OBL 10/9: TJ Parker On First Career Sack, Friday Fan Mailbag

0:00We're going to do what you're doing. He is a beast with a capital B. The term is in the kitchen. Looks now the signline he's got contained for a 23 yard touchdown. And it's intercepted jumping up on the air is fed for... This is one bills live. Alright, Rockin' and Rolling into a Friday Chris Brown, Steve Tasker with you coming to the stadium. As we sit just a few days away from the week 5 matchup bills rams on Monday night football. We got to get the Monday night football theme going. We haven't done that yet. I know it's a favorite of yours. I want that song as a background music. The entire show. Can we make that happen? That might be a little excessive.

1:02A little, but you know what I mean? Come on. It's just you got to do it. We'll have it. Thanks the hair stand up on the back. Here's what we do here next. On Monday show when we're in LA. In LA. Then we can do it. We're going to have that on the background the entire two hour show. Well, even during the commercial break. That might be a little excessive. Even during the commercial breaks. Why do I feel like if Steve was a practicing dentist, that would be his music in the waiting room. Beats some of the all turned in. Well, I can't argue with that. Another beautiful day here in Western New York. I'm going to get my long. Thank you. There it is. I can't hear myself loud for you as it is for me. It is. It's like it's breathtakingly loud. It needs to be like, you know, hovering in the background. Because it does give your. It does give whatever you say that sense of importance.

2:08Yeah. Cruciality. Yes. What I am saying is significant. Because the Monday night football team or Monday night football theme is layered under my voice. It is a significant. You know this is important. That's right. That's all from work today. I need to cut my long. I grew up with Frank Gifford. Monday. Any more. Right. Frank Gifford, Don Meredith. Don Meredith lasted like a decade. Frank was there until he was in his 80s. And this news, he always said Monday, not Monday. Well, it's Monday night football. He's a Texas guy. He was dude. I got acquainted with Frank over the years. Great dude. I loved him. But he, in his contract, part of his contract was that when Monday night football came on the air, he was the first face on the screen. I didn't know you could get him. What about Howard felt about that?

3:08Well, it was later in his career. Oh, oh. When they had all, you know, they had this. Well, Frank, when Howard was on, were they on the same original cast? Oh, yeah, yeah. They were, right? Oh, yeah. I remember it was Dandy Don. Because Frank was doing play-by-play for a hot minute. Yeah. And with Don Meredith, Frank, and Howard. Okay. So that was the original career. Well, that's what I thought. That wasn't the original one. That was the original guy first year. Oh, yeah. He was the original play-by-play. Yeah. Right. Keith Jackson. Wooden Ellie. Yeah. I love this. Yeah. He was awesome. All right. Yeah. I did not know that. That's an interesting fact. It is. I'm... What a modest thing to put in your contract. Yeah, I'd like a clause that when we go on the air, I'm the first voice and face that America sees. That's right. His voice was the first voice. Everybody else can take a back seat. Can you imagine having the...

4:09That's some cojones there, man. Well, here's the thing. He probably... I don't know. But I could see it. I do that if you didn't know who the play-by-play was going to be a year-to-year. You go through these transitions where Howard's gone, Don Meredith's gone, and they bring in... Oh, who's... I can't remember his name. And I know him. Dan Deer Dorf comes in. Dan Deer Dorf, remember? Then they had an element where Alex Karris was in the booth. Oh, my gosh. Oh, it did turn over more than I thought. Oh, my gosh. It had Dan Fowl. It had Dennis Miller. Oh, my goodness. All of those guys turned. There's actually... Tony Cornheiser was in there for a year. So, I mean, it's been turned over so many times. So if he's sitting there going, listen, all right, here's the deal. We need some continuity. So this comes on, no matter what... Oh, so you think that was the end? You think that was the impetus? Yeah. I don't know. But it makes some sense. That's why the network probably said, yeah, you know what he's right. You know? Okay. See the music's gone now. And everything's still now.

5:09Well, what we're saying now isn't quite as important. But apparently not... Apparently not. Let's get to something that is important. Bill's practice notes. Let's go. Which is brought to you by LaBette, an official beer of the Buffalo Bills. And there was some encouraging news at practice yesterday. So I walked over to the DBs area when they broke off into individual position drills. And there was one Christian Benford back practicing after missing last week's game with a tow injury. He was listed as a limited participant as was Landon Jackson, who sustained a knee injury in the game last week. He was cleared to return to the game, but he never reentered the game. He was limited as well. He did. I know Landon Jackson did dawn a knee brace during that game. He didn't have it on, then once he got clear to play, it was like he... Yeah, but he never went back in the game after he got hurt.

6:11No, but he didn't. I mean, he's standing on the sidelines, but they're just like, we're good. That's right. But I want to say to his after he got hurt, they put a knee brace on him. Okay. Not practicing Thursday, Nickel Corner D, Alford, wide receiver, DJ Moore and defensive tackle, Ed Oliver. Full participants included DJ Sanders, who might be available on Monday in his return from an app inducted me in the timing would be good knowing Ed Oliver could be down. So that would at least fill the void a little bit. So we'll see where things go today with today's injury report, the final injury report because it's a Monday night game with status is not coming until Saturday. That's when we will get, you know, the designations of questionable out, doubtful, whatever. That won't come until Saturday since this game is Monday night. So don't look for your official game statuses later today. They'll just have an updated injury report later today. Every other game will be up today, though. Right.

7:11Let's have a look at the NFL and for the Rams, the injury report for them has a similar Nickel Corner problem. Their top Nickel safety, Quentin Lake, not practicing Thursday due to a hip injury. This is not completely uncommon, but they're starting safety Quentin Lake is also their nickel corner. He plays there for them and then they bring another safety on the field, usually Cameron Kinschens. Not practicing yesterday due to a hip injury. So we'll see where that goes. Also, they're starting middle linebacker Nate Landman also their leading tackler. Not practicing due to a shoulder injury. So those are two pretty key injuries in the back seven for the Rams. So we'll have to keep an eye on those defensive tackle Aaron Donald limited in practice with a back element. Titan Colby Parkinson and starting corner Jalen Watson also limited in practice. Of on the limited players head coach Sean McVey said as long as our limited participants progress each day as we expect.

8:16Those limited players will suit up on Monday night. So it's an interesting because it does the Quentin Lake stuff about the nickel brings up philosophical point when you're talking about because some teams and some coaching. So we've seen it here in Buffalo where they want their best 11 athletes on the field. So they'll make sure Quentin Lake doesn't come off in nickel situations or some one of their guys they'll move him down to the nickel and put a better safety in than the nickel they have to put in as a starter of Quentin Lake play safety. So they want it's the best 11 guys. So in the Rams case they bring Quentin Lake down to play the nickel and they like their combination of safety better than they would if Lakeston. They would have Lakestate at safety and they brought in some other nickel. Some teams do I don't know that I don't know about that. Well I was forced to do that with Dero and James. That's because they got these guys.

9:17Their depth is different than the bills depth or some other teams depth. I mean that's why last year it took a train wreck to get to more hamlin on the field as they're nickel. I'll be very interested to see if the bills choose a different plan this week. Yeah. Or if assuming the same people are unavailable namely to Corey Couch with the hamstring who didn't practice either he's a practice squad player. And Alford is still not practicing. Are they going to go with Demar at nickel again this week? Because I will say Jim Leonard was very complimentary of Demar stepping in in a pinch and thought he actually executed and played well in last week's game. And while I'm while that's encouraging I don't know if the Patriots really felt there was a need to go after hamlin. They did try a couple of occasions but they didn't like openly target him.

10:17Maybe that's because the bills were also starting two very young corners on the outside. So they felt they had their pick of where they felt good about their matchups. This week they're going to go right after whatever whatever the Rams deemed to be the weakest link. Who they feel that is in terms of matchups but they have to like their matchups with two veteran ultra productive receivers against two young inexperienced corners. Yeah they got a chance to they got a chance to wind up for really I think the only other option for Buffalo at the nickel corner. And again assuming no Alford no to Corey Couch we know Jordan Hancock's on IR. I think they they might feel it's hamlin unless unless Benford can get back healthy. And then maybe they entertain Igbenosan or heirston in the nickel while the other one plays outside with Benford.

