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Talk about stepping up. Bang, bang.
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It's time to level up your game. Introducing the all new ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship moments.
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The electricity is palpable.
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Don, sometimes fraud gives you movement.
C
It sounded like you moved.
B
Han.
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You heard a squish. And Rosenberg shake gently to assure complete activation.
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Hello. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.
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This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.
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The best threesome I've ever heard on.
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ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.
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You bet your ace. It's that. Welcome to the program Don Hahn and Rosenberg on. On a Friday. You know there's nothing like a Rosenberg in studio alone on a Friday. You know why there's nothing like it? Because I think it's literally never happened.
C
Never happened.
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And here is where we are. I am in New York City in the illustrious good karma ESPN New York Studios. Donald legreca I believe is at the Rock in Newark, New Jersey.
B
Yes, I am.
A
And Alan Hahn is in an undisclosed location in New Hampshire. Is that correct?
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At least Live free or die.
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That's right, baby. That's what we're doing today.
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And right we are.
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We're living free.
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And I'm.
C
I have a hoodie on. Can't say I have anything more than that.
B
Wow.
C
Really letting you know.
A
Let it swing, my friend.
C
What we do here. It's a Come on so hotel room.
B
Got the bare bottom hoodie. It's.
A
Listen it's freedom. It's a freedom Friday if you will. Let it all be free.
C
I like it.
A
I'm still a little. Nothing worse don't than starting your football weekend when you had like a little hankering for a Thursday night action. You kind of forgot and didn't do it. And then it covers. It's a very irritating feeling.
B
Wait a minute.
C
Wait a minute.
B
You were given opportunities. Don't make it seem like you had forgotten. Didn't do it. You didn't have the guts.
C
You a couple of times.
A
No. We brought it up once and I said I had a feeling I meant to get back to it and I didn't do it.
C
Is that he wants Donnie once.
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Why would I lie to you guys?
B
No seriously.
C
We burn several times yesterday.
B
Well several strong. Let's all be honest. All right. Let's take a step back.
C
Right.
B
Let's start over.
C
Three Two, one.
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Let's be at least.
B
I would say the over unders one and a half. I would say I could go over. We had two definitely in the very beginning of the show and then we brought it back and we both agreed, Peter, I thought on the air that we just can't have faith in the Chargers because we've been burned by them.
A
But I said I sort of like the same thing I liked last week, which is the bounce back spot for the Chargers.
C
Did say that.
A
And then I was. You could call it gutless.
C
You were gutless.
A
You could say gutless. You could say I forgot whatever version. I'm either dumb or gutless. Neither is fantastic.
B
Sort of. It sort of does not reek of conviction.
A
Well, all I know is I, I, I. When I got home, the game hadn't started, obviously at 7:30, I'm like, oh, I forgot to put the pick in. I like the Chargers, turn on the game and then I start rooting against them. Then you want to be wrong.
C
Yeah.
A
And I was.
C
You were active in the group chat for a minute, just talking about how you were beating yourself up over it.
B
Yeah. Well, we had debated this on the case show for a while. I'm cool with in situations like that, if you text us and then you tweet it out, we could allow it as long as it's before kickoff. Michael was very adamant. No. Had to be on the show dead by 7 or 6:30 whenever we were off. But I'd be willing in those moments.
A
I think so I.
B
We trust each other. And once it's up on Twitter, the world then knows it's timestamp before kickoff.
A
But it's not ideal because we want to do it for our listening audience, for our YouTube audience.
B
Well, it gives you. It gives you a little bit of a parachute in moments where maybe you do forget or we don't get to it because it's a big sports day or whatever. Something to consider because we trust each other and we care about each other. That was not always the case in the previous show.
C
Oh, wow.
A
No. Well, listen, we have a lot of freedom here and there is a lot to talk about today. You have a World Series that's starting tonight. You got the hockey of it all. Of course. You got the Knicks with a big game against the Celtics trying to go two zero. There's more Aaron Glenn doing Aaron Glenn things that we'll get to because we like torture. But Don, we were talking before the show. How do you not come out of the gate on a football Friday Talking about the New York Giants, who in spite of a horribly disappointing game last week against Denver, have an opportunity to get right and sweep the Philadelphia Eagles. It seems like that is the story of the weekend in New York Sports.
B
Well, the whole reason that we're here with this team and believe in this team is because of a win against Philadelphia on Thursday Night Football a couple of weeks ago. That's why we're here. So nothing to do with the Charger win, has nothing to do with how they played against Dallas and almost beating the Saints. It really comes down to, hey, they beat Philadelphia. Team they never beat in a big spot, never went on national television, never went on Thursday and Dart played well and then they almost beat Denver and it falls apart. But they're still mathematically alive. I don't think they're going to the playoffs. I think it's a harbinger of this team blowing it up. But if Dable and Shane want to keep their jobs and you want a football team to root for, well, then you get a win against Philadelphia. That's showing me something. That's showing that the coach was able to bounce back. That tells me that the kid's able to bounce back after the interception, even though I don't kill him for because he's a rookie, still threw it and you want to see how he bounces back from that. Tell me how they're not something if they beat Philadelphia and tell me how they are something if they lose. So that's why I think this game is so big and so important even though it's only week eight, that do we have a season with the Giants? We're going to find out on Sunday at 1.
