YOU ASK, WE ANSWER: Buffalo Bills mounting INJURIES, ceiling for Joe Andreessen & backup QB

Summary

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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.

Transcript

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[Jenny Cottrell]

You make of Joe Andreessen?

[Mike Catalana]

I'm going to tell you right now, he's going to make the 53 man roster. They like what he does. They love his instincts. I think you throw that guy out there on the waiver wire at the end of camp before the season, somebody's going to pick him up. They don't want to lose him. He's going to make the team.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Start with this question from Robin so.

[Mike Catalana]

There'S still a damn good defense. I have zero problem with them bringing this guy in.

[Jenny Cottrell]

All right, welcome Back to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel presented by Connors and Ferris. Mike Catalana. I am Jenny Cottrell. Dan Fates with a well deserved day off. Please be sure to like comment, subscribe and share. And welcome to the second installment of YOU Ask When We Answer presented by Stellar Roofing, Windows and Siding. We appreciate everything that they're doing and we want to start with kind of the news of the day of what happened. We're also going to get into a little bit of questions about backup QB Joann Driessen. I know a lot of people want to talk about him, the Bills, what they've done, changing maybe too many things and what we've seen so far. So let's start though news of the day because we're recording this on Monday. A lot going on with the Bills.

[Mike Catalana]

Mike there is I just wanted to let everybody know that during my vacation week I worked on not interrupting. It's a Lot easier when there's just two of us. For some reason, when Dan is here or there's three of us, you just. We're all ready to jump. Well, we are. Dan and I are anyhow so rested, relaxed. It's nice that the Bills didn't score a touchdown while I was gone.

[Jenny Cottrell]

They're waiting for you.

[Mike Catalana]

I know. So we'll see if they do. All right, let's start with that. I think Sean McDermott said the ones will not play.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Correct.

[Mike Catalana]

He also said that Josh Allen was not going to play in this game. So I think the original plan probably would have been for Mitch Trubisky to be playing with the Ones. Get the Ones a little more time, keep Josh Allen out. And we know what happened last week where with the weather, he decided, hey, Josh isn't playing starters, only a few guys played and. And that's the way it worked out. They have so many injuries. It is now protect the guys who are healthy, try to get some of the other ones back. And there really are, Jenna, two positions that I think they're really the most concerned about. It's the wide receiver position and it's the safety position.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah, I mean Mike Catalana, Mike Catalina, know Sean McDermott, sorry, was saying today on Monday, just about in terms of the injuries and how many guys are Mitch Trubisky, Marquez Valdez scaling, Quentin Morris are week to week out, multiple weeks.

[Mike Catalana]

Also Demar Hamlin.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And Curtis Samuel.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Curtis Samuel popping up as well. Yeah, that was someone I was not really expecting to have a week to week injury. It really is something that is concerning. And you know what? The first you ask, we answer. I'm going to ask you, Mike, because it feels like there every year we talk about injuries and that is a huge piece of this game, unfortunately. Next man up, what depth did this team have? But does it feel like this year in particular we are seeing more or is it just recency bias?

[Mike Catalana]

No, I mean, look, you know, the way Mitch Trubisky got hurt, the way MVs got hurt, they took hits in a game that happens. I'm a little concerned about the soft tissue stuff that's happened. A lot of hamstrings, calf or Austin Johnson. Just thinking of other players, why they're out. That turf toe thing with Curtis Samuel, he's had it. You looked it up. He had it last season. Right. In 2023, which is always a worry. It's just, 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. Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards are both now going to do individual work and more walkthrough at practice for this week. They're not going to play on Saturday, so those two will both go into the regular season without having taken a snap in a bill's uniform. Not ideal for two new players, but at least they're trending on an uptick. I'm worried about the wide receiver position. The two most experienced guys they brought in are both week to week now. Curtis Samuel and mvs. And you can say what you want about MVS and where he is on this team. The guy's lined up and played in the NFL a lot and he does not look, you know, that's going to be tough for him to be ready for the start of the season.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah, definitely. I, I will say going back to your earlier point is encouraging Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, that at least feels to be moving in the right direction. But you could also talk about in terms of just this week looking ahead backup quarterback and what the Bills are going to do there because Mitch Trubisky dealing with that knee issue and they had Shane Buchel, their third string quarterback who ended up getting injured. They signed Ben Denucci and let's go. We'll go to our first question from Shabanri Chatterjee who had a question last week. So great questions. My concern is backup qb. What, what do you guys see and feel about it?

