You ASK, We ANSWER: Josh ALLEN, Keon Coleman EXPECTATIONS and are the BILLS really in ‘TRANSITION’

Summary

---

Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary (August 14, 2024)

Episode: “You ASK, We ANSWER: Josh ALLEN, Keon Coleman EXPECTATIONS and are the BILLS really in ‘TRANSITION’”

Main Theme & Purpose

Buffalo Plus kicks off a new interactive segment, “You Ask, We Answer,” with hosts Jenna Cottrell and Dan Fetes fielding Buffalo Bills fan questions from their YouTube audience. The episode dives into preseason hot topics: rookie receiver Keon Coleman’s expectations, roster outlooks at wide receiver, center and pass rusher, Matt Milano and Von Miller’s status, the changing identity of the Bills, and whether Buffalo is in a “rebuild,” “transition,” or simply being overlooked.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Keon Coleman Hype and Expectations

Timestamps: [03:53] – [08:19]

• Fan Question: Will Keon Coleman be a focal point and live up to the hype?
• Dan: Keon has “exceeded my expectations so far,” citing both big plays and ability to prevent turnovers in preseason action. [03:53]
  • “Either Keon’s gonna catch it, or, like he showed in the Bears game, he can play defensive back and not let a ball get picked off.” [04:10]
• Jenna: Emphasizes Keon’s physical gifts, high-pointing ability, and likens his infectious personality to past rookies Dalton Kincaid and even Josh Allen. [04:44]
  • Cautions against expecting a No.1 role in Year 1: “I always want to walk back what I expect out of him … because I think it’s better to be reasonable about the step he’s going to have to take to be productive in the league.” [05:30]
• Both hosts agree his rookie season will probably see him as a strong “second option” and major red zone target, not yet a #1.

2. Roster Depth: Wide Receivers, Waiver Wire, and Trades

Timestamps: [08:21] – [13:12]

• Fan Question: Will the Bills add more players via waivers or trades?
• Jenna: Discusses Chase Claypool being placed on IR and new WR signings (Demir Byrd, Deon Kane).
• Dan: “It’s very fluid … you’re gonna see some things happen in preseason games, guys are gonna get injured, and then that’s going to equal movement one way or another.” [10:15]
• Von Miller/Matt Milano Updates:
  • Von’s preseason absences are consistent with his career, per McDermott: “Coach’s dream. I’ll play wherever he wants me to play.” [16:24]
  • Matt Milano being eased in post-injury, no major concerns, but any minor injury will mean kid gloves.

Center Position: Connor McGovern

Timestamps: [13:13] – [15:42]

• Fan Concern: Is center a worry?
  • Dan (half-joking): “Which butt cheek he lines up under … is something that can be worked on.” [13:23]
  • Both hosts trust that McGovern and Allen’s chemistry plus mechanics are improving, and it’s “not worth panicking.” Jenna cites McGovern’s own analogy: “It’s like riding a bike, guys. And I hadn’t ridden a bike in a while.” [13:50]

3. Receiver Room & Return Game Depth

Timestamps: [18:20] – [21:36]

• Fan Question: Who fills out the WR corps, and how do they handle the return game?
  • Dan expects 6 WRs, not 5 as last year, with Samuel, Shakir, Hollins, Coleman, Shavers, and likely MVS (Marquez Valdes-Scantling).
  • The returner spot is still open: newcomers (Demir Byrd, Deon Kane) brought in for competition, and RB Ty Johnson is back to health and could reprise return duties.
• Jenna: “They love Ty Johnson. What Ty Johnson adds could be something the Bills have felt has been missing as well.” [20:13]
• Dan: “Don’t look at Ty Johnson’s entire season ... look at what he did with Joe Brady [as OC]—that was where he really flashed.” [20:28]

4. Running Back Hierarchy

Timestamps: [20:28] – [21:33]

• James Cook is the clear RB1, but backup touches may split between Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Hosts acknowledge social media demand for Ray Davis as RB1, but see Cook as locked in for now.

5. The Big Picture: Rebuild, Transition, or Underrated?

Timestamps: [22:18] – [30:40]