C
2 and 5. I mean 3 and 6. Sorry, 2 and 6 versus 3 and 5 look dramatically different in, in where the NFL is right now and with how much parity there is. Right. Two and six and we start throwing dirt. But you still have a reason to watch because of the young quarterback. So you're still kind of engaged. But think about just, let's just separate this series with the Eagles. We saw the start of the season, it was two games in a three week span against the Eagles who have been a nemesis, who have owned you, who remind you of desean Jackson and Saquon Barkley and all the different things, reasons to hate them even more. And now you have an opportunity to do something you haven't done since 2007, never mind winning a road game that you haven't done that in 12 years, winning a game in Philly but sweeping the Eagles, the defending super bowl champs. Come on, that alone, like, what could that. Can we just separate it for a moment? Take it out of the season, the context of the season, and into the context of what the Eagles represented just a year ago with Saquon going there and winning a Super Bowl. Your owner and what he said. If he goes to the Eagles, I won't be able to. Right. Like, think about the dramatic turn of events that would be if they could pull something like this off. Is it enough that either one of you. Is it enough to save jobs?
B
Well, it's a step in the right direction. See, we're. We're all not going. Alan. And you're free to go there, and Peter's free, and the Giant fans are free to start landscaping the chances of making the playoffs. I don't even. I'm not even thinking about that.
C
That's why I'm separating it from the season. I think this alone is a separate ordeal.
B
Yeah.
C
And it could mean more. It's who it is.
B
It's just about. There's certain things that you want to navigate through to find out, do I have a quarterback? Do I have a coach? When I look back at the brutal loss to Philadelphia in 2010, did the Sean Jackson punt return, they lost the neck. They got destroyed the next week in Green Bay, effectively ending their season. You go back to 78. Their season was pretty much in the tank after they had the Herman Edwards game, you know, so those teams didn't respond. Will this team respond now? Ultimately? Will it result in a playoff position or finishing above.500? We'll find that out. But do I have a coach? Well, if I have a coach, then get his team ready, bounce back from a miserable experience last week, beat a team he just beat two weeks ago, and now I could start to feel better about Dable and start wrapping my mind around him, sticking around and having a coach, and then we'll see as we get deeper whether it's a playoff team or not. So the fact that, you know, 3 and 5 versus 2 and 6 is irrelevant to me in the sense of I want to see what this looks like. I want to see how they respond. That's why this game is pretty big to me. And as far as keeping Dable's job, beating the Eagles twice, you know who's gonna be really turned on by that?
A
Everybody.
B
I mean, major movement. The guy that's gonna ultimately decide whether Dable comes back, and that's John Mara.
C
Yes.
B
John Mara is gonna see value and beating Philadelphia And Saquon Barkley twice in one season. Now, I'm not saying if he ends up losing every other game the rest of the year, he'll keep his job, but never mind. 4 wins, 5 wins, 7 wins. What it looks like that is going to be a major feather in Dable's cap in John Mara's mind if they win both games against Philadelphia.
C
I, I completely agree. That's, that's why to me you have to separate this because of what kind of impact it could have by the end of the season. Because of everything that you said. It is still a young quarterback. It is still a team in development. The expectations of playoffs can't be there after, you know, again, losing the way you did in Denver. That took, I feel like that took it off the table again. It can come back on the table because there's still 10 weeks left in the season. It's a lot of time left. We're not even halfway through. But right now that comes off the table. So instead, what's the next challenge? You always want to look as an organization, you know, the game to game thing is the coach cliche. But I firmly believe as an organization you always have to take situation by situation. This is now giving you a separate situation. This is almost like an in game championship that you could claim that might not have great value overall, but internally it's gigantic. If they could hang a banner in the, in the offices upstairs in the Giants organization, they would. If you could pull off a sweep, that hasn't, this hasn't been done in 23 years. Well, I'm sorry, not 23 years, 18 years. This is something that you're trying to do that's been a long time is take ownership of a team that has owned you far too long.
B
It's kind of like every time Ohio State or Michigan hires a head coach, you know, can you beat Ohio State? Can you beat Michigan?
C
You know, yeah, it's no longer the Cowboys. I really don't, I just, I don't feel like it's the Cowboys as much anymore.
A
You want a hot take as it is?
C
The Eagles, go ahead.
A
I think, I think the Eagles are the top rivalry of every team in the division.
B
Well, because of how they play. I mean, no offense to Dallas, but you don't win a championship in over, you know, a quarter of a century.
A
Yeah, but, but it's not just that. It's success and hateability. They're annoying and good and their fans are annoying nasally.
C
Yeah.
B
And you know, the Saquon element with The Giants.
A
Yeah, that, that adds to it, too. And, you know, I think for, yeah, from, for me, they've owned the commanders. But I, I think it's just hilarious because we're all sitting here a couple days ago talking about, you know, how does Dable survive the season?
B
Well, this is how.
A
And yeah, we kind of skipped over this, that how, how far a sweep would go. Now, I maintain you sweep the Eagles and then. And you have a couple of more losses that look anything like the Denver game, I think you may forget about the sweep. I don't think it overrules everything. But I do think if you were able to sweep the Eagles and then put together a few more wins as the season goes on, that's a, that's a nice case.
B
Here's, here's the two ways that sweeping the Eagles won't matter to John Mara. If the Giants end up losing out there won't be enough, and if the Eagles end up being really dysfunctional, completely collapsing, finishing under.500 and not being a thing. Yeah, but if Philadelphia is a playoff team and the Giants, you know, win a few more games that are in games, more importantly, and don't embarrass themselves like they did against Denver, and you win five, six games, it's going to feel like seven or eight if you sweep Philadelphia, and I think that that would be pretty big. And then adding to the fact that you bounce back after what was, you know, arguably the worst regular season loss of franchise history, how do you respond any. In any sport, Guys, how do you respond? How does a quarterback respond after he throws a pick? How does a coach respond after a tough loss? You know, these are ways that you measure things beyond just the pedestrian. What's your record at the end of the season?