[Mike Catalana]

Well, there's two parts to that. One to what you're just saying. Ben Denucci has at least been in the NFL and has played in games if he needs to be for say week one. Now as we're recording this, we haven't heard anything yet. Shawn McDermott did say that, you know, Brandon Bean and his staff are working on it. They have to bring in a quarterback.

[Jenny Cottrell]

They have to.

[Mike Catalana]

By the time you guys hear this, they may have already signed somebody. They have a history of bringing in guys for that third preseason or in many years, fourth preseason game. You know, Matt Leiner, I think it was the other Sims brother. I mean they've brought in some guys at the end to play them. Yes, they come in but he ended up being on the team. They've had guys in.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Do you think they go back to the Matt Barkley?

[Mike Catalana]

Well, not a bad idea.

[Jenny Cottrell]

He knows the oddball.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I mean he does and he's comfortable with everything that they're doing and knows all the players there. So I don't know if they will but in this case, so that is for this week, Right. Where you're saying, okay, somebody's going to play in that preseason game, and you can't make Ben Denucci go out there and run. I guess you could. He could play the whole game, but you got to keep him healthy.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

As the backup, McDermott was asked about the injury part of it, and he's like, you know, some guys are closer than others in that week to week status. But I will say this. 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.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Anyhow, I. I feel the same way as you.

[Mike Catalana]

Right. Because what I'm going to say is, if Josh got knocked out for the season, I can say, God forbid that happens to this team. That's different. And that makes it tough. But your backup quarterback needs to play if you need him for a play. 10 plays a game. 3 games. 3 games, yeah. You know, if you say, you know, Josh did this, they're going to sit him for three games or a couple, you know, and see, you need a backup quarterback that can go out there and play and give you a chance to win. I've used it before. The idea of, can that quarterback play two games and win one of them for you?

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah. And that's. I agree with you. When people are like, oh, if Josh is out, it's over.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, if Mahomes is out, it's over.

[Jenny Cottrell]

You know, Sherlock, right. But you're right. In a pinch or in a spot, or if you need to, can you have the ability to rely on someone else other than Josh to just keep the team afloat? And we actually, we saw Matt Barkley do that a couple years ago. I'm thinking of that win they had at MetLife where he was able to do enough. And that's actually why on Saturday, I was like, all right, let's see what Mitch can do.

[Mike Catalana]

I know.

[Jenny Cottrell]

And it was not good. You know, holding on to the ball, it felt like so long. I mean, there were just opportunities. You saw some guys wide open. He was unable to make passes. Obviously, now with the injury, it makes things a little bit different. But do you think the Bills would go after a Ryan Tannehill, or do you think that would just be too much money? With where they're at.

[Mike Catalana]

I would say they have faith in Trubisky. I don't know where it's warranted. I don't love Trubisky. I didn't like bringing him back. They have faith in him. If he's healthy. I don't think they'll make a move like that. If they're worried about him not being healthy, then maybe they do. There are going to be quarterbacks out there that are available as it gets later. You do worry about early in the season like you have two games within 10, 11 days. Right, whatever. However you do the numbers the Sunday starting Sunday, coming back on Thursday. So I mean it's pretty easy. If a guy's not ready for week one, he's probably good chance he's not ready for game number two for them. I just, I don't see in Trubisky when you're going for a player with a level of experience that I think he runs this offense well enough to do. What I'm saying is you want your backup quarterback to do. But that being said, they have faith in him. He had him and you brought him back.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah, I mean they clearly do. But so that.