11:19Right. The only other option is Jalen Kilgore the rookie who is a safety in an ideal world but has played nickel before he did it in college at South Carolina. But I don't really feel that's a viable option only because he's been inactive the entire season. Well it's his second year though. No it's not. No I mean I'm sorry I'm thinking of the other guy. Hancock you think. Hancock. Well I mean maybe if you put him in a full complement of practice right during the week by the time you get to Monday you feel good about it. We're in the same spot with Kilgore as we are with Skyler Bell. Well right. You're kind of like going where we can see this guy. Yeah right. And people are clamoring for it and whenever you whenever you go through a game like you do a tough three point loss to a good team you know the whole thing. It's like everybody's like we need to change some things we need to do some things different the coaching staff almost rarely ever feel like that.

12:19You know they're like no no no no we just need to tighten it up a little bit here and there. Us here in the media and all the fans every like now switch these guys out I want this guy in that guy out here's the reason why I think tomorrow is a viable. Is is a realistic option for this coaching staff. Again this week at nickel again if all these people are down. Jim Leonard said two weeks ago that Demar Hamlin's greatest attribute is his consistency. Right. What is this defensive backfield seeking right now. They're seeking consistency. Yes they need reps and time on task you got a veteran like Demar in my estimation that's a signal to me that. Short of a better option that has suddenly cropped up and said oh let's take a look at that. We we talk about it all the time coaches play guys they trust. Yeah and even if he's a lesser athlete he's going to be in the right thing you know I just I can't see I can't see the coaching staff.

13:25Which is already short on experience on the back end and time together inserting another new player into the mix at least Hamlin has played. He's been the third safety in their three safety packages. He's been on the field with these guys through the first four games. So I just I can't see them putting a rookie in his first NFL game against the Rams. To play nickel a position he hasn't really repped with this team in this defense all through training camp in the preseason. And to me the default is Hamlin at nickel if couch is not available and all fruits not available that's probably the way they go. Yeah and just cross your fingers that it works Dallas Cowboys were upset by the win list Tampa Bay Bucken heirs last night on Thursday night football and they're starting undrafted rookie free agent quarterback Jalen Daniels by a final of 20 4 to 16. Daniels became the first undrafted rookie starting quarterback in the common draft era at since 1967 to win a game for a team that entered win list.

14:33Tampa Bay rushed for 241 yards with Bucky Irving leading the way with 165 of his own. Bucks are now one and four Dallas Falls to two and three the thing that is. I can't wrap my head around the Dallas Cowboys and their collective mindset here because for me. The NFC East is a tire fire right now the Giants don't have their starting quarterback. The Eagles are injury riddled and are losing offensive lineman by the day right some of their own volition some their own volition some of them. They're ejecting and then Washington has not had their starting quarterback for three weeks and they can't get out of their own way. And so it's it's a prime opportunity for Dallas which easily in that. Talented offense to seize the division and. Coast to a playoff birth and their defense which all by the way they traded for Quinten Williams.

15:39Roshan Gary and Clark whose first name I'm forgetting to shore up the interior of their undefense and they get railroaded for 241 yards on the ground by the Bucks. The hell's going on it seems too easy but it also seems a little bit obvious to me I mean the. The Cowboys laid down last night they didn't want to play they were they thought they were playing the Bucks who stunk against a rookie free agent quarterback wow they just took a night off. Yeah that's I'm telling you it's the most underrated aspect of professional football how much it hurts to play right the moment you feel like you can. Take your foot off the gas and just give yourself a break for one game you lose. Yep the table based playing it dude I didn't even I've never heard of yeah I think he's from Kansas he went to K you yeah.

16:41Yeah Jaylen Daniel is a six year is a six year college kid yeah go one of the covid kids I mean I'm telling you it is the most underrated fast professional I tell you all the time. Man it hurt and they as soon as you get a chance to take it easy you want to take it easy yeah and when you do you get you get. You get a lot of. Barrest by an winless team in your own building on a prime time game yeah a standalone game and you look. You look bad and I would I'm telling you yeah yeah no you don't have to tell me I tell you that all the time I'm repeating myself now well I'm telling you that people don't. I believe you they don't get it that's the bills against the chargers same thing yeah except they got away with it right. I mean I'm telling you man it means something. In nine words on Thursday Denver Broncos coach Sean Peyton made the biggest move he could to try to kick start the team struggling offense quote.

17:43We'll make a change offensively I'll call the plays that's what Peyton said after practice based with an offense that has found little rhythm and mired near the bottom of the leagues rankings in most statistical metrics Peyton said it was his instincts that were the root of the change. It ends offensive coordinator Davis webs short lived for game tenure as the teams play caller after Peyton had offered so much optimism in the off season when he stepped away from those duties. So Davis Web you know he'll probably still be you know a very good coach in time but this was his first time ever calling plays and to do it at the highest level of football. It's like two years right three years to do it at the highest level of football is challenging well yes he's never done it before yes and I'm not saying he stinks at it no but he's replacing a legendary play caller who's standing there on the sidelines waiting for his turn you know what I mean watch a learning curve there's a learning curve and Sean Peyton is as good as there has ever been at play calling offensive yeah so yeah that's hard to say.

18:53Yeah that's hard job you have to do it at a legendary level right out of the gate yeah well and unfortunately he's been far from that he hasn't even been decent it hasn't gone well. Speculation continues to swirl around carnels wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. about trade rumors he said he isn't paying attention to him. Speculation is that the number four pick in the 24 draft could be moved by the November 10th trade deadline helping fuel that speculation is Harrison's decision now to hire a pair of agents according to the NFL PA online database Harrison previously has not been represented by an agent he and his family have represented him in the past. Harrison said of the trade speculation quote truthfully I pay it no mind I'm only focused on Detroit helping the Cardinals win football games at the moment so whatever rumors you're talking about I don't pay it no mind so.

19:55And apparently his action to hire agents is an effort by him to not pay at any attention let the agents handle that interesting there's multi layers to it because by hiring agents that you never had an agent before. Some why what's the impetus another person that teams can call you know or that the agent can call to is it see what's legitimate what is not shot across the bow of the team saying listen I'm I'm ready to be. Oh you think it could be that yeah I'm going to hire an agent I got an agent now so if you want to try to talk to a head yeah I mean that's to me that's a that's a green light yeah for the team I'm wondering what I'm going to do. For the team I'm wondering what Arizona is going to do there like he looks bad well he's made some plays the last couple of weeks he's looked better I think the vast majority of the NFL believes he just needs a change of scenery because he's over talented as we know he doesn't but is something missing there well Arizona has never been known for its culture that team I'm talking about they have not the state.

21:09Yes not the state but the team and it's it's been rough and he was never the problem is when you're when you're going to work every day and you're in a bad situation on a bad team in a bad organization and I'm just speculating it's soul crushing and just stop stop working hard and that's what it looked like with Marvin Harrison Jr. He just he was he was like man what am I doing here just traimic bride is the first option in that offense the tight end and he's had enormous success there I'm I mean over 100 receptions last year so I think you go get somebody like that yeah he's no number four overall pick and he was and every team was clamoring for that time so now what do you what do you I mean obviously Arizona is going to have a saying this but what are you offering to acquire Marvin Harrison Jr. Well I don't know but I find out I would imagine they would want some high end draft capital and probably someone to at least come close to feeling a similar role he hasn't signed an extension yet has he no he's only entering year three now he's got a finish year three before he's even eligible for an extension so he got two years of a rookie contract I mean one in three quarter years ago he's got a three quarter year

22:37three years of a rookie contract left what are you what are you offering if you're a GM I got to believe they at least want a first round pick and return of course that's I to me and maybe a player like to me a lesser player but a player nonetheless give him I'd give him a one and then in a different draft year like if you give him a one this coming year give him a two in the next year one and a two for a guy that's not done much you're believing in his potential overall pick yes yes and here's because I take it for granted but probably you probably know the guy nobody's made of yeah you got to through your own scouting you're talking to him you talk to people you say okay here's the dossier on on Marvin Harrison Jr. great kid works hard when he came out we loved him everybody loved him he wants to he wants to be great all and so it's gone south in Arizona so you think somewhere in there is that guy right yeah I would do that I'm not giving him two ones and I'm not giving him anything in the same year I think you might be able to pull it off with a one and a and a player like a proven starter you know what if you can get all right how about this

