Hour 1: Mel's Mock

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Mel's Mock

Release Date: February 25, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn (ESPN New York, New Jersey), Peter Rosenberg (ESPN New York broadcaster)

---

Introduction to Mel's Mock and NFL Draft Insights

In this episode titled "Hour 1: Mel's Mock," hosts Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the intricacies of the NFL draft, with a particular focus on the New York Giants and Jets. The conversation is anchored around Mel Kuiper’s latest mock draft predictions ahead of the NFL Combine, exploring strategies, potential picks, and the broader implications for both franchises.

---

Mel Kuiper’s Mock Draft Analysis

Giants' Quarterback Conundrum

Mel Kuiper's mock draft suggests that the Giants may opt out of selecting a quarterback, deviating from traditional expectations. Instead, he projects the Giants might prioritize Travis Hunter, a Heisman Trophy winner known for his two-way talent.

• Alan Hahn [08:07]: "Mel Kuiper has them passing, not taking a quarterback with Cam Ward off the board. He has them going with Travis Hunter."

Peter Rosenberg challenges this prediction, questioning the Giants' reluctance to secure a quarterback given their pressing need.

• Peter Rosenberg [09:47]: "Don is a Giants fan. If they do this, I would suggest it means... they probably already got their guy at quarterback..."

Jets’ Strategic Approach to Quarterbacks

The discussion shifts to the Jets and their approach to the quarterback position. Mel Kuiper advises the Jets to "swing for every quarterback possible," indicating a proactive stance in securing a franchise quarterback either through the draft or free agency.

• Peter Rosenberg [08:06]: "The Giants would have the first opportunity to do that."

• Alan Hahn [12:46]: "Just keep swinging means that if I got a chance to get a franchise quarterback, I'm going to go get myself a franchise quarterback."

The hosts debate the merits of this strategy, weighing the potential of drafting a young quarterback versus acquiring a seasoned veteran to stabilize the team immediately.

---

Shador Sanders: The Pros and Cons

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Shador Sanders, a promising quarterback prospect. Alan Hahn expresses strong conviction in Sanders’ abilities, while Peter Rosenberg remains cautiously optimistic, highlighting both his leadership qualities and areas needing improvement.

• Alan Hahn [28:02]: "If Sanders is everything you're saying, I'm not saying he's not. I'm relying on your... he has the conviction."

• Peter Rosenberg [34:15]: "Shador plays that way. If you have two terrific running backs like the jets have and a great defense, the one thing you don't want your quarterback to do is make mistakes."

The hosts explore the implications of multiple teams passing on Sanders, interpreting it as potential red flags regarding his fit and the organizational strategies of those franchises.

• Alan Hahn [23:00]: "If the Giants don't want him, what are they supposed to do?"

• Peter Rosenberg [28:38]: "Is Sanders that much of a camp miss that they're willing to jump in like Washington?"

---

Draft Strategy and Team Dynamics

The conversation extends to broader draft strategies, including the importance of balancing young talent with experienced players. The hosts emphasize the need for the Jets to avoid past mistakes of starting rookies without adequate support, advocating for a veteran quarterback to mentor young prospects.

• Alan Hahn [43:12]: "I think the jets need to do two things. I think you need to get a future quarterback, but I also think you need to get some type of veteran quarterback that can actually go in there, teach them..."

• Peter Rosenberg [44:04]: "You cannot have that. Joe Douglas's biggest mistake was going into that season... with Zach Wilson and just no experienced backup whatsoever."

This segment underscores the delicate balance teams must maintain between fostering new talent and ensuring immediate competitive performance.

---

Listener Engagement: Mike from Long Island’s Perspective

Listener Mike from Long Island joins the conversation, echoing the hosts' concerns about the Jets' quarterback strategies. He emphasizes the necessity of integrating a veteran to guide rookies, preventing the pitfalls experienced in previous seasons.

• Alan Hahn [43:17]: "I've always thought that the one big mistake the jets always make... throw them into the deep end."

• Peter Rosenberg [44:05]: "Those are things you absolutely cannot have that."

Mike's insights reinforce the episode's central theme: the critical importance of strategic quarterback management in securing the Jets' future success.

---

Final Thoughts: Balancing Immediate Needs with Long-Term Vision

As the episode concludes, Hahn and Rosenberg reflect on the Giants' and Jets' draft positions, considering the broader league landscape and the potential moves other teams might make.

• Alan Hahn [38:55]: "If they're passing on him [Sanders], the Raiders passing on him... wouldn't that make you nervous as a Jet fan?"

• Peter Rosenberg [39:36]: "He's [Shador] not a plug and play... he's made of stuff that could make him a franchise quarterback over time."

The discussion highlights the uncertainty and strategic depth involved in draft decisions, leaving listeners with a nuanced understanding of what to anticipate in the upcoming NFL draft.

---

Notable Quotes

• Alan Hahn [08:07]: "Mel Kuiper has them passing, not taking a quarterback with Cam Ward off the board. He has them going with Travis Hunter."

• Peter Rosenberg [34:15]: "Shador plays that way. If you have two terrific running backs like the jets have and a great defense, the one thing you don't want your quarterback to do is make mistakes."

• Alan Hahn [43:12]: "I think the jets need to do two things. I think you need to get a future quarterback, but I also think you need to get some type of veteran quarterback that can actually go in there, teach them..."

• Peter Rosenberg [44:05]: "Those are things you absolutely cannot have that."

---

Conclusion

In "Hour 1: Mel's Mock," Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide an in-depth analysis of the upcoming NFL draft, focusing on the strategic decisions facing the New York Giants and Jets. Through thoughtful discussion and expert insights, the hosts navigate the complexities of quarterback selection, team dynamics, and the broader implications for both franchises' futures. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential moves and strategies that could shape the New York NFL landscape in the coming year.

For more detailed discussions and expert opinions on the NFL draft, tune into future episodes of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate first. Like, you know to check the Jumbotron first before attempting to eat a stack of supreme nachos in one bite. Now, you're just a meme that everyone shares on game day. Checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Savings vary, subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. Don, where do we stand on Sus Hahn?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's lame. It needs Viagra. And Rosenberg.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna lift my shirt up, take my pants down, and shake it all around. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app. Ah, hell yeah. On a Tuesday in New York City with Don Legreck and Peter Rosenberg, I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776 is the number, Peter. I do. We kind of move around different drops in the open there, so we get a little fresh take each day.

