OBL 9/10: How Does Bills-Texans Unfold? Deone Walker And Greg Cosell Join The Show

0:00We're going to do what you're doing. He is a beast for the capital B. The Tuck 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, welcome into a... Gen of one-bills live, Chris Brown, Steve Tasker, live from the stadium. Did this yesterday? We're doing it again today. It's a little jillier today. Got a little cool breeze running through here. I ain't got used to this though. Yeah, it's a weather. It's a nice weather. Oh my gosh, let's go. It's a picturesque backdrop. I'm watching this on Teller. We got a monitor in front of us. I'm looking at this on TV. This place looks fake. It's so nice.

1:03It looks like a sheet with that picture painted on it. It's so beautiful out here. They're warm for the people moving around down there on the field. They're working on it. A little weed and feed today. For the grass. A little weed and feed. Treating it like a baby. Got the feeding. So it can get feeding hours on Sunday. We got a lot to get to and we got a jam packed show. So we will begin in earnest here. Because the bills as we know were back on the practice field Wednesday. And their first injury report of the week was released. Not practicing defensive back Jordan Hancock running back Tai Johnson. Defensive lineman T.J. Sanders was limited with a knee injury. So Hancock and Sanders new additions to the injury report. Tai Johnson has now been sideline Steve for a month. He suffered this hamstring injury in the blue and red practice on August 8th.

2:06It's now September 10th. That's a long term or there. That's a bad injury. So hopefully things take a turn for the better sooner rather than later for him. But if he doesn't practice today, it's probably not. He's probably not trending in the right direction to play Sunday. That's right. So we'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, the Texans relatively healthy as well. The right tackle. Braden Smith is on injured reserve and won't play Sunday. And neither will Jaden Higgins. Their number two wide receiver who's out for the season. Rookie defensive tackle. Caden MacDonald, the only limited participant due to an ankle ailment on the active roster. Back up right tackle. Trent Brown and Rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz listed on the report but were full participants Wednesday. So another practice later this afternoon for the bills. And on game day, Sunday, the bills will go all blue. With the exception of their white helmets, Buffalo will wear blue jerseys, blue pants, blue socks.

3:14I like that look. Color rush. Right? Yeah, in a manner of speaking, sure. Yeah, I like it. I felt I had to specify they will be wearing the white helmets because there is a blue helmet now. Well, yeah. But the blue with the white helmets pop a little bit. I like the helmets on that white helmets. Be good. So that's what they'll be wearing on Sunday. Everybody's got their favorite. Case you're going to the game or you like to watch the game and wear the same jersey that the players are wearing. There are people that need to do this. Everybody's got their thing. Yeah, they have their game watching rituals and customs. Yeah. But let's go around the NFL because the first game of the NFL season is in the books. And the New England Patriots are in one. Drake May through three interceptions, including one on a potential game winning drive down 13 to 10 in the final minute that sealed the game. For the defending Super Bowl champions, May had only one game last season in which he threw multiple interceptions.

4:18That was of course the Super Bowl and the Seahawks do it to him again last night. May now in his last five games, counting the playoffs. Seven touchdowns, 11 turnovers, seven interceptions, four fumbles lost. 24 sacks taken, 143 yards lost on those sacks, 6.6 yards in attempt, 5.6 net yards per attempt. And you know, bills, fans and fans around the National Football League and all these everybody's piling on the Patriots this morning for blowing a 10 point lead in the second half of that game. They helped the Seahawks pointless in the first half and then May through three interceptions in the fourth quarter and that was it. It was a little bit of a class of bad game. Bad. Sure. He's going against an elite defense. One thing you didn't mention, Sam Darnold starting quarterback for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks went down in the first series.

5:21So they're playing against Drew Lock, the backup quarterback, the entire game. And May goes out and they, and they, I don't want to call it a collapse. They gave up 13 points total. And, but May through three picks and I, endless face it. It's delicious for bills, fans to see the Patriots go through something like this. But the Patriots going to be all right. I hate to say it. Romeo Daubs was targeted on two of those interceptions. And Daubs also dropped a first down reception on a third and 14. The next play may as intercepted on fourth down. So, yeah. Not great. Yeah, the second interception here, the one we're watching right now. Who didn't, the safety just came in from the far side from the backside and snatched it. May didn't see him, tried to look him off, but he couldn't. The fourth, the, the last one right there at the end when they had a chance.

6:21They were already in field goal range. They could tie it up easily. They were going for the win. And that's just a bad decision. Bad for office back with office back foot got a little pressure. Yeah, that was a bad moment for him. No question about it. He's, you're right. It seems to be an ever, it was a bad game. It's a bad second half, bad game. There's all they could put up against a really good defense. It started like you said, it's a little bit of a trend. Yeah, it's five games. It's five games. And now, you know, over two C four last year, you know, and then one of those games was against the bills. Week 15. Right. It's just, yeah. In fact, it was right in the middle of that game where he probably went south for them. They were up 21, three on the 24 to seven and a half time. 24 to seven and a half time. And then all of the sudden things change and it hasn't gotten better. Yeah. From that moment on. Well, they did win some playoff game.

7:21They did. It was not taken away from them, but they, they wanted against a backup quarterback in the empty championship. And CJ strouled at four turnovers in the divisional playoff. So, yeah, their quarterback played even worse. The Patriots also lost their biggest offseason acquisition to injury. AJ Brown to an ankle injury. He did not return reports this morning. Say it is a high ankle spring, which could put him in jeopardy of missing the Patriots week four game here at Buffalo. No timetable has been provided on AJ Brown's injury yet, but high ankle sprains tick-pity carry four to six-week prognosis. Yeah. He got a knee on the outside of his ankle. Just rolled in this guy. We're looking at it on our screen now. And it was just, it's one of those things that happened and that you can tell that it hurt him right away. And he rolled over and started grabbing it. Try, he walked off, but he had a sizable limp as he walked off the field. That hurt. I don't know. I mean, we've been talking about Ty Johnson. Same thing happened to him. Hamstring. Oh, is the hamstring. I thought it was a high ankle. No. That's right.

8:21But it's going to, it's going to be a minute. Yeah. The interesting to see what they, what the prognosis is because those high ankle sprains are usually like four to six-week injuries. I know we're in, I know. Especially for receivers that got to get in and out of breaks. I know. We live in a reactionary world where everything's a thousand percent one way or a thousand percent the opposite. And it's, you know, we all debate everything. Even if it's not debatable. But the Patriots starting out on the road in Seattle. It's a tough game. It's just like the bills. Bill's got to, they're going into face the exact same kind of team. A defense first team, although the Seahawks had San Donald who was in the MVP and was the MVP of the Super Bowl. Yeah. Having the career year. That's, you know, the Seahawks, I mean, the Patriots couldn't have walked into a bigger buzzsaw. Yeah. And it showed. Yeah. As Steve mentioned, Seattle is now sitting and waiting to see exactly the extent of the damage to San Donald's hip after he left the game just five plays in when he was sacked by Dremont Jones.

9:29They did rule out any fracture in the hip. But another MRI is scheduled for this morning West Coast time. So we'll see what the diagnosis is on exactly what his hip injury is and how long he may be out. San Francisco 49ers. Will welcome their biggest stars from significant injuries for their week one matchup tonight against the LA Rams in the Australia game this evening. Status of defensive and Nick Bosa and tight end George Kittle had been trending well all week, but their expected returns became official Wednesday night when neither Bosa nor Kittle had a game designation on the team's final injury report of the week. Bosa who's been working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in week three last season in Kittle who was recovered from a torn right of Killy suffered in January. We'll have to be monitored a bit against the Rams, but should still play prominent roles. The Niners listed both players as limited in all three practices this week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan regarding the availability of his two star players for tonight said quote we've got to be smart with that end quote.

