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.