Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: YOU ASK, WE ANSWER: Buffalo Bills mounting INJURIES, ceiling for Joe Andreessen & backup QB
Hosts: Mike Catalana & Jenna Cottrell
Date: August 19, 2024

Episode Overview

This lively Q&A episode of the Buffalo Plus Podcast centers around pressing Buffalo Bills topics heading into the 2024 season: the impact of multiple injuries at key positions, the emergence and ceiling of linebacker Joe Andreessen, the reliability of the backup quarterback situation, and the challenge of maintaining depth amid roster turnover. Drawing from over 40 years of collective Bills coverage, Mike and Jenna unpack the biggest audience questions from social media, injecting their trademark blend of expertise, insider perspective, and candid fan dialogue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buffalo Bills’ Mounting Injuries (Wide Receiver, Safety, and More)

• Injury Overview (03:34–05:45):
  Both hosts highlight growing concerns about the team's injury situation, especially at wide receiver (Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling) and safety (Demar Hamlin, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards).

  • “It is now protect the guys who are healthy, try to get some of the other ones back. And there really are... two positions that I think they're really the most concerned about. It's the wide receiver position and it's the safety position.” (Mike, 02:53)

• Nature of Injuries:

  • Several are contact injuries, but an uptick in soft tissue issues (hamstrings, calves) is troubling, with Curtis Samuel's turf toe being a notable concern since he dealt with it last season.

• Depth Challenge:

  • With new faces brought in for depth now themselves injured, the team’s plan to buffer these positions is being directly tested.

• Positive Updates:

  • Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards are progressing and will participate in practice walk-throughs but will enter the regular season without playing a preseason snap.

2. Backup Quarterback Situation & Backup Philosophy

• Mitch Trubisky’s Health (05:45–11:54):
  With Trubisky nursing a knee issue and third-string QB Shane Buechele also banged up, the Bills are forced to bring in Ben DiNucci for depth.

  • “Ben Denucci has at least been in the NFL and has played in games if he needs to be for say week one...” (Mike, 06:23)

• Backup QB Role Clarified:
  Mike rails against fatalistic backup talk, emphasizing the need for a backup who can deliver in spot duty—not season-long:

  • "If Josh got knocked out for the season, ... that makes it tough. But your backup quarterback needs to play if you need him for a play, 10 plays, a game, 3 games..." (Mike, 08:01)

• Other QB Options:
  The duo weigh the plausibility of signing an experienced but pricier option like Ryan Tannehill—ultimately deeming it unlikely unless Trubisky’s injury lingers. Barkley’s name surfaces as a system-fit fallback.

• Drafting a Young Backup:
  The hosts touch on organizational reluctance to draft/develop a young QB backup behind Allen, despite mounting evidence the role needs a pipeline solution.

3. Depth Questions & Roster Turnover Concerns

• Marv Levy’s Famous Quote:
  “Depth is a great thing until you have to use it.” (Mike, 12:05)

• Testing Depth Early (12:05–14:43):
  The hosts note the challenge of “depth behind the depth,” as projected backups like Demar Hamlin are pressed into starting roles, with their own replacements also hurt.

  • Jenna lays out the cascading issue: "Demar was supposed to be a guy that was the depth. And so for him to be injured, for Cole Bishop to be injured, for Mike Edwards to be injured, it's like, it's really hard..." (Jenny, 13:53)

• Impact of Turnover:
  Both acknowledge the depth strain’s roots in heavy offseason turnover, meaning even originally well-laid plans are vulnerable.

4. Micah Hyde’s Potential Return

• No News, Subtle Signs (14:43–16:33):
  The hosts express skepticism that a Micah Hyde late-summer return is pending.
  • "If Micah Hyde was coming back...he'd already be in the building. It's August 19th. It's 20 days until the season starts." (Mike, 14:43)
  • They note Hyde’s jersey number hasn’t been reassigned—just enough to fuel October “break glass” hopes.

5. The Joe Andreessen Story: Ceiling & Roster Odds

• Emergence of a Local Star (16:39–22:18):
  Andreessen’s journey from UDFA tryout to preseason standout is recapped, with both hosts bullish on his odds to make the 53-man roster.

  • "He’s going to make the 53 man roster. They like what he does. They love his instincts." (Mike, 01:04)
  • "When they put him to focus on middle linebacker, it clicked for him. So they like him in that role.” (Mike, 18:12)

• Special Teams Value:
  Mike especially stresses that Andreessen’s tackling instincts and special teams utility make him attractive not just to Buffalo but potentially to other teams if cut.