C
It's, it's, you know what it is? It's. It's how, you know you got one right. Dee Wood said it yesterday when he was on with us. We've heard this from other people as well. It's this feeling even in losses, even in the loss in New Orleans, that first half, even in the loss in Denver and the way that went down, it's hard not to come away from these games and say, I mean, every week he shows you something. The eye test tells me this kid's got it and he's only going to get better. You don't think that some of this is smoke and mirrors you or, or a system that is protecting him, or it's tons of talent around him that's doing most of the work. You know that was the big Mark Sanchez thing is that everybody was excited about Mark Sanchez, but there was so much talent around him that when that talent started to fall off and it was all up to him, guess what happened? He started being exposed. Jackson Dart doesn't have much talent around him and yet he really does feel like he's carrying the day most of the time that he's become a bit of a leader on this team, emotional leader and physically a leader as well. That's why like it's, these are little victories. But it's hard to feel like a season can be a failure if you found your guy. And I just feel like they, they know they found their guy.
A
I just, I was saying to Anthony before we started, the fact that you're in year one with a rookie quarterback and you really feel like this team can compete against anyone. And I really mean that. I mean I don't, I don't feel that way about every decent, even decent team. So there's some teams that you think like, yeah, I like them against bad teams, but when I see them match up, I mean, frankly, I have that concern for my team on Monday. But then you see them match up with a good team, you go, I don't like how this looks. I feel like there's something about this Giants team between the, between the talent they have on defense and the moxie they have on offense and the leadership they have with the kid that makes me think, you know what, I feel like they're not an easy win for anyone. Now real quick guys. It's also, we got to remember it's NBA tip off week and FanDuel is of course your home for live betting. So even if you miss the start of an NBA game, you want to ride the hot hand. FanDuel has live bets on everything from who will score the next bucket to fourth quarter comebacks. Plus you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. However you want to play, now is the perfect time to join because FanDuel is giving you customers $300 in bonus bets if your first five dollar bet wins. Just visit FanDuel.com Peter to sign up today. Play your game with FanDuel, official sports betting partner of the NBA 21 and over. Physically present New York versus online real money wager only five dollars first deposit required. Bonus issues non withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Seat terms@sportsbook.fandel.com for up with a gambling problem, call 877 open wire takes open Y467, 369.
B
You know what I mean? And also, let's not be just. I don't want to use the word lazy, just, you know, just focusing on the coach and the quarterback because I want to see how Shane Bowen bounces back, too. I mean, he had a very, very rough week. He took responsibility yesterday when talking to the media, said it was on him. He should have played Dexter Lawrence. He shouldn't have just dropped 8. So how does he respond, you know, against a really good offensive team that struggled a little bit this season but has the potential to explode? I want to see how he bounces back, too. Now he ultimately is Dable's responsibility because Dable brought him in. But if, if everything looks great, but the defense looks poor, I guess there is a world where maybe Dable comes back and, and, and Bowen doesn't. But let, let's see how he responds with his defense too, because he admitted he screwed up and if they're put in a similar situation, he will make the changes. And that's all part of the development of this team, too.
C
There's a lot, there's a lot to watch for in this game. There's a lot to watch for for the rest of the season. You can't say the same about the jets, no matter what happens on Sunday. The Eagles, I mean, the Eagles, the Giants, to me, are a team to keep an eye on for the rest of this year and going forward. There is something about getting your quarterback that just gives you that feeling of, okay, now I've got a reason to invest it.
B
Really.
C
There's an unbelievable contrast in these two teams. Is there not like it's incredible, the contrast right now between the jets and the Giants. And there was a time that we thought going into this season that it was the jets that were the team to watch and that had something going and maybe they could be something special and they have completely, completely fallen off. So that's all you're looking for right now because it's all we've got. We keep making. We keep talking about our New York teams, football teams, and how far off they are from winning a championship, how bad it has been around here over the last 10 years, and that it's embarrassing when you consider it's the NFL and it survives without having anything happening in its major market. But I will argue, though, that there is something going on with the Giants and that's what makes it special. That's why, if you're a fan this is what you're looking for. Can they beat the Eagles? We've already, they've already proven they can. Will they? Twice. That's why you're watching. But no matter what happens, though, you have very, you have plenty of reason to stay engaged in this and see where it builds from here. To me, also, the better they play and the more they show you, I also would argue the more pressure I would see on Joe Shane, as you head towards the trade deadline, more pressure there is on Brian Dabel and of course, Shane Bowen, all of them. Because now you've got to prove, because now you see there's something here. What are you going to do with it? And prove you're good enough now to take this thing that's special and it's got everyone's attention and then you can do something with it, like make a push for the playoffs, like stay in games, like continue to develop your quarterback. There's a lot more pressure in winning than you think. The pressure comes off when you lose because the expectations are gone. But right now, because you have the next one, there's a ton of pressure and everybody's watching because they want to see what can you do with this? So this is one of those games is what can you do with this? Coming off a loss like that, can you as a head coach, rally the troops, get everybody together, get their heads out of last week, forget about the mistakes and get ready for a team that you know in their building. They're going to want to send a message. They're going to want to make sure they're ready for you this time. They're not going to be caught off guard by Cam Scatterboo. They're not going to be caught off guard by this young, brash Giants team that's leading the way. They're going to be ready for this game. Is your team going to be ready for that?