23:51not want to do that because you have to believe because Arizona's in this never ending cycle of not having enough talent on the roster and it's like yeah they want draft capital but I got to believe they want to help the current roster right now too they need a guy I know they're in year one with LaFlora and it's a build but they need guys on the field now not next year the year after that so that's why I think an offer of like a one and a and a starting caliber player could be appealing to them so I don't know we'll see where it goes but I would imagine that heats up as it gets closer and closer to the November 10th trade deadline finally Washington commanders offensive coordinator David blouse said Jaden Daniels will have no limitations when the star quarterback plays Sunday against the Giants he's full go said blouse we're looking forward to having him back Daniels was a full participant in practice Wednesday expected to be a full participant all week with the idea that he starts Sunday against the Giants

24:54the commanders at one in three have endured another injury filled season with Daniels already having missed two games because of the non throwing elbow injury and Steve I know I've said it before he is a tiny human being for football he's not a big guy so you better have the best offensive line money can buy to protect that dude because he's he's not durable he cannot take hits he just he gets hurt it's it's happened over the years because it used to be they were all like Tom Brady Peyton Manning Dan Fouts even Jim Kelly boomer L way all those guys and then it was Kurt Warner you're going to listen you know Steve you all these guys were big dudes now well remember all big just remember what an outcast Doug Flutey was when you're drafted you were all big big dudes and the reason was and this was before protections right now as soon as they started protecting guys you opened the door for lesser athletes or lesser stronger bigger guys smaller guys to play the game because they could last longer because they were protected from the game

26:14that's the same thing that guys like me came in back in the 70s in the 1970s cornerbacks were 64 220 because the roster was like 42 guys and you had to play and everybody was gigantic because they had to withstand the punishment then they said okay now you can't you can't headhunt guys or whatever you can't close line of your own and you can't bump guys down the field you can't manhandling you got to run with them so that means now all the sudden guys my height and small fast guys could play in the secondary and on the edges of the defense and on the offense and as soon as you make it more possible for guys to last the door opens for lesser sized guys to be in the league and this to happen now at the quarterback position because of all the protections Kyler Murray is barely taller than you and me. Yeah it's a little bit faster. Bryce Young is having a great year and he's frail. Yeah he's not much bigger than Jayden. Yeah so I mean so that's it's that league evolves and it opens the it opens the way just I don't know what you call it just mechanically for guys to actually last in the league and have a career.

27:33Otherwise you know there I mean I got Kenny Houston was a coach in the Houston Oilers when I played and was my rookie year he was six four and he played corner. Yeah he'd be a linebacker now we're an edge russian. Yeah so the whole league is evolved away from him we're seeing the results of it and we still you know we're going to continue to see it. So that's around the NFL. It's Friday so you know what that means the OBL Friday fan mailbag is open for you any and all questions on your mind about the bills the AFC East the upcoming game against the Rams the Rams roster what the bills are doing with their travel schedule next week. We fire off your questions at us at 716 427 0989 that's the done tire fan hotline presented by done tire proud partner the Buffalo bills or you can hit us up on Twitter or X at one bills live and we can check in with your questions there via our social media platforms which are presented by you to connect

28:38with the Buffalo bills group an official home auto and business insurance partner of the Buffalo bills so get your questions rolling and we will get to them when we return here on a Friday edition of one bills live. Welcome back to an OBL fan Friday. And bills live will be taking your phone calls at 716 427 0989 for any question you have about the bills the NFL the AFC East whatever's on your mind you can ask us your questions there 716 427 0989 will get to those in just one second. But we have to pivot now to this week's opponent preview presented by McDonald's a proud partner of the Buffalo bills and Steve a lot of people are predicting a shootout knowing the offensive exploits of both teams in this bills Rams Monday night affair.

29:40But this just in number two past defense in football. Yeah. They traded for Trent McDuffee with the chiefs and then signed Jalen Watson the other starting corner for the chiefs and free agency to fortify the one perceived weakness on their defensive unit and they have come to play so far this year. Yeah, they're playing very well. It's it's it's going to be a chore on the road in that building. I mean the building has not doesn't have a reputation for being difficult to play in as an visiting offense but nevertheless. You got to go in you got to get it done against a big group of guys plus. I'm not I'm not chalk and Aaron Donald up to just nothing I think you've got a really I've Greg co-cell told us he has not played at an elite level since he's been back he's been good. But he got handled in the game he came back and he hasn't been practicing he's trying to work his way back and you think I'm thinking this experiment may fail.

30:41But we don't know that yet. And that plus the corners. I mean if you go in there without DJ Moore. You are up against it. In my opinion. Right. We know this offense has looked different when he has exited the lineup. So and I don't know I don't know where you turn. I mean obviously King Cade's going to be out there and it's going to he's going to play well your run game could be the factor in this game. We talked and we had people call the show and the whole the mantra for bills mafia has been just run the ball control the game like like the Patriots did in our building last week. Long drives get first downs keep staffer and all those guys off the field. And if they've got the number one defense in the league passing number two passing defense in the league just don't throw it just run it at him. Right. Okay. But sooner or later Josh can have to drop back. Right. I know a lot has been made and I even noted this in my top storylines column on Buffalo Bills dot com that the bills in the Rams ranked first and second in number of plays in 13 personnel this season.

31:50Rams number one bills number two. But that's a little misleading because the Rams number one personnel groupings and Sean McVeigh has been there is 11 personnel. And that is still their most popular personnel grouping overall. As a matter of fact they have twice the number of snaps this season in 11 personnel 177. Then they do in 13 personnel 65 so knowing the bills nickel corner issues and the fact that they have a couple of their own tight ends dings with injuries. They are coming out in 11 personnel like is there any doubt in your mind they're going to put three receivers on the field Puka Devonte and then whoever else you want to throw out there and Joey Baguadona well I guess I'm nothing is too too I'm just saying they have got you know what I'm not saying it doesn't matter who it is but they don't care Jordan Whittington.

32:54Yeah he's been there a few years he's not a Daniel. I mean okay cannot a month field like Spockman I you get back if you have there with Puka and Devonte and Cody Parkinson if he can come back and get in I don't know if he will he's questionable but Tyler Higgby's the other guy. Yep. Yeah it's 11 personnel all day in my opinion. So we'll see what comes of it I also mentioned this on yesterday show and I think it can be an advantage for Buffalo if they make it that way. Special teams the Rams are struggling on special teams their punt coverage in particular has been poor given up almost 15 yards of punt return that is a gigantic number in the NFL. And you know Greg Dorch has done okay I think as the primary return man for the bills and make some good decisions he's actually exceeded my expectations as a kick return that's right which is something that he had not done as much as punt return and here's the other thing we have to remember because I'm sure you've noticed it and I know I've talked to you about this.

34:05The the opponents of the bills are purposely kicking off away from Ray Davis that's right why would you kick to an all pro kick returner so Dorch has been the beneficiary in terms of opportunities and he's fair quite well so let me say this too. The not for nothing I mean there's always a some backhanded compliment the bills defense given up 30 points a game Dorch is getting some reps right and teams that get a lot of reps and kick returns. This just in play really well because you it's the one rep in football you can't practice it. You don't have speed anyway you can't practice full speed so the more reps you get. Historically the worst defense in the league has the best kickoff return team because they get reps. Yeah the bills are kind of sitting there now giving up 30 points a game and they've already got one all pro return guy there now you got another guy's got a lot of reps. Yeah and I guess I'm let's take the ball in the coin flip and return it for touchdown.

