The BILLS Salary Cap SITUATION, STAY or GO for Buffalo's 'Back 7' on defense and LIFE ADVICE

Summary

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Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode: The BILLS Salary Cap SITUATION, STAY or GO for Buffalo's 'Back 7' on defense and LIFE ADVICE

Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills' difficult salary cap and draft capital situation heading into the 2026 offseason and explores the big decisions looming over the team's linebackers and secondary ("back 7"). The crew provides detailed stay-or-go analysis on key players, examines potential schemes under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and speculates about possible roster turnover. The episode closes with a lively "life advice" segment on clothes sharing and some fun listener stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Bills Salary Cap and Draft Capital Dilemma

[02:47-10:43]

- NFL.com Ranks Bills Dead Last (32nd) in Cap & Draft Capital

• "I was surprised because the Bills ranked dead last." – Jenna [03:19]
• The ranking isn't based on win percentage, just current cap space and draft picks.
• Playoff success means later draft picks and less young, cheap talent.

- Lull Before Offseason Rush

• After coaching hires and McDermott's departure, fan interest has dipped a bit, but the combine and free agency will soon ramp things up [02:21].

- Is Last Place a Crisis?

• Not necessarily – creative roster moves and restructures can free up cap space, but "moves do eventually cost you down the road" and the pool of players to restructure is shrinking (Mike) [04:12].
• The Bills have far fewer defensive snaps returning under contract than most teams – only 57%, second worst in the league, signaling natural defensive turnover [07:56].

- Notable Quote
"Before we know it, they'll have $35 million in cap space." – Dan Fetes [03:54]

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2. Breaking Down the “Back 7”: Stay or Go?

[12:36-46:12]

A. Linebackers

Matt Milano

• 31, now a FA, $11M dead cap. Is his time in Buffalo done?
  • Mike: "This is the time they would move on… It's tough to depend on him for another stretch of 17 games in a change of schemes." [14:09]
  • Dan: Sees Milano as a good theoretical scheme fit (cover ability) and wishes they'd keep him at the right price [14:42].
  • Jenna: "I think it all depends on the price. Also what Milano wants." [16:03]
  • Fun Moment: Mike and Dan debate a six-pack wager on whether Milano will be re-signed by training camp [22:06].

Terrel Bernard

• 26, signed big extension, coming off injury-riddled year, likely to stay for contract reasons; there’s uncertainty about fit in a new possible 3-4 system (Dan skeptical) [17:15, 18:23].

Shaq Thompson

• UFA, 31, coming off impressive "prove-it" year post-injury. Hosts believe he's played well enough to get a multi-year, large-money offer elsewhere [22:53].
• "He brought a physicality, brought a toughness. Somebody will want that at a premium." – Dan [24:13]

Dorian Williams

• 24, entering 4th year. Young, athletic, possible bigger role under Leonard. Excels playing aggressively, less so in coverage [24:44, 25:06].
  • Mike: "When you look at him ... he's one of the best athletes on the whole team, 100%." [25:06]
  • Hosts agree: New system could unlock him.

Others

• Joe Andreessen: Special teamer, might get an open look but no clear fit yet [28:18].

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B. Secondary

Taron Johnson

• 30, under contract, down year in 2025. As the longtime nickel "dictator," his role could shift in a new base defense.
  • Jim Leonhard gave him "effusive praise" at his intro conference [30:22; notable to the hosts].
  • Brief discussion of possibly moving to safety given physicality and instincts [32:14].
  • Large dead cap makes him more likely to stay while his future role is figured out [33:29].

Cam Lewis

• Ultra-versatile backup, special teamer. Needed on the roster for depth and flexibility, but is not a major difference-maker [43:55].

Christian Benford & Max Harrison

• Both young, cheap, and likely to be key parts of the cornerback mix [34:39].
  • Max Harrison: Injury-prone, didn't overtake Tre’Davious White as a starter, raising mild concern [35:01–38:50].
  • Benford: "Needs to be a starter" for cap reasons, but must improve on a bumpy 2025 [34:43].

Tre’Davious White

• Veteran, potential cap casualty after year on a voided contract. Played well but not a lock to return; Saints mentioned as a possible fit if not back [39:00–40:24].
  • "Tells you that Tre played well last year. It doesn't necessarily mean he's gonna play for this team this year." – Mike [39:05]

Taylor Rapp

• 28, likely gone; hosts not optimistic, especially after "soft benching" and injury last season [41:00–42:53].

Jordan Poyer

• UFA, played hard in 2025 but tied closely to McDermott. May not return, but could be preferred over Rapp [42:57].
  • Jenna: "He played his ass off … I think you also saw how much that steadying helped Cole Bishop and what he was able to do." [43:01]

Other names:

• Darnell Savage (possibly returning), Demar Hamlin (likely moving on), Jordan Hancock, Dorian Strong—depth/special teams futures unclear [45:41].

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3. Notable Quotes & Banter

• "You just rolled through about three of my favorite sayings there. Very proud of you." – Mike, after Dan’s flurry of NFL clichés [39:42].
• "Watch what they do, not what they say. We are in peak of that season." – Jenna [40:44].
• "He sets your floor." – Dan, on Cam Lewis’ value as a depth player [45:12].
• "Don’t get all worked up if Cam Lewis re-signs. You need those type of dudes." – Mike [44:13].
• Classic playful razzing as Dan and Mike wager (six-pack of choice) on the future of Matt Milano [22:07].

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4. Life Advice Segment

Listener Q&As and Stories [46:12–end]

Listener Email: “Did I Go Too Far With My Backyard Bills Bar?”

• Chris, a carpenter, spent $15K building an elaborate Bills-themed outdoor bar/pavilion for game days.
• Mike: "You haven't gone far enough yet … That is going to be the place."
• Jenna: "But my one thing is that most of the games are not during the summer. You got to get, like, some heating stuff." [52:05]
• Hosts agree: If you can build it and love it, it’s worth every penny.

Listener Stories: First Cars

• Several listeners shared memorable tales of unreliable, quirky first vehicles.
• Fun moment: "My sister’s car grew mushrooms in the passenger-side carpet when wet." [49:20]
• "Time to change all the passwords with security questions that ask about your first car." – EBC, as read by Jenna [50:28]

Borrowing Clothes Among Friends: How Weird Is It?

• Bill’s story: An acquaintance at a viewing party asks to borrow sweatpants because he was still in work uniform.
• Mike: "I have never worn or loaned clothes to a friend of mine. I think it's kind of weird." [55:34]
• Gender/generational divide: Jenna defends clothe-sharing as totally normal among women; Dan highlights context, closeness of friendship [56:10–59:15].
• "It's more about level of friend. But I'd never let anyone borrow my shoes." – Dan [58:31]
• "But you gotta give it. ... You just avoid the awkwardness." [59:15]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Salary Cap/Draft Capital Rankings: 02:47–10:43
• Back 7 Defensive Analysis (Linebackers/Safeties/CBs): 12:36–46:12
  • Matt Milano Deep Dive: 12:36–22:12
  • Dorian Williams Outlook: 24:44–27:32
  • Max Harrison/Trey White Dilemma: 34:39–40:24
• Life Advice Section: 46:12–end (esp. clothes-sharing at 55:34–)
• Listener Bar Story: 50:48
• Listener First Car Memories: 49:07–50:28

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Final Thoughts and Tone

The show’s tone stays light, witty, and honest throughout, with plenty of playful jabs and personal storytelling. The hosts’ insider expertise and frank opinions make for a candid look at the Bills’ roster challenges ahead, while the life advice section offers a fun, relatable close to the episode.

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For More

To catch the full discussion—including even more player-by-player breakdowns and listener Q&A—check out Buffalo Plus on YouTube or visit the Buffalo Plus Link Tree.

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Transcript

[A]

Hey,

[B]

it is funny.

[A]

You know what? Mike's like, dan's just an idiot. That's what he really wants.

