Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: "Hour 1: Can You Back It Up?"
Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, (eventually) Don La Greca
Network: ESPN New York

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode centers on the swelling bravado and “swag” displayed by the young New York Giants, particularly following their recent win and on the eve of what the hosts call the biggest Giants game in years against Denver. The show debates whether youthful confidence and public celebration are long-overdue sources of energy for Giants fans, or risky distractions that a 2–4 team may not be ready to back up—especially with social-media-fueled trash talk escalating between teams and fan bases. The hosts also discuss roster issues (notably, the wide receiver position), future expectations for Giants’ rookie QB Jackson Dart, and include a mix of color commentary, classic New York cynicism, and generational fan perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Giants’ Swag and the Fallout

• The Giants are riding a wave of confidence after recent wins, punctuated by viral celebrations from rookies like Jackson Dart and Cam Scatterboo.
• Social media exchanges escalate between Giants players/fans and Denver Broncos players—Nick Benito’s since-deleted tweet calling Giants fans “delusional” is a flashpoint.
  • Peter Rosenberg [04:50]: “This is the kind of stuff—if you loved the Jackson Dart and Scatterboo, the dances, the celebrations, the shirt off, the chains—just know this is what comes with that.”
• Debate arises: Is this energy overdue for the Giants, or an unnecessary risk and distraction (especially with a vicious Denver defense approaching)?

2. Trash Talk—Harmless Fun or Added Pressure?

• Giants’ celebrations seen as brash, even if not “trash talk” in the classic sense; players from both teams escalate responses.
• Don La Greca cautions about adding pressure:
  • [07:20]: “Do we really need to add anything to our plate? You’re 2 and 4... you’re going up against Denver... the best defense in the NFL... Now another element has been added.”
  • Connects the need to “walk the walk” to legends like Deion Sanders, but notes: “Are they capable of doing that, guys? I don’t think so. Not yet.”
• Alan Hahn contextualizes:
  • [08:44]: “This town has needed an enema. These guys have provided that... But outside of New York... people roll their eyes anytime New York gets excited about one of their teams.”

3. New York’s Relationship With Swag and Public Perception

• Contrast with past Giants and New York sports icons—Jeter, Eli, Judge—who were stoic and low-key.
  • Don [15:09]: “The most famous athletes in New York recently? Eli Manning. Didn’t say boo. Derek Jeter. Didn’t say boo. Judge? Nothing. They just do their work and we love them for it.”
• But fans are desperate for personality:
  • Peter [12:34]: “I have watched this team forever. They’ve had no swag. They’ve been completely boring. As nice and boring a guy as Daniel Jones was, all of that being laid-back and modest didn’t lead to any more wins.”
• But Rosenberg and Don note the risk: It feels better to fly under the radar—add too much swag, and failures become more humiliating.

4. The Game Ahead: Evaluating the Trash Talk’s Consequences

• Denver’s defense is top in the league for sacks, pressure, and QB hits.
  • Hahn [16:35]: “Denver leads the NFL in sacks, quarterback hits, and pressure rate. How’s that going to work out for a rookie quarterback?... It’s going to be a long day.”
• Hosts agree the Giants are likely underdogs, especially given their record and Denver’s home field.
• Debate on whether the Giants have the talent to "back up" their talk or risk being humbled.

5. Roster Talk: Should the Giants Trade for a Wide Receiver?

• Caller Griffin suggests trading for Jerry Jeudy to assist development of rookie QB Dart.
  • [22:01] Hahn/La Greca: “He’s having a not-Jerry-Jeudy-type season... But if he goes to somewhere with confidence, it could change him.”
• ESPN’s Jordan Raanan joins (via audio), predicts a trade is likely, but perhaps only for a mid-level receiver, not a star.
  • [27:22] Raanan: “Right now, it’s ridiculously hard schedule, giving up an asset doesn’t make sense to me.”
• Don pushes back: Don’t dismiss a trade just because of “giving up assets” until knowing the exact price.
  • [28:15] Don: “Maybe they get the middle wide receiver, it’s a sixth-round pick, I don’t know. Wouldn’t you do it then?”