35:09Yeah as for their punter Evans he's struggling their kicker Harrison Mevis who earned the starting job last year is five for seven this season they're trying out other kickers this week as potential replacements like this is this could be Harrison Mevis is last game known as the thicker kicker. He's five of seven missed a 48 yarder last week against Philly in a four point game they fortunately win that game so there's special teams is is shaky and Jeff Rogers who was Buffalo special team coordinator just finished like a six or seven year tenure as the Arizona special team squad and he knows this division so the NFC West I'm talking about so I'm curious if they have something cooked up on special teams this week that could swing the advantage in Buffalo's favor in some way shape or form. I think when you go I mean you want to in my opinion in my experience you don't go into a team that's struggling on special teams and throw out a reverse pass on a punt team that kind of thing you go out and you beat him you go out and you get you you no trickery no you don't yeah you don't feel like you need that in these games you go out and you

36:17bust them you hit him in the mouth and you and you just dare him to show up every rep the kickoff thing the kickoff return game because most of and I haven't checked that I haven't checked the right's hard to do but the guys who cover punts are a lot of the core guys that cover kicks as well there's some there's some some variance variance like maybe there may be up to four guys because the kicker will be different rather than the punter but they'll be like four guys that are going to be a lot of the same. They'll be like four guys different on the coverage team but most of the core guys are the same guys. You get a handle on those guys yeah. So that is a poem in preview presented by McDonald's let's go to the phones at 716 427 098 9 716 427 098 9 for the OBL Friday fan mail bag where any question under the sun is fair game for us on the bills the league the opponent coming up you name it and we lead off today with Miran in Richmond. What do you got for us Miran?

37:17Hi John this time I call a couple of questions related to the event. First thing is I just thought that I remember a grand arrest one air when played three four John or was our starting I came up to the free sector strong safety. But I remember hearing during that time that he was the only one who truly understood the right one events to a tee and he was responsible lining up. I make sure I played one of my steepest of play. The first question is can you see as I found the field to take and take that role and make sure that folks are lining up correctly. Thank you for your question I know I believe Jordan Hank talked about IR and John King or I don't know if he has been active. What do you all see their roles when they're playing 100% and the first question is our last round of the game. What would it take to see Chef Thompson being all the other time squad and get him more rest for kill him. I'm sure you're going to struggle to align back to group that's far.

38:17Yeah good questions Miran thanks for the call. Teril Bernard is kind of running the show defensively he's a defensive captain and he's calling stuff and a lot of times pre snap. You see him gesturing to his teammates in terms of getting them lined up properly if they are not. So I would point to him first and foremost and you know people might not be aware of this I know I mentioned it back in the spring when we knew the defensive system was changing. He played in a three four system at Baylor in college so the three four system is not foreign to him. What gets Shaq Thompson and Caleb E. Larmzor on the field more I think it would have to be disappointing play from Bernard and Dorian Williams for an extended period of time. I know fans were not impressed with the way those two played last week but when the coaches were asked point blank about the play of Torelle Bernard and the play of Dorian Williams they said they were satisfied with their level of play in the last couple of games.

39:21So I don't know maybe fans are seeing things that look like those players are missing plays or miss reading things like here's an example the two point conversion. That Drake may through to Ramandre Stevenson they saw Stevenson get away from Bernard as a coverage assignment and they deem that as a Bernard bust he screwed it up. He did not the problem was Drake may steps up in the pocket looks to run because he had a wide avenue in the middle of the field so Torelle Bernard seeing him step up in the pocket has to take a step to him because he's the last defender there that could potentially make a tackle and as soon as he does that Stevenson separates and now may who's still behind the line of scrimmage can just toss on the ball for a two point conversion. That's a player between a rock and a hard place. It's a two v one and he's going to lose. Yeah if he comes up to tackle Drake may which may was going to walk in if Bernard doesn't come at him.

40:21I mean there was a safety coming from the other side but I don't think he would have got. So if he comes up to tackle may may throws it to the tight end which he did and if he covers the guy he was assigned to come may walks in. So it's a no win situation for Bernard. So I think there are some plays on tape that have been singled out like that where fans are like these guys are terrible put somebody else in there. Well but to use your question when do they make changes the millisecond they think they got a better option they make that change. Right but the question is and I see this too the fans are sitting back here going our defense is giving up 30 points a game. What do we do let's make this change and particularly when you drop a game by three points at home people clamor for change. A lot faster than coaching staffs are willing to make those changes and historically speak and I will say this. We have seen Caleb E. Lawrence or inserted into the game and it's usually on obvious passing down because they believe he is an asset in coverage as a linebacker which we know some of the zone coverage calls have been pretty unsuccessful in terms of how they've been executed by the back seven.

41:34So I would expect that part of his insertion into the lineup to continue. Shaq Thompson I think there has to be an injury for him to get brought up unless there is a sustained level of play that is not meeting the standard over several weeks because I think what this defensive staff is trying to do is give this group time to grow together. If you just start making changes because you don't like how that looked on this player that looked in this series you're going to keep changing and you're not going to develop any continuity whatsoever on that side of the ball. So I think they want to give it time and let it breathe and hope they see improvement and progress. But if we get to week seven eight or by week which is like right middle of the season if they don't have progress by then coming out of the by week you could see some changes. So there's a lot in this question we don't know it could be they're waiting on Shaq to assimilate the defense is a completely different defense than the one he came in played very well in last year. Although he has experience in a three four system as well but the language is probably completely properly so that concepts are the same but the language is different anyway it could be that it could be the fact that they're waiting on Shaq to get up to speed.

42:45Maybe the Shaq isn't the player he was last year it could be that they are liking these guys a lot of variables there's a lot of variables plus let's face it. This defense is looking at least the numbers are kind of looking like we thought it might look in the first half of this season with a bunch of young guys trying to get it plus throw in some injuries. So is the coaching staff ready to ride out the tough stretch everybody knew was coming. Are they willing to hang tough with the guys they picked through this tough patch. Now there's still three and one and they're they're not playing non competitive but what they're seeing is there enough growth is there enough progress progress to say we're going to hang in there with these guys. So this point it looks like the answers yes. Yeah we'll see if it changes. Got to take a break here more your phone calls at 716 427 099 the OBL Friday fan mailbag is open any question you've got you can give us a call and ask it there or hit us up on the tweet sheet at one bills live.

43:56Turkey check Buffalo Bills football absolutely this Canadian Thanksgiving bills mafia is taking over Toronto for give thanks go long presented by Uber Eats celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving at the Elma combo on October 12th for a bills Rams watch party on Monday night football plus a live performance by pup a visit from Doug Flutey food drinks and a full on Buffalo Bills game day experience this Canadian Thanksgiving don't just dig in. Go long tickets on sale now at give thanks go long dot com it's going to be a bash up there of course comes early October I'm barely thinking about Halloween. Yeah the interesting how the holidays sometimes they mention sometimes they don't yeah so OBL Friday fan mailbag is open for you that means you can call us at 716. 427 099 or you can hit us up on the tweet sheet at one bills live for questions there anything at all bills NFL whatever's on your mind you can hit us up at your leisure and we are going to crack open the tweet sheet now where there's a question from Andrew who asks how can the bills shut down the Rams offensive talent with a poor secondary.

45:22Yeah I mean Steve and I have kind of talked about this this week. The defensive line really has to show up like from a run defense perspective to put them in long down in distance because long down in distance helps you guys on the back end because the routes are longer which gives you guys up front more time to get to the quarterback is the route take longer to develop so. That's kind of a very basic basic way of explaining it but at this point in that you know first quarter pole of the season your defensive line is the one thing defensively feel like you might be able to hang your hat on. They played well rushing the passer and their run defense is improved as well if they can take another step forward their run defense and make sure that the Rams have to drop back they can have listen. The Rams the Rams are good off there's no getting around it the Rams are clicking you're going to have your hands full yeah you always when you get into a spot like this if you can if you can do one thing well stop the run force them into passing situations.

