WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.419 Welcome back to the Buffalo Bread Podcast. I'm 00:00:02.419 --> 00:00:04.860 your host Dan Roberts, and we are excited to 00:00:04.860 --> 00:00:07.519 be joining you today as the Buffalo Bills kick 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:11.960 off their 2025 training camp in Rochester, New 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:14.720 York, St. John Fisher University. We all know 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:17.899 what this time of year means. Hope, positivity 00:00:17.899 --> 00:00:21.359 reigns supreme, but also we know that cool fall 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.039 Chris Bear is about to approach as we get ready 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:26.920 for meaningful regular season football here with 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:30.059 your 2025 edition of your beloved Buffalo Bills. 00:00:30.560 --> 00:00:32.679 Lots of great news and notes coming out of camp. 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:35.460 All stuff that we're going to get into as the 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:37.619 Bills progress throughout their preseason, plus 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:40.359 a lot of our own observations as well. You'll 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:43.000 notice that I'm still solo today. J .J. still 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.520 taking a hiatus from the pod, but he will be 00:00:45.520 --> 00:00:48.640 back as we approach the regular season. So what 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:50.259 we have for you today is a little bit of table 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:52.219 setting, a little bit of an appetizer, as you 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:54.880 will, as we approach the preseason here. The 00:00:54.880 --> 00:00:57.990 Bills have just opened camp. in most sports books 00:00:57.990 --> 00:01:00.670 the betting favor to win the Super Bowl but before 00:01:00.670 --> 00:01:03.049 we can even approach that point there's a lot 00:01:03.049 --> 00:01:05.030 that has to go right for the Buffalo Bills this 00:01:05.030 --> 00:01:07.329 season and a lot of wrongs from last year that 00:01:07.329 --> 00:01:09.909 need to be corrected particularly on the defensive 00:01:09.909 --> 00:01:13.049 side of the ball. So as we begin to set the table 00:01:13.310 --> 00:01:15.349 It's list season. So we're going to give you 00:01:15.349 --> 00:01:18.609 our top five players who we think need to take 00:01:18.609 --> 00:01:21.109 a step forward for the Buffalo Bills this season 00:01:21.109 --> 00:01:23.969 in order for them to finally reach their ultimate 00:01:23.969 --> 00:01:25.909 goal of winning a Super Bowl. If you listen to 00:01:25.909 --> 00:01:27.670 a lot of other Buffalo Bills podcasts, there 00:01:27.670 --> 00:01:29.870 are some names on this list that are probably 00:01:29.870 --> 00:01:31.650 going to seem familiar. And then there's some 00:01:31.650 --> 00:01:33.329 other names that you're probably not thinking 00:01:33.329 --> 00:01:36.069 about as well. Not only do these players need 00:01:36.069 --> 00:01:38.989 to take a step for the Buffalo Bills to ultimately 00:01:38.989 --> 00:01:42.090 achieve what we all want them to Super Bowl championship 00:01:42.090 --> 00:01:45.450 before we but also performance of a lot of these 00:01:45.450 --> 00:01:47.129 players is also going to have a large -scale 00:01:47.129 --> 00:01:50.480 impact on what the team looks like in 2026. and 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:53.040 beyond. So it's always good to talk about the 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:55.319 short term but like Brandon being in this roster, 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:58.099 an eye to the long term always for the Buffalo 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:01.439 Bills. We hope that you stick around after this 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:03.420 segment as well because we've got a wonderful 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:05.400 interview with our friend of the pod, not friend 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:08.620 of the Bills, our resident Patriots expert Brandon 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:10.419 Bennett. This is actually an interview we've 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:13.419 had in the can since about Father's Day. Brandon 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:15.840 had some really insightful comments that I think 00:02:16.110 --> 00:02:18.629 carry through into training camp this season 00:02:18.629 --> 00:02:21.750 for one of the Buffalo Bills most noted AFC East 00:02:21.750 --> 00:02:24.490 rivals. Lots of positivity for New England Patriots 00:02:24.490 --> 00:02:26.729 fans that Brandon's going to get into and he's 00:02:26.729 --> 00:02:28.590 going to give you some sneaky sleeper picks as 00:02:28.590 --> 00:02:30.770 well for those of you that are into fantasy. 00:02:31.050 --> 00:02:33.509 All right, so please by all means stick around 00:02:33.509 --> 00:02:35.849 after this segment is over and catch our interview 00:02:35.849 --> 00:02:39.360 with Brandon Bennett. So We dive into the list 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:41.879 here as the Buffalo Bills are diving in to their 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:45.280 2025 training camp at St. John Fisher University. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:48.680 Number five, the player that we feel like has 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:51.240 a lot at stake, not just for this season, but 00:02:51.240 --> 00:02:53.240 for their role of the team moving forward. Our 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:55.840 number five pick heading into preseason this 00:02:55.840 --> 00:03:00.080 year is one Matt Milano. Milano has been a stalwart, 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:04.340 a roster staple. Almost emblematic as much as 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:06.680 poyer and hide were of this culture shift that 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:10.800 we have seen in the McDermott era He's an absolute 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:14.180 animal on the defensive side of the ball when 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:17.330 he is healthy But that last caveat has been most 00:03:17.330 --> 00:03:19.750 of the problem with Milano has been his availability. 00:03:20.310 --> 00:03:22.530 He is now on the wrong side of 30 years old. 00:03:22.870 --> 00:03:25.110 In a sneaky headline this offseason that got 00:03:25.110 --> 00:03:26.990 a little bit of traction early, but I think a 00:03:26.990 --> 00:03:29.009 lot of us forgot about, is that the Buffalo Bills 00:03:29.009 --> 00:03:32.229 reworked his contract so that he is no longer 00:03:32.229 --> 00:03:35.210 financially tethered to this team beyond this 00:03:35.210 --> 00:03:38.150 season. He is effectively in a walk year and 00:03:38.150 --> 00:03:41.830 took a pay cut this year as well. There is a 00:03:41.830 --> 00:03:45.909 world where Matt Milano gets a Joey Bosa type 00:03:45.909 --> 00:03:49.069 of treatment where he is on a pitch count and 00:03:49.069 --> 00:03:51.870 maybe in the game in the regular season in crucial 00:03:51.870 --> 00:03:54.569 situations, but this could be the opportunity 00:03:54.569 --> 00:03:58.210 for Dorian Williams to kind of take a step and 00:03:58.210 --> 00:04:00.349 enter that starting role at outside linebacker 00:04:00.349 --> 00:04:02.330 for the Buffalo Bills. It serves two purposes. 00:04:02.449 --> 00:04:05.789 One, the Buffalo Bills absolutely need Matt Milano 00:04:05.789 --> 00:04:09.110 at his most healthy if they're going to effectuate 00:04:09.110 --> 00:04:12.469 the defense that they want to. But two, As you're 00:04:12.469 --> 00:04:14.590 talking about a long -term view of this roster, 00:04:14.949 --> 00:04:16.829 they have a decision to make about Dorian Williams 00:04:16.829 --> 00:04:20.990 as well. Williams had his struggles and continued 00:04:20.990 --> 00:04:22.970 to have his struggles in coverage, though we 00:04:22.970 --> 00:04:25.790 saw some improvements as the season went on last 00:04:25.790 --> 00:04:28.629 year. After Milano came back for the last four 00:04:28.629 --> 00:04:30.569 weeks of the season, Williams was effectively 00:04:30.569 --> 00:04:33.389 put into mothballs for a large part of the regular 00:04:33.389 --> 00:04:36.449 season. All that being said, he stole the team 00:04:36.449 --> 00:04:39.769 in tackles. I could actually see a world. where 00:04:39.769 --> 00:04:42.470 Matt Milano, depending on how healthy he is coming 00:04:42.470 --> 00:04:44.750 out of training camp, depending on what the Bills 00:04:44.750 --> 00:04:46.910 are seeing in his coverage ability coming out 00:04:46.910 --> 00:04:49.350 of camp this year, I could see a world where 00:04:49.350 --> 00:04:51.350 Matt Milano is actually put on a pitch count 00:04:51.350 --> 00:04:54.009 in the regular season to keep him healthy, but 00:04:54.009 --> 00:04:56.629 also to give Doreen Williams some valuable reps 00:04:56.629 --> 00:04:59.350 in this system as well, and really craft him 00:04:59.350 --> 00:05:02.670 into a true successor for Milano, should Milano 00:05:02.670 --> 00:05:05.649 and the Bills separate. After this season, I 00:05:05.649 --> 00:05:08.230 mean listen Milano showed a little bit of juice 00:05:08.230 --> 00:05:11.069 in the postseason He looked like he was healthier 00:05:11.069 --> 00:05:14.189 during OTAs this year But the fact of the matter 00:05:14.189 --> 00:05:16.629 is his coverage ability really took a step back 00:05:16.629 --> 00:05:19.250 as he was coming back from injury last season 00:05:19.250 --> 00:05:21.889 In the four games he played in the regular season 00:05:21.889 --> 00:05:24.490 his the passer rating allowed when he was the 00:05:24.490 --> 00:05:28.430 nearest targeted defender last year was 158 .3 00:05:28.430 --> 00:05:30.990 for those of you who are unaware that is a perfect 00:05:30.990 --> 00:05:33.930 passer rating for opposing QBs going up against 00:05:33.930 --> 00:05:37.189 Matt Milano, who has been one of the best, if 00:05:37.189 --> 00:05:39.589 not the best, coverage linebackers in the league. 00:05:39.730 --> 00:05:43.730 If he is not 100%, if he's even 80%, Milano is 00:05:43.730 --> 00:05:46.769 still a viable starter in this league, but the 00:05:46.769 --> 00:05:49.930 Bills need 100 % of him ready to go in January 00:05:49.930 --> 00:05:52.189 and February if they're gonna reach their ultimate 00:05:52.189 --> 00:05:54.529 goal. So I think there's a lot riding on camp 00:05:54.529 --> 00:05:57.149 for Milano this year. So moving on from Milano, 00:05:57.149 --> 00:05:58.889 we're going to stick with the Buffalo Bills defense. 00:05:58.889 --> 00:06:01.029 This is a name that has been bandied about a 00:06:01.029 --> 00:06:03.649 lot by both fans and Bills media as someone who 00:06:03.649 --> 00:06:05.529 absolutely needs to take a step this season. 