Training camp stars, defense ahead of offense, OBJ to Buffalo?

Summary

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Buffalo Plus Podcast: Training Camp Stars, Defense Ahead of Offense, OBJ to Buffalo?

Episode Date: August 11, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Episode Overview

This episode wraps up the Buffalo Bills 2022 training camp, with hosts Mike, Jenna, and Dan breaking down camp superlatives, analyzing the offensive and defensive units, and debating the buzz around Von Miller recruiting Odell Beckham Jr. to Buffalo. The trio blends insider observations and humor for an engaging, behind-the-scenes recap, highlighting standout players, personalities, and the state of the Bills heading into preseason.

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Camp Superlatives

Best Hair (00:42)

• Mike awards the entire tight end group for best hair, citing Dawson Knox’s curly locks, Tommy Sweeney’s slicked-back look, and O.J. Howard’s dreads.
  • “You’d say hair bands in the old days. That’s a hair position group right there.” (Mike, 01:40)
• Jenna shares a story about Knox having to straighten his hair as a rookie as a hazing ritual, resulting in the infamous "Lord Farquaad" look.
  • "Shaq complimented me… Dawson says to this day, he looks like Lord Farquaad from Shrek." (Jenna, 02:32)
• Dan gives a nod to linebacker Baylon Spector and wide receivers coach Chad Hall for their distinctive styles.
• The group note Von Miller’s triangle hair design and "diamonds surgically implanted into his teeth," with Dan quipping, “When you officially don’t know what to do with your money.” (Dan, 04:18)

Most Popular (Not Named Josh Allen) (04:40)

• Dan nominates Von Miller: “Vaughn knows how to play the game. He is really smart, thoughtful, answers… Charismatic. Everything you would want.” (Dan, 05:03)
• Mike adds that Stefon Diggs is a “star” who interacts playfully with fans, making autograph sessions engaging and memorable. He also notes Trey White’s fan impact, even though White was limited to rehab.
• The group note surprising jersey trends with many Ed Oliver, Poyer, and other less-expected names spotted at camp.

Most Likely to Succeed (10:10)

• Mike calls Ed Oliver the future All-Pro: “I think Ed’s got a chance to be an All-Pro player this year… he’s been a superstar in camp.” (Mike, 10:29)
• Jenna highlights Gabriel Davis, sharing a new nickname ("Gabby") and emphasizing his increased confidence and role.
• Dan says if watching practice blind, he'd assume Gabe Davis is the #1 WR, adding, "he has portrayed at camp… maybe that's partly because we know what Stefon Diggs can do…" (Dan, 11:40)
• Dan also predicts Isaiah McKenzie will fly under the radar for most defenses and have a “career year.” Jenna echoes that Josh Allen named McKenzie as a standout from camp. (13:11)

Most Improved (15:33)

• Jenna spotlights Tommy Sweeney, returning from myocarditis, making impressive catches, and winning support from teammates.
• Mike picks Siran Neal: “I've seen him a lot line up more on the outside and I think they’re looking to see if he can give them any of that… he's getting better and better at what he does…” (Mike, 17:21)
• Dan calls out Dane Jackson for a “quiet, good camp” and stays positive even with tough assignments against Diggs and Davis.
• The hosts discuss how the cornerback situation remains fluid as Trey White recovers.

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Offense vs. Defense: State of the Bills (22:23)

Offensive Concerns (22:23)

• Jenna raises the question: Are they worried about the offense's struggles?
• Mike: “I would say, you know, like a parent—I’m a little disappointed.”
  Notes offensive line inconsistency and the ongoing adjustment to new coordinator Ken Dorsey. (23:24)
• Dan references Allen’s trust: “Josh Allen said, I trusted Dable with my life. And then there was a slight pause and then he went, and I feel the same way about Dorsey, too.” (Dan, 23:50)
• Mike points out the difference between preseason practice and real games: “When they kick it off in L.A., first game, none of that matters.” (Mike, 26:42)

Preseason Perspective (25:33)

• Dan jokes about the over-analysis of preseason: “It’s a rule. I will not talk about training camp runs. I won’t tweet about it.” (Dan, 25:47)
• Jenna adds: “For some of the rookie guys? Absolutely. Huge, necessary, needed. The older guys? Yeah…” (Jenna, 26:24)

The Defense’s Edge (24:31)

• The defense is seen as highly motivated and ahead of the offense: “They love beating up the offense and then talking trash to them.” (Mike, 24:31)
• Vibe is that practices are more useful than preseason games for established vets.