[B]

He's like, you can be wrong. I'm just not gonna agree with you.

[C]

I'm not saying that. They're saying that.

[A]

Now. From the Connors and Ferris podcast studio, this is the Buffalo plus podc.

[B]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We are here in the Connors and Ferris podcast studio today going to be discussing a couple of things. There was a great article that came out talking about which teams are in the best spot in this off season. They're evaluating on draft capital as well as cap space. And then for us, we're also going to take a look at the Bills back seven linebackers, secondary, the players in 2025. What moves could be made in 2026. 6. And we're gonna have life advice as well. So also reminder, be sure to send us in your questions. Hey, buffalo+gmail.com, we'll be sure to answer them. Take a look on the pod. All right, so a lot to talk about today.

[C]

Hold on a second.

[A]

Elephant in the room.

[C]

You're wearing the glass.

[B]

I'm wearing the glasses.

[A]

The glasses are back.

[B]

I felt ugly. So my hair. I'm having a bad hair day. All of that. And yes, I'm back.

[C]

By the way you're wearing. I felt great today and I was having a great hair day and I'm wearing my glasses today.

[B]

Love that. What about you?

[A]

Mugly, but. And I just said no glasses.

[B]

I want to thank everyone for the nice comments. I was away, had a great time with family.

[A]

Yeah, the people really missed you.

[B]

I know. It was really cool. I love the people. It was nice to see. Had some nice time with family. So thank you to Mike and Dan for letting me look at that time.

[A]

Also, it was cool to see, like, so many people that were like, oh, great. Another, like, podcast. Like, like it had been four days. I guess it felt like longer. And also just like. I've also noticed just a little bit of things kind of calming down. Like after the Shawn McDermott firing, after the Joe Brady hiring, Jim Leonard, all that stuff. I feel like there is a little bit of a letdown. Like now it's.

[C]

Now it's going to get ramped right back.

[A]

I agree. I'm just saying over the last, like, two weeks when it was like, people like, where's the next video? It's like we are going to have a lot of time to talk wide receivers, trade possibilities, all this stuff. Free agency combine is all going to ramp up obviously by this point next week. So, like there will be tons more fresh content coming up. It just kind of was a little bit of a lull.

[C]

Yeah, we're rapid fire when combines here next week. Yes, there's going to be a lot

[B]

of stuff that's also true too. All right, so we're going to talk about the Bills defense and some of the players and stuff a little bit later. We first wanted to start with really good article NFL.com it essentially is NFL salary cap and draft capital rankings article. So they ranked all 32 teams. And Michael, essentially the article looked at which teams are in the best shape this offseason and how much salary cap space they have as well as like the draft capital they have to work with in 2026. And I was surprised because the Bills ranked dead last.

[C]

Yeah. So they, they basically just do a formula like you're saying this. And so it's less opinion, it's more about the numbers. And in fairness to Brandon being this way, he's had a playoff team every year and they draft later. So you would say, okay, that knocks you down a bit because it's tougher. But they're 32nd. You know, like there are some really good teams that are considerably in better shape, at least to start the off season.

[A]

That's a big point too.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Nobody is like in horrendous shape. I know the bills are ranked 32nd. Like, I get what you're saying, but there are so many moves that can be made, will be made, which we will get to that will put the Bills in. Before we know it, they'll have $35 million in caps.

[C]

They're going to get themselves room. I get it. But it is going to take moves that do eventually cost you down the road. And they are running out of players to do this with in terms of restructuring. Yeah, because this franchise built themselves on some players that you could count on to do that. There's not as many of them right now between, you know, players who are aging out a little bit or players who production have not produced to the point where you're guaranteed that they're going to be around for a few years. So, yeah, Beans got his work cut out for him to do that. And in terms of draft capital, it's like, you know, there are some really good teams who find themselves with extra draft picks because they're at a position of strength during the year and they're not giving away picks. And so I do think it's, it's not a great sign. It's not like they come into this draft with, you know, five extra draft picks or a bunch of compensatory picks. Like they're, they're okay. But when you add it all up, 32 is not a place to be when you're changing the defense and you have some very big decisions to make

[B]

on offense for added context. So in context, excuse me, in terms of the top 10, the number one best spot is the Raiders. Then from there it's the jets, it's the Titans, the Steelers at number four, which is interesting because obviously a playoff team. Number five is the Rams, another playoff team. Number six is Cardinals, seven is Bengals, Bengals, eight is Browns, nine is the Patriots and 10th is the Ravens.

[C]

So the Rams are a good example. They picked up a number one pick and who's from Atlanta for James Pierce? Because again, it is dumb. Teams do dumb stuff. Okay? Atlanta is one of those teams. I told you a few years ago it was New Orleans without a quarterback. Trading to one to the Eagles ends up being Jaylen Carter. Like smart GMs are sitting there waiting for those opportunities to grab a number one pick. And that's what ends up happening. And the Rams have been a really good team. They're going to get themselves a quarterback. Maybe in this draft they'll find somebody that they like or make a move or trade again to get a number one pick for next year to end up improving that.

[B]

I do think this is a good example of two things can be true to go off of your point, Dan, that the Bills will be cap compliant by the start of the new year in March. That will be a thing. They can make moves, they can restructure contracts, they can even maybe possibly cut players. And we can get into all those moves. So they will be in a better spot than they are now. And also looking at this data, you realize that compared to other teams, they're not in as advantageous of a spot to start with.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So I just wanted to say that I think there's, there's both sides of the coin in terms of this.

[A]

Yeah, there was something like you talked about how there aren't as many players to extend and you know, they've kind of put themselves, they've kind of been led into this scenario by their decisions and players age and all those things with having to revamp the defense. I saw something that showed that the Bills are like second fewest percentage of defensive players returning next year like that right now, like they. I think they had 57%. I think it was football database had that. So like there is going to be turnover like we've talked about, just naturally and it's a matter of. That's where you talk about where it is up to Brandon Bean and Jim Leonard and Joe Brady to find the right pieces to fill those spots. So you, you have the opportunity, as we've talked about, of turning the defense over kind of naturally by letting players leave, cutting some and things like that.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's just then are you finding guys that you can sit here next year and go, that was a good signing. Hey, that was a really good move. It's kind of like when the bill signed Poyer and Hyde, you didn't really know what you were expecting and then all of a sudden they turned into these great players that fit the scheme and the culture and all those things. You kind of got to find some players in hide again from back in 2016, 2017 to make this turnaround feel quicker, I guess.

[C]

Yeah, I would agree with you and Jim Leonard's going to be a key to that and we're going to talk about the defense. But it's, it's finding those players which has been an issue for this team in the last few years. Finding players offensively or defensively to step in and either help or be contributors. It ended up being. Who did it end up being? All the guys they already knew.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, in a form of. Cha Thompson obviously played with Sean before and bringing Trey White back and bringing Jordan Poyer back. Jordan Phillips.

[A]

So this was. It says it's percentage of 2025 defensive snaps still under contract for 2026 by the same team. And the Bills are second to last with just, just 57 of their players still under contract that took snaps last year. Defensively, the only team that has less are the Chicago Bears at 51. So like Green Bay has 88 of the players that took snaps in 2025 under contract for 2026.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. And that doesn't necessarily.

[A]

Doesn't mean it's good or bad.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Like it's good when you numerical data of it is that things will look different now. There's the potential for that to be an upside. There's also potential potential for that to be a negative for this team.

[A]

Correct. It's like Mike and I were talking about with the coaching staff and things like when, when it's when the coaching staff is good, it's like, oh, it's consistency, but when it keeps going, it's, it's stale.

[C]

It gets stale.

[A]

So.

[C]

And a young coach always brings in fresh ideas, energy. Yes.

[B]

Yeah. I, I, we had this discussion. A lot of narratives, a lot of conjecture.