10:36So presumably they will play a limited amount in tonight's game maybe twenty twenty five snaps. Yeah, I would yes that makes sense like maybe you bring Kittle on or down in red zone Bosa on third down. You know he's a best specialist. The best if they are monitoring it's you know finger quotes specially monitoring them like giving them play count or something. The best you can hope for is if they go out there and we're going to see I go and they go out there and say man I feel great. I want to go they'll say okay. Then cut them loose for the rest of the game. They're probably keeping an eye on them until the player says no I feel fine. Yeah and then it'll be a systems go for them. That's the best you can hope for what it probably is going to end up being they will play a limited number of snaps and they'll sprinkle them throughout the game and so that they are available in the fourth quarter and then re evaluate this coming week and saying yeah they're good to go and then the menu enlarges as they move on through the season. Yeah that's probably what's going to happen. The other interesting thing was we told you yesterday that the Rams had left overnight for Australia and basically Peter Schreger was

11:42reporting that the rent this was two hours ago. The Rams are all in for the night. It's 9.45 pm in Melbourne they slept on the flight over we'll sleep now in the hotel for one night. They'll wake up play a football game in 12 hours and then he goes on to say because a lot of people have poo pooed this idea leaving so late. This isn't some trial and error approach. The Rams have sent 15 staffers over the last two years to Australia and track their bodies and sleep rhythms. This was deemed the approach and they're not turning back now. Wow it's too late to turn back. They put a lot of time and effort. I'm telling you right now. I'm telling you right now the Rams are going to roll the Niners just for this. They are doing it the right way. They did trial and error for two years. The internet is full of guys with you know 10 foil hands.

12:44Yes it's crazy to think the Rams just kind of said, you can't do it. But you can say, you can't do it. You can't go over it. You can't go over it. No this is the way you got to do it. If you go over the Niners are going to go 0 and 2 to start the season because they're halfway to getting acclimated. That's halfway to 12 hours for 13 hours difference. That's halfway there. Oh yeah that's right. So it's six hours to get there. It's going to take them that long to adjust back to the West Coast time. They got the dolphins at home. The Niners could not have messed this up worse and the Rams got it exactly right. I think it's going to show. Niners are going 0 and 2. Who they even played this week. They may not go with you. Look at the dolphins at home. But if they go 0 and 2, I'm taking credit for it. Because the Cardinals week three at home.

13:44Listen they are doing this the wrong way the Niners are. It's totally the wrong way. A week is not enough when you go to Australia. And the Rams are going to wake up and play and they're going to feel fine. Well for them it'll probably still be 5 30 West Coast time at kickoff. Because that's kickoff tonight. It'll be 5 30 West Coast time and they're pretty much staying on that clock. Yeah they're going to get up. They're going to feel like they slept late in the morning. Get up. Bus to the stadium. It'll be 10 30 AM their time. 10 38 AM Melbourne time right for you. Yeah. So yeah Friday. So they're gold. They're going to be gold. I'm telling you man. They're doing it the right way. All this stuff on the internet like I can't believe it. Why don't I tell them. Raiders all pro tight end Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim in Dallas earlier this week.

14:48And is expected to miss a game or two. According to ESPN reports. Bowers got banged up a little in camp with sources saying the injury was diagnosed last week prompting the surgery. However, first year Raiders coach Clint Kubiak had a bit of a different prognosis. Speaking before the report of Bowers surgery in absence Wednesday. Kubiak said he expected to have all of his players ready for Sunday's opener against the visiting Miami Dolphins. When he was asked specifically about Bowers, he reiterated the previous statement saying he expected to have all players ready. So he didn't address Bowers injury specifically or his availability specifically. He just said I expect to have everybody ready to play. A meniscus trim is the less invasive of the procedures regarding a meniscus. That means like a little tab was hanging off and they just go in there and snip that off to clean it up.

15:48So it doesn't develop into a bigger tear and a bigger problem. But you still got to open the guy up so they got well maybe they can laugh for a scop play. No, they just do it through a scope man. It's a little nicking his knee. So maybe he is able to play. He will have to wait and see. He probably will be they did it Tuesday for a Sunday game. That's quick. I'll admit. But I would imagine Brock Bowers is sitting there going, now I can go. Okay. If and if he wants to they'll obviously they'll let him. It's a little different atmosphere out there than it is in some other places. I think that I think Brock Bowers will he'll make the call. We'll find out by the end of the week. And Brown's quarterback to Sean Watson cited for speeding on a Cleveland interstate last month. Ple not guilty according to court records. According to Fox eight in Cleveland which reported the speeding ticket Watson was cited.

16:48Back on August 26th for allegedly driving 86 miles per hour in a 60 mile an hour zone on I-480. Benz trial is scheduled for September 23rd. Four days before the Browns home opener against the Carolina Panthers in week three. I don't know if there's too much of a way that the Browns home opener could have a bigger day. The home opener could have a bigger darker cloud over it. Unless there was a giant severe thunderstorm coming in off Lake Erie. The Browns fans hate the guy. Now he's got a court date four days before their opener for a speeding ticket. Now it could be like it could be worse. You know, thank goodness it's not a more heinous crime than a speeding ticket. But you know what I mean? That's the only way it could be worse. I mean I'm telling you man.

17:48It is and it's an abyss. It's not good. It remains a factory of sadness. Man, I guess. I mean I'm tearing up for the Cleveland Browns. For the fans anyway. Yeah. It's too bad. I get for climped for him. Man is so bad for him. I feel so bad. Oh my gosh. Yeah. It's not good. It's not good. It is so bad. This week's presenting game sponsor though is ticket master. Ticket master is the official ticket marketplace for the Buffalo Bills and for the NFL. Topic of discussion for you fine folks today. How does the Bills opener in Houston unfold? I need you folks to put your best Crescan hat on today and predict the future. It's a simple question. How does the Bills opener in Houston unpolished call us and pontificate? 716-427-0989.

18:50The number to jump on board with us or you could hit us up on the social sheet. At one Bills live on X. You can also hit us up on our other social channels. You know you want to dive in on Facebook or maybe even what are we else? What else are we on? Instagram or something? I think we might be. Well we're live so you can use our other social channels and check in with us on this subject. Because I'm curious. Are people gripping a little bit because the Bills success rate in Houston recently has not been great? What? Do they expect a much different Bills team to jump all over the Texans right away? How do you see this one unfolding? I'm very curious. I want to get the temperature of the room if you will. Are we going to let it breathe and see what the fans say or are we going to start right in? You can give me your thoughts on how you think this is going to play out. It's going to be a hard game. I have no question about it. It's a tough place to go into.

19:51The Bills will get some, both teams will get a little bit of benefit from week one being healthy, having some surprises up their sleeve. The changes are unknown on both sides. But it's an incredibly loud stadium. Incredibly difficult place to play. It's climate controlled. That will be a plus for the Bills. It's a great fast track, nice grass field, that kind of thing. That's going to be great. But you're playing against a team that has been a little bit of your kryptonite. That's saying something. This is a team that's defense only gives up scores if you can snap off a big play during the drive. And the Bills did that with the running game last year. Even against this team, they did it once. And they should have some more weapons at their disposal this time around.

20:52It was a very close game last year when they went in there. And the Bills were hobbled a little bit. That's so worth the pay. I mean, so were the Texans. So both teams being healthy, I think this is going to be a battle right down to the end. It's going to be a one possession game. And it's going to come down to which defense can make a play on the offense. Bills offense is better than the Houston offense. But the Houston defense is elite. This is a real, but he and yeah, and kind of matchup. Strength on strength, weakness on weakness. And you got two quarterbacks with them. You know, the pressure is going to be on Josh Allen to come out and put his foot on the gas. And CJ Stroud is under a normal enormous amount of scrutiny down there. So I think this is a, I think this is a coin flip game.

