Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: "Two NEW Bills SUSPENDED, how much BLAME on BEANE and JOEY BOSA on being 'IMMORTALIZED' in BUFFALO"

Date: March 17, 2025
Hosts: Dan Fetes (A), Jenna Cottrell (C) (Mike Catalana was off this episode)

Overview

This episode dives into a wild week for the Buffalo Bills, focusing on the dual six-game PED suspensions of newly-signed defensive linemen Michael Hoyt and Larry Ogunjobi, how much blame deserves to fall on GM Brandon Beane, and explores Joey Bosa’s high-profile arrival and mindset. The Buffalo Plus team analyzes roster moves, GM accountability, depth signings, and what these developments mean for the upcoming season. They also highlight key comments from Beane, player pressers, and reflect on the evolving expectations for the franchise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Two Defensive Linemen Suspended: Inside the Fallout

• Situation:
  • Both Michael Hoyt and Larry Ogunjobi, notable new Buffalo Bills free agent signings, have been suspended for six games each due to PED violations.
• Immediate Reactions:
  • Jenna: Shocked by the ESPN push notification; emphasized the significance:

    "It was a surprise to me because these are guys that you brought in. ...for them to be out now for, you know, a decent amount of the season, the regular season. ...That’s not nothing." (02:21)

  • Dan: Called it “bizarre” and a “curve ball” for GM Beane, noting the press conference was supposed to be a “layup” but wasn’t. (03:37)
• Details from Brandon Beane (Bills GM):
  • Ogunjobi suspension surprise: Beane only learned after verbal agreement, but before signing; praised Ogunjobi’s character & honesty for coming forward preemptively.
  • Hoyt’s situation was known prior; Bills “took their medicine” and signed him to a three-year deal, aware of the suspension.
  • Both suspensions equate to losing key contributors for a third of the regular season – "not ideal" per Beane.

    "So, it’s not ideal to have two guys with that, but... both guys have never had any issues off the field. ...it’s a tough lesson of where do you get your supplements or whatever happened." (04:17)

• Nuances & Contracts:
  • Ogunjobi hadn’t signed; at that point, most alternatives in free agency were gone.
  • Hoyt: Responsible, called it "the lowest point of his life" (15:05), accepted blame for trusting a trainer’s supplements.

2. Assigning Blame: How Much is on Beane?

• Analytical Take:
  • Dan: More frustrated with the Hoyt signing ("you knew") than Ogunjobi ("blindsided").

    "You knew Hoyt, so you were fully aware when you were agreeing to terms... That’s where I give Beane a little bit of— it sucks the way it happened..." (15:53)

  • Jenna: Suggests the process should have caught Ogunjobi, questions why due diligence missed it there. (16:55)
  • Both agree: Free agency is like musical chairs—if a key piece falls through last-minute, options are limited.

3. Impact on Coaching and Roster

• Continuity and Camp Implications:
  • Dan: “I do feel bad for the coaching staff as well, because training camp, you’re trying to find continuity, you’re trying to find your systems, your schemes...and you’re going to try and integrate them and get them up to speed...while also knowing ... it’s six games that you’re then not going to have.” (12:47)
  • Jenna: Emphasizes challenge of integrating new players who then miss big chunks, disrupting chemistry and onboarding. (13:09)

4. Other Roster Moves and Depth Signings

a. Dane Jackson Returns

• Signing:
  • One-year “depth” contract for familiar backup CB Dane Jackson.
  • Jenna: Sensible, low-risk depth signing with system familiarity.

    “He can be your stopgap or whatever you need him to be if necessary...he is a great depth piece that knows what he’s doing.” (19:04)

  • Dan: "If you have Dane Jackson as your third or fourth corner, fine.” (20:01)

b. Kair Elam Traded

• Former 1st-round pick Kair Elam traded for late-round picks.
  • Both agree it was a bust but credit Beane for “cutting the cord.”
  • Dan: “That was Bean’s biggest draft bust. No question.” (24:02)
  • Jenna: Glad the team moved on and recouped some value; hard to see Elam’s struggles despite his effort.

c. Comparison to Other Depth Moves

• Demar Hamlin: Similar logic; inexpensive, flexible for depth but not “locked in” as a starter. (22:02)
• The importance of signing known commodities rather than gambling on unknown depth to fill roster holes.