[C]

All right, so let's get to the defense then.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. I think one last thing, though, is I do think it's like the Bills being in the spot and again, this is, doesn't mean that they can't figure it out. And the moves that will be made to get them cap compliant and there is still room for there to be new additions and free agency. And obviously the draft is coming up. But I guess it is kind of surprising because before I read where the Bills were at in the article, I was like, okay, I was expecting them, dan, to be 20 in the 20s, you know, because they pick later on because, you know, they have had some contracts that have been good. They've also had some contracts that they've struggled with. I was surprised, though, that they were dead last.

[A]

They're not a team, though, that has been able to move on from a guy. Here's a guy. And has been able to compile drafts, draft picks for, like, coming years. So they've never been that team that's been able to at least recently been able to trade a guy and be like, well, they got two thirds, they got two seconds. Like, the Bills just have their picks.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

They're not, they're not the Eagles. They're not the Rams that have been able to stockpile and make moves in the draft and be that team that has a ton of draft capital. They are just middle of the road in draft capital and as of right now is where they stand. They don't have the most cap space. They're definitely in the bottom third of cap space right now. So that I understand where the formula is. It's not based on their roster, their winning percentage, the, the projections of all those things. This is just cap space formulated with draft capital. That's what it gets you.

[C]

Yeah, well, this is where, that's why I say a team like the Rams is so high. That's why, I guess why it's jarring to see the Rams that high because they're, I mean, they are, they're the best team to not get to the super bowl the last couple of years. Right. I don't think there's any doubt. And they've been that good and they haven't gotten there. But you look at that and you go, okay, now they, and they've gone through all different iterations of the way they've handled it. They started to say, forget the draft picks.

[B]

Yes. Was kind way of saying.

[C]

Kind way of saying it. And then they decided when they wanted to draft, they drafted really well.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

I mean, Puka in the fifth round, Jared Verse, like, they got some real dudes on that team and Matthew Stafford's hanging in there and they got him back for another year. So, you know, that's when you are able to manipulate the system to your advantage and still continue to win and still pay a quarterback.

[B]

Okay, so let's talk about the Bills defense. Some of the guys, we'll start with linebackers. So I think an interesting one, Matt Milano, 31 years old, is now a free agent. He would have. He has a dead cap of 11 million plus. Played in a lot of games this past year. This most games since 20, 22. Three and a half sacks, 67 tackles, 36 of those solo. Do you think that the Bills have had Matt Milano play his final season in Buffalo?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

It's so funny. Remember back when they signed Milano and it was kind of a surprise that second time because they got lucky during COVID They did. And he ends up signing. I think he was. Why do I remember us being on a Zoom with him and he was drinking a beer? Is that correct?

[B]

No, that was. Wasn't that Gabe Davis in Florida?

[A]

Dion, I thought, was also having a beer.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Was it a Corona?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Why do I remember that? Anyhow, it was. And he talked. I do remember he talked when he signed. I think it was like a Zoom meeting.

[A]

Don't remember that.

[C]

So anyhow, that at the time is like, oh, they're going to pay both linebackers, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And it ends up being.

[B]

Well, no, I remember you saying they

[C]

usually only pay one and it ends up being. Because you're thinking, well, they love Edmonds.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And end up 5th year option. And by the way, he may be an available player. Jermaine Edmonds, he's only 19 years old.

[B]

It is wild. He's 27.

[A]

He's still young.

[B]

That's pretty crazy.

[C]

He is young. But I listen Milano, when he's healthy, has been a very good player. Between injuries and age change in the defense, a lot of considerations, I think. I think this is the time they would move on. I just do. Could we get surprised? Sure. They could come in and say he fits what we're going to do. I just think it's tough to depend on him for another stretch of 17 games in a change of schemes.

[A]

I Disagree. Oh, I think, I think he fits what they would want in theory of a 3, 4 outside linebacker that could cover. That's what Milano has shown and I think that we've seen that the recovery from these injuries of Trey White taking two years to get back to what would be a starting caliber role. I thought Matt Milano was showed flashes of what he can be and I wonder if the price is fair and he wants to stay and the familiarity with not the system but the culture and the building and all of those kind of things. I think that if Matt Milano, a type of player like Matt Milano was on the free agent market, you'd be going, oh, the Bills might kick the tire on that guy. I know the injury history is a massive concern. I think he showed enough of me to try and kick that can down the road a little bit longer.

[C]

I just don't, I don't agree. I don't even know if he's a great fit for playing on the outside. I think there's a better chance of Greg Russo playing stand up linebacker than there is Matt Milano being linebacker for this defense. I think the position changes.

[A]

I think you need somebody that can cover and Milano can cover.

[B]

I think it all depends on the price. I also think it's what Milano wants.

[C]

I don't, I disagree with that. I don't think he's got a say in this until the end. Like.

[B]

Well, no, I'm saying if Milano wants to start and wants to be that guy somewhere, I don't know if that is in Buffalo. So if he wants to have that role, then it, his, his role would not be in Buffalo.

[C]

Yeah, I think it's, I think he's not going to have a lot of suitors and I think it's a one year deal. Wherever he's going at this stage of his career, that's, that's, that's, that's fair.

[A]

But that's what it's like for a lot of linebackers. I know one, two year deals around

[C]

and I think, I think they're going to make a lot of changes. I just feel like this is a time to break some of those, that's fair, those ties.

[B]

Because you can say, I just, I do understand your point though of his ability to cover and he has shown the physicality and him playing better in this last season after battling back from injuries. I, I'd be curious what the price would be and that also goes to show how confident are you in other players.

[C]

I think that's going to be a Terrell Bernard Spot. I think that's where he's playing.

[B]

I'm.

[C]

They're paying him. He's going to be there. He's certainly going to get the opportunity in the beginning to play there.

[B]

This has been, this was a really hard season for Terrell. No doubt battled injuries, 26 years old, signed that big contract extension last year. Significant injuries, calf, elbow, peck, ankle, it. He still played in 12 games, which is pretty crazy to think about.

[A]

Yeah, I just, he's the one that I just. Again, we don't know anything about what Jim Leonard's real scheme and system is going to be. He just seems incredibly undersized in my opinion, to be in this linebacker where you think of like two bigger guys and then the outside guys. Again, that's. We've talked about it before. It's maybe 25% of the snaps, what their base scheme is going to be, three, four and things like that. I have a hard time believing that Bernard fits in. I think Milano fits better and again, it's different because you have one that's under contract and younger and then you have the older guy that I think fits better. So I don't know how you fit both of those into your off season plans. I personally think this may be Bernard's last year in Buffalo.

[C]

Oh, that could definitely that case.

[B]

Like the case.

[C]

I, I just, he did play at

[B]

Baylor in a 3 4.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So there is that.

[C]

He was thought of as being more of that type of player.

[A]

We all thought when he was signed he was Milano and then somebody was really smart said that he would be, you know, replacing Tremaine Edmonds.

[B]

And that was, that was a wildly, that was a Nostradanus. Like that was pretty good.

[A]

It's the one that's wild as. I still, still.

[B]

Is that your hall? Like, is that your one one.

[A]

It's up there with like the Schefter quote tweet, like the moments that you have that you're like, that was a good one. I, I've had a couple of those. Not a lot.

[C]

Not a lot, but okay, that's.

[A]

I just, I, I again I, I feel like I have to see what this scheme is going to be. But my mind says that Milano can fit more into it than Bernard can. The problem is is that Bernard is being paid.

[B]

We'll see.

[A]

Well, that's the only condescending.

[B]

It's so dismissive.

[A]

It's so dismissive.

[C]

One's a free agent, one is a free agent, so you got to sign them. I just don't, I don't think. I don't think it's happened. So better chance, Jermaine Edmonds comes back.

[B]

Bring him home.

[C]

Bring him home.

[B]

He's still young. It is funny.

[A]

But you know what? Mike's like, Dan's just an idiot. That's what he really wants.

[B]

He's like, you can be wrong. I'm just not gonna agree with you.