21:54I really do. Yeah, I'll give you more of my thoughts on it in just a minute, but we're going to get to the phone lines at 716-427-0989, leading us off today there. Is finger out in Southern California? What do you got for his finger? Hey, how's it going guys? Going to be back on the radio again. I have to say. You pass up. So I might, my whole opinion on this one guys, I'm with Steve. It's going to be a hard fought battle, but my biggest fear on this one game right here is going to be the three factors, of course. And the three factors is going to be penalties, injuries, and turnovers. You know, if we can limit all of those on paper, I believe Buffalo has the upper edge on this. I really do. It's just everybody also knows that week one is a liar, right? So I don't care if it's the bill really lose by three or win by 30. This is actually the first real dress rehearsal we have or all the ones go up against the number one for the whole game, right?

22:55So I really don't believe that the outcome of this game will really matter much as the season goes on just because of the liar that week one really is. But at the end of the day, I do believe that if we can win the turnover battle and everybody stays healthy, I believe we walk out of Houston with a victory guys. That's my opinion and go bill. Yeah, I would agree with all of that week one is a liar, but the game does matter, particularly now, and in the big picture of things, they're an AFC team with high aspirations, and a lot of people expect them to be really good. You need to win the head to head against them. Of course, like you say, there's a lot of football to be played, and you know, you never know who's going to what and whether Houston's going to finish the season strong or whatever. But from this end of the schedule, meaning before we start, you want to beat that, you want to have the head to head against Houston, you want to have the head to head against Baltimore against Kansas City, AFC Conference, right?

23:58Yeah, you need that tie breaker on all those guys. So it's not nothing. It's not everything. It's not a big deal, but it's not nothing. And certainly if either team loses this game and come back and win the Super Bowl, Seattle proved it last year. I think it's going to be a one-score game. The last few have been between these two teams. The only exception is the 40-0 shut out here when Davis Mills played in his first career game. And he was a backup. They've been one-score games for a reason, and I think these, to your point about strength on strength, I think that's a big reason why they are so hard-fought. And close. And I think the game is going to be one in the margins, which is what can the lesser part of your team do to help you win the game? Last year, for example, the bills get a kick return for a touchdown from Ray Davis.

25:00What does Buffalo's special teams do to win the field position battle, maybe get some long returns to set up some short fields for the offense, but they don't have to slog their way down the field on a nine-play drive to beat this defense. Those things are going to go a long way, I think, in helping this team win the football game. And obviously the big unknown, because we haven't seen it in action yet, is Buffalo's defense, with their frontline guys all playing. So how quickly can they contribute to victories? I think is a big question, Mark. And for the Texans, it's very different. It's C.J. Stroud going to break out of what has largely been a two-year funk, where this guy looked like he was going to be an all-world player and was like offensive rookie of the year three years ago, and then his statistics have been on the decline ever since. They went down in his second year, and they went down again last year.

26:01What does that look like? Is he eminently confident again, and not patting the ball back there and making ill-advised decisions? We'll have to wait and see. But I think it's a one-score game at the end of the day. I picked the bills 27-23. I just think they're going to be a little bit better. I think that, you know, it is, and of course, turnovers are going to be a huge factor in the game. They always are in every NFL game, so that goes without saying. I think the special teams, I think their job one is to end the special teams plays with the ball that you're supposed to in the ball. Don't cough it up on a punt return or kickoff return, and get some field position for the offense or defense. Flip the field if you can. And of course, then the one thing that I'm going to be watching really closely in this game, and for the early part of the season, is how the bills defense does in third down, and how they do in the red zone. Certainly the offense, that's always a factor when you walk in, but the bills have always been pretty good.

27:02They'll probably be that way again. Even this good Houston defense, notwithstanding, the bills are a handful in the red zone and on third down. But I'm the bills defense in those spots, I think, is crucial. Home opener half time show coming up in just about a week is presented by ticket master, and we wanted to let you know to celebrate the first ever home opener half time show when the bills host the Lions Thursday night to high mark stadium picks mob LED bracelets are going to be distributed to every fan in the stadium and one republic will headline the event presented by ticket master bracelets will be distributed before kickoff and will light up in coordination with the half time performance. The show will consist of a three to four song set list accompanied by the light show sink to the picks mob bracelets, not an attendance prime video will carry the game and a portion of the half time performance. We got to take a break here, but when we come back, Steve Tasker caught up with one Dion Walker defensive tackle for the bills set to enter year two, what are his thoughts on his second season in the NFL and the week one matchup we find out next year on one bills live.

28:16All right, welcome back to a Thursday edition of one bills live time for a few seconds and player interview appearances on one bills live are presented by Tim Hortons Tim Hortons the official coffee of the Buffalo bills so delicious way now turned to an interview Steve did after practice Wednesday with bills defensive tackle Dion Walker. Dion, you made no bones about the fact you want drops a little weight from where you were played last year, you had a whole off season to do it give us an idea of how that goes how that feeling and and how much help did you get from the staff here at one bills drive. I got a lot of help from the bill staff and one thing about me was just wanting to be completely honest with the coaches in the like with the bills and my off season strength coaches so you know just trying my hardest to keep everybody within the loop you know just telling them what I'm trying to do what I'm trying to get at how I'm trying to be going into the season you know and I feel like I've done a great job and they made it easy.

29:19Yeah and that's part of the whole thing a lot of even for those of us are civilians you know and having somebody to hold you accountable is important you kind of knew that and you said I'm going to keep you up on what I'm doing what kind of feedback did they give you during this process I mean because I know you were here often on throughout the off season give us an idea of how those meetings went and the back and forth you got. I mean it was just a lot of stuff no matter if it was in the weight room out here on the field again a little bit extra conditioning doing some little boxing drills you know just doing anything that we could to you know get the big guy moving because a big guy that can move that's a big guy that's worth a lot you know so I want to be that guy for us I want to be the guy that can you know play 40 50 snatches there when the team needs me can rise to those occasions whenever no matter what just put the ball down. So this off seasons your first as a pro athlete but you said too much like you told me before you didn't want to change too much you kept the same place you live last year you live by yourself but your mom and dad come in try your dad tries to come in for every game tell us about how your routine goes and are you happy with it or is there some things you like to tweak.

30:34No I'm happy with it I say with me I'm a big person when I think of like when the state where I'm at so you know I like my my same house I'm there I don't want to move again you know I don't want to pick up everything go with 10 minutes down the road put drop it back off so that's one thing for me I love I'm a care person of habit like I love I just love football I love yeah like I you got to love those things if you want to shine at this game you know I'm going to be a good guy. So if you want to try to get 1% better every day and I'm surrounded by a bunch of guys that know that and that live that every day. So you and your mom and dad you're all from Texas right and that's where they live Michigan. And then they're down in Texas. Yeah they know that's where I want to live really just because I spent 18 years in Michigan I want to get out of that code a little bit but no they know that's just land is cheap there you know I want a lot of land whenever I do make my home so they just say hey we'll wait for you.

31:37So give me an idea this your mom what do they think of Buffalo because they now they've been here a bunch right and now they and they've been in the new stadium yet and all that what are they what are they saying. No they haven't yet but my mom she's going to love it because she hates being in the code. She has anemia so that's a big thing but then my dad he's seen pictures and everything he can't wait to actually be in there with the whole stadium you know. The bills do it right so you know it's it's a different beast you know coming in home open. So you're one of those guys and so much has been made about the new field over there you know they're doing the grass again you played on it you practice on it twice the open practice in the blue and red and two preseason games. What about the field you guys like it what's the what's the vibe in the locker room about. Yeah I like it I love it I love the stadium I love I have been seeing on like ticks I can stuff it is some crazy seats but to each is all but no I do love the stadium.

