Talking Buffalo Blue Wire

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, the NFL Draft has finally arrived and Patrick Moran is making his final Buffalo Bills predictions with analysis of some possible scenarios just hours before the real thing is set to begin.
After spending weeks if not months believing that a non-wide receiver was very much in play with Buffalo's first pick depending on how things fell, Patrick's heard enough to now believe it's a receiver no matter what theme inside the walls at One Bills Drive. That makes the question not if the Bills will take a wide receiver in the first round, but rather which one and at what point. Patrick lays out scenarios that could have them go as high as Tennessee at seven to go get Rome Odunze, the mid-to-late teens to fish out Brian Thomas Jr. or even just a few spots to ensure one of the tier of other guys they like to be available.
In fact, Patrick lays out his prediction that the Bills ultimately move up three spots with the Green Bay Packers to get the wide receiver he thinks is their best fit, Xavier Legette over Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell. In his quick four-round mock Patrick explains why his choice would be Legette and in fact it's just the first of two trades he makes on behalf of Brandon Beane. After being rejected in a trade-up offer in the second round Patrick stands pat and explains why safety Kamren Kinchens is the perfect Bills pick there, even if PFF thinks the selection stinks. Buffalo doesn't have a third round pick but that changes when Patricks wings a deal and ends up grabbing a guard he thinks can compete for a starting job right away, Cooper Beebe. He finishes up with a wide receiver double dip in round four.
Patrick also talks about not sleeping on Mack Hollins if Buffalo doesn't dip, some free agent veteran options still out there if Beane doesn't adequately address edge over the next few days, how he'd be willing to move up and pay the hefty price for Odunze were it his call and much more.
♦♦♦♦♦
Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 
Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack
Twitter:  @PatMoranTweets.
Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 
YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by popular Cover 1 content creator Greg Tompsett for a conversation centered around the Buffalo Bills and the NFL draft, recorded and streamed live from Sonny Red's in Lackawanna.
The NFL draft is now less than two days away and when it comes to the Buffalo Bills, it feels anything is on the table and especially at wide receiver. The guys hit on a myriad of potential scenarios on how Brandon Beane can address losing both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, primarily through the draft. Greg has thoughts on possibly taking a home run swing into the top 10 for a guy like Rome Odunze, more moderate trade ups for Brian Thomas Jr. or Adonai Mitchell, staying pat at 28 for a wide receiver or even trading down. Plus, is Greg even married to a wide receiver with the Bills first pick even if it's their biggest need? Greg also talks about the possibilities of a few notable veterans worth trading for and if the Bills can find money in the banana stand to pay for it.
Also, Greg shares insight on a handful of non-wide receivers that he could be happy with as first pick selections and some day two and even day three picks he's pretty high on.
That plus a little shifting of the gears to talk about the Buffalo Sabres bringing back Lindy Ruff to be their head coach again and much more. You can follow Greg on Twitter @GregTompsett and be sure to check out the Cover 1 Buffalo podcast Greg does alongside Aaron Quinn at  Cover 1.
Special thanks to Sonny Red's for hosting the live taping of the podcast. As Patrick has been saying for quite some time, Sonny Red's may be the most underrated restaurant in Western New York when it comes to ridiculously good wings and brick oven pizza. It's just minutes from Highmark Stadium at 1841 Abbott Road.
♦♦♦♦♦
Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 
Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack
Twitter:  @PatMoranTweets.
Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 
YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, we're just two days away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft and Patrick Moran is joined by friend and recurring guest Anthony Marino to put out a list of bold draft predictions as it pertains both to the Buffalo Bills and the rest of the National Football League.
When it comes to the Buffalo Bills it feels like everything's on the table, especially after trading Stefon Diggs a few weeks ago to Houston. There's depth to be had all over the roster for sure but receiver feels like the one glaring need going into this draft. That puts many things in play---ranging from going into the top 10 to land Rome Odunze, moving into the middle of the first-round to snag Brian Thomas Jr., a moderate trade up or trade back to take a receiver first, or to not address it all with the first pick, seeing there's a lot of day two talent at the position. The guys offer predictions on how it's addressed, including Patrick being convinced the possibility of Brandon Beane trading for a veteran bona fide number one receiver being very much real despite the salary cap challenges. In fact, in three "bold" prediction scenarios he sees the Bills moving up from 28 to 17, but not for a receiver. As you'd suspect, Anthony has plenty to say about that.
Patrick also paints a picture of a non-receiver in the first at pick 28 with a large trade up leap into round two for a pass catcher and lists his three most likely candidates.