00:06:05.709 --> 00:06:09.850 And that is Cole Bishop. Cole was a second round 00:06:09.850 --> 00:06:12.430 pick out of Utah a couple of seasons ago, someone 00:06:12.430 --> 00:06:15.569 who we on the pod me and JJ lauded super athletic, 00:06:15.569 --> 00:06:18.009 super fast. He's just a dude that's got some 00:06:18.009 --> 00:06:21.509 versatility to his game and fit the physical 00:06:21.509 --> 00:06:24.829 profile I think that we were looking to fill. 00:06:25.069 --> 00:06:27.670 After the team parted ways with Jordan Poyer 00:06:27.670 --> 00:06:30.850 a couple of years ago Started the offseason in 00:06:30.850 --> 00:06:34.589 2024 with injuries Really kind of derailed his 00:06:34.589 --> 00:06:38.670 development. This is a a meaty secondary defensive 00:06:38.670 --> 00:06:41.230 set of schemes and concepts for someone to take 00:06:41.230 --> 00:06:43.709 on and we have seen throughout the years how 00:06:43.709 --> 00:06:46.410 important it is for Buffalo Bill safeties to 00:06:46.410 --> 00:06:48.389 be communicating with the rest of the defense 00:06:48.389 --> 00:06:51.519 on what they're seeing Bishop improved remarkably 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:54.740 as the season went on and I think through OTAs 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:57.519 It has been kind of taken as fact that he is 00:06:57.519 --> 00:06:59.860 going to be the starting safety opposite of Taylor 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:02.899 rap heading into this season that being said 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:06.759 He still needs to earn the job But then he also 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:09.500 has to prove beyond camp and into the season 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:11.819 He is actually assimilated to the scheme in the 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:15.860 way that that is needed You know him and rap 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:19.420 I feel like they bring a similar skill set to 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:23.199 the table both are better when they play closer 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:26.420 to the box and Cole Bishop just because of his 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:29.060 closing ability because of his raw athleticism 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:33.459 Really can fit a lot of run scheme run fits running 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:36.480 downhill That was the role that rap fit a lot 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:38.920 last year playing outside of Hamlin I don't think 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:41.920 people appreciate the fact of how great Taylor 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:45.660 rap was at diagnosing plays from the, from the 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:48.060 high safety position and then running downhill 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:51.040 to stop what was a 10 yard run from becoming 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:54.439 a 12 yard run or a seven yard screen from becoming 00:07:54.439 --> 00:08:00.220 a 15 yard screen. Um, I think with Bishop, he's 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:02.360 got the ability to do that as well. And I think 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:05.379 we often underrate as a pairing him and rap rap's 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:08.639 ability to play in coverage while rap yes is 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:11.019 better close to the, close to the line of scrimmage 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:14.470 like Bishop is. This team clearly values Rapp 00:08:14.470 --> 00:08:18.529 in kind of that Mike Hyde role. And I give the 00:08:18.529 --> 00:08:20.329 benefit of the doubt to this coaching staff because 00:08:20.329 --> 00:08:23.290 they have taken players with a limited tools 00:08:23.290 --> 00:08:25.750 or what we thought was a certain profile coming 00:08:25.750 --> 00:08:28.149 from another team and they've really molded them 00:08:28.149 --> 00:08:30.550 successfully into what they've needed to be. 00:08:30.610 --> 00:08:32.970 So if we can take Taylor Rapp, his ability to 00:08:32.970 --> 00:08:35.460 hunt for the ball. pair it with a Cole Bishop 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:38.720 with freakish athleticism and ability to to close 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:41.519 out plays downhill. I think you've got a really, 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:43.600 really sneaky good safety pairing this year. 00:08:43.870 --> 00:08:46.450 but it all hinges on Bishop being able to fully 00:08:46.450 --> 00:08:48.870 assimilate to this scheme and being able to take 00:08:48.870 --> 00:08:51.409 that next step here in his second season, because 00:08:51.409 --> 00:08:53.370 we're at the point where the Buffalo Bills can 00:08:53.370 --> 00:08:56.009 no longer wait three, even four seasons for some 00:08:56.009 --> 00:08:58.909 of these top 100 draft picks to fully flesh out 00:08:58.909 --> 00:09:01.330 and to form. So this is a big year for Cole Bishop 00:09:01.330 --> 00:09:04.809 to take that next step, not just for his own 00:09:04.809 --> 00:09:07.009 sense of sake on the roster, but also for what 00:09:07.009 --> 00:09:09.429 the Buffalo Bills need out of the safety pairing. 00:09:10.509 --> 00:09:14.080 Three and two. Again, names that a lot of Buffalo 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:16.879 Bills fans have talked about and honestly could 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:19.860 probably be interchangeable at this point. Keon 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:23.639 Coleman at three and Dalton Kincaid at two. Brandon 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:26.820 Bean made it very well known that he did not 00:09:26.820 --> 00:09:29.559 care at all what we thought of his lack of offseason 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:33.059 moves in improving the wide receiver room. And 00:09:33.059 --> 00:09:35.539 at the end of the day, the criticisms were probably 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:39.330 fair, but I think What is apparent is that this 00:09:39.330 --> 00:09:41.789 front office really believes in the skill players 00:09:41.789 --> 00:09:44.309 they have assembled. They believe in the ceiling 00:09:44.309 --> 00:09:46.210 that a lot of these players have and that they 00:09:46.210 --> 00:09:49.370 can reach in order to finally help the Buffalo 00:09:49.370 --> 00:09:52.610 Bills offense. Add that one dimension that it 00:09:52.610 --> 00:09:54.470 has been lacking since they parted ways with 00:09:54.470 --> 00:09:56.809 Stefan Diggs, and that's a legitimate threat 00:09:56.809 --> 00:09:59.669 on the outside. We saw it last year, and we've 00:09:59.669 --> 00:10:01.889 been saying it for a couple of seasons. The Buffalo 00:10:01.889 --> 00:10:04.330 Bills needed to develop a run game to get teams 00:10:04.330 --> 00:10:06.370 out of this too high shell they were constantly 00:10:06.370 --> 00:10:09.029 playing. It would open up a lot of cover one 00:10:09.029 --> 00:10:11.250 and cover three looks for the Bills, a lot of 00:10:11.250 --> 00:10:14.929 man looks for the Bills, where in the past, Josh 00:10:14.929 --> 00:10:18.629 has been an absolute man destroyer. Last season, 00:10:18.830 --> 00:10:21.289 Josh was still pretty good against man, but the 00:10:21.289 --> 00:10:23.429 Buffalo Bills faced the highest percentage of 00:10:23.429 --> 00:10:25.850 man coverage in the league. Teams were basically 00:10:25.850 --> 00:10:28.610 saying, we don't fear your weapons on the outside 00:10:28.610 --> 00:10:30.490 and we're going to collapse and we're going to 00:10:30.490 --> 00:10:32.029 make running the ball and we're going to make 00:10:32.029 --> 00:10:34.149 attacking the middle of the field through the 00:10:34.149 --> 00:10:37.049 passing game very difficult. And there were times, 00:10:37.230 --> 00:10:39.370 despite the amount of points that the Bills would 00:10:39.370 --> 00:10:42.409 put on the board, where it felt really hard sometimes 00:10:42.409 --> 00:10:45.029 for this offense to operate. We coined the phrase 00:10:45.029 --> 00:10:46.970 last year that the Bills were the champions of 00:10:46.970 --> 00:10:49.899 the Workmen like 30 where it didn't always look 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:52.399 good from drive to drive But there were they 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:54.500 were able to pull it together for enough successive 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.519 drives in order to put some serious points on 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:59.220 the board Add to the fact that the defense last 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:01.799 year were absolute ball hawks and maniacs in 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.100 the turnover game And you're giving Josh simply 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:08.820 more opportunities This year the Bills are probably 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:11.639 gonna face a very similar setup. They're gonna 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:14.179 face a lot of cover one They're gonna face a 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:17.289 lot of man coverage teams are going to gear towards 00:11:17.289 --> 00:11:19.590 stopping the run, they're going to dare you to 00:11:19.590 --> 00:11:21.750 beat them on the outside. And there are some 00:11:21.750 --> 00:11:24.009 teams where if you have two reliable corners, 00:11:24.570 --> 00:11:26.990 like a let's say Baltimore, who the Buffalo Bills 00:11:26.990 --> 00:11:30.610 will be playing in week one with Wiggins and 00:11:30.610 --> 00:11:33.330 Jair Alexander. Then you also have oh by the 00:11:33.330 --> 00:11:35.769 way Marlon Humphrey number three in Havoc ratings 00:11:35.769 --> 00:11:39.389 last year amongst all cornerbacks playing in 00:11:39.389 --> 00:11:41.929 that slot nickel position who can either crash 00:11:41.929 --> 00:11:44.389 the box or make life really difficult for a Dalton 00:11:44.389 --> 00:11:48.269 Kincaid type or a Khalil Shakir type. If you're 00:11:48.269 --> 00:11:50.649 playing the Houston Texans and you've got Lassiter 00:11:50.649 --> 00:11:53.169 and you've got Stingley on the outside the reality 00:11:53.169 --> 00:11:56.860 is is those teams Also, coincidentally, the teams, 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.779 the bills probably need to overcome in order 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.860 to reach their ultimate goal here this season 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:04.679 of winning a Super Bowl. Those teams have defenses 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:08.120 that are are dearly suited to stopping the bills 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:10.559 offense and a lot of these condensed sets that 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:14.440 they run. So, the key has to be Coleman and Kincaid. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:16.279 And you can put him in whatever priority order 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:18.399 that you want. Coleman has to prove that he can 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.879 be a weapon on the outside. The Buffalo Bills 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:24.899 absolutely need somebody that can just decompress 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:27.539 a lot of the coverages that they're facing. Somebody 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:29.639 who the other teams now feel like they need to 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.960 cheat a safety to shadow or bracket over the 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:35.220 top of and really open some things up in the 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:38.080 middle of the field for one Dalton Kincaid. Both 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:40.100 players also need to improve their catch rate. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:43.360 Kincaid's catch rate last year was 64 % and Coleman 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:46.639 was 50 .9 % but that has to start with Keyon 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:50.039 being a more available target and being a more 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:52.360 I think formidable target that where other teams 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:55.139 need to key in on him. That'll open up things 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.899 in the middle of the field with Dalton Kincaid 00:12:56.899 --> 00:13:00.580 and honestly Kincaid got his opportunities around 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:03.620 his injuries last year and he just was not making 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:05.879 the most of them with that excessively high drop 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:09.960 rate. If he just hauls in Another 20 25 percent 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:12.100 of the passes and opportunities we know he's 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:15.000 gonna get he can give the Buffalo Bills the the 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:17.639 field middle of the field back and with his ability 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:20.419 to find those soft spots in the zone the chemistry 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:24.340 behind with him in and Josh wasn't always great 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:27.029 again Last season, you could chalk that up to 00:13:27.029 --> 00:13:29.429 a lot of injuries that he was facing. But I think 00:13:29.429 --> 00:13:31.470 at the end of the day, ultimately, you need these 00:13:31.470 --> 00:13:34.309 two guys to step up. Keon on the outside to give 00:13:34.309 --> 00:13:37.309 the Bills a legitimate threat that can spread 00:13:37.309 --> 00:13:39.570 defenses out a little bit and decompress a lot 00:13:39.570 --> 00:13:41.649 of the coverages they're facing. And then Dalton 00:13:41.649 --> 00:13:43.769 Kincaid to give the Buffalo Bills the middle 00:13:43.769 --> 00:13:46.950 of the field back. If Coleman takes that step 00:13:46.950 --> 00:13:51.870 and Kincaid can... Bring back a formidable threat 00:13:51.870 --> 00:13:55.269 or a be a partner threat with Khalil Shakir and 00:13:55.269 --> 00:13:57.730 exposing the middle of the field I don't know 00:13:57.730 --> 00:14:00.649 how you stop this Buffalo Bills offense I really 00:14:00.649 --> 00:14:03.169 don't with their ability to run the ball down 00:14:03.169 --> 00:14:05.809 your throat with this great offensive line and 00:14:05.809 --> 00:14:09.649 and Belkow back in James Cook They figure it 00:14:09.649 --> 00:14:11.549 out on the outside and they figured out with 00:14:11.549 --> 00:14:12.929 Coleman and they figure out in the middle with 00:14:12.929 --> 00:14:15.929 Kincaid This is going to be look a lot easier 00:14:15.929 --> 00:14:18.490 for the Buffalo Bills to put 30 on this might 00:14:18.490 --> 00:14:21.009 not be the year of the workmen like 30 This could 00:14:21.009 --> 00:14:24.029 potentially be the year of the easiest 30 burgers 00:14:24.029 --> 00:14:26.970 that you say So those two guys though need to 00:14:26.970 --> 00:14:29.990 take that step in order for that to happen So 00:14:29.990 --> 00:14:31.929 number one, we've gone through Milano at five 00:14:31.929 --> 00:14:34.830 Bishop at four Coleman and Kincaid three and 00:14:34.830 --> 00:14:38.679 two respectively Number one is not a name that 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:40.600 a lot of folks have been talking about But as 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:43.220 someone because of our love of of line play both 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:45.259 on the offensive and defensive side of the ball 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.720 I felt appropriate to put here and that's Osiris 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:51.919 Torrance now hear me out Torrance has been Excellent. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:54.960 He has been above average for sure He is a people 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.519 mover unlike they unlike anybody they have currently 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:02.139 on that offensive line his run blocking tape 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:06.240 is absolutely teachable. So if you are a high 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.820 school or a college coach, you want to teach 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:09.700 your interior guards how to run block, you should 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:12.320 be doing it with those size torrents. Pass blocking 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:14.960 is another issue. And this is a place where a 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:17.080 lot of metric sites and a lot of metric houses 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:20.440 are split. For example, take Take what you want 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:22.440 with a lot of their rankings. Me and JJ often 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:25.139 throw him out the window. Gave him an overall 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:27.940 pass block rating of 64 last year, which is somewhere 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:30.220 around average. They weren't in love with his 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:32.600 technique. They weren't in love with his ability 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:36.019 to stop more speedy type of pass rushers coming 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:39.799 in. SBN's pass block win rate had him as a top 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:43.120 five guard, right? So he was preventing quick 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.919 pressure from getting to Josh and he was holding 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:48.100 his blocks for at least 2 .5 seconds. But he 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:51.500 was really to a lot of sort of delayed blitzes 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:55.059 a lot of stunts and when teams when really good 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:57.220 teams like the Ravens and the regular season 00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:00.399 of the postseason and most notably and the AFC 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:02.840 championship on that final offensive play for 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:05.799 the Buffalo Bills when opposing teams are looking 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:08.600 for the weak spot to attack and a gotta -have 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:11.960 -it moment a gotta -have -it blitz moment they're 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:15.080 looking at Osiris Torrance fair or unfair they 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:17.559 look across that line it's not Dawkins it's not 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:20.519 Brown It's not Edwards and it's not McGovern 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:22.879 They're looking at Torrance and being like that's 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.299 the guy that we can get to and if you watch that 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:27.419 final play against the Chiefs You can see that 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:30.100 they clearly wanted to put him in a blender and 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:33.129 the reality is is This is a luxury to be talking 00:16:33.129 --> 00:16:35.870 about that we have such a guard who is so talented 00:16:35.870 --> 00:16:38.409 entering his third season that he only needs 00:16:38.409 --> 00:16:40.669 to work on delayed blitzes and work and work 00:16:40.669 --> 00:16:43.610 on figuring out DB blitzes. But here's the reality, 00:16:43.669 --> 00:16:46.830 the Buffalo Bills play a ton of condensed formations. 00:16:47.350 --> 00:16:49.409 The way you beat those condensed formations. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:53.299 Is by bringing in a DB blitz because everybody 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:55.240 is closer to the line of scrimmage That means 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:57.600 the DBs are closer to the line of scrimmage It 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:00.879 is easier for them to disguise coverage and come 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:03.379 in on a blitz and when they do more often than 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:06.980 not Osiris Torrance is their target. This dude 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:10.059 has the ability I don't want to I don't want 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:13.920 to get too hyperbolic about Osiris Torrance but 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:17.099 Trey Smith just got paid $23 million. Landon 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:20.279 Dickerson, a couple of seasons ago, got $21 million 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:23.259 in average annual value. Just based off his tape 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:26.500 and his production, if Osiris Torrance continues 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:30.480 on the path that he is on this season, he's already 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:34.839 on that $17 to $18 million AAV range, which means 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.980 that as you look at the Buffalo Bills cap situation, 00:17:37.450 --> 00:17:40.029 If Torrance is to take that next step he could 00:17:40.029 --> 00:17:43.049 potentially ascend to that 19 million 20 million 00:17:43.049 --> 00:17:45.890 dollar a year AAV When he comes up for a contract 00:17:45.890 --> 00:17:47.809 in a couple of years what that means with the 00:17:47.809 --> 00:17:52.349 bills cap situation is this David Edwards Connor 00:17:52.349 --> 00:17:55.670 McGovern Both are gonna be free agents at the 00:17:55.670 --> 00:17:58.549 end coming up here at the end of the season James 00:17:58.549 --> 00:18:00.329 Cook We know notably is gonna be a free agent 00:18:00.329 --> 00:18:02.970 at the end of the season as well Osiris Torrance 00:18:02.970 --> 00:18:06.690 two years from now out of those four guys, you 00:18:06.690 --> 00:18:11.309 probably only get two. And if I were to pick 00:18:11.309 --> 00:18:14.710 my two, I would want Torrance and I would want 00:18:14.710 --> 00:18:17.690 James Cook. But Torrance has to take that next 00:18:17.690 --> 00:18:20.769 step, where he is no longer the guy that situationally 00:18:20.769 --> 00:18:23.910 is going to get picked on for this squad. That's 00:18:23.910 --> 00:18:27.450 why he is our number one Buffalo Bill that has 00:18:27.450 --> 00:18:29.349 a lot to prove nuts in camp this season, but 00:18:29.349 --> 00:18:33.019 for the 2025 season. If he can turn the tide 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:35.660 in a lot of those situational delayed blitz, 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:38.900 DB blitz situations, he takes away another tool 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:41.640 that opposing defenses have to mitigate this 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:43.720 offense for the Buffalo Bills. And he sends a 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:45.740 lot of teams back to the drawing board on how 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:47.480 ultimately you're going to get those situational 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:50.279 stops against what is otherwise a steamroller 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:53.359 of an offense. And it has implications for what 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:55.440 this line is going to look like in years to come. 00:18:55.630 --> 00:18:57.329 Appreciate you letting us get through our list 00:18:57.329 --> 00:19:00.809 as it is list and ranking season. We will now 00:19:00.809 --> 00:19:03.410 turn things over to our interview with Brandon 00:19:03.410 --> 00:19:05.890 Bennett, resident New England Patriots expert 00:19:05.890 --> 00:19:08.650 about what his thoughts are on where the Patriots 00:19:08.650 --> 00:19:11.690 are going to land here in the 2025 NFL season. 