• Fan Question: Is this a “rebuilding” year for the Bills?
• Jenna: Sees the team as “rebuilding” or at least in “transition.” Loss of top-end talent (Diggs, youth movement) lowers outside expectations and could free up the team mentally.
• Dan (contrarian):
  • Strongly pushes back: “I don’t agree with the rebuilding. No, I don’t think this is rebuilding. I’m not even sure this is transition.”
  • His rationale: as long as Buffalo has Allen and a “damn good defense,” they’ll be contenders; not a full teardown like the Bears.
  • Notable exchange (paraphrased):
    • Jenna: “You don’t think this is transition?” [24:08]
    • Dan: “You still have Josh. This wasn’t a team that you tore down to the studs.” [24:10]
    • Jenna: “What about WRs? No Diggs, no true #1.” [25:47]
    • Dan: “That doesn’t mean you feel like hitting the reset button.” [26:08]
  • On “rebuilding”: “When I think of rebuild, I think winning doesn’t necessarily matter, … trying to get the young guys their experience.”
• Both agree the defense could be improved over last year, with secondary changes (Douglas, Benford, Elam) potentially upgrades; safety play under McDermott likely to remain solid.
• Jenna summarizing: “I’m not saying you can’t be really good and also be rebuilding. They’re not mutually exclusive.” [27:49]
• Dan: “Transition’s probably more accurate … but I’d hold them a little bit higher than transition—because Josh Allen and a lot of the defense is back.” [30:19]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan, on Coleman: “Keon has exceeded my expectations so far … either Keon’s gonna catch it, or, like he showed in the Bears game, he can play defensive back and not let a ball get picked off.” [04:10]
• Jenna, on rookie WR expectations: “I always want to walk back what I expect out of him … because I think it’s better to be reasonable about the step he’s going to have to take to be productive in the league.” [05:30]
• Dan, on center snaps: “Which butt cheek he lines up under … is something that can be worked on.” [13:23]
• Jenna, about change: “This team does not have the same expectations that have been on the franchise … in the last couple seasons, and I think that’s almost freeing for this group.” [22:46]
• Dan, on transition: “This wasn't a team that you tore down to the studs because you needed to … I think they wanted to get younger because they needed to.” [24:10]
• On the defense: “I would argue … this defense should be better than it was last year.” —Dan [25:17]
• Playful banter:
  • Jenna: “I feel like we’re arguing the same point.”
  • Dan: “I don’t think so. I think I’m right and you’re wrong.” [28:57]

---

Highlighted Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Topic/Quote | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:53 | Keon Coleman’s impact and rookie expectations | | 08:21 | Roster moves & free agent strategies | | 13:13 | Center position worries – “Which butt cheek he lines up under…” | | 16:12 | Milano/Von Miller preseason sit-outs; approach to veteran health | | 18:20 | WR depth chart & special teams return role uncertainty | | 20:28 | Ty Johnson’s return & RB room analysis | | 22:18 | Rebuild vs. transition debate; “this is almost freeing” | | 24:08 | Are the Bills truly tearing it down or just reloading? | | 27:49 | “You can be rebuilding and also be really good” | | 30:19 | “Transition is probably more accurate…” sentiment |

---

Overall Tone & Style

• Conversational, witty, peppered with inside jokes (“which butt cheek?”)…
• Hosts are self-deprecating (“I think I’m right and you’re wrong”; “we actually like each other”) and responsive to fan banter, referencing listener comments and recurring bits (e.g., “here’s a guy”).
• Analysis is measured, not hot-takey, mixing reporter access with fan-level empathy and humor.

---

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a must-listen if you want:

• Context for the Bills’ current state—balancing optimism with realism
• Honest rookie projections for Keon Coleman and level-headed perspectives on new position battles
• Insight into the fluid roster-building process throughout August
• A lively, chemistry-filled back-and-forth on "rebuild vs. transition"
• Breakdowns of how the departure of Stefon Diggs and other veterans will, and won’t, change the 2024 Bills
• A preview of the next interactive “You Ask, We Answer” segments

---

Next Steps:

• Podcast will continue this Q&A format every Tuesday; fans are encouraged to comment questions for future episodes.

Transcript

[Dan]

In the time it takes you to actually board that flight from Group 8.

[Jenna]

Now boarding Premier Altitude Elite club members.

[Dan]

You could have bought a Hyundai on Amazon. Yes, that Amazon, where you buy everything else.

[Jenna]

Mid tier Altitude Elite. Feel free to board now.

[Dan]

So while you're waiting for them to make up new boarding groups, you can order your dream car and the dealer will have it ready in no time.

[Jenna]

Now boarding groups one through seven.

[Dan]

So close. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details. Limited availability pickup through participating Hyundai dealer in select markets. You're putting more pressure on Josh Allen.

[Jenna]

Who?

[Dan]

It comes with the territory of being worth a quarter of a billion dollars.

[Jenna]

Why are you putting more pressure on Josh Allen?

[Dan]

Because there's no digs. There's no true number one. But that doesn't mean.

[Jenna]

So wouldn't you say that's rebuilding?

[Dan]

Rebuilding is gutting everything back to the studs.

[Jenna]

We'll start with this question from Robin.

[Dan]

So there is still a damn good defense. I have zero problems with them bringing this guy in.

[Jenna]

All right. Welcome back to the Buffalo Plus Channel, presented by Connors and Ferris. Mike Catalana is still on vacation. I'm Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. And yes, you might notice this.

[Dan]

This is new.