[C]

I'm not saying that. That they're saying, like, it's just very

[A]

funny when Mike's like, if it was anybody else, like, if this happened on another podcast, Mike would be like, did you hear what this idiot said? But because it's on our channel, Mike's just like.

[C]

I'm not saying he's an idiot. I. I like the way Milano's played. I just think it's a time he's. He's. It's always like he's coming back and he's looking this way and that way. It's been a lot of years. He's a popular guy within the team. I know the staff, the people that have helped him get back talk about his work ethic, all of that. I just think it's time to move on.

[A]

I.

[B]

What about a friendly wager between.

[C]

Well, that's. It's unfair to say this just strictly. Is Milano because Bernard's going to be correct.

[B]

No, I. That's. Yeah, just what I meant. If Milano is on what. What point? Opening day roster.

[C]

No, he's got it. They have to sign him. Yeah, they have to either sign him or they don't. And it can't just stay out there. You know, I like to say, is a big old matzo ball hanging out there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because he could be assigning August 31st.

[A]

And this goes back to kind of like our James Cook discussion when it was like, what I. What I want them to do and what I think they're going to do may to be two totally different things, because I do agree with Mike of saying he's a free agent. We can just move on.

[C]

Right.

[A]

There doesn't have to be a decision of, like, cutting or extending him. It can just be letting him walk and wanting to see something different. Yeah.

[C]

So what do you want to make the bet? Do they sign him by the beginning of free agency?

[B]

That's. Keep them. That's, like two weeks away.

[C]

Well, I mean, that would be the case. Or they let him. Let's give it to.

[B]

Just do the June 1st.

[C]

If it's before, say, I'll give you this. I'll give you to the start of training camp. Wow.

[B]

Take that.

[C]

Because I think it's fair to say start of training camp. Because if he. He could also be the kind of guy that just waits it out, say, I'll wait to see what's out there and eventually comes back after they've made other moves, which, you know, that's a very different way to look at Milano. That's saying late, like, oh, we like this kid, but we think somebody else. So I'll give you till the start of training camp.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

You want a six pack?

[A]

Yeah. Why don't we do a six pack?

[C]

Six pack. Beer of choice?

[A]

Beer of choice.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

All right. Jenny Light, Bud Light, White Claw, Pizza Hut.

[B]

No. Picasso. All right. Shaq Thompson. Undraft. Undrafted. He is now a free agent. 31 years old. Will be 32 in April. Had a heck of a season here with the Bills this last year. Played great one year. Prove it. Deal. In 20, 23, he had a broken leg, which was a season ending injury. 21, he tore his ACL. So coming off the injuries, like I said, prove it. Deal. Do you expect him to be back with the Bills? He has made it public that he wants to get paid, which is understandable at this point. But what do you think?

[C]

I think somebody's gonna want Shaq 100. I think he showed enough of that.

[B]

He played well.

[C]

Yeah. And he's got a few years left in him. I think he did. And he made the point that both times he got hurt. I think it involved, like getting hit by a teammate, like friendly fire. He is also, like, I love the way he talks. I love the way he plays. I love his confidence. I'd love to see him back. But I think to that point, I think he also, like, I think he believes somebody's out there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And he's going to pay him. So they may be in that spot where they're like, I mean, it's the beginning of free agency. We don't know what's out there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And they may be thinking about very young players. Like, they could be drafting a guy that comes in to start. So that'll be interesting. But I like him a lot. I liked what he did. I would say the chances are pretty good that he sees free agency only because he has confidence and even though his agents can't talk to other teams. Right, Dan?

[A]

That is true.

[C]

Yes. That would be tampering.

[A]

That would be the illegal part of tampering.

[B]

But not to be confused with the

[A]

legal tampering, the oxymoron.

[C]

That is what the combine's for. That is what.

[A]

Yeah. Love Shaq Thompson. I think he deserves a ton of credit for keeping the Bills defense together and for playing as well as they did. Brought a physicality, brought a toughness. Somebody will want that.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

At a premium. More than I think the Bills and

[C]

not a long term thing. At his age, that's like a three year deal with a big money up front. Yep. Bigger money. Bigger money.

[B]

I think he's. He, he's earned that 30.

[C]

He'll be 32 and he's been in

[A]

the league for like 13 years.

[B]

11 years.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's insane.

[B]

Yeah. Which is pretty wild.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Dorian Williams, 24, under contract through 2026. He'll have a boosted salary in this fourth year. Had that neck injury. Vers Denver will he. Is he expected to have a bigger role this season now with things kind of in flux in that room?

[C]

I would think they're. He does have the physical ability.

[A]

Violent.

[C]

I mean, when you look at him and you watch him, you're like, he's one of the best athletes on the whole team, 100%. And I cannot imagine maybe that if I'm Jim Leonard, I don't see something there.

[A]

Agreed.

[C]

And what is he in his fourth year?

[B]

Yep.

[C]

So this is it.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

So you give it a shot.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, that's the kind of player I think that they're looking for physically.

[A]

Yeah, 100%. I love the way that he is. He's up there with, you know, crash test dummy, like, plays with his hair on fire. Plays with his hair on fire is. Is the perfect one. No gloss around, flies around, around. Yeah. I think I can see Jim Leonard using him to be an attacking, aggressive style. Like when. When that's what he talks about. I just think of Dorian Williams kind of being that his strengths are not in coverage, but all that. I think he provides and fills a lot of boxes between special teams, between all this other stuff that he's been able to do. He's played a bunch of, you know, blitzing the outside linebacker spot. Like, I think he's done a really good job at filling in with all of the injuries that have been going on around him. He's been kind of the steadying piece and I've liked it.

[C]

It's funny, I think of him in the same way I think about Tremaine Edmonds and I remember asking this question to Leslie Frazier and when I asked it, Leslie said, that's a great question.

[B]

That's a great question.

[C]

Super bowl champion Leslie Frazier.

[B]

Sweet man.

[C]

And I asked about Tremaine Edmonds like blitzing, going after the quarterback. And he referenced. And I always felt like guys like that, I'd rather see him going forward than going backwards. I think guys with less instincts, I want to just say to him, go get. Go get that guy.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

And I think Dorian Williams can be that type of player. They did try to use him a little bit, I think, in that Hoyt role. You know, they tried a lot of people in that Hoyt role. They'll have Hoyt in that Hoyt role. But I just think physically I does

[A]

fill that Hoyt roll really well.

[C]

He does. But I'm saying is, well, he's coming off an Achilles. That's the only thing. But they tried that. But I just, I think you're switching schemes. Dorian is just a great athlete. Let's see if he can fit that.

[A]

I agree. Dorian kind of feels like a blank canvas of like, what do you want him to be as you're retooling this defense? And I think he can be physically gifted enough to do a lot of those things.

[C]

And Jenna, he's cheap. I mean, he's cheap. He's in the last year of a deal, so he's cheap.

[B]

Yeah. Third round pick in 2023 two lane. No, I don't think. Oh, it was too lean. Don't let him get hot. Okay. Joe Andreessen. Where'd he go to school?

[A]

Yeah, we've lost our monitor graphic there for a second. There's our beautiful computers.

[C]

Wow. What'd you do there, Daniel? He got one right and look at that. The whole thing blew up.

[B]

That's. Well, I'm gonna just keep talking.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Joe Andreessen's. I. I know a lot of people are thinking, oh, this, this change is going to impact him. And he's going. I hope for his sake that it's a good thing. Maybe they do feel that way. And Jim Leonard's going to get a wide open look at it. He's going to play special teams no matter what. That's what he does. They didn't seem a lot in that role, so. Yeah, we'll see.

[B]

Yeah, I agree.

[C]

Yeah. I don't know if they would look at him. It does happen sometimes that the new set of eyes comes in and they go this part of his skill set. But, you know, I think there is

[B]

upside for him for sure. But I don't know how it will all.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. All right, Secondary, let's talk. Taryn Johnson will be 30, under CR. Under contract UFA in 2028. So a couple years remaining, a dead cap hit of nine and a half million. It was a down year for Taran.