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Odell Beckham Jr. to Buffalo? (29:18)

• Dan leads off the OBJ talk, citing Von Miller’s Instagram recruitment:
  “This is a high reward, zero risk situation… you wouldn’t be asking Odell to be your top wide receiver.” (Dan, 30:26)
• Jenna sees chemistry benefits if OBJ joins while recovering from injury: “In terms of team chemistry... his role would be different, and it gives him time to get acquainted.” (Jenna, 30:51)
• Mike plays devil's advocate about spending money on OBJ before paying Jordan Poyer:
  “You talk about when guys get paid, what it does in the room. That’s just a little bit… especially about the wide receiver—first of all, I think Gabe Davis handles everything…” (Mike, 31:41)
• Diggs’ influence is discussed: “I think he has ultimate say bringing in OBJ. Yeah, I think he’s the one…” (Jenna, 36:15)
• On the locker room handling big personalities:
  • “The Bills have handled everything that we thought would be a distraction to derail… it is a very tight building that they run in there, and I don’t think bringing in OBJ is any kind of circus.” (Dan, 35:21)

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Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the transformation of Josh Allen’s reputation:
  “Five years ago, they laughed for the wrong reason… now they laugh, like, ‘Oh, they got Josh Allen.’” (Mike, 34:05)

• On OBJ's timeline:
  “I don’t want to say it’s better that OBJ is injured… I just mean, like, timeline wise, I think he’s someone that can grow with the team.” (Jenna, 34:55)

• On possible tension with Poyer’s contract if OBJ is signed:
  “If I were Poyer and I saw the Bills sign Beckham, I’d be like, really? It would kind of be like…” (Jenna, 37:42)

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Noteworthy Timestamps

• 00:42 – Best Hair segment
• 04:40 – Most Popular (excluding Allen)
• 10:10 – Most Likely to Succeed
• 15:33 – Most Improved
• 22:23 – State of the Offense
• 29:18 – OBJ recruitment discussion begins
• 36:15 – Diggs’ influence on OBJ decision

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Tone and Chemistry

Throughout the episode, the Buffalo Plus team keeps things energetic, direct, and playful—insider observations are mixed in with affectionate ribbing, fan anecdotes, and honest assessments. Their combined experience is evident in both access (practice stories) and perspective (clear understanding of what matters in camp).

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Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive wrap-up of key training camp storylines, celebrates both known and unsung contributors, and offers a realistic gauge of concerns and expectations as preseason nears. The OBJ-to-Buffalo discussion is equal parts rumor and thoughtful roster management. Overall, Buffalo Plus’s familiarity with the team brings fans both plenty to chew on and a sense of Bills pride going into the next phase.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Welcome to the special audio podcast version of the Buffalo plus podcast, presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Training camp is over. Our takeaways on the offense and the defense. We'll even break down a prominent wide receiver and his recruitment by Vaughn Miller. What that says about the Bills. And then we'll also do some camp superlatives. Best personality, maybe some best hair. Most improved. We'll break it all down. Let's have some fun, though, Mike. Let's start with some of those superlatives, and why don't we do a guy or not a guy. We'll start fun. Let's do. Let's do best hair.

[B]

All right, well, obviously, you came to me first for best hair, so that's good. I'm giving it to a unit, the entire unit of tight end. And we were at camp, and I'm standing there looking, look, somebody like me who is at times, you could say, follically challenged. Not all the way. And I've never heard that. I look at Dawson Knox, and it's that curly, long hair that he's like. You know, he even talks about how he conditions it and all those things because he's. You know, he joked about McDermott being bald and all that.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Then I look next to him. They're all standing there, away from us. And you got Tommy Sweeney next to me. He's got the slicked back sort of.

[A]

Yeah. The longer hair.

[B]

Right. And then taller. And next to him, because they kind of go up in height.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Is O.J. howard, who's got the cool look and a little bit of the dreads. And I'm like, wow, that is a great.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Group. You'd say hair bands in the old days.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That's a hair.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Position group right here.

[A]

Okay. I want to add a little tidbit because a couple seasons ago, we used to do this segment called Jenna Wants to Know, which was a terrible name segment, but we used.

[C]

A wild.

[B]

I remember that because you guys.

[C]

Buffalo plus YouTube.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The people at home don't know some of the things Jenna actually wanted to know.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, what's your take on long walks? No. So we talked to Dawson Knox, and he talked about his hair. He talked the conditioning products. But his rookie year, he had to straighten his hair because as. As a rookie, and Shaq Lawson didn't know that he had to do it as a rookie. So Shaq was trying to compliment on him, and. And Dawson says to this day, he looks like Lord Farquaad from Shrek, which.

[B]

Is just an unreal. Very self aware on his part.

[A]

Phenomenal. But he's like. The worst part was when Shaq complimented me because he thought I was being serious. Which that's just. That's. That's a good teammate on Shaq's part.

[C]

Yeah, it's just phenomenal. I. Mike, I really can't disagree more. Linebackers also. Braylon Spector, a rookie, very long hair. I saw him at Tyrell Dodson's Best Buddies event. He was there. Not a guy that I think anybody knows, but he's got the flow out the back of the helmet as well.

[A]

I like Chad hall, the wide receivers coach. Yeah, they do look very similar actually. But he's always got his hair up. The cap is always backwards. Ken Dorse today at camp, backwards hat kind of guy.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

I wasn't expecting that.

[B]

Yeah, A very different personalities between those two. Very different in every way. I mean, one guy is a giant and the other guy is not. And. But we always. Oh, doorbell. No, it's actually my computer. Dan's computer. But the other part about it is we. Jenna, you mentioned it. Does anybody love their job more than Chad hall loves his job?

[A]

No, he's. He gets so jazzed up. You can see. Even talked about how Isaiah McKenzie is like his child. But you can tell how into it. I mean, he gets to work with a very talented group as well.

[C]

Oh, we didn't talk about finishing up the hair. What about Von Miller and the triangle?

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

On the back of his head.

[A]

I don't. I want to ask. Yeah. I don't know.