32:40I like the grass I love grass fields I think the the heater or whatever that's under the field is going to be a game changer. You know but just the atmosphere itself just like I love the old high mark stadium but this new one like I don't think there'll be anything like it. Talk to me about what your expectations are for this season you coming in and a lot of guy people of Peggy you played because you maybe maybe the defensive rookie the year for the bills last year you played a ton of games made a ton of tackles. You became kind of a foundational piece of their defensive front what are your plans for the twenty six season what how do you see yourself playing. For me right now I'm at a point I'm at a point of where just do your job you know I if there's been so many countless hours of film watching of trying to do it on the field trying to replicate it just do your job. I know what I got to do I know how to do it I just got to go out and do it every day on a consistent basis so I feel like that's the main part that I need that consistency consistency back.

33:48Did this year in this training camp because I know when he came in last year everybody was new right you were the new guy now you've been around the block you got some guys you got a kind of a core group now you got a bunch of new guys as well now this new head coach things have changed a little bit how has that gone for you and what do that teacher not only about you. You're not only about your role in the defensive locker room and in the meeting rooms and your voice that you have on the team but also about opening up to new voices. So on the first part coach Brady I love coach Brady he said I've said it multiple times about him and coach Leonard there's just like a birthday fresh air you know like it doesn't it doesn't seem so like a job when they're talking about football when you into the team mean or into the defense of unit mean. Like when they're up there talking you're not like yes we know we all love football but we not think about as a job and I feel like at the end of the day if you have a head coach DC that's all that I can speak for but hey coach DC that makes you want to or makes it feel like you want to be be there each day want to come in like happy to be there like disguise limit.

34:59So yeah alright Timmy an idea so you got these new guys on your defensive new defensive coordinator vibe changes a little bit who's if you have a secret. And you got to tell somebody who in the locker room you can go to say hey guess what I heard who's it going to who's going to be your guy that you can fight in. I got a lot of those guys so there probably so one it probably you're going to announce it in the me say hey guys I got something to say. It would probably be rookie class then D line room okay let me give high art you're a rookie class yeah my rookie class then D line room and then O line room because I like honor D dog spent those my guys. Then the DB room and then no it go AB DB O line there we go. Okay all right okay now it's time for our Tim bits time out which is presented by Tim Horton this is where one of our fans sends in a question they want to ask you.

36:01Alright you ready. Here's the question. See this how you're one of these big dudes you want the guys to your hand in the dirt big big body has there ever been a time in your career where they come to say hey we'd like you to be a running back and give you the ball on a short yard as just a full back as a short yardage guy put you in the office of backfield for a player to has they ever done that to you and if they have what is your answer. No they haven't done that to me but if they have my answer would be the coach like just give me the ball. Now I've never been asked that I've been like I've been told like at Kentucky that they will put me out for like an out route or a fade route some like that but yeah but never happy so you know cross my fingers. Alright Dan one last one so this how do you anticipate you were in the old high mark great spot man it was a beautiful stadium and a lot of history there although you only played there one year. This coming up Thursday week from Thursday you're going to have a chance to open up the new stadium on a Thursday night gaming against Detroit Lions Michigan team where you grew up.

37:10What do you how do you describe what you anticipate that environment is going to be like the locker room the guys excitement you've been through a couple of preseason games with man oh man this a national TV game on Thursday night football what's that going to be like. That's one thing about Buffalo I feel like it's not going to be anything like it like I said but I do feel like also Buffalo travels well so we weren't about game one I know all the Buffalo Indians worried about game one they worried about even if they can't make the trip they're going to be at home screaming at the TV so you know it's like it's going to be great. You haven't even thought about the opener yet you're thinking about you think about Houston right exactly but you know I already know I'm going to get butterflies I'm going to get like yeah just thinking about it mom and dad coming in for that game whole family whole family how many people is in the whole family when you say a whole family who is that. Mom dad cousin cousin cousin little sister that's like a cousin little brother that's like a cousin big brother that or big cousins and little cousins that's like brothers and sisters big cousin that's like a brother yeah another little cousin that's like a little sister a bunch of aunties and uncles and then my one biological sister all you got to do is just say how many tickets you had to get about 20 25.

38:34Okay that's a good stuff. Deon thank you good luck in the opener man stay in one piece and thanks for joining us. Alright that's Steve Chasker with Deon Walker we are up against the break here though but when we come back we'll get back to the phone lines 7164270989 how do you see the opener for the bills on Sunday unfolding in Houston John on the west side leads us off when we return here on one bills live. How does the bills opener unfold in week one plus at 7164270989 and as promised break back to the phones we go into John on the west side what he got for his John. Good morning Johnny and Steve how you guys doing. You're great good. Okay yeah I was just looking at last year's game in the year before and I'm confident going into

39:49Houston this time around for a couple of reasons. First of all even though we had back games in Houston at the end we almost had a chance to win especially last year and he had doggy dealing with something and so was the right tackle and yeah and he was dealing with an arm issue if you know what it was in a memory in a memory certain correctly and like John said he said he feels confident and his two tackles told the why they're going in there healthy and my thing is this it ran to do it can really take well on all of this I think we should win by at least 10 points because I think top of bottom it goes on a better team. The two are I mean the bills are the better team and because the bar I mean he just that so if he sticks with me when you're ready for us got higher he said we're not we're not worried about who we play or where we play the guy worried about the bulk of the bills and that's true.

41:08I lost all the dirt but sometimes I felt that he gave teens too much respect that we should initially we have the feel with us but not do break do break is going for is going for the dogler I love them and Kelly that I had cold springs I hang up and listen thank you fellow y'all have a blessed day. Thanks John yeah it's a new approach I don't think there's any question about it and we'll see exactly what it looks like starting on Sunday I mean we have thoughts and ideas of what it could look like we've drawn some conclusions from the preseason although I don't think that's an accurate predictor of what we're going to get from Joe Brady and his coaching staff in terms of game day decisions and clock management and challenge flags and the like. But I think based on his mantras you know put the ball down be you with us they have to play the bills it's it kind of gives at least a sense that.

42:09They're going to be a little bit more demonstrative and how they carry themselves are going to play with more of an edge more of a physicality on defense maybe bordering on intimidation and I think that's a healthy approach and a welcome approach yeah there is bills fans you know. You. A decade ago in the drought you always kind of felt you could talk yourself into finding a scenario where the bills could win it's not that hard to do when you're talking about this version of the bills they're going to be healthier than they were when they played last year they did not play their best game last year and they still had a chance to win it at the end in one of their probably worst performances of the season they're going to be much healthier this time they've got a lot of. And here's the thing that you got to you know kind of curb your enthusiasm here. There's a lot of possibilities on the bills defense for how this could go on and a lot of them are positive no question about the different play caller a different scheme guys that fit better they're younger they're more athletic they're faster they seem to be on a more aggressive mindset all that's in there but it's also a lot of unknown you don't know how this going to look.

43:18So you can spin it as positive as you want but you got you're going to have to see it to believe it I think so yes while there is a lot of reasons to feel like the bills are going to go down there and compete there's no reason to think they can't go down there and give the Texans a good game. I mean come on yeah I'll yes the bills are not going to go off and run and hide on the opening weekend of the season they're going to show up and they're going to show up big. But this is a big challenge as well so yeah you can talk yourself into thinking the bills are going to win by double digits. But then you start deciding that some if you're going to tell them that you're thinking the Texas going to shrink a little bit and I don't know I think that's a big ask to Brian in North tunnel on the next what you got for his Brian. Yeah I would just wonder and what do you guys think about the bill running game how it's going to be affected without having a full back.