[C]

I would say it's fascinating because Taran was a. A dictator, if you follow me. For the defense, it was like, we're going to be in nickel all the time.

[B]

I was wondering where you were going with that, but it makes sense.

[C]

Well, this dude is that good at the position that plane. Right. He's that good at Tim texting me right now.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So. So in that case, it's like we're going to play that well. Their base defense, at least off the start, now, becomes different in a 3, 4. I think the use of the nickel corner is a little different in terms of what they want. And I think, Terrence, I, you know, people have brought up the idea of him playing safety. I don't know. I don't know if he makes that adjustment. He's a physical player. He's gotten hurt a lot.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I do think Jim Leonard spoke very highly of him in his first news conference. All right, Dan, go ahead.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Hand up. Gotta put the hand up.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Take the one shot.

[A]

Yeah. There were a couple of podcast or two ago, we talked about Jim Letter's press conference. And I said Jim Letter had glowing reviews for Cam Lewis.

[C]

And Jenna and I were both like, oh, it's. I. I didn't remember that.

[B]

But, yeah. Like, I was in the back of the room, so I couldn't really hear.

[A]

Yeah. So I'm listening to it at home. Hand up. He was saying all of those nice things. If you want to go back and listen to what I was saying about what Jim Leonard was saying about Cam Lewis.

[C]

It was about Tarant.

[A]

It was about Tarant Johnson, which makes way more sense.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Way more sense.

[C]

I. Well, we could talk about Cam. I like a lot of the stuff. Cam gives any roster because his. Because he can be in different positions. It. Yes, he can. But I would say this. He didn't need to go that deep on Taron Johnson in his first news conference. Right.

[B]

I did think he could have just

[C]

said, good player, good football player.

[B]

Did think that was an interesting point of effusive praise for him. And a guy, a guy that has

[C]

been talked about, he might get this one.

[B]

No P

[C]

H.

[A]

It's not like it's

[C]

F and there's two Fs.

[B]

I could actually, in Dan's brain, I get how he thought that was a

[C]

P, I, V, E effusive or episode

[A]

A, E, P, H. I thought we were gonna go effusive like the.

[B]

Like phone, like ph. Like the f sound. Okay. But, yeah, he. He went hard in the paint talking about Karen Johnson, and in a way he didn't have to. In a way that would have been fine for him to compliment him and then move on. So. Yeah, I get it.

[A]

Yeah. I think if you're Jim Leonard, here's a guy. Here's a guy that you can see as knowing a secondary background, knowing being himself, being undersized in the NFL, can look at Taryn and maybe go, hey, we may not run a lot of nickel with a slot corner, and this is what we want to do. I think you could be really impactful in a safety position and let me coach you through that. I. I don't. I don't know. But I do think that he sees Taryn Johnson as the instinctual athlete, the. The vital piece and all that he provides, because at times, Taryn has been one of their best, like, run stoppers.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because of where they've been. And that's also. That's also a knock at what the defensive line and linebackers have been at times. But Taren has been really good. That has dropped off a little bit. So it's trying to balance where all that fits.

[C]

They also have referenced positionless football. Right. And so having guys that could. It doesn't mean a guy can't play in the slot on one down and be in safety at another. I mean, teams do multiple things. And if he has a skill set, he also has a contract that may work better to stay on the roster.

[B]

I think that's also a piece of

[C]

plays into it, at least to see what you got.

[B]

Yeah. Dead cap hit of 9.5.

[A]

And then you also know what his base salary is. What would you save? Because you'd save something. Right.

[C]

Well, and we always say that. Yes. A lot of times you get. I don't know if you have it, but you. You get looking it up, move on from a player, and you save X dollars. You also have to replace that guy on the roster.

[A]

Correct.

[C]

They believe Jordan Hancock could do that. He didn't have the faith in the defensive staff last year at that secondary position.

[B]

His base in 26 is 8.1 million. His cap hit is 11 million this season, and the dead cap would be nine and a half million.

[A]

So you're not really saving much.

[C]

No, but they may do one of those deals where they tighten that contract up. I don't know. And put it on this year. I'm saying is Jim Leonard may look differently at who he's got Jordan Hancock may become a player that he really likes in the secondary because they didn't trust him out there at safety.

[A]

They did not. So he didn't give them a ton of reason.

[C]

Reason to. But it's a different system this year.

[B]

Okay. We could just note Christian Benford.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Under contract. Will be 26 years old this season.

[C]

Max Haron needs to be a starter this year. I think. Not that saying it's guaranteed. They need him to be a starter.

[A]

Financially.

[B]

Financially, Absolutely. Hur his knee twice. 11 games, 2 interceptions, 304.

[C]

How did Max play?

[A]

I think that's a long pause.

[B]

Yeah. I think there were moments where you saw the ability, his speed.

[C]

Did you ever think watching the games, God, I wish Max was in there instead of Trey.

[A]

Nope. No. And here's what I'll also say.

[C]

And it is his rookie year and he's had two injuries.

[A]

The way that I thought of Max says a lot unfortunately about him playing in the fourth quarter in week 18 and getting hurt. Yeah, that's unfortunate. But he may also just be injury prone like this. This is also a problem. So maybe whether that's the coaching decision, whether that's not having Jamarcus Ingram and other guys out there like they put. They were in that spot to have him play in the, in, in week 18 in the final fourth quarter.

[C]

It was bad decision to have him out there anyhow. And it ended up costing them in the playoffs.

[A]

Correct. All those things. I'm just saying I don't think that Max earned the right to not to be the guy that's like, well, I'm, I'm not playing in the fourth quarter. I'm Max Harrison. Like we've all we talked about it going into week 18. Guys were going to have to play. You don't have unlimited rosters and you're. You weren't thinking of Max is unlosable.

[B]

Like, like, like you can't too valuable that you. Yeah.

[A]

So that's when you said like what did you think of Max's season? I didn't sit there and go, I can't believe he's out there in week 18 in the fourth quarter. You got to get him off the field because he's so important.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You see what I'm saying?

[B]

I, I agree. I thought with the injury in camp I was immediately concerned because you missed so many on field reps and that can be a huge setback for a lot of players.

[C]

Yeah. And. And credit to Trey White because not only did he come in and stabilize it, he Ended up playing well. It's a shame Trey's year ended with, you know, the penalty call and him throwing the helmet down. Obviously there was a lot of frustration in that game. But man, they got a lot of football out of Trae White this past year. Yeah. And he did enough to not in many other circumstances. Max would have been back starting. Do you think Trey wasn't playing at the level he was playing?

[A]

Correct.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you think that Max can take a step this year? Do you envision him? Okay. Okay.

[C]

Well, I think he, he should.

[B]

I'm not saying. I'm not saying you think he should. I'm saying do you think he can't?

[C]

Yes, because I think that injury. It's funny you mentioned about injury prone. He had one injury where he got hurt in a game and the other injury got hurt at Fischer just doing a simple little.

[A]

He's also got concussed in Houston.

[C]

He did. Yes.

[A]

So like. And that was my concern about the body frame coming. Coming out of college. So. And he was injured in college. So that. That was a shoulder. So that's where I go when I look at should he get better. Well, that's. We all agree that you would hope that a guy gets better in his second year. That's a first round draft pick. I just don't know where the level of comfort that you will have and what that guy could be because like what you're saying about Trey. Trey played good enough that Max wasn't able to jump him.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So that also says something to me a little bit about. About Max. I agree that you weren't able to beat out Trey White in his. On his third team in three years. So that. And again, I understand the injuries that. That is a reason. I'm not making that an excuse. But you do have to expect and hope that he's a solidifies the corner two spot which is why you drafted him in the first round.

[C]

Then it becomes what about Trey White? Because they could just let Trey walk. If you look at it contract wise, I don't think there's anything on this deal.

[B]

Yeah, no dad, no dead cat. It was a void year deal.