[Jenna]

Our new segment alert. You ask, we answer. Presented by Stellar Stellar Roofing Windows Siding. Appreciate that. Very exciting stuff. So we're going to be doing this every week during the regular season. I put a post on the Plus YouTube channel for you all to send in your questions. We got almost 50 questions this week, which is unbelievable.

[Dan]

Yeah, lots of people.

[Jenna]

We always appreciate it. It's still surreal. So thank you to everyone.

[Dan]

So this is a work in progress. We're going to kind of workshop this as we go along. Questions as they come in. Obviously the comments sometimes that people leave on our videos that we normally do, maybe some of those will get included. But again, if we make a post, be sure to comment in. That's kind of what our main place is, where we're gonna find.

[Jenna]

Yes.

[Dan]

The questions that you ask, we answer. And it could be. Yeah, it could be rotating. So it could be one week, all three of us. It could one week be just two of us. One week. It could be one of us, depending on schedules and times. But we're gonna try and do this. The plan is every Tuesday.

[Jenna]

Yes.

[Dan]

Thanks to Stellar Roofing Windows inside.

[Jenna]

Yeah. So we appreciate that. We're looking forward to it. And I also want to say I think I'm just saying this off the cuff and you're gonna have to agree with it. I want to do a comment too of we have the comment of the week, but then I there's a good one. There's been there were actually a couple good ones on our post, but there's one that I picked out that I want to shout out as well.

[Dan]

When I was walking onto the field during one of the preseason games, it didn't hit me until I walked past the tunnel, but I think a lot of people are yelling something about a jugs machine, so and my tooth still hurts from that.

[Jenna]

There was a question asking how you were doing.

[Dan]

Been better.

[Jenna]

Yeah. Well, now you're back too.

[Dan]

Now in the midst of a move, I'm never moving again. I'm dying in this house that I just we just moved into.

[Jenna]

I mean, moving is. I can't anyways. Yeah.

[Dan]

Cruel, unusual punishment that anybody does it.

[Jenna]

Yeah. No.

[Dan]

All right.

[Jenna]

It's not great.

[Dan]

Like Comment Subscribe Remember to comment Share.

[Jenna]

Okay, just to give everyone kind of a briefing on what we're going to talk about. So Keon Coleman, Bill's wide receivers, we're also going to talk about center and then if the Bills, any players, they're thinking about waiver wire wise, free free agency, a trade or something like that. And then we're going to talk a little bit of Matt Milano and Von Miller as well. So just to give people kind of a a rundown of what to expect, let's start with this first question from DJ Opala. 10:27 Will Keon Coleman live up to the hype and will he be a focal point of this offense? I think that's a good, that's a solid question.

[Dan]

I think we've also talked about it, too, of tempering expectations and we talked about that at the end of training camp because I think, and honestly I think he has exceeded my expectations so far of what we have seen. And even Josh talked today after Tuesday's practice about his ability to go up and get the ball and how, how confident he is that he can just throw it, he says, anywhere in his vicinity and has the faith that he can come down with it, which is a great thing for a quarterback to have. And also it's the fact of either Keon's gonna catch it or, like he showed in the Bears game, he can play defensive back and not let a ball get picked off. So he goes he's kind of doing both sides of what they saw for the first preseason game. So will he be the number One option? I don't think so, Jenna, but he's a really good second option. As we head into the season, I.

[Jenna]

Find myself doing the same thing of having to say, hey, Keon Coleman has looked as advertised. He has been someone that is. And Josh Allen talked about on Tuesday his ability to high point the ball, just what he can add and the separation that he can bring vertically speaking. And I also try to take a step back and say, okay, he is going, he is a rookie, this is his first year and there's obviously an adjustment period that comes with it. Matt Collins, Josh Allen were on the Green Lights podcast with Chris Long. Phenomenal interview. I would check out both of them, but they do, they talked about. And I thought this was really interesting from Josh when he said, you know, Keon Coleman kind of reminds me of Dalton Kincade coming into the league and Dalton Cade kind of reminded me of myself, of just someone that I think has the love of football, that joking personality, but also has a ton of, of talent and potential and is trying to figure out their way and making it so. I really love what I've seen from Keon. I think he will be a focal point in the sense of this is why you drafted this guy is because of his red zone in particular. And I think in terms of that, it makes total sense that he will be a guy that is targeted quite frequently in the red zone because of what he can do. But I always want to walk back what I expect out of him. Not because he's not capable of that, but because I think it's better to.

[Dan]

Dangerous game.

[Jenna]

Yeah, it can be. And I, I think we, especially for this team this year with the wide receivers have done so much projecting of what we want guys and expect guys to be that I'm, I'm trying to be. Reasonable is not the right word, but I just think levelheaded about the step he's going to have to take to be productive in the league and the fact that it is a jump up in competition.