44:21Or the tight end is going to be affected with that running game. Yeah well I have a question Brian. Yeah go ahead. I'm sorry I was wondering if you guys knew what kind of gate opens for the game. Well as in Houston there are a reason behind the red and blue seats. Yeah okay I'm guessing are you saying for the home game or for the game. I think you say in home game. I'll just assume open game. Thanks Brian for the questions. Yeah usually they open two hours before kickoff. So like for a one o'clock game it's usually 11. So I would anticipate to get into the actual stadium. The outside perimeter will be earlier than that I believe it's an hour prior to that.

45:22So what's the game 815 so to get actually into the stadium that would be 615 but I believe it's an hour prior to that to get inside the inner. The gates inside the gate so I think that's 5 515 somewhere around the concord. There'll be stuff going on around the outside of the inner ring and you can get food there too. So all that stuff's going on. So that's that at the activation field outside. As for the red and blue seats it's just a design element and they scattered the pattern randomly just as an artistic aesthetic. There's no real pattern or rhyme or reason to how it appears. It's completely like a random spraying of the red and blue colors. Yeah it's like a splash of red and blue. And then as for the running game I think they'll be able to run against this team they did it last year. James Cook went over 100 yards had a 49 yard touchdown and the bills as a team averaged 6 yards a carrot against the Texans last year.

46:29Which was the number 4 defense against the run in football. I mean they only gave up 93 yards a game on the ground and the James Cook was one of only 2 running backs to go for over 100 yards on the ground against the Texans last year. And the biggest and most ingenuity of the Las Vegas Raiders that was it. Nobody else had 100 yard rushing game against the Texans except those 2 guys. They were hard to run against no question about it but the bills also because of the rest of their offense and because of the guy they got taken playing quarterback. The bills it's going to be a tight game which will keep the running game involved. I don't anticipate changes if it does. I don't anticipate the Texans running off and leaving the bills on the scoreboard so that the bills have to throw the ball to get back in it. It's going to be a tight game on both sides so both teams will be able to run the ball whenever they want and not feel like they're putting themselves at a disadvantage. It's going to be that kind of game so the bills will be able to run the football and not worry about using up clock and keeping the running clock going because of the tightness of the game I think.

47:35So yeah we have surmised or not surmised but conjectured that Joe Brady is going to throw the ball a little more than he has percentage wise run pass. But that doesn't mean James Cook can be forgotten. The guy that led the league in rushing last year. They're not putting him on the shelf and letting him sit. Yeah. Gotta take a break here because our number two is going to begin with our good friend Greg Cossell, senior producer from NFL Films. He's back for another season and he's going to be appearing on Thursdays this year. That's why he joins us next. Here on One Bill's Live. He's a beast for the capital B. The top is in the kitchen. Look now the sideline he's got contained for a 23 yard touchdown and it's intercepted jumping over the air is fed for him.

48:44This is One Bill's Live. All right ready for action here in our number two Chris Brownstein. I have from New High Mark Stadium and ready to welcome in for another season of insight analysis and film review. It is the man who crunches more tape than AI. It's NFL senior producer for NFL film senior producer Greg Cossell joining us. Also co-host of ESPN's NFL matchup show Greg. Welcome back. Good to have you. How you doing buddy? Go so much better Brownie here in your radio voice leading into the segment now. Now I know it's football season here in your voice. Yeah, there we go. And let's jump right into it because I would say this is one of the bigger AFC matchups of the week. It's going to most of the country NFL on CBS and I think deservedly so.

49:45And I want to begin with something that I heard Houston defensive coordinator maybe was the Mico Ryan's that mentioned this in reviewing their games from last year. They said that the Houston defense gave up only one touchdown drive all season that did not have an explosive play. Teams could not score on this defense unless they had an explosive play somewhere on their scoring drive. The bills obviously got one last year on the 49 yard touchdown run by James Cook. That was an explosive. And their other touchdown was on an explosive but it was on special teams. A 97 yard kick return by Ray Davis. So the bills obviously improved their receiving core. DJ Moore can deliver explosives. You would think a healthy Josh Palmer could deliver explosives. He was not healthy for the game last year though he did play. And Dalton can cade being back in the equation is important as well. How critical is it that the bills get three to four explosive plays in this game to win?

50:58I mean you would say just sitting here before the game that it's absolutely critical. I guess every coach would say that every week. But the Texans are a little bit of an anomaly in terms of their structure of their defense. One of the way quarterbacks are taught when they go up against defenses is there's families of defense. There are certain guys that are all sort of from the same school. Domingo Ryan sort of cut his teeth in the Robert Salis school. And what that really is and there's not that many that play like that now. They're front four based. They're not a high percentage blitz defense. They play a ton of nickel. They don't play any snaps of dime. And they're not a team which is invoked now in the league and it's become a trend. They don't really do a lot of changing from pre snap to post snap. So there's somewhat static. They rely on alignment technique and communication. And they're really good and obviously they've got a really strong front four. It all starts there.

52:00That's kind of the dynamic element to what they are is their front four can be dominant. And we think of Hunter and Anderson but their defensive tackle rotation is really really good. I mean Tommy Togue is a phenomenal player when you watch tape and I did it kind of a deep dive on their defenses off season. And their detacles are really really good. So because they don't pressure a lot because they're not necessarily a high percentage man team. They don't really give up a lot of explosive plays. Double because of that. Some what yes, but you know what Steve and again I'm not making a direct comparison because obviously this team has not won a Super Bowl. Although I think a lot of people would argue that they are the best defense in the league. They're similar to that regard in the to the Legion of boom which you could argue is predictable. But they just had really really good players that consistently executed on a high level.

53:02And for a five year stretch the best post safety in the league and all time is that could eat up any mistakes that the people in front of a mate. So you know the Texans are much more of an execution defense than a highly scheme to defense now again having said that I'm not in their meetings. I'm sure there's a lot of tweaks they make and a lot of little things that I would know because we're not in the meetings. But when you watch them you know it's not like it you know they're not a high high percentage blitz defense. They don't come after you in a lot of way. I mean just look at last year and then that game which was later in the season. They had eight sacks you know seven of them came from the D line. One of them came on a green dog. That was the other one by Toa Toa was a green dog meaning they were playing man coverage. And Toa Toa's responsibility stayed into pass protect so he added into the pressure. But they didn't get them because they blitzed they got them with their D line. Yeah let's take it one step further because I do know down in the red zone they play considerably more man coverage.

54:04Yeah. And if that holds if that holds to form do you feel that the bills collection of skilled players you know which are healthy now here in week one because they didn't have concade in the game last year. So you can you can find I'm wondering Greg if you feel they can find matchups that favor the bills. If you know let's just say hypothetically James Cook's on the field so is Dalton. Sure. Maybe even maybe even Kalecki Latu is out there DJ more. You can get one of those guys presumably on a linebacker in the red zone in man coverage that sounds good to me. Well the other the and your points correct their tendency last year was to increase their man coverage rate once you got into the red zone. There's no question that they did that which a lot of teams do. But I would particularly in the lower red zone but I would say this if you feel you're going to get more man there's multiple ways to go about that brownie you can do it with matchups as you suggested.