[C]

Now again, he's also a guy. I'm sure it's. It's some fashion that we don't understand as. Like he has diamonds surgically implanted into his teeth.

[A]

Wow. I did not know that. Yes.

[C]

Three of them.

[A]

That's so. That is.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

That is so much money. I can't even imagine that. That's cool. That's a flex.

[C]

When you officially don't know what to do with your money.

[A]

Yeah, like.

[C]

Yeah, put some diamonds.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

House.

[B]

I got the boat, I got the car. Diamonds in the teeth.

[A]

I would love to see you with diamonds in your teeth, Mike. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Yeah, that's for next year.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

After the Super Bowl.

[A]

All right. Most popular not named Josh Allen.

[B]

Yeah, I'll let Dan start with this one.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Well, you always kind of try and rate it off of how loud the crowd is based on when players walk out.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because I want to use this guy for somewhere else, I'll say Von Miller. I mean, we talked about him, but he. And I think Vaughn embraced it so much. He even complimented at one of his press conferences, complimented us for the phenomenal job that we do.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Vaughn knows how to play the game. He is really smart, thoughtful. Answers.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Charismatic. Everything you would want in. It's crazy to think that like Denver, I understand they made decisions, but like he is a face of a franchise kind of guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The way his presence, his popularity, his personality, all of those things. And it has been kind of a perfect blending here in Buffalo.

[A]

I am just. He's very calm. That is something that I just. I. I wasn't maybe expecting or didn't know.

[B]

He's got two of those.

[A]

Yeah. I think when you have a Super bowl rings, you. You can be a little bit more calm. But I just feel like his demeanor is. Because even signing autographs, he's very methodical. Like, it just seems very peaceful almost. I don't even know. But he. He know. Look, he's been playing this game a long time. He's been successful at this game for a long time. You can tell how dialed in he is about everything. But that was just not something I was, you know, I guess I preconceived notion I didn't have that in mind.

[B]

So there's a few guys I was gonna mention. You talk about loudness and it's loud. Surprisingly loud for Gabe Davis. He's really moved up. Dawson Knox gets a lot of the same thing. But the reaction to those guys we're talking about when they come in, when they leave for autographs. Yeah. Is cool. People react differently to Stefon Diggs.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

There is a palpable excitement. They're like. And I think because Diggs also reacts to the fans. Sometimes he stops. He looks. He'll fake walking past them and come back. He's very playful in that way. He signed a lot. I mean, Alan signed a crazy amount of autographs and they all. A lot of them did. Diggs signings were usually an adventure. And he was. He signed for a lot of people.

[A]

He did.

[B]

And so, you know, he was good. But I watched the way people react to him. And maybe it's. You know, he is not a large guy. So you seem. He's. He comes out and he's a star.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's what I was saying is. And I'll add one other thing, and it's a shame we didn't get to see it, but I think Trey White Would have been a big. He's there at camp, but he's over rehabbing. Yeah, he's not really doing that. I think fans would have showered him with excitement when they sign.

[A]

His personality is amazing.

[C]

There's a lot of Ed Oliver jerseys.

[B]

Yeah. I was surprised by that.

[C]

I think I saw more EDS than Trey, which I thought was a little surprising. You saw. You saw a lot of digs, you saw a lot of Allen. And then I saw a whole lot of Ed Oliver jerseys.

[A]

I also saw a lot of Poyer jerseys.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Which, I mean, he's obviously been a guy around the team for a long time, successful all Pro po. But that was someone who. Sometimes I feel like, you know, you see the Allens and the digs, and you're like, huh, okay.

[B]

But, yeah, by the way, while we're talking jerseys, I want to know your opinion on something. I'm. I'm not a jersey guy. I'm a jersey guy. Well, it's not wearing a jersey guy. I have a Bill's jersey that the team gave me back when they changed their uniforms, and it must have been the 11th season, I'm trying to remember, but they gave me this jersey has my name on the back with a number 11. Okay. So I gave it to my stepdaughter.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

She wears it around. I told her, just get something and make it a 17.

[A]

You're way better off.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Because 11. Yeah.

[B]

11 is Roscoe Parish. Is Roscoe Parish. Scott Norwood, Rob Johnson. Like, it's not a great number. So, Bledsoe. Yeah. It's like. Yeah, yeah, man. That's just drawing a blank with those bad uniforms. But so it says that. Should she just put little. Yeah, just one little bit.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Make it a 17. Join everybody else.

[A]

Yeah, that's kind of cool. I didn't know that.

[C]

Matt Beauvais asked me earlier this training camp. Obviously, we've talked about it before. We're not necessarily Bill's fans. We cover the team with all those things. We have other teams that we were fans of before growing that. But he said, if you had to get a Bills jersey, what would it be?

[B]

Oh, I know mine.

[C]

I, I, we. I think we have the same one.

[A]

Who would you. Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[B]

It's actually too small for me.

[A]

That's ridiculous.

[C]

Or, like, you'd always try and get, like. Like, I did, like, a Reed Ferguson jersey.

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah, that guy.

[C]

Like, it's. I wouldn't want an Allen or a.

[A]

No, no.

[C]

Popular guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You get the jurors that when Somebody walks by, you go, cool.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Like the.