[Dan]

And I also remember when we sat down with Brandon Bean on Mike's patio, who's still on vacation, loving life with his family. The fact is that how do you sometimes you draft players depending on age, life, all those things. And some of it is you take a guy, what he did in college and you ask him to do the exact same thing that you just fit seamlessly in from system to system. And I saw Dalton Kincaid, they asked him to do the exact same things he did at Utah. Like it was, hey, whatever you did before we're just going to have you keep doing it again. I think there's a little bit more adjusting, growth, teaching. That has to be with Keon, who. Who goes from a run down the field will throw you the ball at Florida State to much more of a structured offense here. So, like, that's where I'm not going to sit there and say, like, number one guy, he's going to lead the team in targets and receptions. I do have some tempered expectations in that sense, but I do see where Josh is saying of, like, the freak talents. There's.

[Jenna]

Yeah. And I think when you watch his. His video from the draft, you see the football iq, too.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Jenna]

And now it's just about putting a pro, you know, mindset around that with.

[Dan]

More on his plate going up against grown men.

[Jenna]

Yeah. And so I'm very excited about the prospect of what Keon can be. And I also want to be reasonable about what I.

[Dan]

Who needs to be reasonable?

[Jenna]

No, I just think. I think that, look, if he's that guy, like, he. Absolutely.

[Dan]

Here's a guy.

[Jenna]

Here's a guy. If he establishes himself as that deep threat potential and all these things, then, yeah, like, the Bills will get him the ball. But I think right now to think of him as the focal point of the offense, it's a little too soon to do that. But I. I do expect in the future that will be the case. Whether it's this year, I don't know.

[Dan]

Can I do the next question?

[Jenna]

Yeah, of course.

[Dan]

Tom Dinder, who said you have yet to have one of my questions on your show, but I will still try. Persistence pays off. Tom, I appreciate your resiliency of continuing to comment. We appreciate it. He asked do the builds. Add any players from the waiver wire trade or free agency prior to the regular season. Still enjoy your content.

[Jenna]

That's very sweet.

[Dan]

So what do you think, Jenna? We'll start with you first. This one.

[Jenna]

Well, I do think it's important to notice or recognize some of the things that happened today from the Bills. I'm just going to Adam Sheer's tweets as the Bills put Chase Claypool on ir and so that adds kind of a wrinkle to what to expect.

[Dan]

Shane Buchel.

[Jenna]

Yes, Shane Buchel. Also someone that you know.

[Dan]

Ben Denucci's in.

[Jenna]

Ben Denucci just got to Buffalo on Tuesday. Yeah, he's going to be playing a lot on Saturday.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Jenna]

Trying to see where the tweet is.

[Dan]

From the Bills and the wide receivers. So they've added two wide receivers, Bird and Dion.

[Jenna]

Kane.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Jenna]

To one year deals as Shane Buchel and Chase Claypool have been added to the ir. Now, I think it is important because I saw some tweets out there saying, okay, so that means that Chase Claypool will not play for the Bills or all this stuff. Sal Capaccio, another Bills beat reporter, had a very good clarification talking about by being placed on IR now, Claypool is ineligible to return and play for the Bills as a designated to return. However, the team can work out an injury settlement within the next seven days. If that happens, he will be released with that settlement and eventually would be able to resign with the Bills for whatever amount of weeks that settlement is. So that Sal did a great job kind of explaining the minutia of. So yes, the way it is right now, Claypool will not be back with the Bills this season, but if they were to work out a deal, he could possibly be brought back on something else.

[Dan]

So as the question from Tom kind of states like, I think they're still very fluid because you're also going to have the injuries. We've seen injuries across the NFL. It's no surprise in the preseason. Guys are going down, there's going to be more movement, you know, ramped up.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Because of, you're going to see some things happen in preseason games. Guys are going to get injured and then that's going to equal movement one way or another. Just because they left Fisher doesn't mean training camp's over. Sean McDermott made that very clear on Monday. Like they are still in training camp. So they're still going to be bringing in bodies. They're still going to be bringing in and continuing to keep their eye out for if they say, hey, we're still not happy with our returners. Yeah, Bird could be gone tomorrow and they could bring in another guy. So all of that, I, I think to Tom's point, I think there still will be continued movement as we approach the season.

[Jenna]

I think there's always going to be that where they're at in the, in the year. Like you talked about being at training camp. In terms of a trade though, I really don't feel at this point why your face is this like I'm gonna.

[Dan]

Well, there is, there is a pass rusher out there.

[Jenna]

Yes. Yeah. But the Jets, I would be shocked. The Hassan Reddick drama in New York with the jets is they just, I mean they just traded for him four and a half months ago with the.

[Dan]

Agreement that they would reach a long term deal. They apparently have not. He hasn't been at camp and now he wants out.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

It'd be tough to trade in the division. I'm not going to be stupid. I've been stupid before. But just the fact of. I've seen crazier things happen. And again, where the Bills. There could be a time when the Bills sense, hey, Vaughn is where we need him to be. Kingsley Jonathan may not be where we need him to be. Solomon may be a piece away. There is an elite pass rusher that is on the free agent market.