[Mike Catalana]

The only reason I'm bringing that up is you say, would they go and get a Tannehill? I think it would be based on injury. It's not like Tannehill was great, but he started a ton of games in his career, ton of experience and he's had success. So there will be players out there. I don't know what they're going to do. I'm not thrilled with what I see at backup quarterback. I'm waiting for this team to go back to the well, maybe it'd be next year and draft a young player and hope that he can be a cheaper alternative.

[Jenny Cottrell]

The Jake from.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I mean that was also a very weird.

[Mike Catalana]

It's also a little on the early side to be drafting a young quarterback too. Josh has now been around league long enough. Yes, you could do it. It seems more likely. So no, I'm not thrilled with what it is, but I'd take a healthy Trubisky as the backup right now.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Just to say if he needs to go out there for a little bit, maybe you can get by. But I, I didn't love it. I don't love it now.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Depending on the injury of how injured Trubisky is too, that is how they'll make their move. In my opinion. If it's something that's a long term, they're obviously going to need to bring in someone else. If it seems something short term, maybe they bring in a guy off the street that you know is a Ben Denucci type player.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Okay, so we have our next question from Max Herzog, 3287. Are you concerned about overall depth? We all know the Marv quote, but injuries are already stacking up.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, Marv's quote. Depth is a great thing until you have to use it.

[Jenny Cottrell]

It's a bar right there.

[Mike Catalana]

It is. They have had to use it. They are. Well, they have lost certainly quality depth or at least experienced depth. Perfect example would be demar Hamlin. Experience depth. But right now, he's your starter.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Now, when Demar, if it works out that, say, eventually, say, Mike Edwards is a starter, okay, he's been around the league longer. A guy like Demar is a good depth piece, but right now he's a starter behind him. It's tough. And they've lost those guys at wide receiver. It's guys who have not been in the system. So you don't. Now, I didn't think they had great depth at those positions last year. I mean, they did have Demar, but he wasn't. I think he's much better. He looks much better this year. But they, you know, if you think about it, you know, they're starting number one safety right now. Was their first backup a year ago because you had Poyer and Hyde.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Very good point.

[Mike Catalana]

You know, and. And everything gets tested. The offensive line, everything gets tested. Like you said, with quarterback being out. No, I think. I think that's an issue for them. It's what happens when you make the amount of changes that they did and you're hoping young players will be ready. But a perfect example of that is Cole Bishop. You expected him to be ready to be the backup safety, and he hasn't been on the field, so, yeah, it's really tested. He could be ready in a few weeks, but he hasn't played at all. So there's where your problem is.

[Jenny Cottrell]

They took. They rolled the dice, you know, kind of restarting and retooling their secondary and all those things, or you can even say their wide receiver.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

But the injuries just add another element of a challenging aspect to it, and I. I think the injuries obviously are stacking up. And I am also concerned about the depths because there's depth and then there's the depth behind the depth. You know what I'm talking about? 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 for this team because of all the injuries that we have seen. Now, look, it is still the summer. There is still time, all these things, but like you said, I mean, you reps are really important, too. So what this team does is going to be really something to watch because it's like they already had, you know, they already went into it with a lot of new faces, and now it's like one hand's tied behind their back in a bit.

[Mike Catalana]

So we're recording this on the 19th of August. We've talked about Micah Hyde before. If Micah Hyde was coming back, if this was this big, wait to come back or I'm going to wait and wait and then be ready, I think he'd already be in the building. It's August 19th. It's 20 days until the season starts. If his plan, if it was this, we know it. Micah's coming back. He's going to skip camp. He's going to come in and get himself ready. 20 days until the season. He'd be here. If it's more of Micah saying break glass in emergency, I'll come back in October, well, then it's. It's still August. But, but my point is, if it was just to skip camp and be here, I think he'd be here already.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I agree, but I think the plan or the, the thought was always October or November.

[Mike Catalana]

That's fine.

[Jenny Cottrell]

But you did make an interesting point about the jerseys, about how they haven't given.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, they haven't given out his number.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Well, I think that's. I think that's a. I mean, that's just something to note.