46:27You got a chance then because then you've got a chance to get to the quarterback making make a decision that you don't want to make throw make a throw he doesn't want to make make it when he doesn't want to make it either too early or or pat the ball and wait. You got to start making plays and that's what this defense and we set up numerous times in the run up to the season you're going to have to lean on your ability to have one guy on the defense at certain times anytime make a play. Yeah tip pass interception get a sack when they didn't expect it put him in a bad spot get your defense off the field by making one play. That's what you kind of hang your hat on but at this point we think like we feel like with Dion Walker playing as well as he is with group playing as well as he is. You feel like you can get get him into a spot with your run defense and your pass rush that'll make him make a mistake or get him off the field that's what you got to hang your hat on. There's a lot of defenses in the league that are going to struggle with Pukinakua and Devonte Adams that's how good they are and Matt Stafford now Stafford he's an MVP for a reason he was MVP last year for a reason he's not he's not that player this year so far.

47:40Yeah six touchdown six picks yeah so 61% completion percentage pass or rating of 80.5 but here's the thing the offensive line for the Rams they are third in the league in sacks per play they are protecting him he's been sacked six times in four games and they've played the Eagles defense the Niners defense granted an injury riddled Niners defense. So and the Giants defensive front which is pretty good with some top draft process pass rushers so they've done a pretty good job of protecting him so it doesn't matter bills defensive line has to win in this game the majority of the long down in distance opportunities they get to rush the pass. They're sure they absolutely positively have to win and they got to get him in there by stop on the run and I you know the Rams with McVeigh they'll they will throw it on first down they'll throw it on early down so get ahead of the sticks.

48:40Yeah and the bills and Brownie said it the bills struggle in second down I mean they gave up 12 first downs last week on second down you got to play through you know all three downs of a series and play it well and the bills you know you can play it well. And the bills you know I think you still you got to point to the defensive front the front five front seven to get him off the field and help him do that. We have to take a break here and when we come back more of your questions from the OBL Friday fan mailbag and we'll be catching up with Bill's top draft choice and Ed rusher T.J. Parker who now has a half sack on his NFL resume we'll catch up with him in the second hour here on One Bill's Live. Love y'all boys. We don't do much of these. He is a beast with a capital B. The top is in the kitchen. Looks now the sideline he's got contained for a 23 yard touchdown and it's intercepted jumping over the air is fed for...

49:46This is one bills live. All right second hour here on a Friday. Chris Brown Steve Tasker with you live from high marks. Yeah Friday fan mailbag is open any question you've got under the sun about the bills the league at large the matchup on Monday night football the Rams whatever it is ask away seven one six four two seven zero nine eight nine the number to jump on board have open lines for you there right now or on the tweet sheet at one bills live you can send in your question and we'll read it on the air and answer it for you and we will go back there right now because we do have some questions waiting in the queue and this one comes from Jim who says 33 pass attempts last week and only four targets for cook and can cade combined that's with DJ Moore banged up as well it seems as though the bills don't target their best players enough. Feed your best players keep it simple. What do you say to that I agree. Tard disagree and we still I mean I know we talked about it on Monday show.

50:57You know there's a minute 42 left the bills have three time outs and they come out into their two minute drill offense which includes Thai Johnson as their back in the backfield which look I love Thai Johnson. But Steve made the point earlier this week now one forty two on the clock with three time outs is not a two minute drill that's like having three and a half minutes left in the game. So you don't have to just immediately default to your two minute offense because it says one forty two on the clock and in light and in light of the fact that on the previous two drives you led each of those drives with two consecutive James Cook runs which went for seventeen and seven yards and sixteen and six yards. I go back to that again you were starting to wear down that Patriots defense in the latter stages of that game with the run game. It gives you more impetus to put him back on the field and then look if you get down to a minute ten and for whatever

52:01reason you had to burn a time out or two maybe Josh got sacked or something happened okay now it's two minute drill time let's go. But yes I could not agree with Jim Moore with DJ Moore off the field utilize your top players that you have left in your lineup past catching wise that's can Cade and probably Shakir and then James Cook is your most dynamic athlete in your offensive backfield. He's got to be on the field make a place for you I would agree hard to disagree with that I'll be curious to see if we see a tweak to that like because Joe Brady was very honest this week I felt saying look I I have to do better getting concave the football he cannot have two targets at the end of a football game in any game we play. Right. I mean that's like that's like he was he got injured in the first quarter you know I mean that yeah that's like steering away from him I don't know I yeah I I would agree with that certainly the Patriots focused on him but that's what a

53:06coordinator does I mean he finds a way to get the guy he shifts him motions him moves him around makes him hard for the defense to find and throws him the football. It sounds simple not always easy it's not easy but I would imagine that Joe Brady and his offensive staff were in the lab this week trying to come up with different ways to incorporate more opportunities for more Dalton can cade in the scope of this offense especially with DJ Moore's uncertain status I mean did not practice yesterday we'll find out what happens on the practice field later today. And here was the other comment that Joe Brady made this week which lends credence to the fact to the to the thought that they're at least considering it's been a lot of fun. Showing DJ Moore down at his press conference yesterday when he was asked about DJ Moore. He said look we're taking that a day at a time and we don't look ahead that's not how we operate but you know you you contemplate things like hey the buy weeks

54:16in a couple of weeks do we you know do he sit him down this week do we sit him down next week whatever whatever and I'm At least they have considered that possibility. If he's talking about the biweek in week seven, they've considered the possibility of either A, shutting him down through the biweek, which you give him three weeks of rest with that shoulder injury, or they have contemplated maybe an intermittent set of rest, like rest him this week against the Rams, have him ready for an AFC game against the Raiders, the following week, and then he gets another rest in week seven in the bi, and hopefully he's feeling better coming back week eight. By saying biweek in week five, knowing it's two weeks off, you know they're talking about it. We also know the severity of the injury. It's not going away. It's not a week, it's not like he's gonna get better in 10 days.

55:18Yeah, he's gonna be dragging this around the whole season and a couple of weeks is gonna buy him some better, and maybe he's gonna be in a better condition in a couple of weeks. Yeah, it's something they're gonna be managing ongoing. So it's not a, this isn't a twisted ankle that's gonna get better in 10 days and he's gonna be as good as new to me. Cause they're not, if he was gonna be 100% if they rested in this week for the Raiders game, there's, I mean, there's nothing else to do. And it looks like there's some major news as that has just come across the news wires. The family of Mike Ditka has announced that the legendary Hall of Fame tight end and head coach has passed away at the age of 86. So a guy that revolutionized the tight end position as a player before becoming a head coach, most notably of the 1985 Chicago Bears

56:18has passed away at age 86. What do you remember about him as a coach on the sideline, Steve, cause he was coaching during your playing career? Yeah, he was one of those guys at Ward on his sleeve. He did, I had some production meetings when he was also head coach of the New Orleans Saints and he was, man, he was unvarnished. He looked at me, told me, the Bears job was the only job he ever wanted. And this was at the moment when he was head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Yeah. He said the Bears job was the only job I ever wanted. And just a super unvarnished dude and he was a, I think he was a football, he was a head coach obviously and a super bowl winning head coach and a Hall of Fame but he was a player. He was a football player probably until today, the day he died.

57:18Now he was old school personified. Yeah. There's no doubt about that. I will say the first thing, like everybody thinks about him in the sweater, the sweater vest with the Bears across the, you know, chest there, you know, and winning the Super Bowl in 85, but it's hard not to laugh and think about that New Orleans Saints draft when they had like everything, they traded basically their entire draft capitol to trade up to take Ricky Williams. I think it was the fourth overall pick that they traded up to to get Ricky Williams, the University of Texas running back. And ESPN is interviewing Ditka after the trade. He already has a cigar going and they said, well, what are you gonna do the rest of the weekend?