[Jenna]

Okay.

[Dan]

That's all. That's all I'm saying.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Question.

[Jenna]

Interesting windhorse voice.

[Dan]

Just saying.

[Jenna]

Okay. Yeah. And if it was a free agency stuff, what position do you think it would be at?

[Dan]

I think pass rusher. I think they still need some depth. Yeah.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

And you're going to see guys that'll get cut that. That are surprise cuts.

[Jenna]

Always happens.

[Dan]

Like I said. So the Bills will trim down to their 53, then there'll be a 24 hour period where they're going to want to make more moves. So even if you initially make the 53 man roster and you start. You start going like, oh, I made it like, but that guy's better than you. And he just became available and the Bills didn't think that. So constant fluid motion for about 48 hours, even after the deadline. The deadline.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

To cut down.

[Jenna]

I can't imagine how nerve wracking that would be for a guy on the bubble.

[Dan]

Not great.

[Jenna]

You're just constantly waiting it out. All right, Tom, thank you for your question. We appreciate that. MattCap8276 asking, should we be concerned about. About our center?

[Dan]

No.

[Jenna]

Oh, you, you've. You've walked it back.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Jenna]

I think that this is what he does, folks.

[Dan]

I'm allowed to change opinions. I think that they can work it out. I know you're right. I think that which butt cheek he lines up under, I think that is something that can be worked on. I think it's more mechanical than it is something that's not able to be fixed. McGovern for he has played the position before. They love his. The way that he's been communicating all of those things. I don't think that this is a move you make and then you pull the rip cord out.

[Jenna]

I completely.

[Dan]

Before even getting to week one, I.

[Jenna]

Thought what he said. Connor McGovern said at the last day at Fisher, that to me was something when he was like, yeah, it's like riding a bike, guys. And I hadn't ridden a bike in a while. And like, it's not going to be perfect, but you're gonna get back into it. I was like, yeah, that. That makes sense.

[Dan]

That's way too logical for, like, our dumb brains where it's like, it's like, screwed. Yeah. It's like you're supposed to. You're supposed to like, panic. Like, we're all panick. And he's like, yeah, like. And it's also the progression. It's taking snaps against air. It's taking snaps against somebody not in pads. It's then taking snaps and live reps. Then it's in a game. All of those things are they. The ramping up period. That's all part of this. I think they've gotten it worked out. The. The snaps did improve throughout training camp. There was no question about that.

[Jenna]

And that's what I expected to see because I thought it would be.

[Dan]

You didn't expect just chaos. Crash and burn, Dumpster fire?

[Jenna]

No.

[Dan]

Shocking.

[Jenna]

Obviously they were very confident. And I think the relationship that Connor McGovern and Josh Allen have plays into it. The fact that he, Conor McGovern, like, heard Mitch Morris and how he held the job last year, how he would call out protections, how he would kind of talk to everyone, I think that's important too, because it's like he already kind of knew what was going. He knew what was going on. And then now it's just him taking over that voice and that.

[Dan]

That job just had to figure out the right butt cheek.

[Jenna]

I love Josh's answer to that because I think a lot of fans, you don't really think about it of like, you get used to someone and like, what when Mitch. Mitch Morris was going to miss, how he would miss and how it would be different with someone else.

[Dan]

So we've seen it happen elsewhere too. It. Justin Fields had two fumbles on quarter on center exchanges from under center, too. So, like, this is not. Oh, my gosh. Josh and. And Connor, the only ones that can't get it together. It's. It's a new mechanism mechanically that they need to work on.

[Jenna]

Yeah. And I. With time, don't panic. Have. Oh, see, you're walking it back. And then you're the one saying, don't panic. Okay. Don't panic. Going off that. Jessica Alba, 8335. Huge fan. I don't know about you, Dan, but big fan. Considering how b bad Vaughn was last year and Milano's injury, why didn't they play against the Bears?

[Dan]

Do you want to know the answer? I don't know. We're not in the building. That, that, that's part of it. I, I think this is just again, easy. Them long Von has never played in the preseason. You kind of go back to it. And Sean was even saying that too.

[Jenna]

Like coach's dream. Yeah, that's a direct quote. That's not me saying that.

[Dan]

Coach's dream. I'll play whatever he wants me to play. Anything like that. So again, I think that.

[Jenna]

And he knew he wasn't playing.

[Dan]

And then I saw him run out in sunglasses and sneakers and I was like, that dude ain't playing. I, I think that when you sign Von Miller, you know that he's been league for 13 years. He constantly reminds us the fact of you're probably not gonna play in the preseason. Von's gonna do his ramping up period the way that he wants to do. Whereas Milano, I think that's more of them just easing him along. I think he'll practice well. He did get nicked up to some respects in Tuesday's practice. Don't know the full extent of that. Doesn't appear to be anything serious. But I think he'll do live reps in Pittsburgh or at least that's the plan and then see how he does in the game.