[Mike Catalana]

It is. It is because the other guy went to the Dolphins and Mike Edwards has his number. Sometimes they don't hand out some numbers. And you think, like, how do they feel about that player?

[Jenny Cottrell]

Well, like, it's weird seeing another 27 on the field. We're seeing another 21, but obviously there's no other 23.

[Mike Catalana]

Right. Because they only. Yes. There's a difference between we're going to retire this number and we're waiting to see if that dude shows up. I think that he might come walking in, but by the way, Micah, I know you watch. Come back now.

[Jenny Cottrell]

There's a place we always thought break glass in case of emergency would be the fall. And it's like, it is literally August. And it's like break glass, Micah.

[Mike Catalana]

It's going to be 58 on Tuesday morning. Feels like fall.

[Jenny Cottrell]

That would not encourage me considering he's in San Diego. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah, I would not. That's not a selling point, in my opinion. NTJ Hughes, his question or their question, Does Joe Andreessen have a realistic chance to make the team with Milano out, I think the Joe Andreessen, everyone thinks what a cool story. Like, what an unbelievable moment for this guy who is from Western New York. Went to ub. For him growing up, being a Bills fan, to know that he's getting the start on Thursday in the preseason against the Steelers.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, and he's going to start this week too, you know.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah, yeah. But the 12 tackles for flying all over the field, like it's a feel good story, A. But B, it's also a guy who is taking advantage of an opportunity that not really anyone expected him to be starting.

[Mike Catalana]

So we were at minicamp, rookie minicamp, first day, all those guys are there. Joe Andreessen's there. He's in that list of tryout guys. So he wasn't even. He was like, let me see what he can do. And a lot of the, the Buffalo people were like, hey, we know Joe, blah, blah, blah. We've been following him from ub. He's the local guy. And then he comes to the Bills and gets his invitation pretty quickly. They looked at him and said, you're. You're coming. Spent the off season. So this guy has been in the building and.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Which we have not.

[Mike Catalana]

We have not been. Well, we've been in the building, but not in the building.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

So he knows the defense. And McDermott said when they put him. He said today when they put him to focus on middle linebacker, it clicked for him. So they like him in that role. So he had a lot of snaps playing for Ter. Terell. Bernard.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Bernard, yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

This guy's not going anywhere. He's going to be on the 53.

[Jenny Cottrell]

You think he's making the 53?

[Mike Catalana]

I think he's making the 53. He put tape out there. Brian Baldinger, you guys probably follow him. Baldy does the breakdowns, loves tape. He reviewed the guy as an NFL player and Sean said he loves this line. He's a football player. We're not signing track guys. He said he's got instincts. We've talked about that. The linebacker position. Not saying he is playing in place of Terrell Bernard, but there's a spot on this team for backup linebacker. I think there is, yeah. And I don't think they could. Let me tell you, there are teams, teams don't prioritize linebacker. Give him big money, but they all seem to need a linebacker. He can play special teams. He can play if needed in that position. And if you talk about knowing the defense and having the instincts, when Sean is saying that. You watched him the other Night. He played like a guy who belong. I understand it's not top level players. We're not talking about him being a starting player. Talking about the difference between saying we can cut him and get him back. 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.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Interesting.

[Mike Catalana]

And I normally am not the guy that always says, yeah, everybody loves this guy. No, I, I think if, if he got cut, he gets picked up.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Do you think Saturday he starts? Yes, he starts, but let's. Okay. All right.

[Mike Catalana]

Were you gonna say playing less so he doesn't make it?

[Jenny Cottrell]

No, I'm saying, like, if he has like a, like he played out of his mind on Saturday. So if, if, if he continues at that level. Absolutely.

[Mike Catalana]

But I would say knowing the way McDermott is, I think part of him has already made up his mind.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Really?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I think he's impressed them.

[Jenny Cottrell]

They have Eddie Ulafocio. They have. Well, Nick Morrow's injured.