[B]

Yeah, I get it, bro.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You don't go to the. You know, you don't cheer for the. The. The hits of the Dave Matthews Band. It's like, oh, my favorite Dave Matthew song. It's the one of the deep tracks.

[A]

The deep cuts. Yeah.

[B]

In the old days, it would have been the B side of the record for me. Yes. Oh, I know all. Yeah, Yeah. I used to see him in the clubs before he made it big.

[A]

I would say maybe Trey White, just because he's. He's so funny. And like, I love when he has like the, like when he had the call sheet and what was it? It was against the Colts. Right. Was it that.

[B]

The Colts game when it fell in, when.

[A]

When he played and he pretended to read it and just like all that. I love that. Most Likely to Succeed.

[B]

Well, I think we were looking at this as. Look, I'm not saying Josh Allen or Stefan Diggs, people like that. I think it's the guy who is making that step and we're seeing him in another place and there's a few guys that I think fit that. But I'm going to go with a guy you already talked about, Ned Oliver.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because I'm looking at him and saying, look, Von Miller is the most accomplished guy and I think he's going to be great for this defense. But I think Ed's got a chance to be an All Pro player this year. Yep. And you guys at home, you listen. You know, there's difference between Pro bowl and All Pro.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

All Pro is you're voted in as one of the best players. It's not nine guys drop out. Like, none of that matters. Not about playing in a game. It's the best players in the entire league. I think he has that kind of ability. And I think with the help around him and the way he has played. Jenna, you guys have both mentioned it multiple times.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He's been a superstar in camp.

[A]

I feel like every big player, like, oh, and there's Ed. Like, he's just constantly in the backfield. Constantly.

[B]

Yeah. I said he should be named a running back. He's back there.

[A]

So, yeah, I think I will go with Gabriel Davis or as Gabby. As Micah Hyde. We learned at practice on Thursday, like, Gabby talks. I'm gonna call you Gabby.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But, yeah, yeah. Chirping.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I think he's someone. I would not expect for that to be the case.

[B]

But, you know, sneaky, snarky. How about that?

[A]

Oh, oh, that's I like that. That's pretty good.

[C]

I'll go. I. I like Gabe Davis. I think he was. Mike. I think we talked about in the Buffalo plus YouTube channel and some of our post practice rec that he was. If you were just learning football today and you watched a practice or watch training camp, you would say that number 13 was the best wide receiver because that is just the confidence, the aura that, that he has portrayed at camp. And maybe that's partly because we know what Stefan Diggs can do. We're still trying to see what Gabriel Davies can do, but I'm going to say with like Most Likely to Succeed, a guy that can fly under the radar against some teams. Like, I think Gabe Davis, as we know he's going to be targeted.

[A]

That's fair.

[C]

I think he. People are going to know and Gabe Davis is going to get attention. I don't think Isaiah McKenzie is going to get a lot of attention in this offense. And I think that's. That's the same spot where Davis thrived in, in previous years.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Where it's like, okay, we got to slow down digs now. This year we're going to stop Davis. You got to worry about Dawson Knox, who has emerged as that, you know, a seam threat. And then you're like, okay. And then it's like you can't cover everybody. And I just can see him getting, getting loose, finding space. The way that he's evolved, I think in this offense they're going to use him more than they ever have. I think he's earned that slot receiver. I think he started camp strong, finished camp strong. I think he's the one that I think will. What that this time next year will be going. Man, Isaiah is off, you know, coming off a career year and is, you know, poised.

[A]

And again, Josh Allen was asked in his press conference, who is a guy that has stood out to you and he said, Isaiah McKenzie. He said the fact that, you know, they've had some time together, obviously, but he just has seen a more expanded role for him. He trusts him. He just as a guy that's been able to take that, you know, and continue to grow. And we talked about it on the other one, one of our other videos. Just about, you know, the ceiling for Isaiah is so high. But yeah, I think he's going to be someone really fun to watch out for this year because like you said, Dan, I think people outside teams probably aren't expecting for him to have a big role, but I think the Bills are anticipating that this year will be A different type of feel for him.

[B]

Yeah. I joke about the fantasy stuff because it does show at least where you think the guy's going to be on a week to week basis. And I was listening to one of the fantasy shows just. And I. I'm in a league where I'm the only one from here. Oh, everybody's from Jersey and Philly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And Jersey guy. I am. Yes, I am. I am definitely taking Isaiah late in my draft and I heard one of the. It wasn't Matthew Berry, but it was another big fantasy guy around the NFL. He's like, Watch for Isaiah McKenzie when you're grabbing a guy late. And the only reason I say is that. Who would have thought that before? He never really put up stats.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That New England game not only opened eyes around it open.

[A]

That was in the wild game.

[B]

Right. I mean he was. I mean, Josh was Josh, but he was the second best player on the field that day.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. So I think that Dan's point, like when they're looking at everybody else, Isaiah is going to have to prove more on the field before he gets the extra attention.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. But I got to say this though. We were there the last few days at camp. Jameson Crowder is going to be on the field too.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know they're going to be. And that's the thing for Ken Dorsey to be finding roles for these guys to mix things up a little.

[A]

One ball.