00:19:12.049 --> 00:19:13.990 As always, folks, thank you for listening and 00:19:13.990 --> 00:19:18.910 go Bills. Today, we are very fortunate to be 00:19:18.910 --> 00:19:21.720 joined by one Brandon Bennett. Brandon, for many 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:24.460 of you know, is our resident Patriots expert. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.779 We have brought him in today to talk a little 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:29.410 bit about where the New England Patriots are 00:19:29.410 --> 00:19:31.869 at is they close out their mandatory mini camp. 00:19:32.089 --> 00:19:35.589 And there are more than just the usual parallels 00:19:35.589 --> 00:19:38.069 or crossroads or intersections, if you will, 00:19:38.250 --> 00:19:40.450 Brandon, happening between the Bills and the 00:19:40.450 --> 00:19:42.589 Patriots. It's not just that the Patriots have 00:19:42.589 --> 00:19:44.990 made a lot of moves this off season in the hopes 00:19:44.990 --> 00:19:47.109 of challenging the Buffalo Bills for the AFC 00:19:47.109 --> 00:19:50.529 East Crown. They have also brought on two very 00:19:50.529 --> 00:19:53.490 notable former Bills and Matt Collins and Stefan 00:19:53.490 --> 00:19:56.789 Diggs to try to jumpstart the development of 00:19:56.789 --> 00:19:59.839 their second year QB in Drake May. So changes 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:03.279 abound, new coaching staff, fresh new talent 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:06.460 in the offensive defensive rooms for the New 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:09.160 England Patriots. Brandon, how are we feeling 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:11.700 generally as the New England Patriots approach 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:13.920 their summer break headed into July training 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:20.500 camp? Well, First of all, Dan, I just want to 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:23.259 say thank you once again for having me on the 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:25.339 pot. I really I do really against our better 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:30.440 judgment. We are happy to have you as well. The 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:33.700 other thing before we move on. Happy Father's 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:36.980 Day. You are also a great father and a great 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:39.099 family man. And I want to say that right here. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:41.640 Thank you. I appreciate that. Ditto for you, 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:46.670 sir. It is it's actually. Very appropriate and 00:20:46.670 --> 00:20:49.069 come to think of it that we are having this conversation 00:20:49.069 --> 00:20:53.230 on Father's Day Because for so long for 20 years 00:20:53.230 --> 00:20:57.390 the the daddies if you will of the AFC East Were 00:20:57.390 --> 00:20:59.910 your illustrious New England Patriots and over 00:20:59.910 --> 00:21:02.490 the last few years the Buffalo Bills have taken 00:21:02.490 --> 00:21:05.750 on that mantle So I'm excited to hear sir what 00:21:05.750 --> 00:21:08.309 you have to say about whether or not You're good. 00:21:08.329 --> 00:21:10.529 The New England Patriots are gonna reclaim their 00:21:10.529 --> 00:21:13.089 daddy title. So there's lots of ways we're gonna 00:21:13.089 --> 00:21:15.160 we're gonna work this father stage I'm pretty 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:19.019 sure throughout the course of the night. It's 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:21.319 got to be. Yeah. Yeah. There's going to be some 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:24.559 surprises later on. So I can't wait for that. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:26.539 I do want to answer your question, though. I 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:29.819 think with mini camp on the Patriots, I think 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:32.140 there's a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of excitement. 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:35.019 Drake May is looking really good, seems healthy, 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:38.539 athletic, stayed in shape. So I think Pat's Nation, 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:42.349 if I may, is. Pretty excited to see sort of what's 00:21:42.349 --> 00:21:45.369 ahead for New England this season. It's definitely. 00:21:46.230 --> 00:21:48.849 Yeah, without a doubt. And we're going to we're 00:21:48.849 --> 00:21:51.390 going to obviously talk about Drake May because 00:21:51.390 --> 00:21:55.589 he is kind of the fulcrum around which your fortunes 00:21:55.589 --> 00:21:58.609 in New England are going to revolve around. He 00:21:58.609 --> 00:22:01.990 is the sun to your earth, if you will. That being 00:22:01.990 --> 00:22:05.480 said, though, the New England Patriots of. wisely 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:08.619 built their offseason around developing May. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:11.140 They understand the talent that they drafted 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:13.460 a couple years back, and they have decided they 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:16.180 need to go all in while he's on his rookie contract 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:18.880 window, but also in this crucial time to make 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:22.000 sure he can develop in the right way. So many 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:25.960 talented young QBs in the wrong system or the 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:28.759 wrong situation, regardless of traits, regardless 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:30.599 of tools within these first couple of years, 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:33.259 if the situation and talent around them is not 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:35.650 correct, if If it's not right, the scheme isn't 00:22:35.650 --> 00:22:39.069 right. Offensive line situations matter so much 00:22:39.069 --> 00:22:41.269 to young QBs as well. They tend to develop bad 00:22:41.269 --> 00:22:44.690 habits. And I have to say... While people can 00:22:44.690 --> 00:22:46.650 feel a certain way about the Gerard Mayo firing 00:22:46.650 --> 00:22:49.869 Brandon, I applauded the Patriots for realizing 00:22:49.869 --> 00:22:53.589 they were headed in the wrong direction. Um, 00:22:53.589 --> 00:22:56.410 if they were going to fully maximize, uh, Drake 00:22:56.410 --> 00:22:59.650 may ceiling. So they pull the trigger very quickly 00:22:59.650 --> 00:23:01.809 after having a lot of stability in that coaching 00:23:01.809 --> 00:23:04.890 room for many years under Belichick. They Gerard 00:23:04.890 --> 00:23:07.230 Mayo is one and done. You bring in Mike Frable. 00:23:07.650 --> 00:23:11.900 He brings in. Some retreads and Josh McDaniel's 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:15.039 most notably But he also brings in some pretty 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:18.200 exciting young coaching talent as well some familiar 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:20.339 and unfamiliar names to the New England Patriots 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:22.900 and then once the coaching staff was in they 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:25.019 decided that they needed to upgrade the personnel 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:28.140 and they did and I want to start there and I 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:31.740 want to start with Arguably your most notable 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:35.420 offensive addition this season and Stefan Diggs 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:39.319 digs on the wrongs. Listen, and it's funny that 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:43.019 we're here because right after the New England 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:45.740 Patriot season ended and we were doing the autopsy 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:47.400 about three, four months ago at this point, you 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.759 guys, I asked you point blank. How would you 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:51.960 feel about Stefan Diggs in New England? And you 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:57.019 are hard pass, hard pass. Has anything changed? 00:23:57.440 --> 00:24:01.359 Nothing has changed. Not at all. No, and only 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:06.269 was reaffirmed by You know, the headlines was 00:24:06.269 --> 00:24:09.950 like a week ago at this point where, um, no, 00:24:10.069 --> 00:24:11.630 it must have been a little bit longer than that, 00:24:11.710 --> 00:24:16.690 but where he was on a boat and, you know, that, 00:24:16.710 --> 00:24:19.829 that sort of, yeah, that Tom foolery, you know, 00:24:19.890 --> 00:24:23.170 under the Belichick era would never have been 00:24:23.170 --> 00:24:25.890 allowed. I mean, talking about benched first 00:24:25.890 --> 00:24:28.289 three games of the season as punishment for something 00:24:28.289 --> 00:24:32.259 like that. So, um, While I am excited for the 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:34.960 team, I was a little disappointed, I think, in 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:38.859 Vrabel's reaction to the situation. But then 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:42.160 I, you know, from minicamp, I did watch some 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:44.599 clips and highlights and stuff like that. He, 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:46.839 you know, does look like he's in pretty decent 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:50.640 shape. He was looking a little better than some 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:53.529 of the other guys on the roster there. Who knows? 00:24:53.890 --> 00:24:56.930 You know, while I'm not overly optimistic, I'm 00:24:56.930 --> 00:24:59.089 not completely out. No, I think that's fair. 00:24:59.809 --> 00:25:02.769 I have a case for you about why Stefan Diggs 00:25:02.769 --> 00:25:04.910 is a good thing. This is going to be a different 00:25:04.910 --> 00:25:07.210 version of Diggs than what the Bills got when 00:25:07.210 --> 00:25:09.430 they traded a first round pick for him way back 00:25:09.430 --> 00:25:13.329 in the day, getting him from Minnesota. Obviously, 00:25:13.349 --> 00:25:15.609 he's coming off a pretty devastating injury and 00:25:15.609 --> 00:25:17.549 a very short tenure with the Houston Texans. 