[Mike Catalana]

I believe now he's. He's going to be in that same status, I think, of getting to the walkthroughs and all.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

Nick Morrow's been around. He has guys like Nick Morrow, who's been a good NFL player.

[Jenny Cottrell]

You know the floor, but you also know the ceiling.

[Mike Catalana]

I think there's players like that out there.

[Jenny Cottrell]

That's fair.

[Mike Catalana]

I mean, this guy's young. Andreessen is young.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And he's, he's got something.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Well, Balen Specter is also who I.

[Mike Catalana]

Think has looked good.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I think so too. But that puts. It's just a. That position group has turned very.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, well, they got enough other injured guys. There's space for another linebacker.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I mean, Joe, the. Joe Andreessen. Watching him was obviously the highlight of Saturday. I mean, Greg Russo was outstanding, but seeing Andreessen was really cool. So I just, I guess to me, I felt like, what's his path to make the roster? But you make some good points about what you can see and the fact that you're right, baldy doing those breakdowns.

[Mike Catalana]

That it gets more attention for the guy. And I'm not saying other teams aren't looking, but all of a sudden it's somebody that I do think around the league breaks down tape. Well, I think people will notice some stuff. It puts him, like you said, puts him on other teams radar that they, you know, because he's the kind of guy that easily could have slipped through the cracks.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Oh, absolutely.

[Mike Catalana]

Because he was a unsigned undrafted guy that they brought in and if he didn't have that game the other day, you probably could have cut him and brought him back. But I do think it, it opened up some eyes.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah. All right, we're going to continue on. I just want to remind everyone you can find the Buffalo plus podcast. It's also an audio only podcast available wherever you find your stuff. Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, all that great stuff. As we continue, you ask, we answer. Presented by Stellar. All right. @ Sam the Sham 4684. Based on what we've seen in the past two preseason games, is the window closed wide open or slightly a jar also great use of a jar.

[Mike Catalana]

I know.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Wow. It's the Internet. That's. What are you doing?

[Mike Catalana]

Wow.

[Jenny Cottrell]

The window is open because of Josh Allen. He's only thrown three passes this preseason. Not great that they haven't scored a touchdown. But I think this team going into this season with the injuries, we, we said before talking about camp off camera, I don't know if we said it on camera like a 11 and 6, 10 and 7. Because the bill schedule is also very hard.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah. You know.

[Mike Catalana]

No, I mean, it is.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah. Well, I think there is just something to be said of having injuries, having to need the depth probably sooner than I think they were expecting.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

So I, I feel like the window is open. But even you hear the Bills talk about it. When we interviewed Brandon Bean, even Josh Allen on the Green Lights podcast with Chris Long, he said, you know, the goal is to win the division and then get into the mix.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

And I think that's spot on for what this team should be aiming towards.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, you also, when we talk about these injuries, Milano's is the long term one and the hope is that he could be back at the end of the year. The rest of these are just, just make the beginning of the season a mess. They can get these guys back. But in terms of Josh, credit to me because Dan's not here. I said I would play him in the first preseason game. I would play him in the scrimmage for the second game and I wouldn't play him in the third. Now mother nature and injuries have contributed. I'm going to be like Dan and block all that out and just say I was right about how to play Josh. Even Sean actually even said he was going to play the other night and I was going to play him. But regardless. Oh. Actually he kind of said he wasn't going to play in the third game. So I think Sean and I were on the same page. So we discussed it a little bit. In terms of that. I was thinking of Jordan Love and Josh. Jordan Love played maybe five plays through a beautiful deep ball for a touchdown, 65 yards. I know if you're a Packers fan, you're like, yes, my guy is ready. Jordan Love looked good. It was great. Just how that play matters in three weeks when they start the season in Brazil against the Eagles. Jordan Love is going to be good. He's really good. I don't think that one bit of success, as opposed to Josh not scoring a touchdown in his Woody throw. Five passes. He's throwing three. Three passes for Josh. Oh, yeah, that's right. You said three passes. I don't think it makes any difference. They get their work in at other times. You protect that quarterback is what most teams do. But I would say the window is. Oh, I still believe the window is open for this team. I mean, like you said, when they have the quarterback, we have to see how this team plays out.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Because it doesn't mean that. That means because I think the windows open, that they're going to win the super bowl this year. But I do believe because of Allen and because of the talent they have. You know, this team has Terrell Bernard and they have Ed Oliver and they have Taryn Johnson and Rasool. Rasool Douglas. You know, I mean, they have talented players. And I think, you know, offensively, I think they have a really good offensive line. I like the coaching staff. There's a lot of things to like about this team. So window is open. It's a jar. Right. Isn't a jar means slightly.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Slightly open?