[C]

You wonder what Jim Leonard thinks, right? I mean we'll find out pretty quickly because there's going to need to be veteran corners they're bringing in and so is Trey somebody they would like in that spot because he played well last year tells you that Trey can still play in the league. It doesn't necessarily mean he's going to play for this team this year.

[A]

It also doesn't mean that he's going to play well next year. Like that's what the NFL is. It is not for long. You get paid in the NFL. Not on what you have done, what you're expected and what you're going to do.

[C]

You just rolled through about three of my favorite sayings there. Very proud of you. Thank you.

[B]

I think those are your sayings. Yeah. Yeah, they are. You should get credited.

[C]

No, it's fine. It's all Buffalo plus.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

I do think Trey wants to be a starter though.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And I think he has earned that. And I think that's where things could get interesting if he wants to stay in Buffalo. Because what will that look like when

[C]

I think of a player like Trey, he came back to Buffalo, he played well. It was sort of full circle for him. If he doesn't play in Buffalo, I'd like to see him play for the Saints.

[B]

Okay. Louisiana Kid going back home.

[C]

Kind of an up and coming team. I think they got a little bit going on.

[A]

I like that idea.

[B]

I do too.

[C]

If he doesn't. If he's not back in Buffalo and for all we know Jim Leonard's watching that tape going, this will work. Or he's going, good player doesn't fit what I want to do if Max isn't ready.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I don't know what he thinks about Max either.

[B]

I would be very curious.

[C]

Well, we'll find out.

[B]

Watch what they don't watch. Don't listen to what they say. Watch what they do. We are in peak of that season.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Follow the money.

[B]

Yeah. Taylor Rap, 28 years old under contract knee injury. Yeah.

[A]

Gone.

[B]

Dead cap hit of 66. 666,000.

[C]

So I would, I would think, yeah, that. That it'll be different.

[B]

I found. I found it interesting he wasn't around the team after the injury.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I think that was. This was a term I feel like that got brought up more this past year than anything of the soft benching. That was kind of what was going on around the NFL of what was this quarterback or this position player soft benched. I feel like that was. I thought it was very interesting how he was injured week eight or nine and was. Then all of a sudden it was so bad he had surgery and Sean made a point to bring up that he was actually injured since training camp. That and kind of giving that your player standing up for your guy of you're not playing well. We all see that Taylor Rapp was not playing well. And Sean came out unprompted and said oh, he's been injured since training camp. You guys just didn't know that. And then he goes and gets the surgery so that he can be fully healthy for free agency and for the next team. Because it was a clear cut moving on from Taylor round, but I just wonder if it was. Hey, we're. We're making a move. Taylor, you're not going to be the starter anymore. We'll say you're injured and you can go on.

[C]

We made the point, too. And I do think with the change in defense and the change in scheme, there are players that are on this roster this year because of their contracts.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So it just takes away some of that decision. It doesn't mean it guarantees them playing time, doesn't mean they couldn't be moved on at some point. You mentioned a guy like Terrell Bernard. This may be great for him, it may be terrible for him, but with that contract he just signed, I don't think he's going anywhere this year. So with a guy like rap deals done, I think unless they love him and for some reason, he's like, this is my kind of guy. I think he's. I think they move on. Yeah.

[B]

I just think the dead cap is so low. The capit is three mil. Like, it's. It. It feels like.

[C]

Yeah. I would think there's a better chance Jordan Poyer's back than Taylor rap.

[B]

Well, Jordan Boyer, free agent this year. We saw what he did when he came back, and you were kind of critical of the move. And I. I mean, Jordan Poyer played his ass off. And I think you also saw how much that steadying helped Cole Bishop and what he was able to do. So. You're right. I could. I could see.

[C]

Well, I. He's also a Sean McDermott. Sean's defense guy. Yep.

[B]

Yes, that is.

[C]

And I don't know what Jordan Poyer wants to do anymore, too. Again, he's a guy who proved he could still play, came back, he may have. That might have been enough for him.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, we'll find out, but I don't think he was happy with Sean being fired. But he has a lot of loyalty to Sean McCarthy.

[B]

Yeah, he publicly said that. Which, you know, I don't know, maybe being is like, that means it's, you know, we're gonna go in a different direction because we want it. It's. It's.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But I do think he proved that there was something left in the tank. All right, Dan. Cam Lewis.

[A]

Yeah. Jim Leonard. Yeah. Cam Lewis just has. Has been the jack of all trades and has been able to fill so many different roles for this Sean McDermott defense and Bobby Babbage defense for so long. It's up to what Jim Leonard views as. As this guy.

[C]

I just think guys like that. It doesn't mean it's going to be Cam again, but you need players like that on your team that can play multiple positions. That's where the versatility says he's on the roster because he's versatile. He plays a ton of special teams. He has played safety. He's played these things and doesn't make a lot of money. So it's like, okay. Doesn't mean they won't replace him with another similar type player. But don't get all worked up. If Cam Lewis signs. I always love this. It'll be like Bills have signed Cam Lewis to a one year deal. And the first comments on Twitter are, oh, that'll fix everything. You know, I'm like, you need those type of dudes.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Doesn't have to be him, but sometimes a player like that is like a Ty Johnson has been right. A guy who can do multiple things for you and is, you know, good in certain circumstances doesn't mean you want him as your number one running back. But he can play on the team.

[A]

He has been a guy that has and I mean this in a complimentary way of he sets your floor.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Like this is a depth piece. You're not going to rile up the fan base. They're not going to be like, yes, Cam Lewis is back, but he's going to be a guy that when push himself. That was when they signed Trey White. It was like you have set the floor for what your corners can be. Trey outperformed what a lot of expectations were. And when pin in a pinch. Cam Lewis has been serviceable.

[C]

Yeah. And he left for one play. Darnell Savage touchdown.

[B]

Well, Darnell Savage.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm just gonna I say some other names. Let me know if any of them stick out. Darnell Savage. Demar Hamlin. Jordan Hancock. Dorian Strong.

[C]

Dorian Strong. I just want to I. He's, you know, given the thumbs up. Hopefully the surgery went well. If it makes sense for him to play football, I'd like to see him back there. I like to lot about initially what we saw. So that one. I think demar Hamlin moves on. I think it's time probably that's the case. But again, we'll see.

[B]

You know, could see him back in Pittsburgh.

[A]

Yeah, Pittsburgh makes sense.

[B]

Yep. Okay. All right. We go to life advice yeah, why not? Okay.

[A]

Comment in with obviously what we were talking about with these players and things like that. Obviously we will have plenty of time like we were talking about of free agents, players that you are looking for. And I think Mike and I were talking or we were on. We were all on the one podcast saying that players that are going to come in, like the Jordan Poyers, like the Shaq Thompson's where they all had that Carolina tie, there will be ties to Wisconsin, there will be ties to Denver, there will be ties to all of that that will come through. So be something to watch. But all that stuff will really kind of ramp up next week as we're stuck talking about combine. We'll get to talk to Brandon Bean, we'll get to talk to Joe Brady,

[C]

and then we'll be out.

[B]

Do you know the combine is next week?

[A]

Yeah, I do.

[B]

Okay. All right. I wanted to make sure you made a comment in the last podcast. I was like, he knows he's going to indie next week, right? Yeah.

[C]

Oh, he's ready.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. Okay. He's great. So life advice reminders. Send in your questions. Hey, buffalo/gmail.com. i had to white knuckle my way through that. I kind of forgot for a second.

[C]

We got some nice comments about car. Cars because we had the one life advice about.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yes, about driving. I wanted to say that people talking about what they took their driver's test on or their first car. I took my driver's test in a Ford pickup from the dairy that had farmer's tags on it. I was able to get my farmer's license at the age of 16. So you couldn't get your license? We didn't have a farm, but we had the tag. And a guy from the that worked for my dad at the dairy. We didn't have a farm, but we had the truck drives. Me there. All my buddies are rooting for me because I'm going to be the first one to have a license and they're very excited about that. He takes me to take my test at the armory in Vineland, New Jersey. If you know it well and they tell us the back tires are too bald, you can't take the test. So now he's got to drop me off at school. Everybody I went to school with knew I was taking the driver's test and I had to tell them, didn't even take it. They didn't believe me. They thought I he failed. They thought I failed.