• Risk of Losing Him:
  "You put 12 tackles out there, you put good tape out there, you get a lot of attention. I think he gets picked up if he got cut." (Mike, 19:56)

• Roster Math:
  Contenders for backup linebacker—including Balen Spector and Nick Morrow—are discussed, with Andreessen’s youth and upside distinguishing him.

• Social/Local Angle:
  Jenna highlights the “feel-good” aspect of a UB/Buffalo-area product potentially making the team.

6. Team “Window” & 2024 Outlook

• Is the Window Open, Closed, or Ajar? (22:50–27:31):
  Both hosts agree: the Bills’ Super Bowl “window” remains open largely thanks to Josh Allen’s presence—but 2024 expectations are tempered by injuries and a tough schedule.

  • "The window is open because of Josh Allen." (Jenny, 22:54)
  • "I would say the window is open. But even you hear the Bills talk about it...the goal is to win the division and then get into the mix." (Jenny, 23:46)
  • On expectations: "If we’re talking about Super Bowl expectations for this year, I’d say it’s closer to slightly ajar than it is wide open." (Jenny, 26:36)

• Comparisons & Perspective:
  Mike compares preseason reps (or the lack thereof) for Allen to other starters around the league, noting preseason struggles are not indicative of regular season potential.

7. Rookie Impact: Who Will Shine in 2024?

• Fan Poll Results (27:42–32:12):
  The hosts debate which rookie—Keon Coleman, Ray Davis, Daquan Hardy, or Joe Andreessen—will have the most impact.

• Ray Davis as a Standout (Jenna & Mike, 28:00):
  Both praise Davis’s readiness and versatility; Mike notes it’s easier to work a running back into the offense than a wideout.

• Keon Coleman’s Big-Play Potential:
  Jenna predicts Coleman will have the splashiest moments, but volume may be limited by position and offense.

• Daquan Hardy as a Return Ace:
  The pair note Hardy’s impact could come primarily via special teams due to decision-making skills and dynamic returns.

• James Cook Praise:
  Mike mentions that James Cook is showing more explosiveness in camp and preseason.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On injuries and depth:
  “It’s all piling up. And at those two positions, the biggest positions of turnover for this roster and now with the injuries now you want something positive.” (Mike, 04:27)

• On backup QB fatalism:
  “Sometimes I hear people talk about the backup quarterback, and it frustrates me when they give this answer. Well, if Josh gets hurt, they’re done. … If Mahomes is out, it’s over. You know, Sherlock.” (Mike, 07:57, 08:45)

• On Joe Andreessen’s stock:
  “This guy’s not going anywhere. He’s going to be on the 53.” (Mike, 18:31)
  "When Sean is saying that ... He played like a guy who belongs." (Mike, 19:16)

• On season expectations:
  “The window is open because of Josh Allen. … If we’re talking about Super Bowl expectations for this year, I would say it’s closer to slightly a jar than it is wide open. But for this franchise ... it’s wide open.” (Jenna, 22:54, 26:36, 26:49)

• On Ray Davis’s rookie year ceiling:
  “I think he’s going to surprise some people. But I think big play impact, to me, it’s more Keon Coleman just because ... I feel like Keon will have more of those big play moments.” (Jenna, 28:26)

• On the team’s state:
  “What it is right now, it’s your refrigerator door. When you leave it open just a little bit and then it starts making that noise... right now that beep, beep, beep is annoying because ... you don’t really know about these positions.” (Mike, 26:57)

Important Timestamps

• 01:02 – Joe Andreessen early praise and roster odds
• 03:34 – The most concerning injuries: WR and Safety
• 06:23 – Backup quarterback discussion: DiNucci, Trubisky, options
• 08:01 – Backup QB philosophy and why spot-start value matters
• 12:05 – Levy quote; depth discussion starts
• 14:43 – Micah Hyde jersey and return speculation
• 16:39 – The case for Joe Andreessen; preseason emergence
• 18:31 – Andreessen’s roster path and risk of losing him
• 22:50 – Is the Bills’ window open, closed, or ajar?
• 27:42 – Rookie impact poll: Keon Coleman, Ray Davis, Daquan Hardy, Andreessen
• 29:56 – James Cook showing fresh “jump” in camp
• 32:12 – Daquan Hardy’s path to an impact

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The podcast balances experienced, fact-based analysis with a conversational, sometimes humorous tone. Jenna and Mike blend optimism (around individual growth and Allen’s elite talent) with realism (injury and depth worries threaten a slow start).
They remain receptive to fan perspectives, answering audience “You Ask, We Answer” questions directly, while offering context and behind-the-scenes insights from their years covering the Bills.

For fans:
This episode provides a comprehensive, no-nonsense snapshot of Bills camp realities, roster intrigue, and prudent expectation-setting, all grounded in lively, authentic conversation by local experts.