00:25:18.210 --> 00:25:20.809 That being said though, the way the Texans were 00:25:20.809 --> 00:25:24.190 using digs was very very interesting. His utilization 00:25:24.190 --> 00:25:27.069 is a red zone weapon, but more as like kind of 00:25:27.069 --> 00:25:30.829 like this slot type of slash receiver that ate 00:25:30.829 --> 00:25:33.589 up just a lot of scenery in the middle of the 00:25:33.589 --> 00:25:37.339 field. He's not a guy I think you want to isolate 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:39.500 against the team's best corner on the boundary 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:43.079 anymore But I think back to when Josh McDaniels 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.859 was really cooking with that passing game in 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:47.359 New England The stuff he was doing not just with 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:49.920 tight ends. You've got Hunter Henry, right? But 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:52.039 what he was doing with guys like Wes Welker and 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:55.859 Julian Edelman Across the middle of the field 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:58.140 freeing them up in motion a little bit ahead 00:25:58.140 --> 00:26:00.299 of its time if you will I actually think it's 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:04.630 an ideal situation for digs to maximize Granted 00:26:04.630 --> 00:26:07.950 what is it diminishing talent? It's a set of 00:26:07.950 --> 00:26:10.589 skills right now, but to maximize that at the 00:26:10.589 --> 00:26:13.869 stage of his career It feels like a really good 00:26:13.869 --> 00:26:15.750 fit I don't think it's gonna be copy and paste 00:26:15.750 --> 00:26:18.549 from the good old days But you can see really 00:26:18.549 --> 00:26:21.170 clearly where he slots into the rest of this 00:26:21.170 --> 00:26:27.470 wide receiver room Do you think Do you think? 00:26:28.009 --> 00:26:30.210 Because the issues with Stefan Diggs have almost 00:26:30.210 --> 00:26:32.710 never been on the field. They've been off the 00:26:32.710 --> 00:26:37.319 field And New England is a rebuilding team. Do 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:40.380 you think the growing pains that the New England 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:43.420 Patriots are going to be going through is going 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:48.299 to spark any of that off the field, cryptic comment, 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:52.019 cryptic social media post version of Stefan Diggs 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:54.880 that could end up becoming an anchor on the locker 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.980 room? Do you have any fears about that at all? 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:06.289 Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, I think. It's so likely to 00:27:06.289 --> 00:27:12.569 happen. I just picture a bad loss where maybe 00:27:12.569 --> 00:27:18.009 he gets one target from May that was short yardage 00:27:18.009 --> 00:27:20.849 and a bad pass or something like that. That's 00:27:20.849 --> 00:27:23.829 all it's gonna take for him to start spouting 00:27:23.829 --> 00:27:27.579 off on social media. doing something silly. I 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:31.180 don't think he's going to Antonio Brown the Buccaneers. 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:35.799 But, you know, again, I hope that some of the 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:38.900 younger guys, Kyle Williams, for example, can 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:43.400 learn something from a veteran like him. Hopefully 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:45.660 he'll be a leader. But I think a lot remains 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:47.880 to be seen, especially coming off of the injury. 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:52.019 Yeah, it's I was I was always one of the I guess 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:55.140 you could call me a Stefan Diggs apologist. even 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:57.299 after that Cincinnati Bengals game where he was 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:59.819 on the sideline just kind of arms open looking 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:02.019 at Josh at the end of that Cincinnati Bengals 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:05.660 playoff loss a few years back, you know, I was 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:07.400 like, listen, he's just a competitor. And he 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:09.920 wants to he wants to drive the rest of the team. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:14.559 I remember the Demar Hamlin game where Hamlin 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:17.500 suffered that that devastating and almost life 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:20.720 ending injury in Cincinnati. And there was so 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:24.730 much so much going on and so much cross -information, 00:28:24.829 --> 00:28:27.549 misinformation at one point on the broadcast, 00:28:27.910 --> 00:28:29.970 the broadcasters had said they had gotten the 00:28:29.970 --> 00:28:32.589 message from the NFL that the game was gonna 00:28:32.589 --> 00:28:35.650 go on. And you can tell no one else on the field 00:28:35.650 --> 00:28:38.349 wanted to play. But that message had somehow 00:28:38.349 --> 00:28:41.130 gotten to the guys on the bench. And you saw 00:28:41.130 --> 00:28:43.509 Diggs grab his helmet, try to rally the guys, 00:28:43.650 --> 00:28:46.750 get them going. He's that kind of personality, 00:28:47.029 --> 00:28:51.009 right? He wants to win. He always wants to play. 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:54.859 And he always wants to play his best. I think 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:58.799 where the conflict is gonna be is That his version 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:01.880 of playing his best best is all about volume. 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:05.700 It's about opportunities. It's about multiple 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:09.099 touches and In Buffalo towards the end you could 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:11.140 see some of those games where he was just not 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:13.680 a factor in the game plan whatsoever You could 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:17.059 tell that it started to wear on him. I don't 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:23.009 know that you guys have necessarily a wide receiver 00:29:23.009 --> 00:29:25.869 room that's gonna command a lot of targets away 00:29:25.869 --> 00:29:28.769 from him. And I'm very interested to see in training 00:29:28.769 --> 00:29:31.150 camp, which some of your formations look like 00:29:31.150 --> 00:29:33.849 and where he lines up, because I actually don't 00:29:33.849 --> 00:29:36.950 think volume is gonna be a problem. But it begs 00:29:36.950 --> 00:29:40.289 the question, if Stefan Diggs is your top targeted 00:29:40.289 --> 00:29:43.269 receiver on the wrong side of 30, coming off 00:29:43.269 --> 00:29:47.569 an ACL injury, is that going to be a successful 00:29:47.569 --> 00:29:51.069 situation? for a young QB and Drake made a survive 00:29:51.069 --> 00:29:54.529 in. So Brandon, let me ask you this. With Stefan 00:29:54.529 --> 00:29:57.509 Diggs, what is the best version of this passing 00:29:57.509 --> 00:30:05.210 offense you hope to see this season? So I think 00:30:05.210 --> 00:30:10.970 the best version is, you know, and I this is 00:30:10.970 --> 00:30:13.829 my theory on what we're going to see is a lot 00:30:13.829 --> 00:30:17.990 of spreading the ball. I don't see, you know, 00:30:18.329 --> 00:30:22.950 huge numbers games for any one individual player, 00:30:23.210 --> 00:30:27.690 especially Stefan Diggs. Now, you know, feeling 00:30:27.690 --> 00:30:31.490 down on him. But I think there's a lot of talent 00:30:31.490 --> 00:30:34.089 in the wide receiver core. I think some difficult 00:30:34.089 --> 00:30:37.529 decisions are going to have to be made in this 00:30:37.529 --> 00:30:40.710 offseason in terms of who from their wide receiving 00:30:40.710 --> 00:30:44.589 core they're going to keep. But folks like Jalen 00:30:44.589 --> 00:30:49.789 Polk, folks like Kyle Williams should see quite 00:30:49.789 --> 00:30:52.849 a bit of volume on the field alongside Stefan 00:30:52.849 --> 00:30:55.569 Diggs and Matt Collins. You know, there's just 00:30:55.569 --> 00:30:59.609 so much talent there. So I think that's the best 00:30:59.609 --> 00:31:03.269 the best version, right? Keeping defenses guessing 00:31:03.269 --> 00:31:06.210 about who to cover, who's getting the ball displayed. 00:31:07.329 --> 00:31:10.670 Yeah, it could end up like that, especially if 00:31:10.670 --> 00:31:12.869 a guy like Kyle Williams who you guys drafted 00:31:12.869 --> 00:31:15.089 out of was San Diego State. Is that that where 00:31:15.089 --> 00:31:18.710 he's out of? Yeah, you would know better than 00:31:18.710 --> 00:31:21.650 I would. I'm sure I'll get rudely corrected online 00:31:21.650 --> 00:31:23.990 if I'm wrong about that. You actually picked 00:31:23.990 --> 00:31:27.390 him in our Friends of the Pot mock draft. I think 00:31:27.390 --> 00:31:29.869 in the third round you went off board and you're 00:31:29.869 --> 00:31:32.690 like, listen, this is a dude I like. And he ended 00:31:32.690 --> 00:31:35.950 up coming home to you guys, which is great. Love 00:31:35.950 --> 00:31:41.470 his skill set in that offense. I'm with you. 00:31:41.670 --> 00:31:44.329 I think that the best version of any offense 00:31:44.329 --> 00:31:46.690 really is that you've got multiple guys you can 00:31:46.690 --> 00:31:48.829 spread around to. I mean, we are the founders 00:31:48.829 --> 00:31:52.410 of Everybody Eats here in Buffalo. I just don't 00:31:52.410 --> 00:31:56.430 know how quickly that's going to coalesce around 00:31:56.430 --> 00:32:01.819 a very, very How do I put this diplomatically? 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:06.160 A very, very strong presence in Stefan Diggs. 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.819 I mean, it's a big reason I think why the Bills 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:10.819 ultimately parted ways with him is they saw, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.680 similar to what you've identified, I think, in 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:15.160 your wide receiver room, the opportunity for 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:18.319 multiple guys to step up. and be variable game 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:20.500 to game on who it was you were going to target 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:22.880 or feature. And I think they just knew in their 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:24.359 heart of hearts that was not gonna work with 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:26.539 a guy like Diggs in the locker room. It'll be 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:28.859 interesting to see if your theory comes to fruition 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:31.299 and it ends up working out a little bit better 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:33.779 for him in New England. Here's the thing I think 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:36.039 you guys have going for you in that situation. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:39.160 Like how many more stops is this guy really gonna 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:42.420 get in his NFL career? Again, he's been injured. 00:32:42.670 --> 00:32:46.049 he was losing a step before he was injured. He 00:32:46.049 --> 00:32:49.849 is a notorious fair or not, and some people would 00:32:49.849 --> 00:32:52.789 say unfair, that are big Stefan Diggs fans, but 00:32:52.789 --> 00:32:55.150 he is in a notorious, difficult personality. 00:32:55.690 --> 00:32:59.690 And he commands touches at a rate that maybe 00:32:59.690 --> 00:33:01.950 has surpassed his actual output on the field. 