[Mike Catalana]

Okay. But a jar would be a negative thing. Right. The door is a jar because you're supposed to close it. Right. Like in your car.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah. If your door is a jar.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I mean, I think that if we're talking about super bowl expectations from for this year, I would say it's closer to slightly a jar than it is wide open.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

But I think for this franchise with Josh Allen as their quarterback, it's wide open. What it is right now, general context of Josh Allen.

[Mike Catalana]

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 when you want to go.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Back and see if you want another snack.

[Mike Catalana]

It's annoying, though, because right now, right now that beep, beep, beep is annoying because it. What that is, is all the mess because you don't really know about these positions. And now the guys they brought in are banged up anyhow I mean, we mentioned four of them, but the world may look different in a few weeks. Okay, so let's see where they are in a couple of weeks. But it's 20 days till the season.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Starts, so that's crazy. It's 20 days away.

[Mike Catalana]

Yep. You're going to be busy. Well, we all.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Maybe I'll take a vacation.

[Mike Catalana]

Who would take a vacation in August?

[Jenny Cottrell]

Maybe. I don't know.

[Mike Catalana]

No.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Okay. All right, let's do this. Our final question at Ballin 97. Which rookie will have the biggest impact this season? Keon Coleman, Ray Davis, Daquan Hardy, or Joe Andreessen?

[Mike Catalana]

I'm going to let you go first because there's one I want to say.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Do you want to say Ray Davis?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah. Dan was at the joint practices in Pittsburgh on Thursday. He said that Davis was out wide catching passes, and he said he. Look, he wasn't as fluid as a wide receiver, but he just looked natural at it. He had that poise, and I think we saw some of that physicality. Like Ray Davis runs with some punch.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

So for him to have the ability to run the ball, also the ability to be a pass catcher, I think he's going to surprise some people. But I think big play impact, to me, it's more Keon Coleman just because, look, I haven't liked him. I mean, Josh is throwing three passes, but I wish Keon was a little bit more involved in the preseason when he's been on the field. But I do think looking at this season and my expectations, I feel like Keon will have more of those big play moments.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. I think it's harder for a wide receiver to have that weekly impact because it takes a lot. They can get the ball in Ray Davis's hands if they want. Easier than it is to say you're going to get it to the receiver. The one play over the middle. There's so much focus on that one play.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Trubisky threw the ball, the red zone.

[Mike Catalana]

It was a hospital ball.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I. I agree.

[Mike Catalana]

And look, would it be great if he caught it? Great. Would people be like, wow, what an effort by Coleman, and then he got popped.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And he's joining the guys who are injured. I don't think he made a business decision. I just. I don't know. He had to sense a little bit of what that was. But that. That seems to be getting a lot of play. I think Keon's going to be fine. I just think that it's. And by the way, I've liked what I've seen I. That I saw the other night. And even from what some of the things I heard from practice, James Cook has looked good.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

A little more jump to him. A little more. I mean he. These backs seem to complement each other. We always have been looking for that. I have a feeling they will.

[Jenny Cottrell]

We wanted it so bad with Devin Singletary. Zach Moss.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. He. It just didn't happen.

[Jenny Cottrell]

And no fumbles which I know is like, oh really? That's great. But considering what we saw before, it's nice to see some ball security.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And. And they need it. So we're going to get surprised. I think be Joanne treason. Who knows?

[Jenny Cottrell]

Wouldn't that be something?