[B]

I could see why.

[C]

I'm a very good driver. But eventually we got the right tires on there and I got the license. But that was Ford F250.

[B]

What was it, the farm tag or what?

[A]

You had just the model A.

[C]

It wasn't far off. Yeah, it was an old Ford 150, I think it was. And. But you had to have the tag and then you could get the license. Okay. And you were supposed to be on farm business and farm business included. Going out with two of my knuckles, going to the bar, running around. Yeah, yeah, I know.

[B]

All right. I. I did. I looked through some of the comments. There were some good ones. Ralph said, love watching guys from Conway, South Carolina. First car was a 1964 VW Beetle.

[C]

Oh, the Bug.

[B]

I was gonna say. I do think that that's. That's pretty cool. Adam saying, my first car was a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. The trunk didn't lock. You could start the car and take the keys out while the car was

[C]

running so good that.

[A]

That's sick.

[B]

Yeah. Living in Buffalo. It lost both the front and rear bumper, but the four wheel drive was a beast. That's awesome. This isn't going to. Christie said my first car was a hand me down from my sister, who got it as a hand me down from our grandmother. Passenger seat floorboard was partially rotted out and the carpet grew mushrooms when wet.

[C]

So that floorboard out like it was like a flintstone car.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, I remember us having one of the cars and it was like you just pull that mat away and you could just see the ground as you drive, which is kind of wild.

[B]

I like this one too, from Liz. 1979 Toyota Corolla with my brother, then sister. When the casing on the driver's seat belt on the locking mechanism broke off and fell off with. We taped it back with duct. Duct tape.

[C]

Duct tape.

[B]

When the passenger drawer d jammed open, we used a bungee cord to hold it shut. Pretty sure those were poor decisions. I'm grateful nothing ever happened to us.

[A]

My mom had a Toyota Curl that was like one of her first cars. It was one of those ones that, like, when you turn the car on, like, the seat belt came up.

[B]

Oh, automatic ones.

[C]

Remember that?

[A]

And it was also the crank.

[B]

Oh, the crank, yes. Also, this is the last one I thought was funny. EBC said, time to change all the passwords with security questions that ask about your first car. That's good. I did think that was pretty good. Okay, so in terms of questions, we have one from Chris.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

And he said he sent a picture in as well.

[C]

We'll have to put the picture up.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Hey, Dan. Mike. Jenna. The man, the myth, the legend. Mike.

[C]

Excuse me.

[B]

I'm a carpenter. I had to move back to New York upstate. After 23 years in warm Atlanta. I'm stuck back home. I figured I would build a Bill's bar in my backyard. I might have went a tad overboard. I have a full bar, big TV, sound system, deco galore. I'm 15k in and I'm building it myself. But a ton of friends and family can't wait for it to be done this se summer to gather for games here. Life advice. Did I go too far? Love you guys.

[C]

Chris, first of all, I would say I am.

[B]

That's the bar.

[A]

Holy cow.

[C]

Yeah. He's put 15 into it. Doing it himself.

[B]

Honestly, it looks amazing.

[C]

Yeah. So we'll.

[A]

It looks like a pavilion that you would have like a birthday party or a barbecue.

[C]

I would tell you this, first of all, get some help from some of those people who are going to be using this with you, which I'm sure you are.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Secondly, you have not gone far enough yet because that is going to be the place you're going to. Okay.

[B]

But my one thing is that most of the games are not during the summer. You got to get like some heating stuff.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, he's thought of that.

[B]

Okay. I just.

[C]

It's nice in November. December in upstate New York. In western New York.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

No, you haven't gone far enough.

[A]

Maybe.

[C]

So maybe you know what? A couple of those, like the heated panels. The heated panels in the top.

[B]

So nice.

[C]

They're expensive.

[B]

That would be nice.

[C]

Have everybody chip in for a little bit of that.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You put the fish charger cover and the sweat equity in there. I just am so jealous of people who can build.

[A]

Yeah. Stuff. The question is, did he go too far? The answer is yes. Like.

[C]

Like, let's just be like, no, not far enough.

[A]

But in a great way. Like, that is awesome. And my brother in law can build things. He's, you know, he's done woodworking and built. He built our first kitchen table. He's built our daughter's bed. Like all this stuff. You're right, Mike, you're so jealous. And you just think about, like, if I could, I would do that. Yeah, like that. That's where it's at. So it's not a little. I guess I was thinking like three stools.

[B]

No, it's really nice.

[A]

That's really nice.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So. But people are going to want to be there. It's gonna be that place. I Could say a little. If you need a little help, even a little financial help sometimes. If people are gonna be over there, like every Bills game watching chip in a little bit.

[B]

It looks really nice.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, that is impressive to be able to build that yourself.

[C]

Any outdoor tv.

[B]

That is cool.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

All the.

[B]

Honestly, so many sporting events, though, you can watch, like summer baseball. What?

[A]

Little better than your patio.

[C]

It is. It's nice. But we're getting the pergola, though, this year.

[A]

That's true.

[B]

I do. Pergola is classy.

[C]

We got to see who's getting invited to the.

[B]

That is very true.

[C]

They got to earn their way to Buffalo. Plus correct.

[B]

That is fair. And then you had one, too, right?

[C]

So a buddy of mine, I got to look it up here. So he had. We had talked about this before. So he sent me this text. So this is a little life advice about a circumstance that happened to him, the way he reacted. So he's telling me this was about two seasons ago in the NFL. He had a couple of buddies come over. I think I know who came over. I think is part of the basketball group, but I'm not 100% sure. Didn't give names. Came over the house to watch. They're sitting there, they're hanging out. The one guy, he's better friends with, the other guy's there. The second guy shows up, and he had his job in the morning. He's a delivery guy. So he's got his uniform that he's in. Whatever comes over, they're hanging out, and the guy says to him as they're watching, hey.

[A]

Chuckling to himself at his story.

[C]

Well, it's funny. He says, hey, can I borrow a pair of sweatpants? I've been in this uniform since this morning. So the guy, Bill, who's sending this message, says, I look at my other friend, who smirks and then leaves the room. And then he's sitting there going, what do I say? I'm giving this guy sweatpants to wear. So he says, yes. He says to me, I have never worn or loaned clothes to a friend of mine. I think it's kind of weird. I gave them to him. He said he would wash them, get them back to me. I don't want them back. Now, am I weird or is this weird about guys borrowing each other's clothes? What do you guys think?

[B]

I'm not going to. As a woman.

[C]

Well, that's what he said.

[B]

I get a guy like he said.

[C]

My wife said, not weird at all. I share my friends.

[B]

I don't Think it's weird to share clothes with your friends, but I know it's never really been. Like that's not something that's.

[A]

You think it's really weird?

[C]

I just don't think I. The last time I shared clothes with anybody was my brother and we were like 12. Okay. When. I don't mean like, could somebody maybe like a jacket, something. I'm not. Nobody's. Nobody's wearing my sneakers. Nobody's wearing my, you know, sweatpants. I'm.

[B]

Basketball shorts.

[C]

No. Is that thing.

[B]

I'm curious your thoughts.

[A]

1. You've never been in that spot where you've. You've never been in the spot where you've been spilled something on yourself at a friend's house. Are these guys like good friends?

[C]

Friends. The second guy friends. Not like all the time buddies.

[A]

Okay, so like that's where I can.

[C]

Do you think it's drawn the line because you don't know the guy as well?

[A]

Yes, that's. That's the line I'm thinking.

[C]

So I'm not talking about you're there with the kids and somebody pours something on you or the kid throws up on you. That's a different story. That's more emergency circumstances.

[A]

Now if I'm that guy you knew you were going over to the buddy's house, you should have thrown a second change.

