Allen was visibly frustrated.
- "They had to run the field twice. They had to stop practice to make the offense run not once, but twice. Yeah, Josh was throwing balls, slamming his helmet." – Dan Fetes (01:21)
- Defense was celebrating, but more "because of the ineptitude of the offense" than defensive success.
- The only bright spot: some creative, fun red-zone trick plays, including a Josh Allen touchdown catch.
2. The Keon Coleman Leap: Year Two Transformation
- Timestamp 03:27-07:54
- Massive praise for receiver Keon Coleman’s transformation from rookie to his second year.
- Both coaches and teammates observe a new level of confidence, detail, and professionalism.
- "Deon Dawkins says it is night and day, the difference between the player that he was and his rookie season to what we see in year two." – Jenna Cottrell (03:40)
- Joe Brady (offensive coordinator) highlights Coleman’s new intentionality: he focuses on improving one specific thing each day, rather than getting overwhelmed.
- Notable quote from Deion Dawkins (team captain, T):
"I’m going to tell you the truth. It’s night and day. Keon is not the same player from last year. So the league better get ready. He is going to be special, and he already is. ... Keon has showed up in every bit of, of where we needed him ... He’s been a fully changed Keon and I’m happy to be his teammate." (05:55)
- Discussion of Coleman’s new ability to confidently interact with Josh Allen, giving honest feedback and building trust.
- Coleman’s own increased self-awareness: Reflects candidly on calling his rookie season "trash" and embracing real growth.
3. Keon’s Skillset, Consistency, and Opportunities
- Timestamp 07:37-11:43
- The hosts see Coleman having a boom-or-bust profile; he can make remarkable catches but still has frustrating drops in practice.
- "There’s going to be some birdies and eagles, and some bogeys and double bogeys... But he has the ability to go up and take a ball away from another player – and not everyone can do that." – Mike Catalana (09:16)
- What’s needed: turn more of the big valleys in his play into steady, reliable performances.
- Joe Brady and Bobby Babich both emphasize that long-term NFL success is built on obsessing over "the smallest things."
- Fun anecdote: Coleman’s playful rapport with Josh Allen—knows when to give feedback but respects Allen’s role as the franchise QB.
4. Standout Practice Moments
- Timestamp 12:12-12:42
- Highlighted a made-for-reel Josh Allen throw:
"It looked like he threw it like a submarine pitcher, and it was just a rope. ... It was a Mahomes type move with a Josh Allen rocket arm, sprinkle in some Matt Stafford." – Dan Fetes/Mike Catalana
- Highlighted a made-for-reel Josh Allen throw:
5. Safety Battle: Cole Bishop’s Ascendance
- Timestamp 12:54-18:00
- Earlier predictions had Demar Hamlin as the likely starting safety, but all signs point to rookie Cole Bishop now.
- Bishop is taking first-team reps and impressing coaches.
- Comparison: Bishop’s situation resembles Terrel Bernard’s emergence last season—sometimes the staff simply rolls with high-upside youth over a known, limited commodity.
- Bobby Babich on making the leap with a rookie: "At some point, there’s going to be ... limited faith, where you think the guy has physical ability. We drafted him high and that’s it, we want him out there." – Paraphrased from Babich via Catalana (15:10)
- Critical factors: Modern NFL defenses need safeties who can both play in-the-box and cover deep, rotating unpredictably—skills where Bishop projects higher than Hamlin.
- Dan points out the Bills’ disguises dropped last year:
"The Bills were almost dead last in disguise coverages last year, and in the previous years they were always top five ... They became predictable because of limitations to Demar Hamlin’s game." (17:21)
- Expect Bishop, beside Taylor Rapp, to be tasked with complex responsibilities from Week 1.
6. Christian Benford’s Emerging Leadership at Cornerback
- Timestamp 19:05-20:41
- Jenna shares impressions after filming Benford directing and energizing his defensive teammates on the field.
- Benford, once a quiet late-round pick, is now viewed as a "core guy" and cornerstone of the defense.
- Internal team evolution: As veterans leave, younger players like Benford step up—mirroring Keon Coleman’s maturation.
7. Other Team Storylines and Roster Notes
- Veteran Additions? (18:12-19:01)
- Dan speculates the Bills may bring in a veteran WR or safety for depth, though no imminent signings are expected.
- Jimmy Charlotte Interview (21:11-22:44)
- Lighthearted segment on Jimmy Charlotte, featured on Hard Knocks.
- Described humorous details of his NFL tryout odyssey and personal connections to South Jersey and Mount Laurel.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Deion Dawkins on Keon Coleman (05:55):
"Keon is not the same player from last year. So the league better get ready. ... He’s been a fully changed Keon and I’m happy to be his teammate and for him to just keep learning because he is going to be special. ... This is Keon’s time and you’ll see it."
Dan Fetes on the Offense’s Bad Day (01:21):
"They had to run the field twice. They had to stop practice to make the offense run not once, but twice. Yeah, Josh was throwing balls, slamming his helmet..."
Jenna Cottrell on Benford’s Leadership (19:07):
"I saw Benford, who was a quieter guy ... who was breaking down the defense. ... You could tell he was like pumping everybody up. And I thought, wow, this is a guy that ... I don’t think of him as being a vocal leader for this team, but ... Benford is one of our new core guys."
Mike Catalana on Consistency (09:16):
"We talk about consistency with players, right, but that comes from ... a lot of players can make a great play. ... It’s the stars and the guys who are leading their teams that just seem to do it all the time and then rise to the bigger occasions."
Dan Fetes on Safety Role Requirements (17:21):
"The Bills were almost dead last in disguise coverages last year ... Last year they became predictable because of limitations to Demar Hamlin’s game. It’s not that he’s bad, but ... his ceiling is much lower than what you don’t know with Cole Bishop."
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:51: Offense's rough practice; miscues and turnovers
- 03:27: Signs of Keon Coleman’s growth; coach and teammate impressions
- 05:55: Deion Dawkins’ full, effusive quote on Keon Coleman
- 07:37: Evaluating Coleman’s playmaking vs. drops and his "golf game" inconsistency
- 12:12: Highlight-reel Josh Allen throw to Curtis Samuel
- 12:54: Safety competition: Demar Hamlin vs. Cole Bishop
- 15:37: Discussion of the evolving safety role and need for versatility
- 17:21: Disguise coverage statistics and limitations with Hamlin
- 19:05: Christian Benford’s rising role as a vocal leader
- 21:11: Jimmy Charlotte’s NFL tryout stories and cameo in Hard Knocks
Final Thoughts
- Keon Coleman’s second-year leap is the episode’s centerpiece. His transformation, maturity, and increased confidence are noted by everyone from coaches to veteran teammates.
- Expect Cole Bishop, a rookie with range and upside, to win the starting safety job next to Taylor Rapp.
- The team’s younger defensive core is embracing leadership, especially Christian Benford.
- Despite some offensive struggles in practice, the tone is optimistic and insiders see the building blocks of a strong, cohesive 2025 Bills roster.
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Date: August 21, 2025
Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
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