58:21This was back when the draft was only, or maybe it had just changed to a three day affair. I'm not gonna remember exactly, but they asked Ditka what he's gonna do since they had no more picks to utilize the rest of the weekend and he basically said, I'm going to play golf. I draft weekend, the head coach of NFL teams go to play golf. It was classic, just called it. And then we remember the sports illustrated cover that came out leading up to that season. Ricky was in a wedding dress and get dressed as a groom on the cover of sports illustrated for the upcoming season for the New Orleans Saints. Yeah, they were, and that would be obviously, they were wedded together as if as Ditka's head coaching career was gonna be tied inexorably to Ricky Williams and his ability to play football that. And then Ricky, you know, that pressure crushed,

59:21I think Ricky Williams. Yeah, he couldn't handle it. He could not handle it. He was doing interviews with his helmet on. He wouldn't take his helmet off. He was so uncomfortable. He was productive though. I mean, I'm going back to look. His first year, he played in only 12 games, but had eight hundred and eighty four yards. The next year, a thousand yards exactly. And then the following season, 1245 rushing yards and then in 2002, his first year with Miami after he got traded, 1853 yards and 16 touchdowns this year. And he ran for over 200 against the bills here during the lead it snow game. Yeah, I remember that. Did he run for 200 and lose? Oh, he lost. That's what it was. He ran for 200 and the dolphins lost. Yeah, snow game. That's what it was. That's amazing. It's amazing. All right. 383 carries his first year with Miami. And then the next year, 392 carries.

1:00:21No wonder. Dude, when the end got here, it got here. Oh, well, he retired. That's a big. Remember in 2004, he retired. Came back the following year with Miami. Didn't have a great season. Only played in 12 games. Then got suspended the next year. Then came back to Miami at age 30 in 2007. Only played in one game. Came back the following year because I think you needed money or something. Yeah, it was a very star crossed career. But sad to see Mike did could go iconic figure not only for the Chicago Bears organization, but for the NFL in general. So sorry to hear of his passing at age. We worked 86. We were working for CBS at the same time early on in my career in the late 90s. He was on the studio show with Ivan Ham and Jerry Glanville and some guys. And so we crossed paths for a hot minute. But I didn't really have a chance really to do anything

1:01:24more than just say hi and chit chat. But what an iconic figure in the history of the NFL. And he was a celebrity status that went beyond the sidelines I thought. Oh, he's like, I talked in Chicago. Saturday night live in the Bears. Oh, yeah. How those guys talked about him. And the people in Chicago still, you know, revere him for good reason. So that's sad. It's said condolences to his family. Yeah. And to the Chicago Bears family as well. Yeah. Yeah. That's a major, major loss for them. I would, it's a road game this week for the Bears. They play at Lambo against the Packers. The most storied rival. Oh my god. And the NFL. So if the Bears manage to win that football game, there will be mentions that Dicca from up above had had an influence on the outcome for sure. You know, those references will be made. We have to pivot though to our player interview

1:02:27with one T.J. Parker. I had a chance to catch up with him after practice. Player interview appearances on OneBills Live are presented by Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons is a proud partner of the Buffalo Bills. So we now pivot to the interview I did yesterday after practice with Bill's rookie ed drusher T.J. Parker. All right, T.J. Congratulations are in order. You're on the board. First half sack last week. It's a little force fumble action as well. How big did your eyes get when you realized the play was going to happen? Because there's that last second moment where you're like, oh my god, I'm going to get it. How big did your eyes get? Well, they was big from the jump because I was just excited to really pass rush. But then as I hit Drake May, I was like, I was praying that he had the ball in his hand still. And I kind of looked up. And I seen the ball just flying in the air. And I said, I don't know who caused it, but I know all the part of it. So I got a cellar brain excited. And then I just looked at the replay. I just stared at it. Once I got to the sideline, I was just like, man,

1:03:29I got my first half. I got a split of it with Ed. You know what I'm saying? So it was cool. It was a dope moment. So really, I just really kind of just stared at it in the stands. And it was just like, man, I can't bleed that really happened. Yeah. So that leads me to my next question. Be honest, how many times did you watch it back on tape on Monday? I'm not going to lie. As soon as I got to the house, I put my iPad up, just hoping that the film was up. And I just watched it. I watched it for a good two days. Dude, I for sure watched it for a good two days. And I just kind of flushed it. Like, yeah, I flushed it. What are we thinking? Like two dozen or maybe 20 times or really? I probably watched it a good 10 to 15 times. Just kind of played it back. And then when they put all the film and all the angles, I went back and watched it every angle. I'm like, OK, OK, so I graded myself. And then I talked to my college D-line coach, too. He was congratulating me. Shout out to Coach Rump. We sat at watch it a good four times. I love it. I love it. How would you describe your first month of regular season football personally as a rookie edge rusher in the NFL?

1:04:31To be honest, what you're exciting, the game is a lot faster. And for me, I like the mental part of the game. So for everything to be sped up, it kind of gives me a new challenge going into my first year. Like, OK, so everything's a lot faster. So I get work going on, processing a lot faster, being a lot quicker in my decisions, and stuff like that. So really testing me and making sure I'm on top of everything that I do in my preparation. It's just been fun. It flies by. It's already October. And it's like, man, I know it's a long season by the same time it still goes. It goes really fast. So just really try to enjoy it. After being a full-time starter, pretty much for your entire college career, how has the transition been being a rotational piece here right now as a rookie? Well, for me, it's just all about being with my feet or at. I kind of learned that early on, especially in my freshman year. And I think Coach Swinney, for that lesson, because really, my entire life I've been the guy I'm a starter, and I go into college. And I still feel like I was the guy up for it. But at the same time, I had to be that backup and rotational guy

1:05:32and had to be where my feet are and really just whenever I'm in, I got to make them reps count. So I know coming into it, when I got drafted, I knew we got two paid guys in the room. And then we got veteran guys like Hoyt and Mike Dana and all those guys. So I just knew I got to come to work every day and prove why I should be on the field. Obviously, I know I'm not coming in, expecting 50, 60 plays a game and then be the starter. That's just not where I'm at right now in the rotation. But when I do get on the field, I got to make it work. And my best thing is to make sure that the guys in front of me are prepared to go just as me. I know we hear all the time how rookies try to attach themselves at the hip to a vet in their position room, whether it's sitting in meetings at the elbow, or the other guy that's been in those rooms for eight, nine, 10 years, or even on the practice field. So who, the majority of the time, has been that guy you've tried to sit right next to in the meetings and stuff like that. Really tough. It's kind of crazy because I've been watching chub since I was in middle school.

1:06:33Well, even probably elementary though, because he's a little, yeah, he's not a vet. Yeah, certainly laying it on. I'm showing his age for sure. But not, I've been watching for a while. Just to see up close to personal how he works, it's amazing. And he took men as wings since day one, teaching me what I need to learn and how to go about things. And I've been just trying to stay attached to him because obviously he going on year nine, he didn't seem to highs or the highs and the lows or lows. And I'm just trying to make sure that I have a good experience and I understand how to move within the business and on the football side of things. So I've just been trying to stay on this hip. Greg too. Greg, shout out to those two guys, because a lot of time, when you get drafted to a room, it could be hostile, but man, they've been nothing but welcoming to me. And I just showed the top of people they are. So really been a big upset. The interesting thing about that is Chubb would make sense from a body type standpoint, because your body type and his are more similar. Greg's kind of a unique, you know, he's win-com, or a condor of a human. And, but are there still things you think you can pull from Greg's game

1:07:34even though it's like, oh, wait, it's just a long arm, the guy. Well, it's like, yeah, but you got 36 inch arms. You got a little bit of an advantage over me trying a long arm, you know what I mean? And so, I guess what I'm asking is, even though Greg's got a very unique body type, or there's still things you can pull from his game and incorporate into yours. Absolutely. Like, obviously, I love the power game when it comes to rushing as well. And Greg, he's very successful at that. Even though I know he has measurable that, you're not gonna see from time to time, but all, but from his knowledge of the game, just understanding the feel of how to rush certain people and how to work certain situations is like, is unbelievable. The angles when it's rush and even in the plane in the run, just seeing things, I see a lot from, you know, how Greg moves in, you know, in a classroom and the only field. I know you talked about staying in touch with your D-line coach from college. You got a former teammate on the Rams D-line this week in Tyler Davis. How do you guys have, do the Clemson guys have like a tech loop? Do you keep in touch with like a handful of guys? How does that work for you in terms of keeping in touch with four teammates?