[Jenna]

I think Saturday against the Bears was another part of the progression.

[Dan]

Yep.

[Jenna]

Of okay, we're going to have you go through warm ups like you're preparing to play and then hold you out. And then like you said this week, it's all right. We're going to have you do live reps against the Steelers. Do you think he would play on Saturday?

[Dan]

I think they'd like to get him in for, for a series a little bit. Yeah. If possible. We got to see what happened on Tuesday.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

I mean, whenever you're watching this, some sort of left arm discomfort was working out with trainers after practice or during practice. Never left practice, never took his pads off, stayed with the team until the end of practice. All of those are positive signs for us that have covered the league for seven plus years. If a guy's hurt, very hurt, usually they leave practice right away.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

To hang around and sit on the sidelines usually is a good sign. Is a encouraging sign.

[Jenna]

I just don't love.

[Dan]

Well, it's Milano.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

So it's a guy that's had an injury history and bubble wrapping. Yeah.

[Jenna]

I don't love that. Okay, well, two more. Yeah. Let's see. Last year, the Bills. Jordan from Oklahoma writing in typing in last year, the Bills kept five wide receivers. If they do that again Will it be Samuel, Shakir, Hollins, Coleman and Shavers? Notably MVS was not a part of that mix.

[Dan]

No, I think for two reasons. One, they'll keep six.

[Jenna]

Yeah, I think that's. That is fair.

[Dan]

They'll keep six.

[Jenna]

What do they do about the return game? K.J. hamler did not make the most of his opportunity.

[Dan]

They brought in competition.

[Jenna]

They absolutely did. Demir Bird, like we mentioned Dion Kane earlier.

[Dan]

And do they want it to possibly be Hardy? Do they. You know who else could be possible? Ty Johnson ran kickoffs back last year. Do they want something more like that again? So again, he's a guy, here's a guy.

[Jenna]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Do you want it to be somebody that if you are just going to be a returner, you better be so damn good at returning that you're going to. Because you're pretty much.

[Jenna]

Then you're the specialist. Yeah.

[Dan]

Yeah. And that's tough. So the fact of matter is, is that like I just don't see them keeping Andy Isabella or KJ Handler strictly for their returning like they talked about with Hardy. Like Hardy could be a break glass in case emergency cornerback if two guys go down. Like I don't know where they see that elsewhere. So that's where I think you keep six wide receivers. That includes Shavers, that includes mvs, all those things. You can rank them however you want. We can do that another day. But I see them keeping six and the return is a massive question. But again, I don't think we've seen Ty Johnson because of his injury early in training camp. I think he could be another guy that they like.

[Jenna]

And Ty Johnson returning to practice on Monday.

[Dan]

Yep.

[Jenna]

I think that is huge for this team.

[Dan]

Very big.

[Jenna]

Just like you said, his ability to return. But also I think with the running back room how we really didn't see much on Saturday. I think Ty Johnson, I think they love Ty Johnson and I think what Ty Johnson adds could be something that the Bills have felt has been missing as well.

[Dan]

Don't look at Ty Johnson's entire season. I know he came in the middle of it, but look at what especially he did with Joe Brady. Yeah, that was the big thing for me that that was where he really flashed in the passing game. He was a bigger back. So he was one of the guys that came in on third and short, fourth and short and was able to get the fourth and one. So Josh didn't have to take the beating. Versatile. I like him a lot. And again when they re signed him I thought this isn't running back one Everybody wants to say, hey, Ray Davis. Could, could, could be that number one running back.

[Jenna]

It's James Cook who is saying it's Ray Davis.

[Dan]

You don't. Must have not have the same mentions as me.

[Jenna]

I don't or I don't.

[Dan]

Yeah. But the fact I, I think that Ray and Ty will split running back two responsibilities.

[Jenna]

Yeah, I think that makes total sense to me. James Cook to me is not. He's the one. But also I think if he continues to play like what we have seen, then obviously that that role could go out the window.

[Dan]

He's a guy right now.

[Jenna]

Yes.

[Dan]

Not the guy.

[Jenna]

He is the guy because he's.

[Dan]

He's the guy right now.

[Jenna]

Yes.

[Dan]

Because there's no other guy.

[Jenna]

Yes.

[Dan]

Here's a guy.

[Jenna]

We've said that three times. I was listening to the Green Lights podcast with Chris Long and I realized you and Josh Allen have the same crutch. Word.

[Dan]

Interesting.

[Jenna]

Nope.

[Dan]

Again.

[Jenna]

Yep. Because I'm so keyed into Joshua baby.