[B]

Yeah. But Isaiah can. Can do multiple things too. So, yeah, he's still going to get the. The reverses or the shovel passes or, you know, what they call. Why do we. Why am I drawing a blank? The. The reverse sweeps. Jet sweeps. That was the jet sweeps that he does. I think he's still going to get those, but I think he's going to be. And you said it, Jenna. Josh is going to be looking for him.

[A]

Yeah. All right. Most improved is the next category. I think this is. There's two guys that come to mind, one of which being Tammy Sweeney because he was out for a season after developing myocarditis, a heart condition. And he's kind of been someone that the Bills have had on their roster for a couple years, but like never really has had a chance to shine. Obviously they drafted Dawson Knox, but he's made some really nice catches at camp that you're like. And even earlier in the week, like he had the touchdown catch and all of the guys running up to him after how excited they were for him. He's someone that needs to show something. But I feel like we've seen some, something different from him in camp in terms of just some of those flashy catches where you're like, oh, wow, that was, that was pretty nice.

[B]

Yeah. Dan and I have talked about, like, you can make the catches because you're not going to get many balls and you got to be able to block. And dan, compared to O.J. howard's training camp.

[C]

Yeah. I think O.J. howard, I mean, if we, if we talk about Stock up, Stock down after, you know, two weeks of training camp, O.J. howard, stock's pretty low. Will it climb? Maybe.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But for the mountain of a man that he is, the thought of, wow, look at what he can bring to these two tight end sets. Has not been there, so. And again, we've kind of talked about Tommy Sweeney. Sorry, Tommy Sweeney being kind of a, an afterthought, a forgotten man.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Part of the reason, because of myocarditis. Part of the reason is that. But it's also just all of a sudden he kind of forgot about him. And all of a sudden he makes a couple big plays.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, impressive catches and you go, oh, yeah, Remember him? Yeah, oh yeah, I forgot about him. They drafted him. They, they. Yeah, they. 6th round pick out of Boston College. So it's another guy that, you know, I think he's had moments correct.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Who you got for Most Improved?

[A]

I want to be more fringe guys, that's why.

[B]

Yeah, well, I've got a guy and I'm gonna say Saran Neal.

[A]

Oh, that's a good one.

[B]

And I watch him again now, look, we're getting a little thrown off with the corners. You've got, you know, Dane Jackson mixing in and, and certainly obviously with the number one pick, Kiera Elam. Kair Elam too, but. I know, but I noticed them lining him up on the outside and maybe I just didn't notice it as much before and there's a lot of talk. I mean, his physical gifts are there, he's a great special teams player, he can play that big nickel position. But I've seen him a lot line up more on the outside and I think they're looking to see if he can give them any of that. We don't know what they're going to do. Dan at corner. Like, we keep talking about Trey coming back and it all seems to be trending. Right. But, you know, the clock is ticking as to where he's going to be. Are they in the market for a veteran if they needed one? But I think they want to see guys do Multiple things and what I've seen out of them is a guy who's maybe not blessed with the greatest instincts on the field but he's getting better and better at what he does and the physical ability just comes through.

[C]

Yeah, it's tough when I, I think about some of these most improved, it's like is it from last year or is it from the beginning starting of training camp? Because I think there are some rookies that I think, I think I like James Cook has, has, has improved over the, the days at training camp. But I don't know where, how you've.

[B]

Seen him in a game, but we.

[A]

Haven'T seen him in a game yet.

[C]

So like I said and I've talked about him before, I like the way that Dane Jackson played. I think that he's a guy that a lot of focus was on Kair and what he was doing, obviously being a first, the first round pick. But I really think Danes had a quiet, good camp. Quiet in the sense of, I think we talked about it after one, one of the practices that if you're a corner and you're not being noticed that's a, that's a good thing, you know, because you're not getting beat. I know Stefan Diggs turned him inside out on a route and he made a one handed catch over him. That happens. Yeah, Stefan Diggs does that to the best corners in the league. So that doesn't work. And I know there's another ball that people will say like, well this play, he got burned on this play, another ball that went to Gabe Davis. I know the Bills tweeted out, it's great coverage, it's a better throw and it's a better catch. Like you can't always say like well the guy caught the ball on him, that's bad play. I, I don't think that's the case with corners, especially at training camp. So I think Dane again has just stayed steady.

[B]

Yeah, I'm with you on that. And they're going to need, and they need them again because we don't know where we're going to be. We don't know we're going to be corner wise. And you know Micah Hyde was talking today just like he talks about Trey coming back, asked about Jordan Poyer. I'm not worried about him. I don't think anybody's worried about Poyer working to get back. Yeah, but you want to see him on the field, you got to get him out there because I think these corners we're talking about, boy need those. This is where these two safeties are huge. Huge for them. And not to go off on a tangent, but I'm still really curious what happens with Poyer in the contract. At what point? Maybe it's aftercuts, maybe it's after the roster is set. You know, there's always those moves. I don't know. But at some point, I think they're giving them some more money.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, at some point, yes, I feel like that's got to be the case. Isaiah Hodgins, where do you guys fall on him?

[B]

I've noticed him more the last few days. I think the. He's a forgotten guy. Okay. He's made a few catches, but I think the depth on this wide receiver room with some of the young guys, especially a draft pick, you know, like Shakir, I don't think there's a place for him on the roster.

[C]

So he flashed at times. And I remember talking after practice like, wow, Isaiah Hodgins. And you guys all made fun of me. I, I gave him the. The backhanded compliment or I made my.