55:09But you can also do it with schematic man beater concepts because now you can get into the stacks the bunches the you know the picks the you know the rub routes the things of that nature you can do it schematically it's not just one on one man coverage. You know DJ more go beat somebody because obviously their corners are very very good you know stingy it'll be interesting with stingy to win this match up because predominantly he's the left corner and predominantly last the right corner but there weren't specific receiver matchups a year ago where stingy did match up like the Vante Adams Mike Evans Smith and Jigba court in Sutton the question is will they view will they put DJ more in that category. And then have stingy match up to him or will they stay left and right which is what they normally do if they don't feel that there's a a quarter course big time number one on the opposing team. Yeah statistically they weren't very good in the red zone defensively last year at the middle of the packs. Yeah why is that why is there a disconnect there they were so good everywhere but when they got down the red zone.

56:17You know what the other thing to is and again it's funny you say that because like I said I did a deep dive they were really good on third down but you know where they weren't good on third down third and six plus yards to go they had the they all out of the fourth highest concerned conversion rate in the league when the offense had more than six yards to go but yet overall they were really good on third down so you know I couldn't find an specific answer to that Steve you know I mean I probably would have had a watch like every single play which I obviously don't have time to do that but it's just an anomaly because overall they were really good on third down overall in the red zone they were not what you would expect given the quality of their players. So I don't I don't have a great answer for that but they do play more man Brownie's right about that and there's ways to attack man that are not just match up based. Clippin it around to Houston's offense one area where they struggled mightily was in the red zone they were 30th in red zone touchdown percentage last season with CJ Stroud on the field they were a little bit better when Davis Mills was out there in his four starts obviously they have David Montgomery now because running the football was a problem last season to how much do you feel David Montgomery can help this.

57:41Houston Texans offense in the red zone specifically. I mean you would think big time he's a physical competitive runner they could not run the ball very well a year ago and and that was a big deal and it put them in too many tough situations because CJ Stroud even though he's a beautiful thrower the football CJ Stroud is a little bit of what I call a pressure perceiver and it'll be interesting with the change in defensive philosophy from Sean to to Jimmy Leonard to see if Jimmy Leonard goes after him because Stroud he's he's really a pure pocket player he needs to be secure and comfortable so he needs protection. He needs the route concepts to really present clean define read so we can play with timing so he's really relying on the offensive coordinator to define all this for him but when you start getting people around him or even where he believes there's people around him he really starts to play fast and we know that Jimmy Leonard you know has a background with a lot of different coaches you know and but there's a significant pressure element to the way he what he believes about defense and I'm really

58:53curious that's the great thing about week one is you just don't know we're speculating based on background but I would doubt that he's going to sit back and just rush for I mean Stroud the last couple years has really shown a trend where if you start getting people around him he really speeds up and he doesn't see it the right way. Talk about this during this off season we haven't spoken to you for a few months now you're take on maybe how the bills roster fits into Jim Leonard's new scheme the three four four three now they didn't play some four man fronts in the preseason as well as everybody does but what are your thoughts on the fit of the roster to what Jim Leonard may want to do and I know this is all conjecture we're guessing about everything what are your thoughts about how the roster fits what they might want to do. Specifically against the Houston offense. Yeah but overall I think that you know I don't want to say stuck with people because that'd be the wrong thing you know we don't know maybe some guys already come on I would think that you know to me and I don't know how you guys feel but I don't think Greg Russo is a true stand up player I think he's a down defensive and I think he's a solid player.

1:00:06I don't know how they view him in the context of you know of this defense where which is essentially a base five to front that's what it's going to be we know chub played in that right is career again you know he's been injured quite a bit we don't know exactly what he has left. You know maybe he'll be phenomenal we don't know that's that's the great thing about week one there's so many you know unknowns you know I think a player and I imagine he's going to get snaps I don't know you know now that we're starting the regular season you don't know but I think a player like Caleb Eelms or is a really good fit in a Jimmy Leonard defense which is probably why he was drafted and I really liked his tape coming out of college I think that guy is a really good fit because he's a very versatile player who can play on the second level and he's also a good pass rusher from multiple locations. So it'll be interesting you know I don't really know the answer to that I'm you know they may not know the answer to that either Steve because you know you haven't played the real game yet. So I'm just not sure exactly how it'll play out but my guess is Jimmy Leonard's not going to play passive he's not going to be conservative I mean I think he's going to be aggressive not just this week when I think it makes sense but I think generally speaking you know is he going to be Rex Ryan aggressive you know I would doubt that you know the big question to his corner play because you know if you're going to if you choose to play a lot of man coverage you have to feel comfortable with your corners and this is going to be a good test

1:01:32because Nico Collins is one of the true blueprints in the NFL for the boundary X receiver that single receiver to the short side of the field I mean he's big he can run he uses his body it's a good test for the for the corners. One of the other things that came out of the game last year and you already referenced the eight sacks which was the most that Josh Allen's ever been sacked in a football game. And one of the interesting components of that was Joe Brady for the vast majority of the game just decided to go with five man protection and get more people out in routes hoping someone would come free for Josh it didn't happen nearly enough. And then Dion Dawkins was concussed in the game Spencer Brown had an arm injury and was essentially playing with one arm at the end of the game which didn't help matters either. How could you foresee Joe Brady perhaps changing and altering the protection scheme through the course of this game in light of what happened last time around.

1:02:35Well the first thing you have to decide as a game plan issue is whether you feel that brown and and Dawkins can protect one all one that's the first thing you have to decide and I'm talking about in those third down of your past situations. Now one of the things that stood out and obviously it was preseason but obviously in the preseason you do what you practice what we saw in that first preseason game when Josh Allen played was there were four under center play action past plays where I think he had more three times and secure once. Well that now become a much more significant part of their offense which is a good way to attack because protection is better you know a lot of things were better when you go under center play action in normal down in distance but now we're talking about long yardage which you're going to get in every game. Obviously you want to minimize that but so the question is when it's third and eight brownie how are they going to feel what is their game plan are they going to feel like we need to chip.

1:03:36Do we need to keep in a tight end or back as a primary pass protector which then limits the number of eligible receivers against a team that plays with seven in coverage a high percentage of the time so now if you feel you need to do that you're having them play with seven in coverage against let's say three eligible you know that's a really tough deal. So I don't know how they feel about Dawkins and Brown one on one versus Hunter and Anderson that you'll know that early in the game but that will tell a lot about how they feel you know in terms of past protection. What what happened in this game the last time these two teams played when it was such a close it was a close game but the bills you know and that's what and good defenses I understand good defenses make offenses look bad and the bills look bad offensively like in times that we haven't seen. How do you what has to change for the bills offense for the game for the outcome to change certainly was a close game the way it played out this last time and this Houston defense it's their job to make guys like Josh Allen look bad but what would be the most logical way Buffalo can change the outcome of this game.

1:04:51Through their game plan with you know obviously guys play better I get that but what would you can always say that different yeah right what's going to have to be different for the bills offense. Well a couple of things that that happened in the last game that were kind of odd to me there were no Josh Allen design runs versus detections in that game now I'm not saying that you build your offense about Josh Allen with design runs but I think that that's something you might want to only show. I'm not saying that you know there's a misdirection element to that and I think there needs to be Steve Moore misdirection concepts this is a team that's very disciplined and very structured but you've got to try to mess with their eye discipline because if you just line up and play against them and I'm not saying you know obviously teams have moved the ball although that there was a stretch where it was really hard to move the ball against this team last year. I don't think you can just line up with the idea that you know what we're going to be better than they are and I know that's a hard thing you may not want to present it that way as a coach because you don't want to say to your team hey they're better than we are boy that yet but I think that you need you need misdirection elements I think you do need the element of Josh you know as a runner in the game that doesn't mean he's going to carry it 10 times but you need things that forced them to have to you know sort of think through the process because they play fast and they are and if you allow them to do that you need to do that.