[Dan]

The one thing Josh Allen and I have in common. Pretty good. Pretty good.

[Jenna]

It was funny because I'm so keyed into it now because people have said it in the comments and then I was like, I couldn't stop hearing it.

[Dan]

The comments rent free in my head for anybody that wonders.

[Jenna]

Yeah, truly. Same. Same. All right, let's see if there's any other question.

[Dan]

Last one.

[Jenna]

Lyles, Schustein, 1683. Will the bills go beyond playoff caliber football this season or is it a rebuilding team to be considered successful? Or is this rebuilding team be considered successful? If it doesn't, I'm gonna kind of tweak that question and say, well, the Bills go beyond playoff caliber football this season or do you think this is a rebuilding team? I think this is. I think this team reminds me a. I can't say like 2020 because obviously that team had Stefan Diggs. But this team does not have the same expectations that have been on the franchise in the last couple of seasons. And I think that's almost freeing for this group. Now, you could say they don't have the same level of talent. Absolutely. I feel like, though, they have been hamstrung by the expectation that they were going to win it all. And for now, this year, I don't think you're looked at differently and it's cliche. Like, would you rather be the hunted or the hunty or whatever the hell. I'm not a hunter, clearly. No, no. But I just think you can approach things differently and you're gonna get approached differently by the. It's just the fact, like, the Chiefs get everyone's best.

[Dan]

Hey, but you know what they say, pressure is a privilege, as Von Miller would say.

[Jenna]

Yeah, I, I think that this team, I think they are rebuilding. I think they opened up a lot of cap space. I'm curious how they will use it in the upcoming season and what they'll do with that. But I think this team is kind of trying to, I don't want to say strip things back a little bit.

[Dan]

But I, I don't agree with the rebuilding. No, I don't think this is rebuilding. And I'm not even sure this is. Is transition. If they want to talk about that. They were.

[Jenna]

You don't think this is transition?

[Dan]

You still have Josh. This wasn't a team that you tore down to the studs because you needed to. I think they wanted to get younger and they wanted to because they needed to. But that's where we can go back to the.

[Jenna]

Go back, take the two shot. Right.

[Dan]

We could go back to. I mean, this could all go back to Stevon Diggs and. And where we think that this team, whether there was fatigue. I think that's the big thing that I've taken. Taken away from this, is that, you know, I think some players can have shelf lives and at times you can outrun and exhaust the team. Coaches do it in pro sports. It happens with players all the time. It's the NBA. You go there, James Harden is happy for three weeks, and then you kind of wear out. So when you go to a new team, like, this guy's great. Maybe it just ran its course with Stefan Diggs and maybe that triggered other decisions that they made financially, football wise, all of those things. They still have Josh Allen. So I find it hard. And they still have a damn good defense that I would argue outside of Poyer and Hyde, I think this defense should be better than it was last year.

[Jenna]

Okay.

[Dan]

And I'd argue that who the safeties are again, I could definitely eat these words in a couple of weeks, but I've been confident that Sean McDermott and these guys can get the safety play up to a caliber that we are used to. I think the defense is healthier. Again, we have to figure out what. Yeah, but the fact, I just don't buy it, that, like, everybody's overlooking them. They still have Josh Allen and they still have what I would argue is a top five defense.

[Jenna]

I think people are overlooking them because of the wide receiving core, because so many of the guys have not caught a ball from Josh Allen. There's they're. You're kind of banking they don't have the number one guy.

[Dan]

But is Gabe, are we, are we like, oh no, it's the loss of Gabe.

[Jenna]

Like, well, it's the loss of Diggs too.

[Dan]

Okay, so that's fair. But that doesn't mean you feel like hitting the reset button.

[Jenna]

Rebuilding this team made a concerted effort to get younger. Like you said that to me screams rebuilding. And you can have teams that, that, that's a piece of it. I don't, I don't, I don't know. I, I just look at this team and I say, hey, you're right. The defense is very, has the potential to be very, very good.

[Dan]

I also Douglas for a whole year a healthy Christian Benford. Right now Kyrie Elam's playing at a very high level again. If you think Taylor Rapp is the guy, that's great. That's another. Maybe he plays at a right now compared to where Poyer and Hyde were at this point. Again, nobody's going to top all Pro Poirier in the way that Micah Hyde and all them played. I'm not talking about that. But you got to look at the present day and so where were some of these guys at? And that, that's why I just look at some of this, some of these pieces and it's so easy to say, well, no Stefan Diggs and I'm a big Diggs defender. I'm on here saying like the team's not better because Stefan Diggs isn't on it. They're a better team with Stefan Diggs. Yeah, but besides that, you're putting more pressure on Josh Allen. Who it comes with the territory of being worth a quarter of a billion dollars.

[Jenna]

Why are you putting more pressure on Josh Allen?

[Dan]

Because there's no digs. There's no true number one. But that doesn't mean.