1:08:36I usually talk to the techs and reach out, you know, saying TD, you know, when you see this, you know, I'm gonna talk with him just personally, because that's my dog, you know, so he was my vet when I got the title. Yeah, he's got a few years on it. Shout out to TD, man, great guy. I love him and deaf, man, I can't wait to see him. It's gonna be fun. I can't wait to see him compete with us. And obviously, you know, we're gonna talk our trash though. But you reach out usually like when you know you're lining up against a former teammate and stuff. Yeah, for sure. I'm gonna need his jersey after the game. Oh, okay, little jersey swap, I bet. I got you. All right, it's time now for our Tim Bitt's time out, presented by Tim Hortons, where a lucky fan gets the opportunity to ask our guest a question. This week's question comes from Noah, who asks, what are the biggest adjustments you've had to make in your place since joining the NFL? In my play, I would say understanding the whole picture is the biggest thing, right? In college, you know, you kinda get your assignment and you go and you use your ability. Obviously, there's things within, you know,

1:09:37the game plan that you gotta work on and stuff like that. But here is like, if you understand the bigger picture of what is trying to be done, it allows you to play a lot faster. And that's one thing I adjusted once I got up here realizing my room, they're so smart, they understand the situation itself, I got so many vets in the room. I was able to really just listen to how they talk and how they see certain situations and just use it to my game, you know, because obviously like I said, we're at the top, where the best athletes from all over the world are playing. So obviously everybody's gonna be big, fast, strong, physical. You gotta be able to think, so who could process fast? Who can dissect things the fastest is the game that I had that, you know, just. So you're talking about identifying those little pre-snap tells so that you can play like an anticipatory player instead of a reactionary player. Exactly. Okay, perfect. Love it. All right, stay healthy. Good luck on Monday night. All right, stay in one piece, okay? Absolutely. All right, that's T.J. Parker joining us. We'll take a break and be back with more here on One Bill's Life. All right. All right. Back here on One Bill's Life, Chris Brown. Steve Tasker with you. The OBL Friday fan mailbag is open.

1:10:40And any questions you have about the bills, and I'm going to ask you guys, I'm going to ask you guys a question. What's your favorite thing about one Bill's life? What's your favorite thing about one Bill's life? All right, back here on One Bill's Life. Chris Brown, Steve Tasker with you. The OBL Friday fan mailbag is open. And any questions you have about the bills, NFL, League of Large, whatever's on your mind, fired off 716427, 099, 899. And we go to the phones and to Frank on a cell next, what's up, Frank? I'll talk to you guys yesterday, or day before. You remember what I talked about? Did you watch the epic game last night and how they charted the game up? They charted the game up. So Steve and I were both at the, we were both at the Sabers game, Frank. So we missed the game last night. I didn't see much of it. So much of it either. I tuned in. And lightning, Frank. Yeah, go ahead, Frank. Go ahead and get the ball. More than twice the time that the Dallas Cowboys had it

1:11:43because they charted the game up. They took their first drive. After Dallas took the ball down the field, they went to work. They kept it in the, the kids hands. They charted the game up by going short passes, running the ball, getting the Irish. And that's when we talked about the other day. Like a basketball game, Steve, half court game. Okay, that's why you get around a half court game. When you don't have a team that you stay with that other team, that's what you do. You run a half court game, then you have a better chance of winning the game. Okay, thank you. Take it, Mike Hall. Yeah, no problem, Frank. Yeah, sure, Frank. I mean, we said it earlier in the week too. I would anticipate that the bills have to at least consider helping out their defense by controlling the clock and limiting possessions for the staffer and the Rams offense with their run game. The bills have proven they can run the football against just about anybody in the league, no matter how good their run defense might be. And I would anticipate that that is a full component of their game plan this week against the Rams.

1:12:48You have the leagues leading Russia from last season on your team. You have an offensive line that has proven itself capable not only last year, but this year that they can run the football on just about anybody. So I would expect Cook to be a big component of their offensive game plan this week in an effort to establish some rhythm and some balance to their offensive approach. And while you don't want to shy away from doing anything in your offensive, you feel like you can really get done with Kinkade or DJ Morphe's available, Keon, Khalil Shakir, all of that stuff. The Rams have the number two pass defense in the league. So I don't know how much you test it or how much you might want to go out from. Maybe you see some things on film. You say, listen, I see where you see they're not that good. We're going to go after them. Okay, that's fine. But when you go walk into the game from this end of it and you see they've got the number two pass defense in the league. You say, all right, how's their run defense? Because we're a pretty good running team.

1:13:48One of the strategies to playing good football is hitting your opponent where they're not very strong. And that may be the way to do it. So yeah, Frank, it makes a lot of sense. Don't know if it'll play out like that. But certainly that could be a huge part of the play and the bills walk into SoFi with. Right. And yeah, he's right about, you know, what the bucks did last night. Their options were limited. They had to run the football because they had a rookie quarterback making his second career start. Well, all the world. He came out and went eight for eight on his opening drive. Yes, he did. He had to do that. But the other one that was the best of both of the top two helps. Bucky Irving was the recipient of that benefit. But they ran for 200 years. Yeah, later that in the game. Once he proved he could go eight for eight on opening drive. Dallas Davis, like, all right, he's doing that anymore. And then he hands it off to Bucky Irving and Bucky Irving wins the game. Yeah. So good for them.

1:14:48Let's go to John in Amherst. What's up, John? Who gets on it? You guys get on it. There's the goal to take his own private jet. And there are the recamidations for the guys that are six foot seven and three hundred and forty pounds. Yeah. Good question, John. Yes, the team charters of plane. There are some teams that own their own planes, like the Patriots, for example, have two of their own planes. And there are other teams that do that. But not many. They're just charter because it's more cost efficient that way. And they've got the plane that the bills travel on. I don't know what it is. It's huge. Well, for cross country flights like this, they charter a larger plane. Yeah. For shorter trips to New Jersey for the jets, they'll have a smaller plane. But the travel party for the bills is right around 150 people. And these planes obviously seat over 300. So for larger players, you know, like a Dion Walker, for example. You know, you lift up an armrest and usually there are seats every other person.

1:15:53Because there's only 150 of us in the travel party. And there's over 300 seats on the plane. And for staff, we're usually in the back. Players, I believe, are in the middle or up front depending on team. And then it's either the coaches and some veteran players in first class. Sometimes it's flipped. Some teams have players in first class. So I'm not upfront. So I don't know how it works with the bills. Right. And it changes from coach to coach sometimes too. Yeah. So. Yeah, some coaches do it differently. It used to be sometimes some some teams put the veteran players upfront with the coach. Up front in first class. I think most teams put their coaching staffs up in front in the very best section of the plane. Because those guys are working there going there and coming back.

1:16:53They're watching game film on the way home from the game. So they're they've got little offices set up in their seats. And even if they're lay down seats, the coaches get the best seats because they're working. Some players like the quarterback or whatever may get their own because they'll be watching film as well. Owners do it differently. Once in a while you'll see an owner travel with the team. Most of the time they show up on game day. They're on their own schedule. They've got other things going on. That's common. And yes, the it is a charter flight. So you. For the bills. And most people have come out and met the bills. And there's always some people out there meeting the bills when they they land. They go you just walk out to the plane on the tarmac. Walk up the stairs and get on it. Same thing. And we're on the plane. So yeah, same thing when you land in your destination out in L.A. The team will get off the plane, walk down and there'll be five buses parked on the tarmac. They just get right on the buses and they drive off the property.

1:17:54They go to the hotel where they'll be staying for the road game. So that's how it works. And it's usually the rule of thumb had been for decades. When the ball is kicked off at like 1 p.m. About five hours after that kickoff is when the wheels are up on the charter flight leaving. Usually an hour and a half or so after the game. Yeah. The wheels are up and you're flying home. Yeah, so you're flying home about that. So if it's a Monday night game. It starts at 820 Eastern. It'll get over to 1120 p.m. Or maybe quarter of 12 if it's a long game. Two hours after that. 2 a.m. Or 1.45 a.m. wheels are up and you're driving going back east. Flying home. Flying home, which is not this week, which is 4 a.m. Yeah. Well, when we did the, I remember when we did the NFL kickoff game to start the 2023 season.