[C]

All that is true, okay? All the blame on the other guy casually says, but to me, can I

[A]

have a curse to the level of a friend? Like that's, that's where it goes for me.

[C]

Okay. Because I go through the clothes. Okay. Sweatshirt.

[A]

100% sweatpants. 100% gym shorts. Yeah.

[C]

Shoes, Bathing suit.

[A]

No, because you could just give them a pair of gym shorts. You don't need. You don't need the swimsuit.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Swim trunks, like that's not it.

[C]

Women.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Shoes, bottoms. I mean, not like your undergarments, but like. Yeah, even bathing suit. Sure, go for it.

[A]

Yeah. I, I've. I know I have shared pretty much every piece of a of.

[B]

But when was the last time you did that?

[A]

That's a good question.

[B]

Like college. Totally.

[A]

But I've even had. I'll even say this. I have had my father in law the one time we were over and I think he did. This is more of the emergency spot. But he spilled something. I was like, hey, Dan, do you got a pair of sweatpants? I was like, yeah, no, very different.

[B]

Yeah, I agree.

[C]

Very.

[B]

Do you think that's different also? It's your father in law. So you're like, yeah, yes.

[C]

Very different. But I, I just, I think in general, I think in general, men don't share clothes.

[A]

I don't, I don't know if I agree with that.

[B]

I think men of a certain age,

[A]

in college, it was everything.

[C]

First of all, there's a lot of

[A]

things that you share in college. I'm aware of that. I'm aware of that. I don't okay going on. But, like, I don't think I'd ever let somebody borrow my shoes. That's more of my thing. I don't want your feet. But, like, I don't care about sweatpants, shorts, shirts, jerseys, like, whatever. I even think about, like, when we play, like, pickup hockey or pickup baseball. It's like, hey, you need a extra pair of pants. Oh, I didn't have them. Like, I got you. I, I, I've shared equipment. Like, hey, you don't have an extra pair of gloves? Okay, here it is. Like, I don't know.

[B]

I don't think it's weird either.

[A]

I don't think it's weird. And again, level of friend, right?

[B]

Level of friend is very casual to ask.

[A]

Wife's friend's boyfriend or husband comes over and asks. Like, Renee has a friend over, and she's bringing her boyfriend, and he's like, hey, man, you got an extra bit, like, numb. Everything's fresh out.

[C]

Why would you say that?

[A]

Because I'll know the dude.

[C]

So why do you have to know him?

[A]

It's. It's a knowing.

[B]

Yeah, it's.

[C]

So if you, One of your girlfriends says, oh, my cousins in town, can I borrow a dress?

[A]

You don't know. You don't know who that cousin.

[C]

You would, you would like them.

[B]

I would, Absolutely.

[C]

She's a ch.

[B]

Well, no, I, I would just. Yeah. Oh, if they're like, it's so. I feel like with women, though, it's like, oh, I really like your dress.

[C]

Oh, so they do that fake compliment or they compliment.

[B]

No, no, it's not fake. A lot of times be like, oh. And I'd be like, oh, do you want to borrow it? I don't know. I don't think that's weird. That's not, that's not weird to me.

[C]

No. For

[B]

is if it's like, you are an adult, you're going over to someone's house, you knew you were going over there. Like, you should have had the foresight to be like, I'm gonna be uncomfortable. I should just bring a pair of shorts or bring that. I, I don't think if I was like that. If I was at my good friend's house, I would just be like, so what do you do when somebody. I made a decision to not pack anything. So I'm not gonna ask my friends.

[C]

So the guy Bill was in a spot. He can't say no, Correct.

[B]

Yeah. Fresh out.

[A]

Everything's in the laundry. No 100. But I know, like, I was just thinking about it. I know I still have a pair of shorts, a workout shirt, like a gym shirt, and a hoodie from, like, Steve.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, when it's funny now, when I put it on to, like, walk around the house or whatever, I'll send him a picture, like, Manhasset baseball. It's like his high school baseball team that, like, I'm sure one time it was just like, hey, I need a shirt. Yeah, put it on and.

[C]

Right. It stems back from, like, college days.

[A]

It does stem back to college days.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

I just don't think I would ever. If I was ask. I don't think I would ever ask.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

That says more about the person asking than, would you do it? Because I think we're all nice people here. And to avoid the awkwardness of.

[C]

So now we've had this awkward moment. He's had to say yes. It's an older pair of sweatpants. The guy wears them. Your buddy. Other buddy, drops them back off. What do you do with the sweatpants?

[A]

Shock them.

[C]

They're gone, right? They're gone.

[B]

I would have.

[C]

I would at least wash them again. Because even if.

[B]

Yeah, even if he did. He said he did. Yeah.

[C]

I would never be that casual to ask somebody unless it was, like, an emergency.

[B]

I think that is the most surprising thing in the story is just being like, hey, I didn't plan ahead. And if it's an emergency situation, spills, whatever.

[C]

That's totally, by the way, night. Because I remember him telling me the story when he told it initially to me was like, the whole time he's sitting there and he kept looking over at his sweatpants fans.

[B]

That is really funny.

[C]

It bugged him the whole day because it just was weird. It was kind of a weird. But sometimes people are very casual about what they'll ask.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Yeah. And it's. You can tell they're not super close friends because if you were uncomfortable with it and your super close friend asked you, you'd be like, you would raz them.

[C]

Yeah. You give them.

[B]

They know, Like.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Like, you bust their chops, and then you'd go and get it for.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. But you'd Be like, I want you to know you're a weirdo.

[A]

Know. Yeah.

[C]

I don't.

[A]

I just don't think it's that weird.

[B]

I think it's the level of.

[C]

By the way, dad, can I add, at the time, these guys were in their 40s.

[B]

I. Yeah, I just. I think it's a weird ask. I just think it's a. It just.

[A]

But you got to give it.

[B]

Oh, agreed.

[C]

Well, you're stuck.

[B]

Agreed. Yeah.

[C]

But I should just say no.

[B]

I think that's very.

[A]

The rest of the time, just like, screw this guy. This guy sucks.

[B]

I do think it's pretty forward to ask. Yes, I would say yes. Okay. Anything else?

[C]

No.

[B]

It is wild, though. Like, when you were talking to me about this, I'm like, women, we share everything. Like, it's not makeup. What? Yeah, go for it. You want it? Sure. One of my girlfriends, Mal, who was in my wedding. We share dresses all the time. Hey, I wore this to a wedding.

[A]

You can Carly share everything.

[B]

Yeah, well, they're twins.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So that also.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Also, our kids share everything now.

[C]

Yeah. But.

[B]

Yeah. You have daughters.

[C]

The kids.

[B]

My sister. Oh. I used to fight.

[C]

Is that. That's me again. I get fined for that.

[A]

Yeah. That's twice.

[B]

That's twice.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Are you good?

[C]

Yeah. That was work related, but we'll let that one go by.

[B]

Was it really?

[C]

Yeah, Nothing big.

[B]

Okay. All right, Bean, Colin,

[C]

I can help you with that.

[B]

All right. Thank you for joining us. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe, and share. Also, send in your questions. Hey, buffaloplus Gmail.com.

[C]

and I want to know what people think. I really do want to know. Like, I want to know what people think. Maybe it's. It's. Maybe it's a little generational.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You guys. You and all your clothes sharing.

[B]

We're just kind, friendly people. Yes, there's that. All right. Yeah, send us in your comments. We would love to hear your thoughts on sharing clothing. Also, you know, any thoughts about the bill's defense or the caps?

[C]

We want your life. We give pretty good life advice. We're not always. We're not locked. Step on everything here.

[B]

Yeah, I. I agree. Makes it interesting.

[A]

All right.

[B]

For Mike.

[A]

So can I borrow a pair of pants?

[C]

Nope.

[B]

For Mike and Dan, I'm Jenna. We'll catch you next time here on the Buffalo Plus Channel.

[A]

Buffalo Plus.