Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: Tre White on being BACK in BUFFALO & BEANE'S Draft PLAN
Date: April 22, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus centers on the return of Tre'Davious White ("Tre White") to the Buffalo Bills, providing insight into his mindset, emotional press conference, and expectations for his role in the team. The hosts also break down GM Brandon Beane's upcoming draft strategy, including how college football’s transfer portal and changing landscape complicate player evaluation. Additional discussion points include James Cook’s OTA absence, expectations for young receivers like Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid, and the outlook for Josh Allen entering his eighth year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tre'Davious White’s Return to Buffalo

• Emotional Homecoming:
  Tre White discusses the excitement and sense of belonging upon returning (00:30). He highlights the significance for himself and his family:

  "My entire family is excited...to go into the attics, unbox those Buffalo blue jerseys and start back wearing the Buffalo blue again." — Tre White (00:30)

• Mindset and Attitude:
  The hosts rave about seeing Tre White's old, joyful self—pre-injuries (01:28–02:05). Jenna notes:

  "He felt like Trey. Pre-injury. Joyful, engaged, happy...he just wasn't happy. He's happy now." — Jenna Cottrell (01:29)

• Feeling at Home:

  "Me walking through the door yesterday...just seemed like I never left. Like, so many familiar faces...I felt home." — Tre White (02:33)

• Motivation & Goals:
  White is focused on winning, expressing how he wanted to finish his career with Buffalo and hopes to “do it the right way”—with a Super Bowl:

  "This is the only place that I really want to be and do it the right way. Hopefully get a Super Bowl here and be a part of it." — Tre White (05:11)

• Strong Locker Room Ties:
  Tre has kept in close contact with teammates—including Taron Johnson and Christian Benford—a testament to his leadership and connection with the Bills’ core (03:45-06:10).

• Competition and Uncertainty:
  No guarantees were promised; White will need to earn his spot as a starting corner amid younger competition (07:45).

  “He said nothing was promised to him. He said that's the way we operate.” — Jenna Cottrell (07:45)

• Legacy and Second Acts:
  The hosts reflect on the Bills’ unique culture and note how many ex-players long to return, even if just to contribute “vibes”; Tre is seen as a still-competitive asset rather than only a morale booster (08:11).

2. Brandon Beane’s Draft Philosophy & Challenges

• The Transfer Portal Dilemma:
  The hosts explore how increased player transfers in college make GM evaluations far more complex (08:58–12:19). Bean outlines the challenge in assessing player character and talent across multiple teams:

  "You got a player at three schools...school A loved him...school B thought he was entitled, couldn't wait to get rid of him...school C loves him...You're trying to put all the pieces together. Are they mad he left, or was that the truth?" — Brandon Beane (10:14)

• Evaluating Production & Fit:
  Scheme changes, NIL money, and varied systems make it harder to compare stats across years and programs. The Bills must dig deeper into a player’s adaptability and learning style.

• First-Round Grades & Positional Priorities:
  Beane claims there are fewer than 30 true first-round grades in this draft (15:52). Priorities seem oriented toward defensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback, though receiver is not ruled out outright.

• Trading Up or Back:
  Jenna predicts there's a 65% chance the Bills trade back from pick #30, 35% to trade up, and only a slim chance they stand pat (17:01).

  “65% he trades back, 35% he trades up...They may have one of these corners that they really want to target...but it might be a D tackle, it might be an edge player. I still think those are the three spots.” — Jenna Cottrell (17:01)

• Receivers and "Everybody Eats":
  Despite the popularity of the “everybody eats” motto, Beane insists they won’t pass up good players at WR if one fits their grade (18:22).

3. State of the Young Offense: Coleman & Kincaid

• Expectations & Accountability:
  The hosts pressure high picks like Keon Coleman (WR) and Dalton Kincaid (TE) to step up, referencing coaches’ public calls for improvement (24:24):

  "Josh Allen needs more from them, and they've both been semi called out by the coach and the general manager...Kincaid to get stronger...Keon to fight through things a bit more." — Jenna Cottrell (24:24)

• Attitude and Self-Reflection:
  The hosts want to see more public accountability and humility—a trait they praise in Josh Allen:

  "You always see Josh fall on the sword even when he doesn't need to...I want other guys to also say, 'I wasn't good enough.'" — Mike Catalana (23:05)

4. James Cook & The Running Back Room

• OTA Absence Explained:
  Cook is not at voluntary OTAs. Hosts are not overly concerned, citing April's timing and Cook’s limited negotiating leverage (25:13).

  "I just don't think you have much leverage in April...there's still free agents out there...there's trades to be made...a draft filled with running backs." — Jenna Cottrell (25:26)

• Possible Ramifications:
  The Bills may keep an eye on the draft and RB market for insurance, but they expect Cook to play this season (26:04).

5. Josh Allen: Year Eight and Leadership

• Health and Offseason:

  “It’s the best I’ve felt physically after a season. Really didn’t have any ailments. I didn’t take too many hits this last year as the least sacked quarterback in the league...the body felt good.” — Josh Allen (29:44)

• Work Ethic and Style:
  The team praises Allen’s consistent work ethic—not a perfectionist like Von Miller, but always in shape and dialed in (30:15).

• Character and Growth:
  Allen’s willingness to shoulder blame on and off the field is contrasted with the guardedness of younger players.

• Personal Life & Low Social Media Presence:
  Humorous exchange about Allen “not realizing” White was signed, which the hosts believe is a joke and also a sign Allen has intentionally distanced himself from social media (27:46–28:14).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tre White on wanting to be part of a championship:

  "Y’all win a Super Bowl without me? I’m getting an honorary ring...I feel like I played a part in it." — Tre White (05:11)

• Brandon Beane on transfers:

  “Sometimes there’s sour grapes on one side or another.” — Brandon Beane (11:29)

• Jenna on draft strategy:

  “65% he trades back, 35% he trades up.” — Jenna Cottrell (17:01)

• Mike on receiver pick explanations:

  “I love that line: 'We had a first-round grade on him.' They will all say that.” — Mike Catalana (19:56)

• On accountability:

  “You see Josh fall on the sword even when he doesn’t need to...I want other guys to also say, ‘I wasn’t good enough.’” — Mike Catalana (23:05)

Key Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:30 – Tre White’s excitement about returning to Buffalo
• 02:33 – Tre White describes his first day back
• 05:11 – White’s goals & honorary Super Bowl ring joke
• 10:14 – Brandon Beane on transfer portal challenges
• 15:52 – Beane & hosts discuss first-round grades and drafting priorities
• 17:01 – Trade-up/trade-back probabilities in the draft
• 18:22 – Wide receiver draft considerations
• 24:24 – Expectations for Coleman & Kincaid
• 25:13 – James Cook’s OTA absence
• 29:44 – Josh Allen on offseason health

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an optimistic look at Tre White’s second act in Buffalo, balanced with pragmatic analysis of the Bills’ draft approach and player development pipeline. Veteran leadership, culture, and accountability remain focal points as the team eyes another deep playoff run—and perhaps, finally, a Super Bowl.