1:18:57I think it was in LA. In LA. Maybe it was the 2022 season. They run together. Forgive me. But week one, we were at LA for the kickoff game on a Thursday. At Thursday night, you know, 815 p.m. We were on the plane as Steve outlined. And by the time we landed here, it was 6 a.m. Eastern time. And then I came in and did the show with you Friday morning or Friday afternoon back then. Thank God. This time around because the bills are at LA and at Las Vegas, they're staying out west. So in this instance, after the game Monday night, we're going to get on those buses that Steve talked about. But we're going to bus to our new location where the team will be practicing the rest of the week out there. Before they travel to Las Vegas. But they're going to stay in California and on West Coast time because by the time that came over, like to get back here on a Tuesday at 6 in the morning,

1:19:58like it's already, you're already halfway through the week. So the bills have elected to stay out west after this game against the Rams. So we'll stay in California and they'll practice out there for the week. It's not that this is and then travel on Saturday. It's not the top priority, but for those of you worrying about the show, we're going to be on. We're going to be doing the show out west. We're going to be doing the show out west. Like we did in Cleveland, like we did in the Con by the end. We're going to get to our T-shirts for one bill's life. Let's go to Joey and lock port next. What do you got first, Joey? I'm going to show you. Joey, you're with us. Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Yes, I am. I wanted to ask you how you think Josh Allen's going to handle the Rams defense. Okay, good question, Joey. Thanks for it. I think, like we said earlier, they're going to use the run game to be a little bit more balanced offensively.

1:21:01And that will probably take some of the heat off of Josh to some degree. Because I think he was under a little bit more pass pressure than they would like last week against the Patriots. So I think to neutralize that, I think they're going to try to stay on schedule down and distance wise by running the football. And hopefully that can keep them and manage well down and distance. That makes it easier for the passing game to function because you have more of a menu to choose from, play call wise. And Josh can get the ball out of his hand quicker, which I think is something else they're looking at too. But no miles Garrett in this game, he's still on injured reserves. So that's good news. Aaron Donald, it's looking like he's trending toward playing. But even then he's had his reps managed. He's been on a pitch count, so to speak, as he rounds into form to play. So that's kind of what we're looking at. Yeah, I'm, yeah, I, Josh is going to play like he always does. He has, he didn't put up big numbers the last couple of weeks, but he put up monster numbers in the first two weeks.

1:22:02The Rams is a, is good at team as they have faced this year, in my opinion. I don't know that the Patriots are different animal because they're a division opponent and they know the bills so well and they do some things that, you know, they're a different team than the Rams. The Rams are a very top heavy and always have been a top under McVeigh, a top heavy roster. They've got a handful of guys that are elite, but some guys further down their depth and the rest of their roster, sometimes you can take advantage of if you're a team like Buffalo who has a more depth. Yeah, I think Josh is, is going to show up. I think Josh will show up big in this game like he usually does. He likes to play in the, and the lights as well as anybody. I know a couple of teams like Atlanta and Houston have played very well under the lights and they've got this big red, Josh is like that. Josh plays good in big standalone games. Here you go back to the Detroit game. It's proof positive of it. So, yeah, and he's done it time and time again in his career. I think Josh is going to play well in this game.

1:23:11Let's go back to the tweet sheet where Alex asks, why do NFL teams not run more pistol formation? Also, when Josh points to cook behind his back, which way the run needs to go, is there a base blocking assignment to both sides? Or how does the line know which way to block? Go bills. Yeah, you got it backwards. The line doesn't know which way to block based on where James Cook wants to run. James Cook runs on based on where the line is going to block. It's the opposite. The line determines it. That's why either if Josh has to point which way James Cook has to go, it's because he may not be able to hear and or doesn't know what the line calls are because he can stand behind Josh. So, Josh will tell him. That's what it is. It's not the line is blocking for James Cook. James Cook is running behind the offensive line. So, Josh will tell him what that scheme is and James will run accordingly.

1:24:13That's pretty that's pretty much the explanation. Thank you, Steve. We have to step aside, take a break here. We've got a segment to go. So, we'll try to answer some of the final questions in the OBL Friday fan mailbag as we get set for Monday night football. Steve and I though are going to have an extended pregame show on Monday. That's right. From LA, we'll talk about that more when we return here on One Bill's life. Setting the table for a Bill's win is presented by Pepsi, the official soft drink to the Buffalo Bills. Bills fans deserve Pepsi. What do you have for a Steve? Well, I'll tell you what I'll take the offense. You take the defense. For me, I think time up possession. This game you need to keep Matt Stafford and those guys off the field help your defense if you can. That means getting a lot of first downs. I think they go back to what they did against the Detroit Lions. Just stay on the field 34 first downs. I think James Cook needs a ton of touches in this game. That would really go a long way. And of course, if Josh can just keep his completion percentage up around 70%.

1:25:20Those are the things that they're the earmarks of a game plan that's going to work against this Rams team in my opinion. Okay. I will add to that on the defensive side. And I think the Bill's defensive line, as we have said, for most of this week really has to show up and play lights out from a run defense perspective with Kyron Williams. Because they do run the ball very well and it gets overlooked by all their passing weapons and Stafford. And then after that, forcing long down and distance by being good on early downs. And then more importantly, forcing field goals in the red zone. We expect the Rams to get yards. But when you get to the red zone, slow them down there, force field goals. And the Rams have not been efficient in the red zone this year. They're only 21st in the league in red zone touchdown efficiency. So that seems to be a realistic goal, even for this defense. And then I think special teams has to play a part here. Help your defense with your special teams unit, either by domine flipping the field for your defense with long fields to defend.

1:26:22Or finding some hidden yardage in there with the return game and covering punts and kicks where the Rams have struggled. They are not good on kick return. They are not good on punt return. So bad in fact that they cut their return man and replaced them with a practice squad call up Alex Bachman. The bills have to win in the coverage game and in the return game to help this team win the football. Yeah, hidden yards really add up. So we'll see. Yeah, let's get some final questions answered. I'm sorry Mark. We don't have time to take a phone call because we're going to be up against the break here. But Amy asked, would you like to see the bills defer to the second half if they win the coin toss? That's proved that is the better choice. Not buying Brady's answer that we have Josh Allen. We have J.A. 17 for nine years and for a question, Mr. Tasker, what was your favorite road game stadium? Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing them defer because that's the best way to give your team an extra possession. So to speak with the double dip option based on analytics. You usually have the last possession of the first half, first of the second half that could be a way to gain a points advantage. Yeah, this bills team is built a little different than a lot of teams are though with Josh. I don't have a problem doing 81.

1:27:30I think the difference is like 52%. So I'm it's that you're talking about a 2% difference. And if you get some emotional boost from it, take it. Favorite road game stadiums. Probably probably Joe Robbie Miami. Oh, you liked it. Yeah. Why? Weather? Weather surface. It was grass. Oh, grass. Okay. And it was it was a nice surface. And you like sticking it. And I like sticking it to the man. Yeah. That's fair. Finally, Josie asked you think moving Leonard up to the booth rather than the sidelines for the next two games will help him within game adjustment since he's getting a feel for the players he has. I don't know. I know their adjustments haven't been that bad. They're cutting their point production in the second half is always dropped for this defense. They've done a good job of that. I don't think that's. I don't think that's a big. I don't think no. Leonard has said he feels more comfortable on the sidelines looking players in the eye. If he's trying to get a feel for the players he has, he likes looking him in the eye and talking to them. Faster face to face faster adjustment if you can talk to five guys at once. It's at a one at a time on the phone. Plus he has designated people up in the booth to be his eyes for him. They're charting plays. They're sending in pictures downstairs. So he can see what it looks like from above as well. So

1:28:41put the coordinator where he feels most comfortable. He said that's the sidelines. Leave him there. Yeah. You know, it's like we said earlier. Don't start changing thing everywhere. We will have an extended pregame show for you on Monday as we will be live from LA on the Monday edition of One Bill's Live at 10 a.m. So be sure 10 a.m. Eastern time. It'll be 7 a.m. for Steven I. West Coast time at 10 a.m. Eastern time here. We'll be ready to talk about it with you on Monday.