6. Ultimate Goals & Next Steps for the Giants

• Hosts agree the most important thing this season isn’t making the playoffs, but developing Jackson Dart
  • [34:43] Rosenberg: “What do you think of this take: win, lose or draw, if Jackson Dart doesn’t have a terrible comeback-to-earth week, sign me up.”
  • [35:05] Hahn: “If I see improvement from Jackson Dart every week, even if they’re not winning these games... I’ll take that.”
• Playoffs are unlikely, but meaningful games and QB progress excite fans.
• A major point: Don & Hahn want the Giants to prioritize giving Dart help (like another WR), not just for wins, but for his development. Don: “It’s not just about making the quarterback better. It’s helping him improve by putting the best talent you can around him.” [31:29]

7. Game Projections/Bets

• Consensus: Low-scoring game predicted, probable Denver win. Vegas line discussed as 7.5 points favoring Denver; over/under at 40.
  • [37:21] Rosenberg: “Vegas is saying this game is like 27-10... Denver’s not a great team, but that 7.5 number means Vegas doesn’t see the Giants doing a lot.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter Rosenberg [04:50]:
  “If you love the Jackson Dart and Scatterboo, the dances, the celebrations, the shirt off the chains. If you love it, just know this is what comes with that. And let’s see how they respond to it with a defense that’s not only very good, but ... aware ... after watching your national attention last week of who you guys are.”

• Don La Greca [07:20]:
  “Do we really need to add anything to our plate? You’re 2 and 4... you’re going up against the Denver team that’s got the best defense in the NFL. You got a lot on your plate to follow this up. Now another element has been added.”

• Alan Hahn [08:44]:
  “This town has needed an enema. These guys have provided that. It has given the Giant franchise—a stuffy franchise ... [and] New York gets excited. And outside of New York, it’s like people roll their eyes any time New York gets excited about one of their teams.”

• Don La Greca [15:09]:
  “Who are the most famous athletes in New York recently? Eli Manning. Didn’t say boo. Derek Jeter. Didn’t say boo. Judge? Nothing. Brunson. They just do their work, and we love them for it.”

• Peter Rosenberg [12:34]:
  “[Fans say,] Hey, let me enjoy my guys having swagger. But the second ... you get it shoved down your throat the next week, it hurts even worse than a regular loss.”

• Alan Hahn [31:29]:
  “It’s not just about making the quarterback better. It’s helping him improve by putting the best talent you can around him.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Main show start, setting the tone: 00:53
• Giants-Broncos matchup & trash talk focus: 01:53–08:44
• Swag vs. substance in New York sports: 10:01–16:35
• Should the Giants trade for a WR?: 21:42–32:15
• Giants season priorities & playoff dreams: 32:15–37:45
• Vegas line/Betting discussion: 37:08–38:33

Bonus: Offbeat & Personal Moments

• Air travel woes: Rosenberg relays a funny/sympathetic story about being “that parent” with a crying baby on a delayed NYC–Orlando flight. “You get an interesting crowd on the old LaGuardia to Orlando flight, LGA to ORD...” [42:07]
• Generational sports parenting: Don shares a restaurant meltdown memory: “Thanks for ruining my dinner...” [46:26]
• Meta-commentary: Several instances of the hosts poking fun at ad reads and the idea of “boosts” or “swag”—mirroring the show’s core philosophical debates.

Episode Tone and Takeaway

A classic New York debate: energy and swagger versus humility and steady progress. The hosts—all lifelong New York sports fans—wrestle with wanting fun and charisma from a long-dull franchise, while fearing the downside of celebration without true accomplishment. The episode is a must-listen for fans wanting an honest, fan’s-eye discussion about what it means for a team to “walk the walk” in the big city spotlight.