[B]

Comment about that it wasn't a surprise that he caught it.

[A]

Oh, that you roasted him.

[C]

And that he was stunned that he. That he caught the ball. And then today they're doing second team drills where the defense doesn't. Can't do anything. They can't play defense. They're literally just there to walk down the field. And Isaiah Hodgins was wide open, and the ball bounces right off his hands. And like, it was so open that the crowd had the audible, like, oh, like. And I just went, that's Isaiah Hodgins. Like, the catch that he made was, wow, who was that guy? That was the real Isaiah. His best camp he's had so far since. Since being in Buffalo. He was injured in the COVID All these things.

[A]

He.

[C]

He just hadn't sparked enough for me to be this. This me thinking he's going to be anything.

[A]

Yeah, I think that's fair.

[B]

And it's a tough room to break into.

[A]

Well, that. Yeah. Yes, that's a very good.

[B]

Especially if they, you know.

[A]

Well, let's talk about the offense because.

[C]

Oh, good tease, Mike.

[B]

Yeah. How about that?

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Checking Von Miller's Instagram, see what he's up to.

[C]

Tweeting about her.

[B]

Tweeting.

[C]

Tweeting about somebody.

[A]

And so we didn't expect to see the offense kind of struggle like we have seen them in camp now. Josh Allen had a couple really nice days and such, but Mike, I mean, are you. We. We talked about before where is your concern level?

[B]

I don't think it's at a concern level. I think I'm a little. I would say, you know, like a parent. I'm a little disappointed. I am a little disappointed because, you know, I remember asking a friend of mine who's involved with the Patriots once I go, I've seen so much bad quarterback play in my time in Buffalo. Like, what are your practices like? And he was like, the ball barely touches the ground.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Because Tami could, you know, and they just efficiently and they move the ball. And that's Josh. I mean, Josh Allen is a superior passer, great player. I'm not pinning this on Josh and. But, you know, it almost got to the point Dan, for a while we would talk and say, well, there was a bad pass. We know it wasn't 17.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And he had some. And I'm not. I'm not saying Josh is the problem. The O line has been off. Now they're getting the guys back, so we're catching them as camp in Rochester ends is when they're probably. They got their five and they'll work them in there a little bit more. But they've been a little off. And, you know, he's dealing with the new coordinator and what he likes about it. I know Dan liked one of the things that he said today. Go ahead. What did he say today about the coordinator?

[C]

Well, I mean, this is a new audio podcast, but it's continued that this is a Brian Dable Stan account, per usual, like my Twitter page. And it's the fact that, you know, Josh was talking about where is come. You know, where. Where is the level of connection with Ken Dorsey? And he said, well, it comes with time. And he goes, I, Josh Allen said, I trusted Dable with my life. And then there was a slight pause and then he went. And I feel the same way about Dorsey, too. Like, but. But we both said he probably while he had the relationship of three years with him in the room, it wasn't that level of where Dave's and Josh were.

[A]

It's different. Yeah, it's different.

[B]

So he trusting.

[C]

That's not a knock at Dorsey. That's just the fact of how strong that relationship is.

[B]

So he trusted Dable with his life. He trusts Dorsey with his car, and then eventually his dog, and then eventually maybe his life. And that is part of it, though. They're getting feeling out. So there's been. Look, Josh handles all this pretty well. We see moments of frustration. He handles it all pretty well. But it has been with The O line, it has been. They are going against a really good defense on a daily basis that is highly motivated, as Micah High told us. I think they get way more out of these practices than they will a preseason game. Yep. The guys who've been around, they're so competitive. They love beating up the offense and then talking trash to them. So he's getting that every day. So a little bit. I'm a little bit like, I want to see more. There's time for that. I don't know if we'll see it in the preseason, but there's time for. There's time for them to get going because it's still, you know, Josh Allen and. And he's got a ton of talent around him, but a little disappointed.

[C]

Yeah, I think it was funny trying to. Trying to remember this is the preseason because the last time we were covering this team so intently, it was playoff runs. It was. Every single game matters. And like, like, Devin Singletary had a nice run today, and I was like, I.

[B]

It's.

[C]

It's a rule. I will not talk about training camp runs. I won't tweet about it.

[B]

Didn't you just do it?

[C]

Well, I'm just saying, like, I didn't do it. I didn't tweet about you, like, oh.

[A]

So you can't tweet about.

[C]

So, like, while. While I'm sitting here being like, I really didn't like the offense that much at training camp. It's like, who cares is training camp? It's like, we know what this is going to be. I don't need to see it in the preseason. We saw it in the preseason last year. They were incredible for a half a football and then stunk for the first eight quarters of the season. So while every time you sit there and go like, well, preseason really matters and training.

[A]

I think it's. It's as important as you make it. Does that make sense? Like, for some of the rookie guys? Absolutely. Huge necessary needed. The older guys. Yeah.

[C]

I would rather have the offense be looking better than what it is.

[A]

Correct.

[C]

But do I. But am I. Do I care? Not really, no.