[Alan Hahn]

Isn't it. Isn't it like you don't know what you're going to get?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a box of chocolates and brand.

[Alan Hahn]

Brownshire has done a great job. I will say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't that ones the Abu. Is that Boo.

[Alan Hahn]

We got to bring this up at some point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we? Can we. I need to know because you just called me a boomer for. For reacting.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I was being so. I was. No, no, I was being sarcastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay. Because I thought maybe I'm missing something. But Don, I don't know if you heard in our pre show meeting and it was very much in passing. It was kind of. In a moment, it was kind of adorable. But then it struck me. So Anthony, our producer, is walking into the control room and Mike Brownshire, who does amazing stuff for us production wise and everything else at the station happened to be also passing. And it was just, what's up, boo? And Anthony said, hey. And it just. I'm like, wait, did he just call you boo?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And then we were reprimanded.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, apparently I didn't get it.

[Alan Hahn]

And then I don't know if I'm supposed to tell tales out of school.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I think you should.

[Alan Hahn]

Anthony's like, well, you never went to an all boys school. Well, I did my entire high school. Granted, it was at a time where God forbid, anything did happen. The, the, the. They would. I would be told just go back to class.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, so I do realize it was a different era, but I, I am not familiar with boo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. For me, for me, anyways, boo since the 90s has been the term of endearment for a significant other of the female persuasion.

[Alan Hahn]

But, but, but what I. Listen, it wasn't me who had the conversation, but Anthony can jump in if he, if he, if I'm speaking wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think he likes to jump in.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's. I think they're being playful and sort of sarcastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And being fun. Yeah. And then, and then the boomer part of you was like, whoa, now how are you guys joking around?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Excuse me, I'm not comfortable with that kind of talk.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's not joked around in my day. Although, you know, Anthony, Anthony really, Anthony really showed us he's anti enn at 6 today in that meeting. That was, there's, there's, there's jokes, but those aren't. Those aren't jokes. That's not a funny ha. It's funny, but it's not a funny haha. It's just funny. Wasn't that what. Wasn't that what's funny haha from. Is that from Billy Bob? Is that Sling Blade? Yeah, I think there's funny haha in Sling Blade. I like them French fried taters here. French fried potatoes. Don't call it a Kaiser Blade. Some call it a. I call it a Sling Blade. I call it Sling Blade. You go, the guy won Ambulance or.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The guy won an award for that. Just think the guy won an award.

[Alan Hahn]

For that because you watched. He deserved every, every bit of it. Because if you watch Sling Blade now, you do you. If I give you 10 guesses. You wouldn't guess Billy Bob Thornton if you don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course not.

[Alan Hahn]

That is true that I didn't think about it from that standpoint. It really like when you think Billy Bob Thornton, you think Bad Santa. You don't think Sling Blade. And that's because he doesn't even resemble.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bill, doesn't look like himself. I mean, he did the whole thing in Slack Jaw. The whole thing.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a hell of a. And I don't know if Alan's ever heard this. I think I told it on the Case show before. He was at Sirius and he was supposed to do. I don't know if he was supposed to do Stern. He was supposed to do something at Sirius and whoever was gonna do the interview didn't show up. He's just wandering the halls of Sirius with nobody to Talk to him. So my brother called. Cause I was working mornings at the time at espn, and my brother was over at Sirius. He calls me. He's like, dude, when you get off the case, you'll come here and interview Billy Bob Thorne. So I get my car, I go over to the studios right over by where Del Frisco's is, and I interviewed him for 45 minutes. It was the most incredible experience. Like, he gave. It was somewhere. I have no idea. I still have it, like, on cd. Yeah, you got that cd. This is probably. No, I wasn't working mornings because this was right after the. The Colts won the super bowl when they beat the Bears. So what was that? I guess 5,07,7. And it was. It was incredible. And there was a. There was an urban legend that the reason he was able to walk the way he did in Sling Blade is the. He put glass in his shoes so he would walk awkwardly. But he debunked that and said that wasn't true. But, Don, we need this as a bonus podcast episode of Donna Rose. We could do that, right? Yeah. I mean, I'm sure a lot of it's still relevant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course.

[Alan Hahn]

What big movies has he been in since 07? No offense. He's been in Fargo, which is TV, but he hasn't been in any blockbuster since 07, has he? That's a great question.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Bad Santa, by the way. Bad Santa 2. Underrated. Good movie. And the subtext to that story. So that's how long I've been working with John Winthrop. John Winthrop was. Was in the studio when I came back after the interview and I mentioned it did. I think he's. I said, I got the chance to interview one of the great American actors, Billy Bob Thornton, and John fought me and said that he's not. See, but by the way, that's such a. That is such a John Winthrop take. It's like, at the time. Like, in 07, at the time, he was on the path. It get the argument. Aged well for John. But, Don, you were completely right at the time. Now, since. Oh, seven, what do we got? Well, of course. Well, of course, there's the lauded Mr. Woodcock that came out. I think the Bad News Bears reboot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Might have been around then, which wasn't terrible.

[Alan Hahn]

Hold on. A lot of tv. You're right. There's tv. There's Big Bang Theory. There's Robot Chicken. There's Entourage. There's a bunch of random stuff. That movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's a Bad Santa 2.

[Alan Hahn]

Bad Santa 2, which I really I watched this year and truly enjoyed, though it's ridiculous, but it is interesting, man. Like, he has not had a big movie now for like 20 years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that because, by the way, how old would you guess he is?

[Alan Hahn]

63. Yeah, I'd say right in there. Maybe 61.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Higher, Bob.

[Alan Hahn]

Really? 70.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He will be in August. 70.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That. That, that blew my mind.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's. That's interesting. Does it? Sling blade was 96. That was his big first big role. So he was kind of a late bloomer in Hollywood.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Interesting. Well, there you go. Who thought we would open with that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who knew?

[Alan Hahn]

Never in the way we say we're opening with Billy Pop. Never happened. Nobody pays attention. What happens in the meeting anyway?

[Peter Rosenberg]

How'd we get to Sling Blade? Was it because we were talking? It had nothing to do with the booth.

[Alan Hahn]

It was the voice. It was the voice that Don and you were using to make fun of yourselves for sounding old. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Some French fried potatoes. It's still so good. It's also our way of avoiding talking about the NFL draft, which is still two months away. Right. But because there's an NFL combine happening this week.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And everybody's talking.

[Alan Hahn]

We started.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. The chimes are there. And there's things being said on the Giants front with the Giants are picking third and Mel Kuiper has a new mock out. And so when it comes to the quest for quarterback, which is for both New York teams, the Giants would have the first opportunity to do that. Now, a week ago, Jordan Renan was saying that the Giants are all in on Shador Sanders, which, you know, I've been suggesting to everybody, but nobody seems to want to accept it in the mock. Mel Kuiper does have Tennessee passing on a quarterback at 1, but not the Browns at 2. He has them taking Cam Ward from Miami, which everybody's in love with as far as quarterbacks go. Not everybody's in love with him as the best player in the draft or the best pick, but as far as quarterbacks go, Cam Ward's the guy. So when we get to three, Kuiper has the Giants taking the wonderful two way talent, Heisman, Travis Hunter. And so that means they're not in. In what Mel is suggesting. Sanders is not somebody that would be on their radar if Ward is gone before we move on from here. Don is a Giants fan. If they do this, I would suggest it means because we know free agency and trades happened before the draft, that the Giants had probably already gotten their guy at quarterback and they probably went veteran route instead of going with a young quarterback to reset. Would you have a problem with that?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, again, if the only reason I would have a problem with it is if they truly liked both quarterbacks but felt like they had to win now and get a veteran. I'm okay with them getting a veteran. If they feel like neither of these two quarterbacks do anything for me or that Ward does, but they know Ward's going to get taken at two and they don't want Sanders so they want to go in a different direction with the quarterback. I can't kill them for not taking a quarterback if they don't want to take a quarterback. You know, I don't want to force them to take something that they, they know their job's on the line. Right. So if they don't take either of these quarterbacks, you're going to have to play. I, I just don't want it to be the boss is on my back. He went public and said that if I don't have a big season we're all going to get fired. So I've got to go out and get a veteran to save my job and not think about the future. I would have a problem with that. But if it's, I don't like either of these two quarterbacks, I think we'd be better off going out and getting a veteran and then trying to find some talent with at three to help us win now, then I wouldn't have a problem with it. So I don't know what they're thinking is don't pass on a quarterback you thinks has got a bright future because you want to win now. Go get a veteran quarterback. If you don't like either of these two and I don't know the answer, I don't know what they're thinking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, here's Joe Shane. I know at this time of year no one really tells you what they're thinking, but they do give you a look into kind of a mindset. Right. So here's Joe Shane talking about the necessity of chasing quarterbacks every year.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm for taking swings at that position. It's, it's the most important position and it's hard to find them. So keep swinging at the position and until you find one. And again I look back at like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

John Schneider, you know, he's traded a.

[Alan Hahn]

Third round pick for Charlie Whitehurst. Didn't work out. Matt Flynn pinning $10 million got Russell Wilson in third.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, just keep, keep swinging at.

[Alan Hahn]

The position and you know, again I believe in our process and, and the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

People in the building, from a scouting.

[Alan Hahn]

Standpoint, the coaching standpoint.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So, you know, we'll keep swinging and.

[Alan Hahn]

You know we're going to try to find one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We all remember Charlie Whitehurst, right? Clipboard. Jesus.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, sure. God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh God. He was a third round pick. Matt Flynn was after that one great year. They gave him the money. And then what happened? They found out that Russell Wilson was just better and they. So I guess what he's saying is, is no matter what happens, you just keep going. But, but they're going to need a veteran quarterback one way or another, right? They have to get one. I think they're going to tip their hand though. Who they get as a veteran will tell you all you need to know about what their plan is going to be in the draft. Because if they get a guy who's just a guy, then you know, they probably is a bridge guy. But if they get a Darnold or let's say Stafford, well then, you know they're not going to waste a very high pick on that. They're going to try to get some talent.

[Alan Hahn]

Now again, I need context for that phrase. Just keep swinging. And I keep thinking about back when the Islanders were trying to make the playoffs a few years ago and you came up with Just keep swimming.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just. That was from do. Yeah, from Finding Nemo.

[Alan Hahn]

From Finding Nemo. Like just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just keep battling.

[Alan Hahn]

But, but. So what does that mean? Like, does it mean.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it means you keep going for.

[Alan Hahn]

It, but you gotta go. But you gotta like who you're going for. Like you just can't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you know what?

[Alan Hahn]

Quarterback, because it's a quarter. Because I can look at just as.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know, swing last year because J.J. mcCarthy was there. They didn't swing.

[Alan Hahn]

No, they didn't swing. So I guess I'm of the belief that if they like a quarterback, they're going to, they're going to take a quarterback and if they fail next time, you know, they're not going to shy away from taking a quarterback if they like a quarterback is what I took from that or is it, hey, I want a quarterback. Whether it's a veteran, whether it's a kid out of the draft. Is it. I think all these guys are great and I believe in our system and whoever we get, we know we're going to mold them into a great quarterback. Well, you didn't do it with Jones.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nope.

[Alan Hahn]

So I'm, you know, you might be able to believe in your system and believe in your people, but you couldn't make it work with Jones. So I need to know the context of that. I'm kind of. I kind of don't like the philosophy of just keep swinging. Like, just take quarterbacks. You got to take the right quarterback, and if you don't think either of these two are the right quarterback, then by all means, go find it someplace else. But you just can't take a quarterback for the sake of taking a quarterback. But just the jets keep swinging. I don't understand. I don't know the context, but if I had to guess, it just sounds like just keep taking quarterbacks till you get it right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's literally what it is. Which Again, last year, McCarthy was there and they went neighbors, and then they didn't go quarterback the rest of the way. And now all that's on the roster is Tommy DeVito. That's all they got. So clearly they've got to get at least a veteran quarterback, if not two, or a veteran and then draft one. Here's Shane talking about. Again, this is all at the combine. Talking about a veteran quarterback is something they certainly know they have to get.

[Alan Hahn]

Tommy DeVito is our only quarterback on the roster. So you may evaluate both of those. Those both. Both may be options. So, you know, again, we don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What'S going to happen in the draft. We don't know who's going to be there.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, when we get around these kids, they may or may not be a fit for us. So, you know, we're going to have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To address the position somewhere. And even if you get a young.

[Alan Hahn]

Quarterback, you'd like to have a vet, you know, in the room with them to show them the ropes and how to be a pro. So, you know, we're looking at all different avenues.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's, hey, is this guy going to.

[Alan Hahn]

Be really good for a young quarterback or is this guy a starter, you know, or can we get a guy in the draft? Or if we do, should we have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A guy that's more of a, you know, a guy that can develop and.