[Jenna]

So wouldn't you say that's rebuilding.

[Dan]

Rebuilding is gutting everything back to the studs. The Bears have rebuilt. Other teams have full on rebuilt the roster.

[Jenna]

So then transition. But you don't like transition either.

[Dan]

Transition's probably more accurate. But again, I don't think that this means that they're punting on the season of like, well, we, we hope we get into the playoffs like this is still a damn good football team led by one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

[Jenna]

I'm not saying that you can't. I mean 2020, the Bills went to the AFC championship. I'm not saying that you can't be really good and Also be rebuilding. They're not mutually exclusive.

[Dan]

I think when I think of rebuild, I think winning doesn't necessarily matter. We're trying to get the young guys their experience and they're going to be trial by fire.

[Jenna]

I don't know if I agree with that. I could see why you would think that. But to me, I just feel like, like we don't.

[Dan]

We're worried about development right now. We don't care about wins and losses. This is a team that expects to go to the playoffs and what. And win the division. And at that point, as we've learned. It's so funny even talking to Bean, you got to kind of get lucky well and you got to be playing at the right time like injuries. I still believe if Terrell Bernard is healthy against the Chiefs, I think the Bills win that game.

[Jenna]

Okay. But even Brandon Bean said when we asked him his expectations for this season, he did talk about winning the division and then he said just getting into the M of the playoffs.

[Dan]

But that goes to your point and the question of the pressure that comes with this team and that maybe that's freeing.

[Jenna]

I feel like we're like arguing the same point.

[Dan]

I don't think so. I think I'm right and you're wrong.

[Jenna]

No, I just feel like. I think it's okay to say that this team is in transition because it obviously is, especially you could say offensively.

[Dan]

But then 27 other teams are also in transition every year.

[Jenna]

Okay. I, I mean I don't agree with that. But.

[Dan]

But you know what I'm saying.

[Jenna]

I think that there's change. I think this happens when you have a quarterback that has the ability to play as long as Josh Allen. It's like what we've seen in with the Chiefs.

[Dan]

I, I think we're also a little bit naive because there's been such little change for the last five years.

[Jenna]

That's. That is fair. I hear you.

[Dan]

There is a lot of changeover across the league on a year to year basis and the Bills really haven't. When it comes to their starters, even their role, special teams, guys that they keep around like they love them, like Tyler Medicavich and they just kept bringing these guys back and running it back another year. They've just changed that. And again.

[Jenna]

But you wouldn't say rebuilding. No, because they changed a lot. They got like cheaper and younger and.

[Dan]

Rebuilding, like we said, is taking young talent that they're going to lose games, but they're going to develop and they're not going to care.

[Jenna]

I mean now it's just. Just to put a thorn on your side.

[Dan]

I'm just right.

[Jenna]

Just comment in what you think. I would. I would love to hear people's thought process.

[Dan]

Rebuilding is. We don't care. We want to develop our players. Transition is probably more accurate, in my opinion, on where this Bills team is, but I'd hold them a little bit higher than. Than transition because Josh Allen and a lot of the defense is back.

[Jenna]

Okay, I hear you.

[Dan]

You don't hear me.

[Jenna]

I do. I think I hear you.

[Dan]

Again, we actually like each other. We're actually best friends. This was supposed to go 15, and I think we've gone 30.

[Jenna]

I know. Successful, hotly debated first installment of you ask. We answer. We answer and we argue. We might have to add shout out.

[Dan]

Stellar Roofing. Appreciate it.

[Jenna]

Yeah, we appreciate. They're probably like, man, what did we sign up for? All right, so like we said earlier, we're gonna do this segment every week, so please be sure we're gonna post every week where you can send in your questions. We want to answer as many as we can. Also, real quick, I just had this comment. I thought this was funny. Alex Lopez, 728. You guys look great. Dan looks like a QB's coach. Mike like an offensive coordinator. And Jenna, well, Jenna just looks like she's in charge.

[Dan]

I'll take QB coach. I'll take.

[Jenna]

Yeah, it's the Einstein. It's the Einstein with the Ryan Gosling.

[Dan]

And that means I'm in line to be oc. Like. Like I'm climbing the ranks.

[Jenna]

Hey, yeah. Don't diminish the QB coach's job. Okay. All right. Thanks for joining us. For Mike Catalana.

[Dan]

Do this again next Tuesday.

[Jenna]

Yeah. Who is still on vacation. No, I'm kidding. We hope he's enjoying it.

[Dan]

I'm heading to Pittsburgh, so we'll have tons of content from there as well.

[Jenna]

Yeah. For Dan, I'm Jenna. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. And thank you for watching the first edition of you ask we answer, presented by Stellar Roofing Windows and siding. Thanks, y'. All. We'll see you next time. We'll start with this question from Robin.

[Dan]

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