00:33:02.210 --> 00:33:05.690 So it'd be very interesting to see. if he is 00:33:05.690 --> 00:33:08.650 not willing to take a back seat in New England, 00:33:08.829 --> 00:33:11.269 but if he's like starting to wake up to the realization 00:33:11.269 --> 00:33:14.069 that I may not have many more opportunities in 00:33:14.069 --> 00:33:16.289 this league for all the bridges that I have burned 00:33:16.289 --> 00:33:20.609 in my previous stops. Brandon, the wide receivers 00:33:20.609 --> 00:33:22.710 are gonna be important for you guys, but I think 00:33:22.710 --> 00:33:25.250 the most important room that you guys have tried 00:33:25.250 --> 00:33:27.690 to put the focus on this season is the O line. 00:33:28.170 --> 00:33:31.880 Your O line last year. I think by a lot of metrics 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:35.660 was the worst in the league. Pass rush win rate, 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:38.559 run block win rate. And I think most crucially, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:41.720 having a young QB under center, it was quick 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:44.019 pressure, pressure under two and a half seconds. 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:47.500 You guys led the league in allowing quick pressure 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:50.539 to get to Drake May. May, as a result, was able 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:54.200 to flash a lot of spontaneous, really entertaining 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:59.359 runs, utilizing his full athletic set. But um, 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:03.490 I think I think you guys really want him, especially 00:34:03.490 --> 00:34:06.210 in McDaniel's offense, to let him feel like he 00:34:06.210 --> 00:34:09.190 can plant his feet and stand on firm ground when 00:34:09.190 --> 00:34:11.670 dropping back, when in play action, turning his 00:34:11.670 --> 00:34:14.429 back to the offensive line. So you guys did some 00:34:14.429 --> 00:34:16.650 stuff to upgrade the offense, but you still have 00:34:16.650 --> 00:34:19.429 some question marks. Cole Strange is likely going 00:34:19.429 --> 00:34:22.570 to be a piece of the equation this year. The 00:34:22.570 --> 00:34:24.250 kid from Penn State, you guys drafted last year, 00:34:24.309 --> 00:34:26.010 I can't remember his name off the top of my head. 00:34:26.150 --> 00:34:29.230 I am struggling with New England Patriots today, 00:34:29.449 --> 00:34:33.300 but But ultimately, you guys brought in some 00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:37.539 pieces that may or may not be helpful. Definitely 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:40.980 upgrades, but my question for you is, is it enough, 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:43.519 right? The Houston Texans thought they had their 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:45.579 offensive line figured out last season with CJ 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:48.380 Stroud, and the Houston Texans were the third 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:50.260 worst team in allowing quick pressures to get 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:53.300 to Stroud last year. So we've seen second -year 00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:56.059 QBs with a lot of talent get derailed because 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.840 they don't trust the protection in front of him. 00:34:58.260 --> 00:35:01.869 Is this offensive line good enough this year 00:35:01.869 --> 00:35:04.949 to help Drake May take that next step in his 00:35:04.949 --> 00:35:11.389 second season? Yes, I do. I do think that the 00:35:11.389 --> 00:35:14.769 O -line is good enough, you know, and that there's 00:35:14.769 --> 00:35:19.449 no doubt in my mind. First of all, not a whole 00:35:19.449 --> 00:35:21.809 lot that can get worse compared to last year. 00:35:21.809 --> 00:35:23.989 It was bad. It was really bad. And the absolute 00:35:23.989 --> 00:35:26.809 lack of protection. You know, we talked then 00:35:26.809 --> 00:35:30.110 about how I was hoping that you know, they would 00:35:30.110 --> 00:35:33.369 keep Drake on the sideline and let Berset, you 00:35:33.369 --> 00:35:37.989 know, take the punches because there was, again, 00:35:38.170 --> 00:35:41.449 there was no protection in that backfield. But 00:35:41.449 --> 00:35:45.309 with the addition of Will Campbell, fourth overall 00:35:45.309 --> 00:35:49.050 out of this year's draft, I think it adds such 00:35:49.050 --> 00:35:52.789 a dynamic element and so much talent. And I think 00:35:52.789 --> 00:35:54.670 Will Campbell is going to be one of those players. 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:58.480 uh, that just brings up the level of play from 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:02.579 every guy around him. So, you know, I, again, 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:06.559 I was watching mini camp and again, they're still 00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:09.059 figuring some things out as they, you know, would 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:11.079 be at this point in the year. It's not a cause 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:15.840 for concern. Um, so yes, a hundred percent. Uh, 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:18.000 I think the protection is going to be a lot better. 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:20.059 Um, Drake may still going to have to get the 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:21.639 ball out quick. I think this is going to be an 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:24.659 uptempo offense. But he's gonna have the ability 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:29.280 to do that. And yeah, well, Campbell, my favorite 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:32.380 offensive tackle on this draft. And he was maybe 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:36.440 the most mocked person to the New England Patriots 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:38.940 at your slot in the draft this season at number 00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:43.159 four. And I hate that you got him because I do 00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:47.239 think he's an absolute unit. Arm arm length be 00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:49.920 damned. I remember watching a lot of his tape 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:54.539 two seasons ago And I was like who who am I keeping 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:57.239 an eye on in the college game for next season? 00:36:57.239 --> 00:37:00.239 so last season that was we speak that could really 00:37:00.239 --> 00:37:03.420 pop and could really be a name that ascends and 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:06.039 I always look as those SEC guys because they're 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:09.019 going up against the best edge rushers in the 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:12.429 country game in and game out and again Whatever 00:37:12.429 --> 00:37:14.510 you want to say about his arm length. He was 00:37:14.510 --> 00:37:16.849 good Will Campbell was going up against serious 00:37:16.849 --> 00:37:20.309 NFL talent every single Saturday that he played 00:37:20.309 --> 00:37:24.489 and His pressure rate his lack of sacks credited 00:37:24.489 --> 00:37:29.469 to him this dude his footwork, right? His violence 00:37:29.469 --> 00:37:32.030 the point of attack is really impressive despite 00:37:32.030 --> 00:37:36.309 the arm length Like everything about his technique 00:37:36.309 --> 00:37:40.969 screams long -term starter And because of his 00:37:40.969 --> 00:37:43.789 athletic profile, he's a guy long term for you 00:37:43.789 --> 00:37:46.550 guys. If he ends up hitting a tackle, you could 00:37:46.550 --> 00:37:50.090 see kind of make that slide to guard as he ages 00:37:50.090 --> 00:37:52.989 gracefully, hopefully for you guys into his career. 00:37:53.190 --> 00:37:55.409 And he could be an established starter on your 00:37:55.409 --> 00:37:58.329 unit for the next 10, maybe 11 years. I mean, 00:37:58.329 --> 00:38:00.510 he felt to me as much of a sure thing in this 00:38:00.510 --> 00:38:02.670 draft as anything. And I hate the fact that you 00:38:02.670 --> 00:38:05.329 guys got him like you guys overall nailed your 00:38:05.329 --> 00:38:07.929 draft this season. And it was infuriating to 00:38:07.929 --> 00:38:09.699 me how much talent you ended up. and in your 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:12.579 rookie class, but Will Campbell, definitely the 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:14.760 headliner and was a really great draft for you 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:18.599 guys. So Brandon, let me ask you this. We've 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.840 talked a little bit about the offensive line. 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:22.239 We've talked about the wide receiver room. Who 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:25.639 is the one addition on offense? So we're talking 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:27.440 about the offensive side of the ball. I know 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:30.019 you guys brought in Milton Williams. You've revamped 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:32.440 this defense as well. But at the end of the day, 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:35.480 it really is all about Drake May. So who is the 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:38.429 player? on the offensive side that you are the 00:38:38.429 --> 00:38:40.510 most excited to see suit up for your team this 00:38:40.510 --> 00:38:46.949 year? Yes. So for me, that's that's an easy answer. 00:38:47.050 --> 00:38:50.550 That's Trevion Henderson, the rookie running 00:38:50.550 --> 00:38:56.550 back. I think Antonio Gibson is out of the picture, 00:38:56.789 --> 00:38:58.869 out of the equation. I don't think he's going 00:38:58.869 --> 00:39:01.230 to be seeing any snaps. I think they're going 00:39:01.230 --> 00:39:04.940 to let Ramondre. you know, sort of be the workhorse 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:07.340 in the beginning part of the season as Henderson 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:11.079 is adjusting to the NFL. But I think we will 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:17.340 see a midseason takeover from him. He's so talented, 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:22.679 game break or tackle breaking speed. And I think, 00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:24.320 you know, we talked about the wide receivers, 00:39:24.739 --> 00:39:28.440 receivers already. But if they can't also get 00:39:28.440 --> 00:39:30.679 the running game going the way that Raible likes 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:34.639 to do in his offenses. the wide receiving room 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:37.039 is is going to struggle in the exact same way. 00:39:37.960 --> 00:39:42.039 So Trevion Henderson, I think is, is that X factor 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:44.719 that this ability to catch balls out of the backfield 00:39:44.719 --> 00:39:49.820 as well, is going to add like, like a really 00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:52.880 fun Danny woodhead type of element to this offense. 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:55.119 I mean, and that's the thing about your offseason. 