B
Is it enough to play well and lose, to feel good?
C
Yes.
A
I, I don't, I don't, I think you're there. I don't think fans will feel that way. I, I think you've beaten them once. Fans aren't taking a moral victory against the Eagles after beating them once. They, they want, they want.
C
I, I, I, I don't mean to say moral victory because as, as fans, you're going to be mad because it's, it's who you're losing to. It's the Eagles. Right? You're going to be annoyed because of who it is. And I, you're that. But can you still though, in the back, your mind, if it's a very competitive game and you lose, like if you get smoked, this bad look on the coach, bad look. But if you are competitive and they're just better than you for whatever, for whatever it is, they just out talent you, which they should. They do have more talent than you right now. I don't know. I still, I don't know. I hate the word moral victory, but I can definitely, definitely walk it away saying, you know what? We got a PC. We took one from you and we got a PC in this one. We're, we're on your heels and you just want a Super Bowl.
B
Well, Peter's right. I mean, fans are going to fan, right? So they're probably going to be upset and there's going to be a moment in the game where they'll blame Dable. There'll be a moment in the game where they'll blame Bowen or something. But I think there can be value in, hey, you go toe to toe with the defending super bowl champions in Philadelphia, a place you never win. And if you win just because they've got more talent, they're a better team. I think I can live with that. Kid plays well, clean game and just, hey, Philadelphia found a way to win the game. I just need to see what it looks like. But I think Peter's probably right. Lose the game, you know, 23, 20 in overtime and fans will just be, you know, have the claws out this play, this decision, this moment. So winning seems to be the only solvent in these things. But I do think there, it could still look good and lose because really they're a seven and a half point dog, right? Is that what the number is? I didn't look at over the last second or so. So I mean, like, like it's, it's a tough spot to be in. But they did beat him. But they, again, they beat him at home. They beat him when Philadelphia was kind of going through something. Philadelphia has, you know, bounced back and they had a big win last week. So I need to see what it looks like. It's never as easy as just a W and an L. But sometimes that's all it comes down to.
A
You know, how fans are. If it doesn't, especially when you see you mentioned earlier, Alan, the record difference, 2 and 6 is nasty.
C
It really is amazing how this, we said it last week too. We did.
A
You know, they're all, they're all same.
C
Thing, three and four versus three, you.
A
Know, but then it starts to get, well, you know, it Slips away quick.
C
Well, it's the gap, right? The further away you get from 500, the. The harder it is to get back there. And you got to feel like, you know, 500 is how you push for a playoff spot. In today's end.
A
I'd like to do something real quick called game time. It's brought to you by. Tell them to Irish whiskey. Because when it's game time.
C
I like when he holds it.
A
You're not gonna hear another one of those from Don today, by the way. But that's the rest of this voice. Let's keep it recording. The Knicks host my good old Boston Celtics, which includes probably four people I've never heard of in my life. With coverage immediately following us right here on 880 at 7 o'. Clock. Don's in Jersey for devil sharks like you dream about Sharks. By the way, got that dub on the Rangers and OT last night.
B
Who called?
A
That's a Rosenberg. That's a Rosenberg ice pick for you, baby.
B
That was like a plus 230 or.
A
Something in your pocket, Don.
C
It was unreal. Three one at the end of the first period and you're thinking, I mean, what is like can the Rangers just. They not want to play at home ever? They made a game though. It was actually a pretty entertaining last two periods.
A
Nets host the Cavs at 7:30. I can. You know what, that might be some hardwood later. And coverage of World Series game one will be on 1050 starting at seven. And we'll join in progress on 880 after the Knicks.
C
That's still playing baseball, apparently.
A
So pretty big one. Tullamore do the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore do or try the new Tullamore Do. Honey. During today's action, glasses up to enjoying. Tell the more. Do responsibly. This message is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp therapists have helped over 5 million people worldwide on their mental health journeys. Moments in therapy, like the right question, safe space to cry, or a small win can change lives. This World Mental Health Day, we're celebrating the therapists who've helped millions of people take a step forward. If you're ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Our listeners get 10% off their first month. Just call 250 and say the keyword timeout. That's keyword timeout. After calling 250.
C
Avoiding your unfinished home.
B
Projects because you're not sure where to start, Thumbtack knows homes, so you don't have to. Don't know the difference between matte paint finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro. You just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see price estimates and read reviews all on the Thumbtack app. Download today.
C
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
A
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
C
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
B
Oh, what's this?
A
One of my favorite records ever. I don't know why today's the day. I mean, apparently this album came out on this day. It's not exactly a legendary album, but the song is iconic.
B
It's baby making music.
A
No, no, no, no, no. It's murder, death, destruction music.
B
Is that true?
C
Yes, that's what Don said.
A
Now the sample. Maybe that vocal sample comes from baby making music, but that record itself, Last Days Bionics is about. You know, horrible things are going on in that song. But.
B
But Alan, you're. You're someone.
C
It's just the vibe. Yeah.
B
With. With kids of the age that we have, Alan is still somebody that partakes. Is that music that would get you in the mood?
C
It's like. It's like a little quiet, stormy. Like to set it up, but I.
B
Didn'T hear the whole way.
C
I'd be playing in the moment. No, but it can lead. It's like the ride home.
A
I sort of want. Oh, so. So it is an Aretha Franklin sample.
B
Oh, there you go.
A
And maybe that's what you got. But at some point now, I want to play you a portion of the vocal Onyx version to see if it changes your opinion.