[B]

When they, when they kick it off in la, first game, none of that matters. And Jenna, you're right. For those guys who've never been, you know, we talked to some guys. It's funny, we talked to Benford, the Christian Benford, and he's like, you know, not focused on it, but you're going to be on an NFL field and even in the preseason, it's going to feel More like regular football and just to get your bearings on against another team and all this stuff. Well, Micah Hyde doesn't need that. Josh Allen doesn't need that. Right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So they're going to be. They're going to feel and have the need of this more than the guys who have been around. So to that point, as Hyde said, they replicate it in practice. They get that feel, but it's. But it is also. And this works for the offense, too. It is controlled to avoid injury, which is really a good thing. And then when they're going to let it rip, that's when the regular season starts.

[A]

I love when Micah Hyde talked about when he was a rookie and his first preseason game and going up against Larry Fitzgerald, and he was like, oh, man, that's my welcome to the NFL moment. But now, I mean, he's been in the league. It's just. Yeah, it's so different depending on your level of experience and how comfortable you feel.

[B]

But are you concerned about the offense?

[A]

No. Concern to me does seem too strong of a word, I would say. I'm curious of how. Of how things. This. That's such a gentle way to describe it. Also, Dan's laughing right now. I'm curious how the. How the. The kinks will be worked out, because when you have so much talent out there, things will settle down, I think. But at the same point, it's something you. You wanted to see more success. I felt like throughout the preseason or throughout this training camp, Josh Allen had a couple nice days like we talked about. There were a couple really nice plays and catches and those things. But you wanted to see, I would say, a little bit more consistency out of that. Yeah, but that's not something that I am concerned about. I'm just right.

[B]

And let's face it, Alan's his own worst critic. We know this. This is the way he's been. It's not just lip service. Everybody says it. Teammates, coaches, everybody. If it's not going and he's worried about it, he's going to. He's going to keep working towards it. And I think getting out of camp, as much as we all love it, I think will be good for Allen a little bit. He spends a lot of time being Josh Allen instead of being Josh Allen, the quarterback, at least at camp.

[A]

This way he can focus, focus, settle.

[B]

I think it's good. It was fine, but I think it's time.

[A]

And you know how much players love routine.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, and the quietness of the facility and all those things.

[B]

And then when they get him, Odell Beckham Jr. They'll be fine.

[C]

Love it. You're fully in 1,000%. There's smoke, you know, there's a lot of smoke going on. Obviously the last few days Von Miller on his Instagram has been tagging Odell Beckham Jr. Saying, you know, this is football heaven. Was his one today as we're recording this on Thursday. And it's a picture of the two of them. He had already had Odell in a Bills jersey. Already had him saying, you know, let's run it back to me. This is a, this is a high reward, zero risk situation. Odell Beckham Jr. Is not the guy that he was with the Giants. He is not the guy and the personality that he was with the Browns. You saw him fit in amongst other stars in with the Rams. I, I don't think this would be a circus at all. I think he has shown that he still is not a top wide receiver. But you wouldn't be asking Odell to be come in and be your top wide receiver. You're asking him to come in and be your 2B. Your 2B wide receiver.

[A]

I think in him coming back from injury is actually in terms of team chemistry and all those things would be better too because he's not expected to be a guy and like you said to be. To be. He's not going to be taking over digs or anything like that. And so what he can add but also having that time to kind of get acquainted with the guys and the other. Oh, and the other camaraderie aspect, I think that would be huge.

[C]

I look at this as a move as what every year, well established locker rooms, teams that have veterans that, that have been a part of the team, that are super bowl contenders make going all in. They bring a player in that they think can get them over the edge. And if you get him, he can't go to Kansas City and play against you.

[B]

Well, that is something. But I don't know, you know, I don't know if they make that for that reason make that move. I don't think. But here's another. I'm gonna, I'm gonna play a little bit of the devil's advocate here and say, you know, you also, it is going to cost you some money.

[C]

It's not real. We know the source.

[B]

In the room is Jordan Poyer.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And he's been your guy for going on what is this 6 years, 17, 18, 19, 26 year. He's been your guy. You haven't come up with it yet. And you're gonna again, whatever you spend. I look at it, just perception. We talk about when guys get paid, what it does in the room. That's just a little bit. Not as much. About the wide receiver, first of all, I think Gabe Davis handles everything. I think he's handled every role. He's got patience. He knows he's good and he knows I. Some people had mentioned to me you're gonna stunt his growth. I don't think that's the case. I really don't think so. And I think Beckham can do a lot of things. They line him up in the slot. Like he plays a lot of ways. He can be. He's great in the red zone. Like, he does those things. But I think. I don't think it would. Maybe it takes some numbers away, but that's true of a lot of guys. But I also think, like, if you're Jordan Poyer and you're sitting there, yes, you want help.

[C]

Good point.

[B]

But are you going to spend money and not. That's why I keep thinking, you know, the messaging.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If again, I want to see it both happen. If it is really fake, pay them both. Because Jordan Poyer deserves to get more money. He does. Yeah, he does. And he'll be fine and he'll be playing. So that's my only thing. Sometimes I think. And I don't know when this would happen because we don't know where he is physically. Can he pass a physical yet?

[C]

Right. We don't know if somebody else.

[B]

I think it's a plus if it's down the line.

[A]

That's what I was saying.

[C]

You sign him and put him on the pup, like immediately. Or does he.

[B]

Yeah. No, there's no rule. And a team can fail a guy on a physical. Like, he doesn't. He. He. I guess he would have to pass the physical. But I think you can sign a guy because he's injured.