Anthony has plenty of thoughts as well about player and trade options for the Bills and a few bold predictions to offer of his own, including big swings at wide receiver. That plus the guys take a stab at a few crazy things that happen around the league with the draft and much more. Be sure to follow Anthony on Twitter @AnthMarino 
♦♦♦♦♦
Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 
Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack
Twitter:  @PatMoranTweets.
Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 
YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by frenemy and recurring guest Joe From Queens to discuss a pretty significant week in the landscape of Buffalo sports, including the firing of Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato and a report that Terry Pegula is willing to sell a chunk of the Buffalo Bills.
Tim Graham of The Athletic broke the news late last week that Pegula is willing to put up around 25% of the Bills for sale, bringing in a minority partner but still maintaining a controlling interest in the franchise. The guys talk about why this is happening, what it means for now and what it may mean for the future. Also, the report says that no part of the Sabres is for sale but do the guys expect that to change?
Sticking with The Athletic, it was a big week for the outlet as it pertains to Buffalo, as besides Graham's scoop on Bills ownership, Matthew Fairburn scored the first interview with now former Sabres head coach Don Granato after he was fired last week. The guys talk about the article, their takes on Granato getting fired and who's most to blame for it----and Joe has some takes/stories on Lindy Ruff, who's perceived as a realistic candidate to replace Granato.
They also talk about the press conferences Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott and Josh Allen had as well as one final chat and Bills thoughts between the two before the NFL draft this coming Thursday and much more. Follow Joe on Twitter @BuffaloWins.
♦♦♦♦♦
Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 
Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack
Twitter:  @PatMoranTweets.
Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 
YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is recording/streaming live from Imperial Pizza in South Buffalo and is joined by Buffalo Sabres beat reporter Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic as well as Kris Baker of Sabres Prospect, who together form the Baker Fairburn Hockey Show for a conversation primarily focused on the Sabres in wake of the organization firing head coach Don Granato this past week.
Its always nice to get together with Matthew for a chat and the timing couldn't be better on this one. The Sabres fired Granato the morning after the regular season finale, a surprise to many as it felt Terry Pegula would retain him going into next season seeing Granato had an extension. Matthew has several thoughts on the firing and why he believes it has to happen. Matthew was also at the arena this week for players locker room cleanout day and media availability and shares some of what he heard in addition to some thoughts on who can be the next head coach to take over. Could it be Lindy Ruff?
Matthew has also covered the Buffalo Bills for The Athletic previously and the guys spend some time talking football, including getting Matthew's thoughts on Stefon Diggs and him being traded for Houston, the assumption that the Bills will take a wide receiver with their first draft pick next week and his thoughts on head coach Sean McDermott.
That plus a little wings, Buffalo, media talk and much more. Shout out as always to Imperial Pizza for their great hospitality and killer wings. This show was recorded at the 1035 Abbott Road location but they also now have their 1655 Main Street location alive and kicking as well.
You can follow Matt on Twitter at @MatthewFairburn and of course check out his coverage of the Sabres at The Athletic, Be sure to check out the Baker Fairburn Hockey Show wherever you get your podcasts.
♦♦♦♦♦
Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 
Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack
Twitter:  @PatMoranTweets.
Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 
YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Talking Buffalo as we reach the one week mark before the 2024 NFL Draft, Patrick Moran goes over eight draft prospects that he likes that are not going to be first-round selections in addition to thoughts and commentary immediately following the Buffalo Sabres at least somewhat surprising firing of head coach Don Granato on Tuesday.
It's easy to spend most if not all your time as a fan or content creator obsessing over the biggest names and who will be the first pick of the Bills next Thursday whether they stay at No. 28 or move up for someone, but in reality drafts and even championships are often made on days two and three of the NFL draft. Patrick has eight guys likely to be selected in the second to fifth round range that he's pretty high and thinks could be a great fit for Buffalo. The list includes a pair of guys in the trenches that could play meaningful snaps right away, two wide receivers that could contribute and potentially even start by season's end and a pair of prospects from the team Patrick's a big fan of, Notre Dame.
Turning to the Sabres, Patrick expresses his thoughts on the team announcing Granato's dismissal the morning following their season finale in Tampa the night before. Patrick's admittedly borderline shocked and outlines reasons why he thinks the move was completely necessary to show not just the roster, but fans that they're fully committed to winning and ending the longest playoff drought in NHL history. Patrick also gives credit to Pegula for not sticking with Granato despite giving him an extension and lists a few guys he can see taking over the reigns, including one Sabres fans are incredibly familiar with. Spoiler alert---it's Lindy Ruff. That and much more today.
♦♦♦♦♦
Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 
Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack
Twitter:  @PatMoranTweets.
Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 
YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices