Club Shay Shay – Deebo & Joe: Reaction to Drake Maye & Patriots Take Down Giants + Do Steelers Have a Culture Issue?

Episode Air Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: James "Deebo" Harrison & Joe Haden

Episode Overview

In this episode, NFL greats James "Deebo" Harrison and Joe Haden break down the New England Patriots’ dominant win over the New York Giants, analyze the performance and upside of young quarterback Drake Maye, question whether the Pittsburgh Steelers are experiencing a culture shift, and riff on several trending NFL stories. Their chemistry drives a lively, in-depth, and candid conversation balanced with insider anecdotes, on-field analysis, and plenty of humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Patriots vs. Giants: Game Breakdown

• Patriots Controlled Early and Never Looked Back

  • New England scored quickly, with a big kickoff return setting the tone.
    • "Patriots went on ahead and just beat the brakes—beat the brakes up off the Giants.” – Harrison (02:13)
  • Notable 94-yard punt return for a TD.
    • "This dude takes that thing 94 yards to the house." – Harrison (04:17)
  • The Giants struggled to get first downs or generate momentum.

• Physicality and Young QB Learning Curve

  • Discussion on quarterbacks exposing themselves to big hits:
    • "You want to go out there and try and do it like you did in college? Nah, these boys hittin' like grown men." – Harrison (03:46)
  • Importance of sliding and protecting oneself as a young QB.

2. Play Analysis & Memorable Moments

• Special Teams Impact

  • Early field position and long returns set up an easy lead.
  • 94-yard punt return and forced fumble on kickoff.

• Physical Hits & Consequences

  • Several hard, legal tackles; breakdown on when QBs "deserve" to get hit.
    • "You deserve every bit of that getting fired on." – Haden (05:07)
  • A Giants returner got “lawn-chaired” on a hit.
    • "He knocked paint off. He knocked the whole New York emblem off that boy." – Harrison (10:30)

• Comedy & Reactions

  • Both hosts crack up over blunders, like a field goal attempt that went terribly wrong.
    • "I've never seen that before in my life, dude." – Haden (08:47)

3. Drake Maye’s Progress and MVP Case

• Poise, Toughness, & Spreading the Ball
  • Maye’s ability to stand in the pocket, take hits, and execute.
    • "He's still standing in the pocket throwing that thing, dude." – Harrison (16:22)
  • Spreading the ball: No single standout WR, team effort.
    • "It's more of just everybody's doing their thing. Nobody—You don’t have to have a standout person.” – Haden (15:19)
• Overcoming Adversity
  • Maye has been sacked 40 times, yet delivers high completion, makes quick decisions, and leads offense.

4. Steelers' Culture: Is There a Shift?

• Brendan’s Comments on Steelers’ Defensive Struggles
  • The two parse a former Steelers player's cryptic tweet about things being "deeper" than they appear.
    • "He may just be, like, speaking on more of like a, a cultural difference." – Harrison (18:15)
• How Culture Evolves in NFL Teams
  • Discussion on generational handoff—older players setting norms, younger ones adapting or changing the locker room.
    • "Before you know it, you look 10 years down the road and it’s the whole group." – Harrison (23:02)
  • Role of leadership and OGs (veterans) in upholding standards.
    • "If you don’t have OGs...the whole culture is gone." – Haden (28:00)
• How Coaches Change Culture: Mike Vrabel Example
  • "He started with his coaches and then did it with his players. As soon as he took that job, what was the first thing he did?" – Harrison (24:10)
  • Bringing in/retaining the people that fit the desired culture; not just best players but character fits.

5. Around the League: Social Media & Locker Room Drama

• Dylan Gabriel’s Fiancée Causing Stir on Social Media
  • Debo and Joe debate when outside voices (wives, parents) publicly speak on team matters.
    • "As a man that is doing a job that she has not done...don’t think you can play in the NFL because your fiancé plays in the NFL." – Harrison (33:41)
  • Joe empathizes but says stay private: “She has every right to defend her man...don’t say anything because it gonna put him in a messed up position." – Haden (37:44)

6. Miscellaneous: Light-Hearted NFL Observations

• Egging the Eagles’ OC’s House
  • Laughs over reports of fans egging the Eagles OC’s home.
    • "If we got beef...I’m gonna egg your house. And if you catch me, I just have to have it power washed." – Harrison (44:26)
• Childhood Stories: Picking up Hitchhikers and Mouse Terrors
  • Tangent about being cautious in adulthood, contrasting with their upbringing.
    • "My dad would pick up hitchhikers...that was normal to me." – Harrison (50:14)
    • Discussion on irrational mouse phobias.

7. Quick Hits: NFL Storylines

• Physical DB Play: Lions Versus Cowboys
  • CD Lamb called facing the Lions' DBs “a boxing match—grown man game.” (53:13)
• Late Season Playoff Picture
  • The AFC is wide open—“Somebody gotta win it.” – Haden (55:24)
• Defensive Player of the Week Picks
  • Haden: Christian Benford, Bills.
  • Harrison: Micah Parsons, Cowboys ("8 tackles, 2½ sacks...” at 60:16)
• Myles Garrett’s Sack Race
  • “Go get you a six-piece, and after you get it, just walk out and just sit out.” – Harrison (62:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Young QBs Learning the Hard Way:
  "You want to compete...do it like you did it in college? Nah, these boys hittin' like grown men. They out here trying to feed families." – Harrison (03:46)

• On ‘Deserving to Get Hit’:
  "You deserve every bit of that. Getting fired on." – Haden (05:07)

• On Team Culture:
  "If you don’t have OGs that really come in and teach them…and rooks are not trying to learn...that’s when you got a draft. You got to draft them right." – Haden (28:55)

• On Social Media Drama:
  "You now think you have played in the NFL because your fiancé plays in the NFL. Now you know more because you are going to marry an NFL player? Nope. Nope." – Harrison (33:41)

• On Leadership:
  "The easiest way to lead is by example...Just see what I do and follow me." – Harrison (31:29)

• On OGs and Culture:
  "As much as the law, as much as the coaches...the players in the locker room create culture." – Haden (23:14)

• On AFC Playoff Picture:
  "We so dusty over here in the AFC, we looking crazy, like, somebody gotta win it." – Haden (55:24)

• On Defensive Players of the Week:
  "I just don't like the opponent he did it against, so I'm with Michael Parsons." – Harrison (60:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:13 – Patriots take early control over Giants
• 04:17 – 94-yard Patriots punt return TD
• 05:07 – Quarterbacks “deserve to get fired on” if not protecting themselves
• 10:30 – ("He knocked the whole New York emblem off that boy") – Big hit on Giants returner
• 14:53 – Drake Maye’s year two leap and mental toughness
• 16:22 – Discussion on Maye being sacked 40 times, still excelling
• 18:15 – Breaking down questions about Steelers’ culture
• 24:10 – Mike Vrabel’s approach to changing team culture
• 28:00 – OGs' responsibility to uphold team culture
• 33:41 – Social media drama with Dylan Gabriel’s fiancée
• 44:26 – Egging the Eagles OC's house: Debo’s comic take
• 53:13 – CD Lamb on facing Lions DBs: “Grown man game”
• 55:24 – AFC playoff chaos
• 60:01 – Defensive Player of the Week picks
• 62:16 – Milestone for Myles Garrett: “Go ahead get you a six-piece...”
• 64:39 – Farewell, banter, and closing jokes

Tone & Style

The episode’s tone blends keen football analysis with good-natured banter, nostalgic anecdotes, and a layer of candid, often unfiltered, real talk about life inside and outside NFL locker rooms. Harrison brings a tough, direct edge, while Haden’s candor and humor keep things engaging and relatable.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys insightful football analysis and genuine insiders’ perspectives, with a healthy side of player storytelling and humor. Deebo and Joe's chemistry shines as they tackle game breakdowns, the importance of locker room culture, and the wildness of life around pro football.

For more candid reactions and inside-the-locker-room stories, tune in Fridays for their next round of NFL talk.