C
If it's Onyx, I'm sure it's. Yeah, it may.
A
It may change Don's thoughts on its head. Listen, I don't know what Don's into.
B
Hey, listen.
A
God bless me. Bless.
B
Ripping apart, severing flesh, gouging eyes, tearing limb from limb. That was. That's out of a Slayer song that turns you on.
A
Well, that's a drop is what it is. Let's. Let's go.
B
I gotta do a better job than that. That wasn't very.
A
You want to say it again?
B
No, no, I'm not that. No, we're not being performative with our drops. That's wrong.
A
I just.
C
As he says, you want to drop. That's a. That. It's not a drop anymore.
A
Yeah, you can't do it.
B
You don't get to do it again. You don't get another take on it.
A
No, you can't. No, that's not right. All right, let's, let's get things started on the phones. 1-800-919-3776. Frank will start us off. What's up, Frank?
D
Hey, what's up, guys? Don looking sharp over there.
B
Oh, thank you.
D
I was gonna say.
B
Oh, you're welcome.
D
I was gonna say this. When it comes to Dable and him securing his job for a second year, here's my only reservation on this. Is he able to take Jackson Dart and put him way past the ceiling? Because we've all heard of the rookie slump, I mean the sophomore slump after the second year, during the second year, and I'm just wondering a year later, when defenses have actually had film on you for a whole season, is he able to elevate his game even higher? So far he's proven that he's not. Yes, he, he hasn't been able to do that. We've had draft selections at Brighton that have become so far bust or what have you. I mean, Evan Neal is not unplayable. Deontay Banks is also unplayable. So that's what my concern is when it comes to Jackson Dart. I feel that the kid that Dodd has enough talent to where he could survive another coaching change.
B
That's why to me, it can't all just be about the quarterback's development. Remember, we're going to have to give Dable and Shane contract extensions in the summer because they'll be going into the last year of their contract. So you have to have confidence. Not just can he develop Jackson Dart into the next Eli Manning, but is he a good enough coach? Is Shane a good enough general manager? That's why you can't pigeonhole the guys into what does Jackson Dart look like? There's more to it than that. If he had another year left on his contract, if they extended them at the end of last year, which would have been tough to do after a three win season, we wouldn't be having this conversation because he'd have more years left. But with only one year on his contract after this year, guys, you're asking am I firing him or am I extending him? Do you know how good you have to be to get a contract extension after a three win season last year?
C
Not necessarily. Again, it's always going to be about what do you want for your organization and do you want Stability. Do you feel like you have the right pieces in place? Especially the quarterback who has, let's not overlook this, by the way, has a great relationship, not a good, great relationship with the head coach. Okay. If he, when you hear him talk about the head coach, he talks about him glowingly and not in the cliche way that every rookie quarterback talks about his head coach. He talks about him like, I owe this guy. He believed in me. He saw it in me what others didn't. Right. So there's a lot of passion there when it comes to his, his enthusiasm to have him as a head coach. How much does John Mara listen to all that stuff? How much does John Mara fall in love with that and want the continuity that he talked about last year, which is why he didn't get rid of everybody, because that's what his father decided to do one time is say, I can't keep hiring and firing people. I've got to have. I got to keep something in place. That was his mantra last year of why he didn't make changes. So now that you have something that looks like it's catching, why now would you blow it up? It would have to be devastatingly bad. Now, last week was heading in the wrong direction.
B
Devastatingly bad.
C
Yes. So that's, that's got to be a one off, and that cannot be something you continually see throughout the rest of the season. There's still a long time to go. There's 10 weeks. There's a lot of examples still left to be made by the head coach.
B
But, but I just think the question has to be, is developing the quarterback enough?
C
Yes. It's everything in the NFL. It's everything in the NFL, the head coach, quarterback relationship, and the fact that when you have both, rarely do you see a team that sucks. When you have a head coach and a quarterback who are on the same page or who have success together, those teams rarely are. Bad teams, bad franchises. That's the magic formula you have to find. The Giants might have found it.
A
It's a, I think it's a very interesting balance in conversation because you got, you got to find the guy. But at what point do you go, okay, quarterback's great, he's not. This guy's not a winner, though. It's very.
C
Or you could say he's not a leader of men. And we got a problem here because here's your issue, right? Like, how is Dak Prescott with Mike McCarthy?
A
How was he? Yeah, fine.
C
Played some of the best football of his career. Right, sure.
B
Did you?
C
Okay.
A
He's playing even better now.
C
But eventually you reach the point where you're like, well, okay, the offense was great and Dak was really developed into a great quarterback, but I can't win games. Right. And that's. That's what it came down to.
A
And by the way, he won him.
C
In the regular season. They won what they went back to. Back to 13 wins. Right. They had great success in the regular season.
B
Look what's happening in Buffalo.
C
Yeah, right.
B
I mean, you got the quarterback, but you can't win big games. And now it feels like.
C
Well, it's different there. Only because, again, the. It's. It's not. You're going through. This is your third offensive coordinator now. So it's not the same as it is when the head coach is the offense guy. That. That's. I think it's a little different.
B
I get it. But. But I'm saying right now you salivate to be, you know, the Cowboys who make the playoffs or Buffalo makes the playoffs since the Giants have not been a perennial playoff team. But I'm giving him a contract extension, guys, if he comes back. So that means what, another two years? So he'll be the court. He'll be the head coach here by the time his contract's up, like seven years.
C
Yeah.
B
You know, is he deserving of that? Is he deserving of that opportunity to get, you know, next year and maybe two more years on top of that just because he developed a quarterback and you want to keep that relationship intact, but meanwhile everything else is on fire around you. We've seen plenty of situations. We saw it in San Diego, slash LA with the quarterback situation with the Chargers. Right. Because they can't get the coach right. But the quarterbacks. Right.
C
Yeah.
B
Philip Rivers never won. You know, it doesn't look like Herbert's going to win anytime. You're still looking, trying to find the right. Maybe Harbaugh will be the right guy, but we don't know. You know, we always harp on the quarterback being the biggest piece. And it is, but right next to it. 1A to me is also the coach.
C
Yes. But it also is the owner and how much he can stomach. And does he have the ability to find a coach that is better? Is there a coach out there that wants the job? Is there a coach that looks at Jackson Dart the way Dable does and sees something that he could turn him into versus other coaches that might say, well, I got to change the way he plays. And now it sets you back instead of takes you forward?
A
I think at this Point. Everybody sees it with Dart, a lot of people are going to want to get in play with Dart.
C
You would think so.
A
I feel very confident. A lot of people.
C
But didn't we think about, like, didn't we think a couple years ago that Saquon Barkley, this guy was special, The GM touched by the hand of God. Right. He was an unbelievable talent. Burst on the scene as a rookie when they made a coaching change. They brought in a guy and they brought in a GM who saw no value in the running back position. That didn't make sense, did it?
A
Yeah, but that's a philosophy. That's not a talent evaluation. That's a philosophy.
C
But what I'm saying is you had something special and you brought in leadership that didn't see him as special. That didn't make sense. So the owner ended up seeing him leave and it gutted him. So would you do the same thing here? Well, so that's why I think the John was right. The wild card is John Mara and what he wants to do.
B
Yeah, but also the question is, all right, are developing a quarterback back? How long does that take? And then what happens after the. The quarterback's already been developed. Right. Like, all right, I developed him.
C
Winning is supposed to happen.
B
And if I, and I want to make sure that when that happens, that Dable's the right guy to now the winning. All right, you did the job of the quarterback. The quarterback's now ready. He's a finished product. Let's go out there. And I'm not saying he's anywhere close to that, but at some point, once he's done developing, I need a coach now that's going to start winning. Yeah.
A
Well, let me, Let me ask you a question, Alan. If you, if ignore the injuries, if Jaden played a healthy full season, rest of the season's good, he's great. And the commanders do nothing and get smoked.
C
Yeah.
A
How soon? The Dan Quinn conversation starting quickly.
C
You think so?
A
I don't think he is that long. I think people see it the opposite. They'll go, we got a quarterback now. He'll get one more. He would get his year three. But if year three, Daniels is still Daniels and they're not back to the championship game, it's over. No one goes, oh, will he develop Jaden Daniels? You move on.
C
That is the NFL.
A
It's a tight window.
C
I'm trying to remember, too, because, like, Doug Peterson had a run with the Eagles, right? Yeah. And I mean, you're talking about not.
B
Just a big one.
C
Well, yeah, The super bowl is the one thing, but they still were a playoff team every year. They were good every year. Then they had a bad year and that's Carson Wentz and they went through him being a guy that you no longer could rely on. Right. And they had to make a decision with, with. With Jalen hurts. But you knew Doug Peterson was a good coach because he already won you Super Bowl. He already had success. He already had Carson Wentz playing at an MVP level before the injury happened. And then when he getting him back, something happened with Carson Wentz and he was never the same again. Right.
A
And he couldn't control that continued up till last night.
C
Well, it's true. But if you think about the get back which by the way, the. Why I can't believe in the Vikings anymore. But the, the gap that was happening between the team and the quarterback was. Was too wide for even Peterson to handle as a leader. So they had to move on from. And they bring in Nick Sirianni. And what did Sirianni do? He just declared what everybody thought was the obvious thing to do, which is Hertz is our quarterback. Everybody's having a locker room. What they end up doing back in the playoffs, get to the super bowl, you know, stay in the playoffs, win the Super Bowl. It did. It's. Sometimes you have a coach that gets you to a point and there's a transition and then you go from there. It's kind of what the Knicks are kind of doing right now. Right. Tom Thibodeau got him out of the suck. He got him organized. He got Jalen Brunson playing at a ridiculously high level. He had their offense as one of the best in the league. But then you. There was enough people that felt like, okay, he got you this far, but it's not enough. Now you need another voice to take it from here. So it doesn't mean you have to have Dable for 25 years as a coach.
B
No, but.
C
But at least it gets you on the ground or off the ground, I should say.
B
Well, there are times, even the best of coaches, you know, the voice gets lost in the room and it gets a little stagnant and you got to make a change. But you brought up Minnesota. There's an example of a coach that seems to be a quarterback whisperer. He's able to get tremendous quarterback play. Not last night from west, everybody, but once you know what he's been able to do. But has he been able to win any big games? You know, so is he. Is he the coach that's going to lead you to a champ. He's the coach that's going to get quarterback play. He's the coach that's going to groom a quarterback. Great, but can you win games? Minnesota's been good. Not great. Minnesota, when 13 regular season games and then ousted right away in the playoffs. So you got to look for the combination of. All right, I got a guy that knows quarterbacks. I got a guy that knows offense. Can he win games? You know, I don't want a buffalo where, yeah, I'm good every year, but I know I'm not going to win with this guy. I know it got the quarter. So it's still a very important balance. And we're not having this conversation if he's got years left on his contract. But that's the decision. It's not the decision. If this is last year, then it's like, well, he's got two years left on his contract. I don't have to worry about it. We got time. I got to extend this guy.
A
I know it's very. Hey, guys, you know what you root for right now? Well, you root for one of two things, and you just don't want the middle. You root for him to completely suck the rest of the year.
C
And you go, hey, a hard place to be.
A
And you go, hey, no, no, no. Because you still want to see Jackson play great. They just don't win any games. Jackson's great. They just don't win games. You either root for that or they. They get to 9 and 8 and then you go, all right, well, guess what? We're signing him. What you don't want is just mushy middle where you really still don't know. That's the worst case scenario.
B
You want conviction. And that's why for him, I would get. If I had contact with Dable, I'd say, boy, winning this game Sunday can go a long way. Because that might be enough to convince John Maurer, because John Maurer's got to make that decision, and he's probably excited about the opportunity to beat Philadelphia twice.
A
Now.
B
That is going to go a long way for him.
C
Peter, why don't you grab Steve in Middle Village, because he actually brings up something that's kind of interesting.
B
Interesting.
A
All right, I'll be quick here. We got to be quick here. Let's go.
C
We'll be quick.
A
Steve, go ahead.
D
Okay, I'll be quick.
C
You have.
D
You have a coach and a general manager who got rid of Barkley, and he won the Super Bowl. Daniel Jones could become the comeback player of the year at minimum. What happens if he gets into the AFC championship game or God forbid for Giant fans, win the Super Bowl? You can't have these two guys still employed by the Giants. I'll keep my mouth shut and you guys can.
C
That's like fantastical, you know, decision, you know what I mean? Like what he's saying. And we'll get. I have a stat for you based on this on the other side. Oh, but what he's saying is actually not even based on the current team or the future of the current team. It's more on what their resume has told you. Why would it give you any reason to believe that they'll get this right?
A
It's a great, great call by Steve. Thank you for pointing on me to, to pick that up. Good call. YouTube TV customers, listen up. You could lose ESPN and the sports you love, including college football, college game day, Monday Night Football, NBA, college basketball and more take action. Go to keepmynetworks.com to keep ESPN. That's keepmynetworks.com keep to keep ESPN.
C
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
A
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
C
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
A
Don Hunter Rosenberg on a Friday. Don, was it. It was a wise man named Don Le Greck, I believe, who once said that cashews are the candy of nuts. Still agree?
B
Yes. Wish I had some.
C
By the way, have you guys seen MSG Networks Is promoting the voice of the Devils unlike anything I've ever seen.
A
No.
C
Can you. Can you see on the screen this post on. On Instagram lagreca6.0 as Devil's announcer who promoted that networks. But look at the picture that we're getting Devil's MSGSN more specific. Look at the photo. He's pointing at the camera all aggressive and angry.
B
What they did was Kofi does a great job over at msg.
C
Oh yes.
B
He. He put a. He put the camera on me so that I. So they could capture my call. The first home goal of the season end up being Jack uses first goal of the season. So I tweeted that out and after I made the call I see the camera and I just pointed at the camera and they took a still of that.
C
It's such a great shot and I.
B
Love it so much. I've actually made it my. My avatar on. On X.
C
That's smart. Very smart.
A
I'm telling you what I tell you, by the way.
C
Yeah. You called It.
A
We have limited time with this guy.
C
You did. You did.
B
No, no, no.
C
It. No, it really. It does feel a matter of time. I would probably be very nervous if I was calling national NHL games for espn. I'd be very.
B
I would not be nervous at all.
C
Well, you wouldn't, because. What is it? What's the line from Breaking Bad? I'm not in danger. I am the date.
B
Yeah, don't get.
A
Don't get done going on.
B
I'm Walter White all of a sudden now.
A
Don't get Don going on Breaking Bad. We'll lose. He's. He'll. He'll start watching it during every break. Let's see. Let's go to. Not gonna do that.
B
Oh, no, no.
A
I mean, I want to, but I'm worried you get mad at me.
C
No, don't. Too early, but it's about the topic. Can I. All right. Can I pay off the tease then first? Yeah, yeah, please check out, then. I can check out.
B
Oh, no. He's not hearing it anyway.
A
He doesn't know.
C
So the idea of Daniel Jones and the season he's having after Saquon Barkley wins the super bowl as a nightmare for not just maybe Giants fans who saw players that they had go on and actually look like capable, winning championship caliber players. And then the owner as well being sick to his stomach. The odds tell you. In fact, history tells you that there's a very good chance it could happen again this year. So the Colts are 6:1 right now. That's the best record in the NFL in eight of the last 10 years. The team that this deep seven weeks into the season had the best record in the NFL eight of the 10 last years has reached the Super Bowl. Last year was the. Our very favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. They were seven and oh, so six and one. Colts. Could the trend continue? And if it does, guess who will be the super bowl starting quarterback for that team if the trend continues? One Daniel Jones.
B
They're not going to the Super Bowl.
C
Stop. Listen, I'm just telling you. This is what. This is history, man. I'm just telling you.
B
I get it.
C
History says it's possible.
B
Now let me ask you this. Does it help Dable that Scatter, Boo and Dart might get to the point where they become your franchise running back and quarterback and it'll hurt a lot less, right? Maybe if Barkley's here. They don't draft Scatter. Obviously, if Daniel Jones, you know, was a little bit better and they decided to honor the last two years of the contract they're not trading for Jackson Dart. So no matter where they go, if Dart and Scatter Boo end up becoming part of a giant lore, then it won't matter what happens with the Colts and Eagles. But it could add to it if they fall on their face.
C
Yeah, but. But what you're suggesting about them becoming something still comes after the potential, as history has shown us over the last 10 years, that the potential of having back to back years where the guy you moved on from ends up going to the Super Bowl. That's all I'm saying. It's a real thing. So. Just wanted to point it out.
B
Well, I'll say full disclosure. My contract is up at the end of the calendar year. All right? By that time, we'll get an idea how good the Cults really are. All right? I. And if the Colts end up going to the Super Bowl.
A
Mm.
B
And I am renewed by espn. I will void the contract and walk.
A
Wow.
C
I don't buy it, by the way.
B
I'm no Russo.
C
But you know what, though? See, Peter, once again, your theory is playing out.
B
Oh, no.
C
This is Don knowing now.
B
No, no.
C
This is done knowing.
B
No, no.
C
Because I don't need this anymore. See that? Oh, yeah. I will walk away.
A
No problem.
C
Only people with a few money do that. Only people with a few money do that. You know this. You know this because you have it too.
B
Listen, you. We both work. We have. We have both the. Our. Our jobs. Our. Our checks come from the same place, Alan. So you. You know how untrue that. So does it. I. I love all three of us. I think we do a fabulous job. None of us here on this show have fu. Money, I think. And the only. And the only one that has that at the station. You know, eventually it'll stop.
C
You. You might. You. You the way. That's a pretty bold statement to make.
B
All right. You know what?
A
Many people you hear have bleep you.
B
Money, you'll make a point.
A
Many. Many of them are Beck's athletes.
B
I'm not gonna go there. That. I'm just trying to think of what I could do if the Colts go.
C
I know what you could do. You could update a bath in your house. That's what you.
A
I love what you just did.
B
I'll shave my head clean and take.
C
A bath in a brand new. Brand new tub.
B
Wash this. The extra hair off.
C
Just clean it all off. And you know what? You'll love every minute of it because it's luxurious. It's beautiful. I had it done in my house. In fact, I tore out a tub and put in a full shower because they do that too. They do a full tub to shower renovation. My sister loved it so much, she did the bath fitter, where it takes over the whole tub and takes an old tub and makes it brand new again. That, of course, is the. The unique permafit that they have. The bath fitter is awesome. I've told you all about them. I'm telling you about them right now because they're that good. Because if you are want to update a bath in your house, this is where. This is the time to do it. Why? No money, no down payments, no interest for 18 months. You hear what I said? No interest until April of 2027. Now's the time. Get it done before the holidays when you have people coming over and they're going to walk in and go, why does your bathroom look so much nicer now? What did you do? And you tell them, bad fitter. That's who. Like, wait a minute, don't they just cover up everything they know it's permafit. It's a watertight fit. That's what you get. They are the leader, by the way, in the permanent fit solution, the leader in bathroom renovation. And by the way, it's done in a day. That's why you can do it before the holidays. It's not going to make a mess of your house one day. Durable, easy to clean, no demolition, lower cost and replacement. And the best part is a lifetime guarantee. You think it's some cheap replacement, they're going to put a lifetime guarantee on it. No, they're not, because they believe in it. And you should, too. Trust the bathroom team like we did. Start designing your bath today. @bathfitter.com there's only one bath fitter, so we have calls. 800-919-3776.
B
Of course.
C
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
A
I don't want to know how the.
C
Sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
This episode dives into the hope and intrigue surrounding the New York Giants ahead of their pivotal matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The trio of Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg navigate the emotional stakes of New York sports fandom, with an especially spirited debate around the Giants’ coach/quarterback future, the importance of beating Philly, and what this means for the team’s direction.
[04:16] “How do you not come out of the gate on a football Friday talking about the New York Giants…”
Alan sets up the episode’s central focus: the Giants, despite a tough loss to Denver, can sweep the Eagles—a rarity that would make a statement regardless of playoff odds.
[04:54] Don: The only reason there’s hope for this Giants team is their win against Philly, a feat that rarely happens and put them on the map this season. He frames Sunday as a litmus test for whether the Giants have a real season ahead or just more heartbreak.
The hosts agree sweeping Philadelphia would be symbolic—even independent of eventual playoff success.
“[Beating Philly twice would be] a major feather in Dable's cap in John Mara's mind.” (Don, 09:10)
Consensus: If the Giants sweep the Eagles, it could shift internal perspectives and job security for Coach Brian Dable and GM Joe Schoen.
Don: “Beating the Eagles twice… [would create] major movement. The guy that’s going to ultimately decide whether Dable comes back, and that’s John Mara.” (09:10)
Alan: Even a single sweep would be an internal “banner moment,” given the Eagles’ recent dominance.
Spirited debate on whether developing a quarterback alone is sufficient cause to keep a coach (Dable) and GM long term.
Don: “I got a guy that knows quarterbacks. I got a guy that knows offense. Can he win games?” (36:25)
Analogies to Dak Prescott/McCarthy in Dallas, Doug Peterson with Philly, and coaching transitions in Minnesota and Buffalo.
They agree: “What you don’t want is just mushy middle where you really still don’t know. That’s the worst case scenario.” (Rosenberg, 38:07)
By the end of Hour 1, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg frame the Giants-Eagles game as much more than a Week 8 contest. It’s a referendum on leadership, hope, and the emotional highs and lows that come with seeking meaning in a rebuilding season. The chemistry, humor, and debate style of the hosts deliver a comprehensive, passionate perspective for New York sports fans—as well as a reminder that sometimes, beating Philly can mean everything.