[Alan Hahn]

Show a guy how to be a pro. So, you know, we're going to look at, you know, vets, we're going to look at the draft, we're going to look at trade candidates.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, we're going to look at.

[Alan Hahn]

Under every Rock to, you know, find the best prospect for us going in the 25 season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now, if you're a beat writer, the smart thing to do off of this is then asked directly about Matthew Stafford, who, according to reports, the Rams are letting his him and his agent talk to teams and see if they can get a better deal, work out something that can get him an extension of money that he wants and get a trade going. So Shane was asked about Stafford directly.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, you have to ask the Rams that. You know, ask that. You can get that from the Rams and let them talk about that. He's under contract with them, so that'd be a question for the Rams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So, Peter. Yeah, he has to say that. Peter, the commander's got Marcus Mariota.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who I would not consider a veteran that you bring in to help along a rookie quarterback. Like they, you know, they have Jaden Daniels. So, like, I don't know if the Giant. The Giants are good, but he's. Mariota doesn't also seem like somebody that you would just hand the reins to. So it's for the Giants. They're going to tell us. They're going to tell us before the draft what they plan on doing at quarterback.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They can't.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And there's such a. There's such a. You learn so much by the kind of people they're considering. Like, there is a vast difference between considering a Marcus Mariota and a Matt Stafford. Well, just for the money, if you get Matt Stafford $50 million, he's your not only. And not only that, guys. And if you make that decision, obviously what you're saying is we believe Matt Stafford has several good years left and we're going to go for it with him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not, you're not bringing Matt Stafford in to simply train your next quarterback.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no, no, no. Now that may be something for two years. There's no way he's here to train anybody. He's here to win.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, that could be a bonus. You could, in theory, still get someone like him and try to get a young kid behind him, but he's going to play for as long as he's here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you're not, you're not doing that in a three pick, though. The three pick now becomes a skill guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. He has to be. Has to be a skill. Probably. Yeah. Because you're looking at. If I, If I'm going to pay that kind of. Like when we had this conversation originally, it was like, would Stafford be my Kurt Warner? Or I have him for a couple of years. I draft Shador Sanders or, or Ward, and at some point they take over for him. But if you're throwing that much money at him after the year that he just had, which was good enough to, you know, to Go to the playoffs, kind of carry that team to the playoffs despite all their injuries at wide receiver tells you, I think this guy can help us win. And you keep going back to that comment that Dable said after the game against Indianapolis. See what happens when you get quarterback play? So. And John Mara was saying, I won't be happy if we're still bad next year. Whatever the paraphrasing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So. So he obviously is looking at. So, so is the owner looking at, like, I'm, I don't want to draft a young quarterback here. I think we might have some pieces here. I've got. I've got a coach and a general manager that are on a very thin thread here. I got a chance to go get Matthew Stafford and get out of this muck that we've been over the last couple of years. Let's do it. That's what I kind of feel like is happening here, guys, because you had mentioned they didn't draft McCarthy. So it's not like they're taking a stab at just anybody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Alan Hahn]

So when they say, so when he says, you keep swinging means that if I got a chance to get a franchise quarterback, I'm going to go get myself a franchise quarterback. And if Matthew Stafford wants to play for me, that's where I'm going to go. It feels like all the signs are pointing there. These guys are pretty much in the know. Why would Mel Kuiper have a. Have a mock draft that doesn't have the Giants taking a quarterback when they desperately need a quarterback?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, what's also interesting here is how the Rams play this, because, you know, the Rams are probably saying, we don't want to pay you what you think is your market value where you are at your age, 37 and everything else. So if he doesn't find a team, like, like this could be, you know, the Giants could be more than willing to give him what he wants. And Stafford might think, I don't want to do that, though. Like, I don't want to go there. Right. It's like Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers could have options to play anywhere in the league because everybody's looking for a quarterback. But there's probably certain teams where he's like, I'm not. I'm not going there. That's not going to help me. I'd rather retire than play for that freaking team. It's like, so let's listen to my good friend Dominique Foxworth. Yes. Name job on Get Up. Because he had this interesting perspective about the Rams and how they play this which is why if you're a Giants fan, you can't just assume that they can get Stafford because there still is that decision to actually make the move.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I think they're not in a situation yet where the pressure has gotten too high. But I think we all probably agree that neither of these team or player have better options. Like, if Matt Stafford's big threat is I'll go play for the Giants, I think the Rams know that he's not really all that serious. And the Rams big threat is we'll go sign Aaron Rogers. Like, these guys are meant to be together, I think. And I hope they'll end up figuring out the money situation so Matt Stafford can end his career there and they can make a run. Like, we saw the way they played in the playoffs last year, it was a lot better than I think any of us anticipated, given the injuries that he struggled with through the season. But I do think that he ends up back in la. But if a quarterback like that is on the market and I'm a team that thinks time close, it's worth at least making a call and trying to figure if we can make something happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that brings us back to the very last thing here, guys, which is what I think why Dave Rothenberg is so against this. Because what is it for? You're not close to anything. Stafford's a guy that you get, like, why, why the jets went for Rogers. Right. And I know Don, like, we've, we've kicked this around before as well. So if you had the choices, like, what would be your choice? Are you all in? Because you need a quarterback and this guy could be available and you gotta start winning, you gotta start turning this thing in the right direction. Or do you feel the more you think about this, this franchise is not in a place to go for somebody at 37 years old who is going to command 50 million or more with a roster that really doesn't have enough around him.

[Alan Hahn]

But if I'm able to hold on to the third pick and I get a hunter and I have neighbors, you know, am I starting to get to a point where I can get that talent? And now I'm starting to win games and obviously not winning a championship this year, but start winning games, get out of the whole embarrassment category and put yourself in a situation where now there's guys that might want to play for Stafford, come to New York to play with a chance to win, and in the body of the contract, you could win. See, fans all think about 2025, but the Giants probably Thinking more long term. All right, well, if I have Matthew Stafford for the next three years, do I have a chance to win in those three years? And if I don't love the quarterback and the fact that we didn't even bring this up, guys, The Raiders would pass on Sanders for a running back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's what Kaiser has.

[Alan Hahn]

How's that work?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I never got to Sanders yet. You know, that's the jets part of this. I want to stay on the Giants conversation. But yeah, tease it forward, Don, because that's true. So Sanders still on the board and he could still end up in New York, but not with the Giants.

[Alan Hahn]

So. So we, we have to put this in. So see, the fans that are going to be against going to say, you got to draft a quarterback because we need a. We need a franchise quarterback. But if Mel's right, and the Raiders, which seem to be a perfect fit for Sanders, are passing on him for of all things, are running back. Sixth overall, though the kid's really good out of Boise State. But we've talked about not drafting running backs high. What does that tell you about Sanders? And so if the Giants don't believe in Sanders, what are they supposed to do?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Renan says they do everything that he. He understands. Renan has said that he thinks the Giants do love Shadorson.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's why. That's why I don't know what to believe. Because Jordan's in the know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. You know some things. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So. So that's that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, you can't know everything.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but. But somebody's wrong on this. Right. Because if, If Jordan. Now, I don't. I don't see what would behoove the Giants to tell Jordan anything. But I think Jordan's got his ear to the ground to kind of get a sense of. Even if he's not told things, how they're thinking, what they believe. And if Sanders is sitting there at three and the Giants pass on him, then I guess they don't like him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You would look at that as a red flag if he's still sitting there. And then you would say for the jets, it would be a mistake. Is that what you're suggesting? Like, if the Giants don't want them, why would you want them? Is that what you're saying?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not saying it's a mistake because the Giants could be wrong, but I'm just saying that. Don't tell me the Giants are in love with him at three, but if the Giants, who are hot for him, pass on Them if the Raiders who everybody in the mother said that's the perfect fit in Vegas. Come on. Sanders in Vegas desperately need a quarterback. Brady and they pass on him. Well now you're starting to talk about, well that's two teams that needed quarterbacks, maybe technically three because Tennessee would have passed on a quarterback and they need a quarterback. Cleveland would have selected Ward over Sanders at 2. The Giants would pass on them. They have the Raiders passing on. So wouldn't that make you nervous as a Jet fan? Like wait a minute, is this falling into our lap or should we look at these red flags and teams that need quarterbacks are passing on this guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Perfect. That's where we are landing right now. 800 I went 93776 because the first thing I want to know is as we're looking at the you're hearing from Joe Shane and what he just told you about swinging right. Just keep swinging for a quarterback. Mel Kuiper has them not taking one. From all the research and information that he's gathering, Mel Kuiper does have the jets getting Shador Sanders instead. And as Don's pointing out correctly that how what kind of like red flags would that send up if he's still sitting there at 7 and the jets are willing to jump all over it. But I'm just curious about again because Don, you have brought this up. It keeps coming back to the same thing. Is there a crisis in confidence in the hierarchy with the Giants? How much do you trust and believe what Joe Shane is doing and his plan going forward with that number three pick, which again could set up the franchise for the next 10 years or set back the franchise for the next three to five. 800-919-3776 we'll get to your calls. We'll go deeper into the Jet side of things, including what Aaron Glenn is looking for at the quarterback position. But first, Don, please tell me about bathfitter.

[Alan Hahn]

Don LaGreca here to tell you about my friends over at Bath Fitter. They remodeled my mom's bath. Did an awesome job. The process was easy. One expert installer. Even with the customization she needed for a cast iron tub, it was done in one day with no demo or mess. It's a beautiful, high quality permanent solution. Bath Fitter provides a lifetime guarantee. Three million happy customers like my mom get zero percent interest for 30 months. So start designing your bath [e-mail] There is only one bath fitter. Get in the zone. Autozone. Welcome to the A to Z Savings Event. At Autozone. Yeah, happy to be here. Can I get some rotors?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would you like brake pads with that? How much are the brake pads free.

[Alan Hahn]

With the rotors free?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really, really free. Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

I also need some oil. Would you like an oil filter with that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. How much is that free with five quarts of oil? Free. Really, really free.

[Alan Hahn]

It's part of the A to Z savings event. You might as well call it A.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To Free at autozone.

[Alan Hahn]

Get in the zone. Autozone restrictions apply.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right, so Mel Kuiper has a new mock out as the NFL Combine. The draft combine begins this week in Indianapolis. As we just told you earlier, the Giants had three. He has them passing, not taking a quarterback with Cam Ward off the board. He has them going with Travis Hunter. And it does kind of lead us to what Joe Shane was talking about, how they they're going to swing for every quarterback possible and maybe in free agency they find one as there's a lot of names available at 7. The jets will take a quarterback, according to Mel Kuiper. And here's what he said on get.

[Alan Hahn]

Up at your Jets Greeny.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think it makes sense.

[Alan Hahn]

He handles the big stage, the bright lights. He's had expectations and pressure. He's had to deal with all that at Colorado. Now he goes to the Jets. Why? Because they went old with Aaron Rodgers. Veteran with Aaron Rodgers. That normally leads to a young quarterback now coming in and certainly for sure he gets the seven because it's not universal love out there. I had one guy, remember when I told said hey, when Peyton Manning came out, somebody said it was his name was Peyton Jones, it'd be a third round pick. People do revisionist history. There was no universal love out there. Everybody didn't love Peyton Manning. Everybody doesn't love Shador Sanders. I had a guy this week say if his name was Shador Jones, it'd be a third round pick so he could get to seven and be there for the Jets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's quite a comparison. But Shador Sanders to The jets at 7 is definitely 1. That, that's an eye opener, that one.

[Alan Hahn]

If that happens, well, this falls into your lap. Or is it? Why did he fall into my lap? So you're the guy that loves Sanders. So you're the perfect person. I think Peter and I are both in the same boat. I haven't Seen enough to be able to have a really definitive like, I gotta have him. Yeah. Feel to him. You have done the work. You have. You're the one person that's gone on record and said, I want Chadur Sanders. So if he's sitting there at 7, want him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Take.

[Alan Hahn]

You want him. But you wouldn't be at remotely nervous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Why? If I'm so. Well, the only part of any quarterbacks pass on him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let me, let me revise because you're asking me something that I answered too quickly. I would only hesitate because of what you said in the previous segment, which is the Raiders passing on him. That would suggest to me that the Raiders, just like the Giants, got their guy in free agency. Whether it's Sam Darnold, whether it's someone else that they, that they can get their hands on.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the thing. Like if the Raiders are going veteran because they believe that'll get them over.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The top, or they got a great tight end, a great young tight end.

[Alan Hahn]

But they haven't won in a while.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good wide receiver. They have a good.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me ask you, who's close running game, who's closer, Jets, Raiders or Giants? If you had to put them in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Order, I would say the Jets. Okay, the jets have a defense that could. Could quickly move back up into the top echelon because they do have some pieces they got to fill the hole. Obviously, at defensive tackle, they've got to get better in the middle of the defensive line. But everywhere else they are pretty good. They got to figure out DJ Reed. But the defense is pretty close.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The offense has weapons. Now, I don't expect Devonte Adams to be back. I think he and Rogers are going somewhere else. But they still have Garrett Wilson, they still have Breech hall, they still have Braylon Allen. They, they have talent there.

[Alan Hahn]

So isn't it odd though that the team that's the closest. Closest will draft the young quarterback and the teams that are farther away are going to go veteran?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it is interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

So the Giants and the Giants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you heard what Mel said. You go veteran and whenever you go away from a veteran, the next thing you do is you go, you go with a young quarterback. Doesn't buy you time.

[Alan Hahn]

But I was thinking when Mael said that that's, that's no reason to take a young quarterback because that's what you do when you go from a veteran quarterback, you go young. No, you go young because you believe that that's the quarterback that you want to have to be your future. You know, not not because that's just what you do, you know, like, it's just odd. The two teams that need a quarterback pass on them and the team that needs a veteran gets the young kid.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, again, pass on them because they probably already get that. That player.

[Alan Hahn]

They're passing on him now. They're passing on him. At some point, you're right. The order will be they'll go out and be at the veteran, but they're going to go out and get the veteran. Now, the Raiders, I guess, makes sense because the Raiders might be like, I don't think either of these guys will be there at 6.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Or they love Ward. And again, if they can get Darnold or they can get whoever. Right. Like, again, I do think everything's going to be predicated on free agency. I think. I think March cuts could set up what happens in the draft now. Also, the jets might not have to. Might not stay at 7. The jets might have to do a move up to make sure they get the quarterback that they want. So that's also something to watch, don't you think? But I can see them going that route now. Here, new coach Aaron Glenn, he also spoke on the jet side of things and, you know, the idea of kicking the can down the road and, you know, we want to ease our way in and all that stuff. It doesn't sound like that.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, Moojes has talked about the Aaron Rodgers deal. I don't think there needs to be anything else said about that, especially with some of the players we have with the roster also. I don't think anything has to be said about that. I'm excited. I'm excited for the forward thinking of this group and what we're going to do as a team. So we're here to win now and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We'Re looking forward to it here to win now.

[Alan Hahn]

So that would suggest that they would go out and get a better. Because you're probably not winning now with, you know, it's happened young quarterback. So what happened in Washington? But most of the time you get a young quarterback and it's going to be some growing pains and you don't win right away. Or is the philosophy, hey, I think we can do what Washington did. I think we can do what the Dolphins did back in the day with Dan Marino, well, we can win right now. But if the philosophy is we've got young, we've got good young talent here, we're built. That's why we went out and got Aaron Rodgers in the first place. I'm a defensive Guy, I'm going to fix this defense. It's going to be one of the best in the league like it should have been. Have they. Had they not made the mistakes they made in the past? So instead of going out and getting a veteran, they're going to go get the kid. Which. Which then tells you that that's opposite of what he just said. Right. Is Sanders that much of a camp miss that they. That you're going to jump in like Washington? Very rare.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think he's a fit man. Like, I think it depends on your situation. This is not a big arm, big athlete kind of quarterback. This is a. I'm not trying to compare the careers. I'm talking about where they are in the beginning. He has a lot of Tom Brady esque kind of qualities. Cerebral, leadership, smart, not going to take risks. Like, he is not a. He's not going to come in and wow you with his physicality and his athleticism. That's not what he is. I know we all think Dion and we think Dion. Oh, he's Dion's kid. He must be flashy and fast and athletic. He's actually not. He's, he's not that at all. But what I do know about him is he's not a guy that takes high risk throws. He's not a guy that's going to throw you out of games. You know, he's not a big turnover guy. I think the one worry with Cam that I have that not a lot of people talk about is the turnover tendencies and the, the throws that sometimes can. On the sideline, somebody's throwing a clipboard, even though there's other throws that you just are like, oh my God, did you see that throw? It's the NFL. It's a lot harder to make those throws than it is when you're a guy who plays under control. And I think Shador plays that way. If you have two terrific running backs like the jets have and a great defense, the one thing you don't want your quarterback to do is what, make mistakes, Turn the ball over.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Control the game, manage the game. Just play like what Mark Sanchez essentially was all those years ago.

[Alan Hahn]

You are absolutely 100% right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why I like the fit yet. Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

And it doesn't mean that they're right. Tennessee would pass on them, Cleveland would pass on him, the Giants would pass on him, and theoretically the Ranger, the Raiders would. Now, the reason I say theoretically is because at 6, the Raiders might get a veteran just thinking they're not going to get One of those two quarterbacks, but they could still get a bridge guy and select Sanders. So if Sanders is everything you're saying. I'm not saying he's not. I'm relying on your. You have done the work. You have the conviction. The four teams that need quarterbacks would disagree with you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. By the way, Josh Allen went seventh in his draft and the Bills moved up to seven to get him.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, there's plenty of Mahomes. I mean, there's plenty.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it does happen.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, it does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It does. And sometimes it's just situational. It's just he doesn't fit the way we expect to play. We don't foresee what he does to fit what we have.

[Alan Hahn]

Or do they think Dion's gonna be a pain in the ass?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. I wouldn't rule that out. I'm sure there would be some teams worried about that. That's why. That's why what Mel said, if his name was, you know, was Shador Smith, nobody would care that he'd be a third round pick. They said the same thing about Peyton Manning and maybe it was the same thing, but.

[Alan Hahn]

But that would only be a factor. If you're not sure. If you're sure he's the talent for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You, which is what this week's for.

[Alan Hahn]

Then I don't think you're letting the Dion thing throw you off. If you really think he's the guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's why they're having meetings now, they're going to sit down. A lot of teams are going to have these interviews and you might walk away. Like you heard Joe Shane say it. We might walk away and think, this, this guy's perfect for us. We love this guy. Like, this is the, this is now the time you start sitting down and you get those one on ones and you give them the, the dry erase board and a marker and you sit back and you test him and just see how he responds. And you might walk out of that room and go, I love that guy. We got to draft him.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, so, Alan, I'm going to rely on you again, okay? And we're going to role play. You're the general manager of the Jets. Are you salivating? I'm going to get Sanders at 7. Or are you saying, I can't take this chance? I'm making phone calls.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love him. If I, if I walk away from my meeting and I'm an Aaron, Glenn looks at me and goes, we need that guy. That's the type of person we need to build with. We need More people like him then I know I got to start talking to, you know, to some other teams. I would have something available to get ahead, whether it's Jacksonville, New England. I can't imagine the jets and the Patriots making a trade. Like, I just don't see it. But can I get. Like, Cleveland's not going to make a trade and Tennessee wants to. If they really want Abdul Carter, who's the best player in the draft. I mean, this guy's a, you know, again, generational talent. They're not going to want to move out of one to go to seven. So it's going to be a lot harder to do. There's not many options for you to jump ahead, and Jacksonville feels like really the only team that you might be able to make a deal with you.

[Alan Hahn]

So you're assuming, and I would agree with you, that the Giants and Jets wouldn't make this sort of a deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's the next one. I mean, could you imagine you call Joe Shane and you just. Joe, you want an extra pick next year or you're not going to be here next year if I'm Joe Shane, do you want extra picks next year if you're Joe Shane? Hell no. I'm not buying. Right. You're not buying green bananas if you're Joe Shane.

[Alan Hahn]

As a gm, I can't. I mean, now I'm a big believer, like with the Mets, with the Yankees and the Mets, like, just, just make the deals. You got to worry about yourself. But there is something. When you share a building with a team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And you might hand them the franchise quarterback that turns everything around for them and you're out of a job.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, John Mara, forget about that. That would be, that. That would be the situation with Saquon going to Philadelphia on steroids and you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would get a pick because usually when you swap, Right. When you move up, you're getting a pick from next year. Probably that's somebody else's draft now. Like, this is. This could be his last draft. You got to hit a home run.

[Alan Hahn]

And this is, this is the possibility. You could spend the rest of the spring until the draft talking to Tennessee and not being able to get the one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And Cleveland's got their heart set on Ward. Right. That at the draft, Tennessee takes Hunter or whoever. And then two, Ward goes. And then the Giants are sitting there at 3 on draft day. You're going to have to call the Giants. That could be your last hope because the Giants might take them. And if you're the Giants and You're not going to take them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mm.

[Alan Hahn]

How do you not make the deal? Right. Right. What's the point of having it if you're not going to use it? Because. But because the perception would be you could have had Sanders and then he becomes the next big, big deal in your own building. It really. It's going to be a lot of fun. But that's what you love about a lot of fun. But I can your brain, Alan, because you. You're the only one of the three of us that has a conviction on Sanders. I don't. He's like, you don't either, right? I don't have enough conviction. I listen, I definitely think I can hear Allen's passion. I can tell you, Don, you asked this question earlier. Is he a can't miss in the way a Jaden Daniels or Caleb Williams was?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm not doing that because I.

[Alan Hahn]

But he's not considered that is what I'm saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I don't think he's plug and play. I don't think he's like. Like Jaden took. Jaden just took this. Took the league by storm. You know, Stroud did the same thing. You just put him in place. He had good pieces around him and suddenly he was like, you know, effective. I'm not saying that out of the gate he's going to do the same thing those guys did, but I think in a Mark Sanchez kind of way, I still think he could be good. And then over time, because of what he's made of the stuff this kid's made of, I think over time he could become a franchise quarterback. I do. I just. I've seen enough to feel like the intangibles are there and we fall in love too much with the, you know, with the Anthony Richardson with the guys that I'm on my knees at the. At the opposite 40 yard line, I can hit the goal post. Big freaking deal. In an NFL game. It's about processing. It's about resiliency. It's about understanding. Look, it's. I don't care that you run a 4:3, right? Patrick Mahomes doesn't run a 4:3, but he processes faster than you. So I play faster. Not with my feet, with my brain. I need guys like that. 800 now. 193776. I hope I'm right. And if I'm not right, well, at least the jets got a quarterback that we could watch for a couple years. If they get them. We'll get to your calls on this. Again, a lot of Passion about this and a lot of curiosity. But these mocks come out. But this is the. Right now is when this stuff starts to get real. Because this is what they do. They sit down, they have meetings, they get one on ones. And out of the combine is really when you'll start to see teams maneuver. Because that, like, like Don said, you might walk out of a meeting and you might have your new head coach look at the new GM and say, we got to get that guy. What was it from draft night? What was the. The little piece of the car. What did it say on the. On the piece of paper I just completed?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, on drafted from the movie Draft from draft day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was that?

[Alan Hahn]

It was the name of the linebacker. It was like. Like, it was like at all costs, like something, whatever. Like his father's dead father said, yeah, whatever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Yeah. So that's kind of. If you get that feeling about somebody, then you've got to show me. That's what Darren Muji's got to do. He's got to show me that he can move up, if that's necessary. Thought we made some good radio there.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's apparently we just better to get the hell to the commercial if listen.

[Alan Hahn]

They would rather us break on time and hum than to do great radio and be four minutes late.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just completely cut off. Just stop talking because we see what the time is. Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right. The Road to the Big Game is Now open through March 30th at the Paley Museum in midtown Manhattan.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come see the Vince Lombardi Trophy from the New York Giants. All 58 championship rings, Super bowl three tickets signed by Joe Namath, artifacts from Eli Manning, Phil Sims and Tom Brady, unforgettable commercials, photo opportunities, and a celebration of the black heroes of football's biggest game. Find the contest tile in the ESPNY app for your chance to win tickets. Fans of all ages are welcome and free for Paley members and kids under 12. Visit paleymuseum.org for tickets and information. 800-919-3776 is the number we got calls to get to. Fellas. Let's do that. Now. We have Mike in Long island to start us off. Hey, Mike.

[Alan Hahn]

Mike. Hey, guys. How are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Alan Hahn]

I've always thought that the one big mistake the jets always make or other teams always make is we get these young Quarterbacks right out of college and then we throw them into the deep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

End of the pool and they wind up failing.

[Alan Hahn]

I think the jets need to do two things. I think you need to get a future quarterback, but I also think you need to get some type of veteran quarterback that can actually go in there, teach them, bring somebody along and not just take a first round draft pick and throw them in there like we've done the last three times and walk away with nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I don't think we can afford to do that. No, you can't do. You're right. The mistakes of the past. Joe Douglas's biggest mistake was going into that season two years ago, three years ago, right towards it three years ago with Zach Wilson and just no experienced backup whatsoever.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they were a mess and he was a mess. It was a disaster. And then to have Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson and no one else was also a disaster. Like there was no safety net. And so those are things. You're absolutely right. You cannot have that. Now. Who was it with. With Sanchez? Was it Brunel who was the backup then with Sanchez when they had Mark.