00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:59.820 It is Indisputable the amount of talent you guys 00:39:59.820 --> 00:40:02.960 have brought in to improve this roster But as 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:05.780 someone who has followed the Patriots as a result 00:40:05.780 --> 00:40:08.760 of their dominance in a division over the last 00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:11.960 20 years Against a team that I love in the Bills 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:15.420 like you can also see with variable having the 00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:17.940 legacy with the Patriots He does with McDaniel's 00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:19.820 having a legacy of the Patriots. He does you 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:24.659 can see the blueprint from yesteryear being superimposed 00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:27.199 on this year's group and some of that could be 00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:30.420 biased from us fans as we are familiar with most 00:40:30.420 --> 00:40:33.019 familiar with that version of the Patriots but 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:34.880 you could really see how a lot of these guys 00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:37.840 slip in to some of these legacy type of roles 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:41.579 in the McDaniels scheme that that he likes to 00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:45.659 run so it it was a very old school New England 00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:49.949 Patriots offseason for you guys to me But definitely 00:40:49.949 --> 00:40:51.909 with an eye on the future and an eye on doing 00:40:51.909 --> 00:40:54.469 big things again around your QB who showed a 00:40:54.469 --> 00:40:58.010 lot of talent last year a lot of talent so Brandon 00:40:58.010 --> 00:41:00.469 you guys win total according to DraftKings the 00:41:00.469 --> 00:41:02.710 over under is sitting right now at eight and 00:41:02.710 --> 00:41:05.869 a half Market improvement from last year where 00:41:05.869 --> 00:41:08.510 it was sitting at three and a half and in most 00:41:08.510 --> 00:41:11.829 sports books Where do you think at the end of 00:41:11.829 --> 00:41:13.719 the day? I'm gonna ask you a two -parter Where 00:41:13.719 --> 00:41:16.699 does the wind total land for you guys this season 00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:19.360 and then do you think the Pats have a shot to 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:27.960 make the playoffs? Yeah, so I think the wind 00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:34.260 ceiling is probably 12 I Think that's the ceiling. 00:41:34.340 --> 00:41:36.139 I don't think it's gonna get better than that 00:41:36.139 --> 00:41:41.179 ceiling. Um, but real is 12. Okay, please continue 00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:49.960 The ceiling is a 12. Yes. So. So I think I would 00:41:49.960 --> 00:41:53.619 put my money on nine, nine wins for the Patriots 00:41:53.619 --> 00:41:58.019 this season. So I would take the over. And again, 00:41:58.079 --> 00:42:02.059 like, how do the Patriots get to those 12 wins? 00:42:02.119 --> 00:42:05.360 Those best case scenario wins? You know, that's 00:42:05.360 --> 00:42:09.019 coming down to the final play. And, you know, 00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:12.320 Drake may. I don't know. making miracles happen 00:42:12.320 --> 00:42:15.679 on the field, you know, late in the fourth quarter. 00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:18.619 I think that that's how those wins happen if 00:42:18.619 --> 00:42:21.860 it if it happens. I Drake may show to propensity 00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:23.840 for some of those heroics at the end of last 00:42:23.840 --> 00:42:31.639 year for sure. Damn, man. ceiling at 12. I like 00:42:31.639 --> 00:42:35.280 so. So let's so let's talk through that. Because 00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:37.940 obviously the bills are in the division. The 00:42:37.940 --> 00:42:39.539 Dolphins are in the division way up the jets. 00:42:40.180 --> 00:42:43.460 I would say you guys are obviously the most improved 00:42:43.460 --> 00:42:48.420 team Out of the the three also Rams from last 00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:51.780 season I think the Jets have tried to stabilize 00:42:51.780 --> 00:42:55.239 the shift the ship after the Roger Aaron Rodgers 00:42:55.239 --> 00:42:58.719 disaster And I think that the Dolphins on paper 00:42:58.719 --> 00:43:01.300 are probably the least improved from last year 00:43:01.300 --> 00:43:03.699 they address some of their triple spots in the 00:43:03.699 --> 00:43:06.760 trenches but to me not enough to make a lot of 00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:09.590 market changes, but They also still have Tyree 00:43:09.590 --> 00:43:14.590 kill Jalen wattle and If if healthy to a tongue 00:43:14.590 --> 00:43:17.570 of aloha who is only two and a half seasons removed 00:43:17.570 --> 00:43:20.869 from operating one of the most efficient offenses 00:43:20.869 --> 00:43:25.409 in nfl history So so there is a dark horse sleeper 00:43:25.409 --> 00:43:28.150 element to the dolphins this year as well So 00:43:28.150 --> 00:43:32.090 to get to 12 you guys would I feel like need 00:43:32.090 --> 00:43:34.610 to split at the very least with bills and the 00:43:34.610 --> 00:43:38.420 bills and then sweep the jets and sweep the Dolphins. 00:43:38.760 --> 00:43:43.960 So let me ask you this. Do you feel like immediately 00:43:43.960 --> 00:43:47.039 you guys are the second best team in the division 00:43:47.039 --> 00:43:49.639 behind the Bills or are you guys challenging 00:43:49.639 --> 00:43:53.239 this year in your mind the the supremacy of Buffalo? 00:43:56.980 --> 00:44:01.539 No, I don't think we're there yet. You can continue 00:44:01.539 --> 00:44:05.019 to have your moment in the spotlight. Thank you 00:44:05.019 --> 00:44:08.820 so much. Two generations of dominance. Yes. Thank 00:44:08.820 --> 00:44:13.880 you. Yeah, as long as Demica, you know, Josh 00:44:13.880 --> 00:44:18.300 Allen continues to reign supreme in this conference. 00:44:18.619 --> 00:44:21.400 I just love Josh Allen. Sorry. This is a Drake 00:44:21.400 --> 00:44:25.840 May conversation. Keep going. Yes, yeah, no, 00:44:25.840 --> 00:44:33.440 it's it's Yeah, I think I think it you know You'll 00:44:33.440 --> 00:44:35.679 see your bills at the top of the division followed 00:44:35.679 --> 00:44:39.179 by the Patriots Followed by Miami and then who 00:44:39.179 --> 00:44:41.980 are the Jets and what are they but the same team? 00:44:42.099 --> 00:44:44.820 They've always been so no change there listening 00:44:44.820 --> 00:44:48.000 So you've got the the Dolphins slotted in ahead 00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:50.940 of the Jets. Yeah, I there is a there's a world 00:44:50.940 --> 00:44:54.659 where I could see that happening All right, man. 00:44:54.780 --> 00:44:57.900 All right, so let's wrap it up here I've got 00:44:57.900 --> 00:45:00.400 one final question for you and then per your 00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:03.300 request we are gonna do a custom fantasy football 00:45:03.300 --> 00:45:05.619 section for you We're gonna we're gonna dismiss 00:45:05.619 --> 00:45:08.340 our normal degenerate sports gambling nature 00:45:08.340 --> 00:45:10.400 that we have when JJ is on the pod We're gonna 00:45:10.400 --> 00:45:12.619 shift gears to a to fantasy football, which is 00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:15.019 a nose in your wheelhouse But one more question 00:45:15.019 --> 00:45:17.039 about the pats here before we we change gears 00:45:17.039 --> 00:45:21.559 to that Give us one thing. It could be a storyline 00:45:21.800 --> 00:45:25.760 It could be a player, anything. Give us one thing 00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:27.619 about the paths that you think our listeners 00:45:27.619 --> 00:45:31.139 should keep an eye on this offseason that nobody 00:45:31.139 --> 00:45:38.659 else is talking about. I think you might be muted. 00:45:38.840 --> 00:45:48.820 Are you muted? You're welcome. Thanks, Dan. So, 00:45:49.139 --> 00:45:50.920 you know, it's interesting that nobody's talking 00:45:50.920 --> 00:45:53.230 about it. because I think there's a lot of talk 00:45:53.230 --> 00:45:59.289 happening. So a player that I don't think most 00:45:59.289 --> 00:46:02.690 people have ever heard of, Efton Chisholm III. 00:46:03.090 --> 00:46:05.550 Have you heard of Efton? I have not, and I keep 00:46:05.550 --> 00:46:09.429 a pretty close eye on you guys. So I'm going 00:46:09.429 --> 00:46:11.429 to tell you something interesting about Efton 00:46:11.429 --> 00:46:14.869 Chisholm III that most people don't know because 00:46:14.869 --> 00:46:19.440 they've never heard of him. He broke a single 00:46:19.440 --> 00:46:24.440 season record in receptions that was previously 00:46:24.440 --> 00:46:28.000 held by, who do you think? A Patriots player 00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:32.059 is that what we're talking about? No, no, no, 00:46:32.059 --> 00:46:35.199 no, no. So Efton Chisholm, the third is a Patriots 00:46:35.199 --> 00:46:38.840 player, but he broke a single season record in 00:46:38.840 --> 00:46:42.199 receptions. I'll give you another hint at Eastern 00:46:42.199 --> 00:46:46.340 Washington, whose record did. Yep. Yes. Yes. 00:46:46.730 --> 00:46:50.590 Yes, thank you for playing he broke he broke 00:46:50.590 --> 00:46:56.030 Cooper cups single -season reception record Yes, 00:46:56.050 --> 00:47:01.309 and so I think Caught every single ball almost 00:47:01.309 --> 00:47:04.070 that was thrown to him and showed a lot of chemistry 00:47:04.070 --> 00:47:07.769 with Drake May in camp I think he's gonna earn 00:47:07.769 --> 00:47:11.170 himself a spot on the roster and a place in this 00:47:11.170 --> 00:47:20.920 offense Efton Chisholm the third. How pissed. 00:47:21.460 --> 00:47:24.920 It's a great name. But how pissed is Stefan Diggs 00:47:24.920 --> 00:47:28.619 gonna be if he loses targets to Efton Chisholm 00:47:28.619 --> 00:47:31.400 the third in his first and maybe only year in 00:47:31.400 --> 00:47:34.619 New England? That'd be wild. Wild. So many reasons 00:47:34.619 --> 00:47:36.480 to keep an eye on that storyline. I love it, 00:47:36.539 --> 00:47:39.400 Brandon. All right. Brandon, per your request, 00:47:39.679 --> 00:47:42.500 Brandon's Fantasy Football Corner, I have not 00:47:42.500 --> 00:47:45.480 played in a proper PPR league in a very long 00:47:45.480 --> 00:47:49.079 time. I do weekly fantasy where you're basically 00:47:49.079 --> 00:47:51.440 buying new players with a fake cash threshold. 00:47:51.760 --> 00:47:53.880 You're putting in a bunch of money and I lose 00:47:53.880 --> 00:47:56.380 ultimately to professional gamblers on a bunch 00:47:56.380 --> 00:47:58.539 of sports books that are using algorithms to 00:47:58.539 --> 00:48:01.300 pick all their players. So I donate about a hundred 00:48:01.300 --> 00:48:04.500 bucks every season to playing daily fantasy in 00:48:04.500 --> 00:48:08.110 the NFL. You, sir, or traditionalist. You have 00:48:08.110 --> 00:48:10.750 a league, you have friends, right? You do the 00:48:10.750 --> 00:48:14.769 whole draft thing, all that kind of stuff. So 00:48:14.769 --> 00:48:17.409 fantasy is like, this is your bag. This is where 00:48:17.409 --> 00:48:20.929 I happily take a back seat. So if you could, 00:48:21.809 --> 00:48:24.969 for any of our listeners at home, standard 10 00:48:24.969 --> 00:48:28.650 team PPR league, who are some of your top first 00:48:28.650 --> 00:48:30.989 round selections that you would recommend to 00:48:30.989 --> 00:48:37.579 our listeners to target this season? Okay, so 00:48:37.579 --> 00:48:41.840 so I've played in leagues before with Bill's 00:48:41.840 --> 00:48:49.860 fans and I notice a fond approach of taking Josh 00:48:49.860 --> 00:48:54.000 Dallin in the first round There's very few, pretty 00:48:54.000 --> 00:48:57.280 much never a circumstance in which you want to 00:48:57.280 --> 00:48:58.980 take a quarterback in the first round. But if 00:48:58.980 --> 00:49:01.179 you're going to take a quarterback to everyone 00:49:01.179 --> 00:49:03.820 listening, you better be a hardcore Bills fan 00:49:03.820 --> 00:49:05.619 because you're going to take Josh Allen in the 00:49:05.619 --> 00:49:10.659 first round. Now, for everybody else, for everybody 00:49:10.659 --> 00:49:14.099 else, I personally like to take a wide receiver 00:49:14.099 --> 00:49:19.199 in the first round. Your names like Jamar Chase, 00:49:19.599 --> 00:49:22.639 Amanrassain Brown. excellent options depending 00:49:22.639 --> 00:49:26.619 where you are in the draft position. I think 00:49:26.619 --> 00:49:29.179 there's a big question mark around Christian 00:49:29.179 --> 00:49:32.480 McCaffrey, like there always is. He's often, 00:49:32.480 --> 00:49:35.940 you know, a very early pickup for folks. I'm 00:49:35.940 --> 00:49:39.000 not that type of gambler. When I am making my 00:49:39.000 --> 00:49:41.699 first round pick, the most important pick of 00:49:41.699 --> 00:49:46.440 your entire draft, you want a sure thing. Is 00:49:46.440 --> 00:49:50.369 Ashton Jeanty really exciting as a rookie? sure 00:49:50.369 --> 00:49:55.230 is I'm seeing on fantasy prose that the current 00:49:55.230 --> 00:49:58.590 average draft, draft position for GNT is seven. 