1:06:17So if you want them to play fast then it becomes really hard. Yeah and to that end the bills did a really good job of running right at them last year and when the game was over they averaged six yards of carry James Cook was one of only two backs that went over 100 yards against them all season but now they don't have a full back on the roster anymore. They're not carrying a full back with their great official 53 man roster they have four tight ends how do you think Joe Brady might tweak the run game and do they just utilize a tight end as a as a pseudo full back now in Jackson haws what what kind of tweaks could you anticipate. That's a really great question because you know one of the staples last year as you guys know with that gap scheme concept where they bring haws across the formation as the kick out blocker and then Gilliam would know what you're doing. Gilliam would be the rapper in the gap scheme you know would basically be counter so the question is do they do they change that up can they run that same play with someone else is the rapper you know can they put it you know can

1:07:26let's say Dawson knocks be the the kick out blocker and then they put haws in the backfield if they choose to and he be the rapper because obviously he's a very good blocker because that run play was a very important part of their running game a year ago. I mean they had big runs I mean they had a touchdown against Carolina with that concept they had big runs they had big runs against Kansas City and that concept so so was a big deal. So the question is is that does that get shelved because you know they they're they don't have Gilliam or do they just try to run it with different people they they did run well to the weak side in their own concepts against the Texans last year the weak side meaning away from the tight end. So we'll see if that's something they they try to do again. But obviously hook did have over a hundred but he had the long touchdown run which I think was was that third one or fourth one I know it was it was it was a short yarded play I think it was fourth down. Yeah. Yeah so it isn't it is interesting to think about because if the bills don't have a fullback but this defense seems more susceptible is brownie said because you say and you're right they play fast they're very disciplined.

1:08:36The run plan would be to run right at them but well can't go wide on here's a bunch fast but you're not saying you don't have a fullback. I'm not saying you shouldn't Steve but I think the most overlooked position on their defense is detackle they're big and they're good I mean it's easy to say run Adams if you think of hunter and Anderson but they are really good inside Tommy Togui is he may be as good a run defensive tackles there is in the game. Rankins was really really good a year ago. You know so it's not so easy just to say run at him you know we think of oh it's run it to now hunter because he's kind of a loose limbs in we gun be type pressure you know it's run at him but their detackles are really really good. I don't want to give the impression that nobody can ever move the ball but I'm just saying that you know it's it's it's not that easy just to say let's run at him. Yeah well simple to say it's not easy to do. We're here in here in here in office chairs right so yeah that's right that's the beauty and we do right okay.

1:09:41Thanks for the time as always yeah we appreciate it and we'll catch up with you next week I guess we'll have you on game day for the home opener for Thursday night football that'll be exciting that's right that's right you got to do game day the home opener and who's the opponent. Detroit Detroit. Oh yeah they got a tough schedule it's it's yeah the first five weeks or 15 yeah but they got a tough schedule yeah so all right thanks Greg we'll catch up with you next week. I got him back with you guys I love it thanks. Yeah all right that's great co-sell senior producer from NFL films joining us as he will every week during the season on Thursdays and we'll have him on game day next week when the bills are host in the Lions in this building here. We step aside now but we get back to your phone calls as we are asking you how do you expect this opener to unfold for the bills in Houston back to your phone calls next here on one bills live. All right back here on one bills.

1:10:57We're going to be on a Thursday and we want to get right back to the phones as we've been asking you today how will this season opener play out for the bills in Houston waiting patiently on the phone lines Paul in for a donut what do you got for us Paul you're on one bills live. Hey good morning or good late morning gentlemen if you don't mind I like to take her make a quick comment about the past and Mr. Tasker you have the original gunner you should and will be elected to Paul at some point I have no vote but I also don't have any doubt every summer during the entire bill career was spent in Spadonian New York at training camp. I was fortunate to send every summer and for the only with you in the dynasty teams in the 90s and my family's restaurant from Barry used the Christie Cornelius Senate Jim Kelly to Smith, the German Thomas, Hansa Lee,

1:12:02Bruce Brown and Brian Carter, so that the ones that come in the mind and I thank you for that those are memories even my cancer can't be gave that being said to answer the question of the day Buffalo will win this game 28 against Houston on Sunday. Alan will have to one of my passing at least no drivers one passing TV TV in 45 yards rushing with one CD cook I'll have a rough and CD and more will a tight crowd with a great CD except that being said I don't think offense will be an issue this game. Yes and cause of the beast can take might be why we see for three cook will break open another 40 yard you run like the last year. Defense will be inspired fast mothering and aggressive proud will be pressured constantly the key to this game in my opinion will be the special teams and company turners as Steve has to know how important that is.

1:13:11He offered us later as the number one but I won't be surprised if George is a call up for the game I think he'll end up in the number one after week two. These are the two these are two talented teams no doubt about it there what your thoughts on the special team playing a major part in this game thank you guys and it's been really great talking to you and have a blast. Yeah thanks Paul that's a great call looking your cancer battle yeah lay lay it on them special teams how could it I mean it factored in the game last year yeah and it could this year I I'm with you I think George could be a call up no question but I feel good about D.O. I'm looking for a lot of guys that are athletes in the NFL have done that at some point of their career because you know coaches at lower levels recognize their NFL talent and they want to put the ball in their hands every way they can they stick them back there. Ray Davis last year exploded on the scene we didn't know he could return on his birthday yeah yeah but we didn't know he could return kicks at all let alone be all pro and he was.

1:14:22But the league can kick return a chance to do that on Sunday as well special teams the kicker let's not Tommy Domen he's got a big leg I think they're going to be able to get some field position no question about it and Tyler Bass I think is looking forward to this and has been looking forward to this game for quite some time I think he'll be on it as well so yeah special teams I feel good about where they are. I like Jeff Rogers is a special teams coordinator 100 West is a really good I like that combination those guys seem to have they seem to be all over it so yeah special teams could play a role in this special teams played a role two years ago Kaini Fairbearn hit a 59 yarder at the gut to beat the bills yeah so special teams have played factors in each of the last two meetings with big plays in big moments let's move on though and go to Mike in Syracuse what he got for his Mike.

1:15:28Morning Browning Steve just real quick at the set a couple comments and then another question for you I honestly think the game is going to kind of be you can make this argument for any game but it's going to be one of the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines I know obviously that their defensive line is spectacular so I hope ours can protect you all so long enough for work as magic but I think that a key of key to the game is going to be to put CJ strapped under pressure just because I'm not going to be able to do that. Just because I think he's been shaky at best the last like year or so if you give him too much time I think he can hurt you but I think he gets frustrated easily and become shaky is not too much pressure which actually leads me into my question is how does how does our defensive line match up against their offensive line on paper I know we're a bit on prove it I was looking for you guys take on that. And then I think I got the bills either winning by seven to ten points I'm thinking maybe twenty one to fourteen or maybe fourteen to seven maybe throw an extra field goal in there to give us ten and that's all I got appreciate.