[Alan Hahn]

Sanchez that first time? Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Like, like that's what you do. You got to have somebody that, you know, in case of emergency break glass, you could put them in there.

[Alan Hahn]

But Flacco. But what you need though, not. And go ahead. And not even so much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not even so much to.

[Alan Hahn]

To, you know, in case of emergency break glass. It's. I don't even think they should start the rookie. I think they need to come along. I think they need to see things anyway. You know what? Wait a year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm hoping, Mike, that what Tom Brady keeps.

[Alan Hahn]

Especially, especially in New York, like what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Eli Manning did obviously with Kurt Warner. And I'll tell you what, Mike. Thanks for the call. I think, guys, what Tom Brady keeps talking about, about the idea that we keep doing this where we just. Baptism by fire a lot of these players, okay, so you have a Jaden Daniels, I have a CJ Stroud. There are times where it does work, but it doesn't often work. And we ruin some players that maybe never had a chance because of it. And there has to be that safety net of. We don't, you know, we're not planning on playing you unless you show us something right away that tells us, okay, we can trust you. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

But I think most football people agree with that. What you need is to stop your fat hands owner from saying, I need a buzz. So I've got to have my young quarterback start because Season ticket sales were lagging and there isn't a buzz around our team. So everybody wants Sanders to start, so let's let him start. And you have to have, you know, Aaron Glenn or Muji or whoever say no, no, no, this is our plan. We're going to start the veteran, he's going to learn and we're given the best opportunity to succeed. And then you got to make sure you can keep that owner at bay. When you're own four and the fan starts screaming for Sanders, you've got to be able to show that strength. And I think Glenn does have that kind of mentality because I think the football people. Allen agree with that caller. It's the owners that end up forcing the young kid to start. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why did I draft this guy if we're not going to play? Right? Exactly. Kevin. And hopping hey, Kevin. Hey guys.

[Alan Hahn]

Calling to talk about Justin Fields. I know you talk a draft but to me you were describing Mark Sanchez, game manager, when you're talking about Shador.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Why wouldn't you take. Why wouldn't you go out hard and get Justin Fields? He fits perfectly in the locker room, in the quarterback room with Tyrod Taylor behind him and Jordan Travis behind that. You get someone that's actually been, you know, through baptism by fire. Two different offenses, two different teams did well in Pittsburgh last year. Sets up really well with Garrett Wilson. And then you go draft the, the receiver from out west, Tetaroa again, I forgot his last name. Or you tip the tight end from Penn State with number seven and you go and that's how you win. Like this is. That's the window mentality. I'm not sure about Chatura and if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm taking a quarterback in the draft.

[Alan Hahn]

It'S McCord in the late second or third round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, well Kevin, the thing about Justin Fields that I'm just going to say is this, there's a reason why this will be wherever he's going is going to be his third team already. And the idea that he's been through the batson by fire, I don't know. Does that mean. Is that a good thing? Here's the last thing I Accuracy is important in the NFL. That's not his strength.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but Alan, it's so he's gotten such little like the opportunity Justin Fields has gotten was a lame duck, terrible coach situation in Chicago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Then he goes to Pittsburgh where obviously the string on him was incredibly tight with Russell Wilson breathing down his neck.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we see now Mike Tomlins about winning. If he was like no, we got this. This guy's good. We're going to win with this guy. Then why would you. Like, he wouldn't wait to get him out of the starting lineup.

[Alan Hahn]

Because winning is going to take longer with a kid who you're starting basically over again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, what did Aaron Glenn just say? We're in win now mode.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, but at the same time, you have an entire off season potentially with the kid. An entire. I, I just. I. I do think there's something there with Justin Fields.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not saying there's not. I'm. You know, like when you. When you're comparing them, that there are knocks on Fields that would make you give you cause for pause. Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, and you'd be talking about a third team in three years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You're hoping that he becomes Baker Mayfield because the same thing happened with Baker Mayfield.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great point.

[Alan Hahn]

And Sam, But Baker Mayfield's been good. But let's not make Baker Mayfield out to be. You know, Patrick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's been serviceable, though. Sam. Sam Darnold's a great.

[Alan Hahn]

He's good. If he played in any other division, he's not in the playoffs. And we're probably not having this conversation. But he did. I don't want to take anything away from him, but you're talking about three teams in four years. He. He had an offensive guy in Nagy in Chicago, and it just didn't seem to get going. And he had an opportunity in Pittsburgh, and then he got pulled out from under him because they wanted to win. I mean, just for the record, though, let me just throw this out there, because what we'll forget and we. And we shouldn't. For the record, he lost his job in Pittsburgh with a record of four and two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

He was 106 of 161 five touchdowns in a pick. He didn't exactly stink the joint up before they pulled it out from him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he didn't exactly throw it a lot either, when you consider those numbers over five games. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

I get it. But. But, but to get to the point. Listen, you have every right to think you're not interested. I'm just saying he's a little unusual. Even comparing him to the Baker Mayfields. Like his situation in Chicago we know now clearly wasn't a great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they didn't have an offensive line. He was running for his life.

[Alan Hahn]

He was running right about all that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Times in 22, you're 100%, comes to.

[Alan Hahn]

Pittsburgh, plays decently, loses the job anyway. It's an odd spot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Okay. Well, it's definitely worth continuing to talk about, which we certainly will do. And we've got Nick's to get into as well. But we still have your call, so stay with us and but first, Don a little more Bath Fitter, please.

[Alan Hahn]

Don Legracka here to tell you about my friends over at Bath Fitter. They remodeled my mom's bath. Did an awesome job. The process was easy. One expert installer. Even with the customization she needed for a cast iron tub, it was done in one day with no demo or mess. It's a beautiful, high quality, permanent solution. Bath Fitter provides a lifetime guarantee. 3 million happy customers like my mom get 0% interest for 30 months. So start designing your bath [e-mail] there's only one bath fitter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but 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.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't just stand on business, I live it 247 because you don't become a young entrepreneur by staying stagnant. Whether I'm chasing deals, networking, or taking calls from behind the wheel of my Toyota Crown, I'm always in motion. You may think launching a successful startup is enough to be satisfied, but me? I'm just getting started. It's a new day at Toyota led by a new generation of drivers, and we want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive Toyota. Let's go places.