[Mike Catalana]

I just. I. I'm going out there saying I don't even think it's going that far in a limb to say he's going to make the 53.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I just feel that would be really cool.

[Mike Catalana]

Now I will say another thing. We don't know what they think of him longer term. I just see when they see a guy like this they think, wow, look where he is now. He's. He's competent and has good instincts. We're not giving up on this guy to go losing him just to try to throw him out there on the. On the.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Waiver wire.

[Jenny Cottrell]

If the Bills were to cut him, another team would have to put them on their 53. So it's not like they can put them right on another team's practice squad.

[Mike Catalana]

But there's some teams out there that are going to take their chances on young talent.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I agree. I think that is the case. I guess I just. I don't know. That would be really cool.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I mean they have obviously Cam Lewis, jamarcus Ingram, other UB products on the team. But have a guy from. That's so cool.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Sorry, I just.

[Mike Catalana]

That's Daquan Hardy's interesting. You gotta be really good at the return game. He showed flashes of that too. Decision making. Sean talked about that today. Especially for young players in that spot. Like you gotta be smart about it. That's the one thing like they're gonna have to. Especially early in the year. They're gonna have to trust those guys. But he could have a way different kind of impact. Like three or four big time plays in the return game. Whereas the other guys would be more week to week. You would be thinking of a guy like Davis or certainly a guy like Keon.

[Jenny Cottrell]

No, it makes sense. All right. Anything else you want to add?

[Mike Catalana]

No, I. It's going to be just.

[Jenny Cottrell]

How you feeling? You know like, you're back rested.

[Mike Catalana]

Well rested. You know, two little grandbabies with us. They like to get up early. It was fun. It was fun. But I was definitely keeping my eye on things. I definitely got a chance to watch the games. So, you know, it's vacation, and sometimes that, to me, is relaxing a little bit.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Going on vacation.

[Mike Catalana]

No, I'm saying is while I'm there, I'm like, I want to know what's going on.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Oh, yeah, I get it.

[Mike Catalana]

And by the way, Dan, Dan. Dan held this down.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Held it down. And he did. He did a great job. Yeah, he really did. It looked hot on Thursday, and it was. It was bad weather.

[Mike Catalana]

Dan is a mag.

[Jenny Cottrell]

I cannot catch a break if we.

[Mike Catalana]

Just want to tell everybody. So we're recording this. Dan's playing in the AMEX Alumni Golf Tournament. I've got. I've gotten to play in that a bunch of years. And since I was coming back from vacation, I said, dan, you should play. It's like, great. By the way, Dan was a celebrity in his group. He was.

[Jenny Cottrell]

Can we tell? Can we tell?

[Mike Catalana]

Well, my story with that is I was in an amex golf tournament 30 years ago, and I go out to the. To the. We were going on different holes, and there's a group of guys there, and they meet me and they go, hey, how's it going? I said, good. Then I hear them talking and they say, I wonder who we're going to get as our celebrity. And I'm like, oh. So then I had to break it to them that I was their celebrity. And they were pretty. They were good sports. We ended up having a lot of fun. So Dan was going, oh, no, that's going to be me today. So we'll see what kind of. He's Buffalo plus now. I mean, big.

[Jenny Cottrell]

You're both celebrities.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

You're a Hall of Famer.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Well, that's. That's a lot of years after that time I was out there. So Dan's out there, but the reason I brought it up is it's a lot of fun. You're out there. Of course, today, poured.

[Jenny Cottrell]

It was raining sideways this afternoon. Poor Dan.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, that's okay. That's all right.

[Jenny Cottrell]

He had fun.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenny Cottrell]

All right, thank you for joining us. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We always appreciate it. Again this segment, you ask, we answer. Presented by Stellar Roofing Windows and Siding. We want to thank Greg Connors and Connors and Ferris as well for sponsoring the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. We'll catch you next time here. Love you guys. We'll start with this question from Robin.

[Mike Catalana]

So there's still a damn good defense. I have zero rock with them bringing this guy in.