1:16:41Thanks Mike. Yeah their offensive line is something that they were still culling together I mean they tried to rebuild it last year could not run the football blew it up and started over almost at left tackle is Ariante Urcery their former top pick from a couple of years ago he starts at left tackle for them and then at left guard is their first round pick this year Keelan Rutledge out of Georgia Tech who's a very good player. So inexperienced group over there on the left side but a talented group and then at center is Evan Brown the free agent pick up that they got from Arizona at right guard is Ed Ingram who won a position battle there fifth year player but hasn't started a ton and then at right tackle right now is Trent Brown the veteran behemoth at six eight three hundred eighty pounds he's dealing with a wrist injury but it looks like he's going to start and that's important. Because Braden Smith who was the big free agent signing in the off season from Indianapolis is on IR with a foot injury and is not going to play in this game so they feel it's a better group than the one they had last year I think they're going to make a concerted effort to run the football to take pressure off of CJ Stroud because they have David Montgomery in the backfield who they acquired via trade from Detroit

1:18:06and he was the the thunder in the thunder and lightning combo between him and Jameer Gibbs in Detroit for the last few years he's a hammer like you don't arm tackle that guy right you better break down and have a form sound technique tackle form if you're bringing him to the ground five eleven two thirty he's yeah he packs a punch so I think they're going to make a concerted effort to try to run the ball against the ball. And why wouldn't you make the bills prove to you that you can stop the run because they couldn't do it last year they were twenty eighth against the run thirty eighth in yards per carry average against the bills have to prove they can stop the run and they know that I'm not saying anything that the bills don't know themselves but because of their track record last year they're going to have to prove it on the field that they can stop the run game and put you in long down in distance because whatever Jimmy Leonard has drawn up none of it can be put into practice in terms of simulated pressures and getting exotic unless you stop their run game and put him in long down in distance.

1:19:14Yeah there's no no two ways about it's been it was job one at the beginning of the offseason for the defense when they switched over to the to this new system and brought in a new defensive coordinator that was job one got to stop the run. Everything has started with that premise we'll see and because you know the Texans are going to try and test him in that. David Montgomery's no joke he's a dude and they're going to see if he can get it done. Yeah Steve I am happy to report we're going to tick another state from which the one bills live has received a call off the list to Albuquerque New Mexico we go and Nick Nick what are you going to do. Nick what do you got for us you're on one bills live. So it is a honor and a privilege to share a thought of a microphone with you guys and this name for so long it's been a bill's fastest to 80 so this is this is my busy land to talk to you guys so thank you for taking my call truly not a guy.

1:20:22One thing I want to talk about was how this game's done both and I think that it's going to be key for our corners been heard and Harrison the kind of control. Nico and. I'm K Sean booty because I think that they're going to try to move them around and see what we got in the secondary because I think you know largely other than been heard I think you know Harrison's tested and it's going to be a rookie in his first game so I think they're going to try to attack. The perimeter so to see what we got on offense I think that Josh needs to stand or control take what they give them make sure that he hits the check down. I think that's going to be a big part of the passing game I think on this game because I think they're going to try to you know get him from the edges and one one player that I've seen work could be you know the swing pass you know to either the left or the right so I think those are going to be key.

1:21:33And how we present as well we want to make sure that Dawkins and Brown can can can stay up right and make sure they get their hands on Anderson and Hunter so I think those are the keys of the game and you know I think I think we should make it close and he's actually coming out maybe for a game or. 16 to 13 something around there maybe 20 to 17 so we'll see about that and that's how I see the game playing out next you take my call go build alright. You bet next Nick go bills indeed thank you for the call yeah we're now 46 out of 50 state Steve look at us all we've got is Iowa Michigan. South Dakota and Alaska left to tick off the list here in terms of calls taken here on one bills live I just think that's cool I love that we have bills fans all over the country you know watch and listen into our show and being a part of it at the same time I think it's really cool.

1:22:35Really cool is now filled in so it's Alaska South Dakota Iowa and Wisconsin sorry I said Michigan I think Wisconsin. I find it interesting that most of the calls we have taken today are expecting a low scoring game we're hearing a lot of 16 13 20 to 17 I think 21 to 14 was another caller that we had nobody's got this game up higher which I find interesting and I realize it's because I'm not going to be a player. I'm not going to be a player because there's a healthy respect for the Texans defense. I don't know how you feel about it but I there's something that I just I feel like the offenses are going to have an early upper hand just because of the stuff that they can unveil in week one I realize defenses can do that too. I just feel like there's going to be some early plays that go for big yardage in this I don't know why but maybe it's the week one thing that I'm feeling that way I got all the respect in the world for the Houston defense don't get me wrong but I don't know what it is I just feel like there's going to be some early points here maybe I you know the bills hung 41 on Baltimore and opening day last year I go back and look at some of the outputs they've had in years past off the

1:23:55defensively under Joe Brady I think they get off the fast starts now they scored 34 on the Cardinals the year before in week one yeah okay so now those were that was a home game they had to come back to do it both those were home games so it's both were come back yeah both were come backs we'll see it's it's going to be an interesting thought but I I'm kind of with them it's offense defense is usually early on or ahead of the offense is because they just read and react and they can make a play. Usually though the tackling is a little bit suspect I've seen some of that in the preseason although we've also seen an uptick from the bills in the tackling so it could happen either way we've seen it happen either way some teams come out in their offense clicks because there's been some changes as there has been with the bills this year although it's become kind of routine to have like three new wide receivers on the field every on every roster

1:24:55going back to 2020 maybe those changes in personnel for the bills give them a boost maybe having a new head coach gives them a boost yeah maybe some of the choices they made up to this point I'll know full back four tight ends gives them a boost and the continuity gives them a boost yeah you can you can talk yourself into it but I this isn't this isn't your defense is real yeah no it's really good it was interesting also that we saw the swing pass mentioned again I don't know if that's working against the defense this fast we heard Greg go sell in the last segment talk about using misdirection because this team flows so fast to the football if you have a good play faking quarterback and Josh is one of those I think you can get these guys going the wrong way and over pursuing and then come out with some misdirection out the backside and get some chunk plays that way we'll see if they choose to do that we got to take a break here but when we come back we just might be taking another state off the list Mr. Tasker will find out when we return here on one bills

1:26:10live final segment here on a Thursday Chris Brown Steve Tasker here on one bills live at stadium and we go to the phones to take yet another state off the list Steve I feel like it's become a project yes it's a class project and here's coming through in a big way for us very early in the morning Janine out in Alaska the last year's state what's up Janine hey my son and I listen every day and he's wanted me to call in the bazillion times but I'm nervous as can be but I live in an eight-year-old neighborhood so we're Steve's daughter lives and my very first goals game was the greatest comeback in NFL history and I told my brother and no uncertain terms that we were leaving at half time even though he wanted to to get back to the game but anyways we love the bills we love Steve Tasker and I just think there's no way Josh is going to let us lose this game I think we win 24 20.

1:27:18Oh okay another tight one though that is a common thought about this one Janine thank you very much for the call and stay warm up there she brings up a good point that's got to eat it Josh doesn't it has one down there I mean you can go all the way back to his rookie year when he got injured at the elbow injury and missed the next five games that's right that's the last time he missed a game you can go to the playoff game 16 7 lead evaporates they lose an overtime 59 yard field goal at the gun they lose two years ago and last year they have the ball but they're deep in their own territory and they can't get a first down and you know get down the field and put points on the board got to think Josh is going to be highly motivated just for that that's just a little added thing he's going to I mean this is kind of somebody said it earlier they hope you just take a deep breath big man you know just take a deep breath you don't you gonna win it on the first series come out take what they give you if you need to go into you know the phone booth and come out with a cape on do it later you know you don't have to do it in the first quarter yeah it's going to be a good one we'll talk about important things and we'll talk about it in the next game you know we're going to talk about it in the first quarter

1:28:30yeah it's going to be a good one we'll talk about it tomorrow as well but I think it's going to be a one-score game as well unless one team is flatter than the other and the other team just steam rolls up I really don't see that happening something could have somebody tip pass or something like that could give you double digit lead but that's what's going to take we're back tomorrow the obl friday fan mailbag is open for you submit your questions there we'll get a answer tomorrow we'll see you at 10 you