00:49:58.630 --> 00:50:01.730 So a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm around 00:50:01.730 --> 00:50:06.710 that actually like, I mean, it is that feels 00:50:06.710 --> 00:50:09.269 high in Las Vegas, Gino Smith will elevate that 00:50:09.269 --> 00:50:12.329 program. But it kind of unit is he running behind? 00:50:12.690 --> 00:50:17.880 Yeah, yes. So That's not a gamble I'm willing 00:50:17.880 --> 00:50:21.539 to make. I want a sure thing. I want the known 00:50:21.539 --> 00:50:24.980 guaranteed number one on an offense. And if we're 00:50:24.980 --> 00:50:28.679 talking PPR, you want to take a wide receiver. 00:50:29.000 --> 00:50:33.780 I'm just not really the type of person or the 00:50:33.780 --> 00:50:35.860 type of fantasy player to take a running back 00:50:35.860 --> 00:50:38.739 or a quarterback in the first round. In most 00:50:38.739 --> 00:50:42.159 formats, I'm going wide receiver. So for this 00:50:42.159 --> 00:50:46.150 upcoming draft, I think Aman Ra is a sure thing. 00:50:48.090 --> 00:50:53.170 And Jamar Chase, currently number one ADP. So 00:50:53.170 --> 00:50:55.639 can't go wrong with him. Justin Jefferson is 00:50:55.639 --> 00:51:00.039 also also like Cincinnati's offense to me. It's 00:51:00.039 --> 00:51:02.940 such a volume shooter's offense, right? Because 00:51:02.940 --> 00:51:05.239 that defense looks like it's going to be bad 00:51:05.239 --> 00:51:07.880 again this year. Trey Hendrickson holding out. 00:51:07.980 --> 00:51:10.400 They haven't signed. They haven't signed Stewart, 00:51:10.980 --> 00:51:13.900 their number 17 overall pick at the edge yet. 00:51:14.219 --> 00:51:16.340 Secondary is still a mess. No one knows what's 00:51:16.340 --> 00:51:18.460 going on with that. It feels like Cincinnati 00:51:18.460 --> 00:51:21.059 is going to have to have to win a lot of shootouts 00:51:21.059 --> 00:51:23.079 again this year. And Burroughs going to have 00:51:23.079 --> 00:51:26.119 some patted ads. Let me let me ask you this with 00:51:26.119 --> 00:51:30.099 regard to Cincinnati are both chase and chase 00:51:30.099 --> 00:51:33.760 obviously, but as Higgins also because of the 00:51:33.760 --> 00:51:35.820 volume that those two guys are going to see this 00:51:35.820 --> 00:51:39.019 season is Higgins also a viable first round selection 00:51:39.019 --> 00:51:45.280 and attempt team league. A viable first round 00:51:45.280 --> 00:51:49.699 selection and attempt team league. No, no, I 00:51:49.699 --> 00:51:53.639 wouldn't waste a first round pick on T Higgins. 00:51:54.300 --> 00:51:58.099 I do think he's a phenomenal player, you know, 00:51:58.179 --> 00:52:01.519 and by no, you know, no shred of doubt, like 00:52:01.519 --> 00:52:05.880 very, very talented. But I also think that Jamar 00:52:05.880 --> 00:52:09.400 Chase is a special talent, like, you know, a 00:52:09.400 --> 00:52:13.679 generational talent. So and Joe Burrow is good 00:52:13.679 --> 00:52:18.110 enough to have both of these guys eat. But I 00:52:18.110 --> 00:52:22.030 do think Jamar chase takes. No, definitely. I 00:52:22.030 --> 00:52:25.710 love almond russet brown. I am not yet fully. 00:52:25.789 --> 00:52:27.610 I'm like kicking the rust off for the pod. I'm 00:52:27.610 --> 00:52:30.429 not fully into my stats yet. I've just started 00:52:30.429 --> 00:52:33.309 rewatching some film from last year to get reacclimated. 00:52:33.670 --> 00:52:37.179 But I was. Pulling up some of my stat packages 00:52:37.179 --> 00:52:39.840 from last year and I was looking at catch rate 00:52:39.840 --> 00:52:41.679 because I'm obsessed with catch rate I think 00:52:41.679 --> 00:52:45.800 catch rate is like the new Yak to me like if 00:52:45.800 --> 00:52:47.860 you got a guy that can secure the ball and an 00:52:47.860 --> 00:52:50.079 offense He just has more opportunities to do 00:52:50.079 --> 00:52:53.659 things and I took a look at Amanra St. Brown 00:52:53.659 --> 00:52:58.559 You want to take a guess what his drop rate for? 00:52:59.360 --> 00:53:04.039 yards For passes targeted ten or more yards downfield 00:53:04.039 --> 00:53:08.519 was last year Just guess Drop rate. What's his 00:53:08.519 --> 00:53:10.760 yes, which is drop rate. How many passes did 00:53:10.760 --> 00:53:17.619 he drop at? What rate? I'm gonna say point or 00:53:17.619 --> 00:53:24.099 eight percent dude caught Wow Everything he caught 00:53:24.099 --> 00:53:27.739 Everything's really on a high degree of difficulty 00:53:27.739 --> 00:53:31.460 passes. So now he is that dudes. That's wild 00:53:31.460 --> 00:53:33.219 that dude is asked here I think he's a great 00:53:33.219 --> 00:53:38.090 recommendation Yeah, he's he's one of few players 00:53:38.090 --> 00:53:41.949 in the NFL that can get 16 receptions in a game 00:53:41.949 --> 00:53:44.929 that can get 18 receptions in a single game. 00:53:46.030 --> 00:53:51.030 He is such a volume play. So he is he's just 00:53:51.030 --> 00:53:53.590 fascinating, fascinating to watch on the field. 00:53:54.210 --> 00:53:58.170 All right, first rounders are easy. Let's because 00:53:58.170 --> 00:54:00.309 this is your fantasy quarter. Let's kick up the 00:54:00.309 --> 00:54:05.039 degree of difficulty. Give me three. Late round 00:54:05.039 --> 00:54:07.480 sleepers that folks are going to need to help 00:54:07.480 --> 00:54:14.559 fill their roster at the end of the draft. OK, 00:54:15.420 --> 00:54:19.679 so I talked about how I like to take wide receivers 00:54:19.679 --> 00:54:22.860 early, especially in the first round. There is 00:54:22.860 --> 00:54:26.920 a strategy that's called zero RB in which like 00:54:26.920 --> 00:54:30.559 first three four. maybe even five rounds, you 00:54:30.559 --> 00:54:34.780 take straight wide receiver every round. So yeah, 00:54:36.380 --> 00:54:40.019 and yeah, no, and they've run obviously statistics 00:54:40.019 --> 00:54:44.760 on the no RV strategy. And it has a slightly 00:54:44.760 --> 00:54:48.440 higher, you know, than 50 % success rate. So, 00:54:50.300 --> 00:54:53.320 so, you know, I'm always looking for in the late 00:54:53.320 --> 00:54:58.489 rounds value. at the running back position. So 00:54:58.489 --> 00:55:01.230 the first player I want to mention is a name 00:55:01.230 --> 00:55:04.170 that most people are very familiar with. This 00:55:04.170 --> 00:55:07.469 is the household name, but we will be seeing 00:55:07.469 --> 00:55:11.750 this older running back in Houston this year. 00:55:12.269 --> 00:55:15.869 That is Nicholas. I think if you're looking for 00:55:15.869 --> 00:55:19.929 value, I think if you're looking for value again, 00:55:20.190 --> 00:55:24.840 you want a name that's familiar that has potential, 00:55:24.840 --> 00:55:28.880 right? So I think a Nick Chubb who's currently 00:55:28.880 --> 00:55:33.639 going very, very late ADP is a name that I would 00:55:33.639 --> 00:55:37.019 stash on my roster to to wait and see, right? 00:55:37.179 --> 00:55:39.639 Because again, there's that name recognition. 00:55:40.260 --> 00:55:42.699 We've seen him do incredible things with a football 00:55:42.699 --> 00:55:47.239 in his hands. So Nick Chubb comes to mind. Another 00:55:47.239 --> 00:55:51.119 player who I think is due for a breakout season. 00:55:51.469 --> 00:55:56.750 is Romeo Dobbs out of Green Bay. I think he is 00:55:56.750 --> 00:55:59.170 a late round sleeper pick. There was a lot of 00:55:59.170 --> 00:56:01.690 questions on Green Bay's offense last season 00:56:01.690 --> 00:56:05.090 as to who was gonna be first in the pecking order 00:56:05.090 --> 00:56:08.269 and how the ball was gonna be distributed. I 00:56:08.269 --> 00:56:11.710 think Romeo Dobbs is one of the better talents 00:56:11.710 --> 00:56:15.329 now with a little bit more. NFL experience under 00:56:15.329 --> 00:56:18.329 his belt. So I do think he's going to have a 00:56:18.329 --> 00:56:20.989 good season this year and has a lot of late round 00:56:20.989 --> 00:56:26.630 value currently in the ADP. I'm going to mention 00:56:26.630 --> 00:56:31.849 another wide receiver that is Xavier Ligette 00:56:31.849 --> 00:56:36.269 out of Carolina. Didn't look great with Bryce 00:56:36.269 --> 00:56:41.280 Young last season, but. lest us not forget what 00:56:41.280 --> 00:56:44.079 Xavier LeGate was in college. I think he's a 00:56:44.079 --> 00:56:47.619 very, very talented wide receiver. And, you know, 00:56:47.739 --> 00:56:51.320 hopefully, this offseason, Carolina would have 00:56:51.320 --> 00:56:54.300 built him a much, much larger role in the offense 00:56:54.300 --> 00:56:57.460 and gotten more chemistry with Bryce Young. And 00:56:57.460 --> 00:57:00.420 so, again, fantasy players looking for value 00:57:00.420 --> 00:57:03.920 in the late rounds. You can roll the dice on 00:57:03.920 --> 00:57:05.960 Xavier LeGate. I like the pairing with him and 00:57:05.960 --> 00:57:08.099 Tep McMillan to their rookie first round wide 00:57:08.099 --> 00:57:11.769 receiver selection. And Bryce Young, hopefully 00:57:11.769 --> 00:57:14.070 not a mirage at the end of the season. Listen, 00:57:14.570 --> 00:57:17.269 I am a Bills fan first, but I am also a football 00:57:17.269 --> 00:57:20.989 fan. And the more good QBs there are in the league, 00:57:21.090 --> 00:57:23.690 the more entertaining my Sundays are. And at 00:57:23.690 --> 00:57:25.030 the end of the year, when the Bills had stuff 00:57:25.030 --> 00:57:28.369 wrapped up, I started straying on my NFL network 00:57:28.369 --> 00:57:31.280 red zone to like... other teams that were playing 00:57:31.280 --> 00:57:33.780 when the Bills weren't. And Bryce Young really 00:57:33.780 --> 00:57:35.519 caught my eye at the end of last season. So I 00:57:35.519 --> 00:57:37.519 really hope that's for real for that young kid. 00:57:38.420 --> 00:57:40.500 Great for him, but also great for us NFL fans 00:57:40.500 --> 00:57:43.079 that could get to watch one more hopefully quality 00:57:43.079 --> 00:57:46.440 QB strap on the pads weekend in and weekend out. 00:57:46.920 --> 00:57:49.570 So Brandon. Love the takes and love having you 00:57:49.570 --> 00:57:52.150 on the pod, sir. Much appreciated you filling 00:57:52.150 --> 00:57:54.969 in for J .J. You are welcome back, of course, 00:57:55.190 --> 00:57:56.929 any time you want to join us here on Buffalo 00:57:56.929 --> 00:58:00.349 Bread. This is a safe space for Patriots fans 00:58:00.349 --> 00:58:04.409 as they enter their Drake May era. And your you're 00:58:04.409 --> 00:58:07.929 hopefully not turbulent Stefan Diggs era, but 00:58:07.929 --> 00:58:12.530 we'll say. Well, thank you again for having me. 00:58:12.630 --> 00:58:15.710 I appreciate again talking Patriots a little 00:58:15.710 --> 00:58:17.940 more. Yes, absolutely, sir. And for all of you 00:58:17.940 --> 00:58:19.739 listening at home, thank you for joining us. 00:58:19.800 --> 00:58:21.559 Like, share, and subscribe wherever you get your 00:58:21.559 --> 00:58:24.079 podcasts, Google, Apple, Spotify. And as always, 00:58:24.199 --> 00:58:24.519 go Bills.