5. Accountability: Brandon Beane on the Hot Seat?

• Pendulum Swinging from McDermott to Beane:
  • Previously, most fan blame landed on the coach for failings; now more scrutiny on Beane’s draft record, especially after first-round misses.
  • No actual “hot seat” for Beane or McDermott due to franchise stability, but extra pressure for the 2025 draft:

    “Pretty important draft for Brandon Beane. ...It’s his most important draft since the last one and the one before that.” (25:36)

  • Jenna: Concerns about underdelivering on high draft picks:

    “Bean has a lot of picks, he has a lot of capital...I have my concerns because it feels like in these last couple of first round, first couple picks, the Bills have not gotten the value that they have needed out of some of these guys.” (29:56)

6. Perspectives from Player Pressers

a. Demar Hamlin’s Candidness and Comeback

• Quote:

  "Last year I felt like I was, you know, getting the training wheels off, you know, of myself in a way, just coming back from, like, you know, literally dying on the field to, you know, playing again in a significant role..." (33:31)

• Analysis:
  • Both hosts respect his resilience and mindset, but note he must continue developing as a player to earn roster time.

b. Joey Bosa Arrives: Chasing Immortality in Buffalo

• Press Conference “Vibes”:

  • Dan: “Loved it.” (37:23)

  • Jenna: Appreciates marquee free agents now actively wanting to play in Buffalo.

  • Bosa’s Motivation:

    “I’m getting old and I want to win...I want them [remaining moments] to be here." (38:45)

  • Josh Allen’s Text to Bosa:

    "If we do what we set out to do, we will be immortalized in this town." (40:17)

  • Noted for candor, self-awareness (“Felt like a rookie, now I'm 9 years in”), and a humorous Game of Thrones anecdote:

    “His daughter was annoying as hell.” (42:19)

• On the Field Expectation:

  • Unlikely to play 50+ snaps a game, but brings “finisher” ability and closing speed on third down, referencing his prior success and injury recovery.

7. Odds & Ends

• Analogy Parade:
  • Jenna compares the draft to picking out watermelons ("time and time again where I'm like, this is it. And then I open it up and it's...melee.") (32:31, 33:06)
  • Multiple musical chairs, bunting, and small-ball references for NFL roster construction.
• Jersey Numbers:
  • Terrel Bernard changing jersey number to #8, which feels “weird” for a linebacker (44:03).
• Fan Shoutouts and Behind-the-scenes:
  • Closing with recognition for fan engagement and a funny aside about being recognized in public.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Speaker Attribution)

• Jenna on Suspensions:
  "You knew you needed a pass rush, you knew you needed impactful players. And now two guys that you brought in will not be on the field. And that's not— that's not nothing." (02:21 - C)
• Beane on Ogunjobi/Hoyt:
  “We did not know it when we agreed the other night, so had a conversation. ...He was very forthright. Larry’s a— he was Pittsburgh's man of the year.” (04:17 - B, via Dan’s recap)
• Dan on Blame:
  “You knew Hoyt, so you were fully aware when you were agreeing to terms...That’s where I give Bean a little bit of— it sucks the way it happened.” (15:53 - A)
• Jenna on Dane Jackson:
  “He can be your stopgap or whatever you need him to be if that is necessary...he is a great depth piece that knows what he's doing in terms of what this team wants.” (19:04 - C)
• Demar Hamlin on Comeback:
  “...just coming back from, like, you know, literally dying on the field to, you know, playing again in a significant role, a starting role, playing a full season again for the first time.” (33:31 - D)
• Dan on Kair Elam:
  “That was Bean’s biggest draft bust. No question.” (24:02 - A)
• Josh Allen (via Bosa):
  “If we do what we set out to do, we will be immortalized in this town.” (Narrated by Dan at 40:17 - A quoting Allen)
• Jenna's Draft Analogy:
  “Draft picks are like watermelons. You can see...does this one have the webbing? ...Then I open it up and it's melee.” (32:31 - C)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Suspensions, Beane explanation – 02:21 – 09:44
• Assigning blame to Beane/Hoyt vs. Ogunjobi – 13:54 – 18:04
• Dane Jackson signing discussion – 18:09 – 22:01
• Kair Elam trade and GM accountability – 22:02 – 29:50
• Demar Hamlin interview/analysis – 33:06 – 36:35
• Joey Bosa press conference and legacy talk – 37:20 – 41:55
• Game of Thrones anecdote – 42:09 – 43:22
• Jersey change, analogies, wrap-up – 44:03 – end

Tone & Style

• Friendly, knowledgeable, humorous; leaning on food and sports analogies.
• Emphasizes both behind-the-scenes and on-field insights.
• Candid with praise and criticism, but always balanced and fair.
• Inclusive of listener opinions and encourages fan engagement.

Takeaways

• The Bills are facing adversity early in free agency, but context and timing limited alternatives.
• More scrutiny now falls on Brandon Beane for early-round misses; 2025 seen as another ‘pivotal’ draft.
• Depth signings like Jackson and Hamlin are logical but unflashy; they're essential for roster stability.
• Joey Bosa's arrival and attitude signal Buffalo’s new reputation as a destination for top free agents.
• Culture and candidness continue to define the Bills’ locker room and front office philosophy.