Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary: The BILLS open FREE AGENCY by SPENDING on their OWN and saying GOODBYE to GABE DAVIS

Date: March 12, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

The Buffalo Plus team delivers comprehensive analysis and candid reactions to a busy opening of NFL free agency for the Buffalo Bills. This episode zeroes in on the Bills’ strategy to invest in their own key players, the emotional extension and prank from Dion Dawkins, the departure of Gabe Davis, and what these moves indicate about the team's direction. The hosts provide insider perspective, discuss fan reaction, and dig into the cap conversation, all with a characteristic blend of humor and straightforward analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bills Prioritize Their Own: Extensions and Retentions

(01:26 - 04:01)

• Dion Dawkins Extension and Prank:

  • Dawkins caused a temporary social media frenzy by tweeting a (fake) goodbye to Buffalo before news of his contract extension was announced.
  • His rationale: “I’m an entertainer, I’m going to entertain… I was missing the Bill’s mafia and had to figure out which way I could do to get a little bit of something back and forth. And, you know, they love it, they hate it, but it’s me. I can’t change.” (Dion Dawkins, 04:17)
  • Dawkins confirmed his love for Buffalo and Coach McDermott, giving earnest credit for his development and happiness in Buffalo: “Why Buffalo? Because of Sean McDermott. That’s why.” (08:20)

• AJ Epenesa Resigned:

  • Seen as a solid “draft, develop, resign” story.
  • The hosts note how Epenesa’s development was bumpy but led to his best season yet, highlighting the importance of fit and player patience (12:36 - 13:35).

2. Gabe Davis Departs for Jacksonville

(16:02 - 19:18)

• Davis signs a three-year deal with the Jaguars after years of inconsistency in Buffalo.
• Jenna summarizes: “I’m very happy that the Gabe Davis trial experiment… as a number two guy, is over.” (16:06)
• Detailed stats underline his inconsistency: “237 targets in the regular season. He ended up only catching 128 of those targets.” (19:11)
• Hosts admit Davis was a successful draft pick for his round but failed in an expanded role. Mike: “When asked to bring more to this franchise, he failed.” (17:49)

3. Salary Cap Myths and Football Decisions

(21:23 - 24:41)

• The crew push back on the narrative that most roster moves are purely about the salary cap.
  • Jenna asserts, “They wanted to get younger. They wanted to go with Taylor Rapp over Jordan Poyer. That’s the bottom line. It was a football decision that had salary cap benefits.” (21:46)
  • Mike expands: “Teams make decisions on players. Like I said, salary cap is the… Does salary come into play? Yes. Teams decide this guy is not performing at the level that we need. We're not thinking of him long term.” (22:47)

4. Josh Allen Restructures, More Cap Space Opens

(26:52 - 27:30)

• Josh Allen’s restructure frees up roughly $16.7 million in cap space.
  • Mike on Josh’s willingness and the mechanics: “That’s all it took… It doesn’t take anything from Josh.” (27:02)
  • Notes almost $50M opened when combined with the cap increase.

5. Possible Further Restructures and Free Agency Path

(27:32 - 29:47)

• Taron Johnson is highlighted as likely deserving an extension; he’s becoming a defensive leader.
  • “I think he deserves that and deserves to get paid.” (28:37)
• Speculation on whether Stefon Diggs could be traded or restructured (unlikely, except possibly to facilitate a trade for a big return).

6. The Pass Rush Puzzle and Leonard Floyd Departure

(31:07 - 31:29)

• Leonard Floyd leaves for the 49ers for a payday, as expected.
  • “We talked about how he was going to follow the money, which. Respect. He’s a mercenary.” (29:55)
• The Bills may again target “edge” in the draft, following their organizational tendency (13:35 - 14:11).

7. WR Market, Draft Strategy, and Miscellaneous Roster Talk

(19:44 - 21:23; 31:29 - 32:12)

• Draft is deep at wide receiver, so the Bills might wait for value there.
  • Daniel Jeremiah tweeted “Not much happening in the wide receiver market. Draft is stacked at that position.” (19:45)
• Speculation on options: hopes (Tee Higgins, Justin Jefferson—both unlikely), interest in finding a rookie replacement and value signings for depth.
• Jokes about training camp favorites: Justin Shorter, Tyrell Shavers, Andy Isabella.

8. League-Wide Observations

(30:26 - 31:29)

• Rapid movement in running back market (e.g., Aaron Jones out, Josh Jacobs in at Green Bay).
• There’s ongoing churn—players displaced by new signings could present bargain options.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dion Dawkins' Twitter Prank:
  “I’m an entertainer, I’m going to entertain.” — Dion Dawkins (04:17)
• On Why Dawkins Stayed in Buffalo:
  “Why Buffalo? Because of Sean McDermott. That’s why.” — Dion Dawkins (08:20)
• On Gabe Davis' Consistency:
  “Gabe was too inconsistent…and I was like, no, he was consistent. That was the issue.” — Dan Fates (17:05)
• On Salary Cap Narratives:
  “Don’t get so caught up by saying these are salary cap casualties. The Bills aren’t pocketing that money. They’re turning around and spending it…on players that are younger.” — Jenna (21:53) “Teams make decisions on players…salary cap is about accounting.” — Mike Catalana (24:41)
• On the Comfort of Having Josh Allen:
  “Not that you guys aren't all, you know, rest comfortably knowing Josh Allen is your quarterback.” — Mike Catalana (26:22)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:26 — Early free agency/cap overview, setting the scene
• 02:16 — Dion Dawkins’ prank and contract extension explained
• 04:13 — Dawkins' own words on being an “entertainer” (and prank)
• 08:20 — Praise and reasons for Dawkins’ resigning
• 12:36 — AJ Epenesa’s journey and new contract
• 16:02 — Gabe Davis signs with Jaguars; host reactions
• 19:11 — Davis’ stats underscore inconsistency
• 21:23 — Cap management, reasons behind cuts, football decisions over cap
• 26:52 — Josh Allen restructure explained
• 27:32 — Potential for more cap moves; Taron Johnson highlighted
• 29:47 — Diggs, potential trades/restructures
• 29:50 — Leonard Floyd leaves for Niners; pass rush talk
• 31:29 — League-wide free agency speed, RB moves, running back market
• 32:07 — Wide receiver depth/battles; training camp darlings

Overall Tone & Style

The discussion is fast-paced, conversational, and interlaced with playful digs, sharp analysis, and occasional Bills in-jokes. The hosts balance deep BIlls knowledge with frank acknowledgment when previous predictions are proven wrong, always keeping fan engagement and education at the core. The mood is optimistic about the franchise’s trajectory but unsentimental about tough personnel decisions.