[C]

I would imagine.

[B]

Yeah. Let me tell you something. If, if, if. If Aaron Rodgers hurt himself Manning when.

[C]

His neck was right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No, you can sign him. I don't think there's anything. He's a free agent. He can sign.

[C]

Like, be nice to stash him right in the pop and be like, hey, we'll see you in.

[B]

Should be able to. I would think you'd be able to six or whatever. Because it was a. Coming in from the off season, so.

[C]

And also that's what I was saying. Trey White not only like, no. Von. Like with their. Their connection too from lsu. I just think it makes a lot of sense. And it's funny. For as much as Vaughn's recruiting Josh Allen, his presence of being on the offense is also recruiting.

[B]

Yeah, the Bills have that guy now.

[A]

It is just so different.

[B]

Yeah, the Bills have that guy that any wide receiver will want to play for. I mean, when. When Josh's name gets mentioned, it's funny. I was thinking of this the other day. People laugh. Five years ago, they laughed for the wrong reason. Josh Allen. And they'd show some past that he air mailed at Wyoming. They're like, yeah, this guy. Now they laugh like, oh, they got Josh Allen. It's kind of funny how it's just gone from the guy who a lot of people thought no chance overdrafted to comically good when he's at his best. The last time we saw him, he was that good. So to Dan's point, any wide receiver would say, I want to play with that guy.

[A]

It just elevates everyone's game. And Josh Allen is the NFL's Twitter background.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like a Buffalo QB.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Ascending to that in itself just says a lot. Yeah, I think I agree with you guys. I think it's almost. I don't want to say it's better that OBJ is injured. I don't. I don't mean that. I just mean, like, timeline wise. I think he's someone that can grow with the team and not, you know, because some people were saying, like, chemistry wise, would that throw things off? But I don't. I think it's different. I mean, I think obviously OBJ is at a different point in his career.

[B]

I'm with Dan. I. I think he's.

[C]

The Bills have handled every thing that we thought would be a distraction to derail. Yeah, they handled.

[B]

How about.

[C]

How about Queen Spain just disappearing overnight? Okay. Like. Like just vanishing and nothing. How about Cole Beasley and the way that they handled the vaccine, like, like all the COVID stuff? Yeah, they handled it perfectly. How have they handled Jordan Boyer outside amongst the media? They've handled it phenomenally. That is one thing that Sean McDermott and Brandon Bean had do some things still get out. Yeah. But it is a very tight building that they run in there, and I don't think bringing in OBJ is any kind of circus.

[B]

All right, I know we're going to wrap this up here in a second, but I want to add one name. We didn't. Men. When we. I. I mentioned Poyer because of the money and I mentioned, you know, Gabe Davis and what it does and all Stefan Diggs.

[C]

What about him?

[A]

I think he has ultimate say bringing in obj. Yeah, I think he's the one. Like, they wouldn't have camp at Fisher if Allen didn't like it. They wouldn't bring in OBJ if Diggs didn't want it.

[B]

And I'm not saying didn't want it.

[A]

But like, if you had reservations, I should say.

[B]

I. I don't know if they would go that far. I think it would be like. I don't. I'm not saying they have any kind of problem. I don't even know how well they would know each. I mean, these guys. I'm just saying is he is the number one guy and OBJ's big name. He's unquestioned number one.

[C]

Well, that's the thing is I think Diggs is secure enough as the guy.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But I think he also knows. And from what everything we've heard with Diggs is wanting to win.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Even obj, he still carries that clout and that aura that he's Odell Beckham Jr. Yeah. And I think that they know that, hey, I'll take 15 less catches if that. If he's the guy that gets us over the.

[B]

Yeah. Because Diggs got paid digs is. It always helps. Yeah. Yeah. I just curious because lawyer thing's interesting.

[C]

It's a good point.

[B]

Yeah. It's big personality.

[C]

You can find a bunch of money everywhere because the seller cap's not real.

[A]

Dan just said to get that in there. I. I will say that is the one thing in terms of the Poyer contract and that gets done. And that I think could. Because if I were Poyer and I saw the bills do make a move and act, if, if they were to sign Beckham, I'd be like, really? It. It would kind of be like a.

[B]

And Poyer is a team guy. I don't want to make him sound this way. No.

[A]

But just like a personal standpoint, I would. I personally would feel some type of way about.

[B]

Yeah. Because they're probably talking about where they are and, and his value to the team is. I think at the moment it's massive.

[A]

I mean, you talk about leverage in a contract too. Like should.

[B]

Right. But yeah, I don't know. I see it. We've seen it every day again. I think it's coming. I hope it is for Poyer, but we'll see.

[A]

Yeah, I agree. Okay. Well, this was fun for Dan and Mike. I am Jenna. Thank you for listening to the audio only version of this Buffalo plus podcast presented by Connors and Ferris. Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcast as well as if you could leave us a review that also helps to let people know about our podcast and what you enjoy about the content we do. And as always, subscribe to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. We've had a lot of great feedback on that. We have a lot of fun with that as well. So we always have our recaps of what went on at practice for a little bit more immediate reaction of what's going on with the Bills. But we always appreciate all the love and support. Thank you so much. We will catch you next time on Buffalo Plus.

[B]

It.