Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: The Dart Plan (Aug 18, 2025)
Episode Overview
This energetic episode marks the reunion of ESPN New York staples Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg after several weeks apart, with Don La Greca absent for hour one. The duo jumps head-first into both personal anecdotes and passionate discussions about the current state of New York football—especially the Giants’ budding quarterback saga with rookie Jackson Dart. The tone is warm, candid, and peppered with the hosts' signature humor. Main sports topics center on Giants preseason takeaways, the importance of a strong defense, the right approach for developing a young QB, and cautious optimism for New York sports fans.
Main Segments & Timestamps
Show Open, Catching Up, and The “Bullpen Coyotes” (00:54 – 08:55)
- Hahn and Rosenberg reconnect after several weeks apart.
- Light banter about their “Bullpen Coyotes” days and the importance of vacation and disconnecting (including the shocking revelation that Hahn vacationed solo with friends, not family).
- The pair discuss healthy marriage dynamics and missing their spouses after time away.
- Notable Quote:
Hahn (03:14): “It was glorious...I realized that I'm really good at doing nothing, and it was really important.”
Rosenberg (07:18): “He [Don] may not understand what's going on...your wife suggested: ‘No, no, go, go. Do me a favor. Leave. Go have a fun boys vacation.’”
Football Kick-off: Giants Preseason Takeaways (09:09 – 15:16)
Giants vs. Jets Recap & the Jackson Dart Hype
- Hahn discusses the lack of real stakes in preseason, but emphasizes real “eye test” takeaways.
- He sees the Giants’ defense—especially the front seven—as a potential top-5 unit that could “wreck some seasons” if healthy.
- The Jackson Dart era begins: Giants fans and brass are clearly enamored with the rookie QB, but both hosts endorse patience with his development.
- Wilson should start, with Dart learning and providing hope for the future.
- Dart compared to past NY rookie QB transitions (especially Eli Manning/Kurt Warner in 2004).
- Notable Quotes:
Hahn (09:25): “Your eyes told you that the Giants defense is going to make or break the season.”
Hahn (11:34): “The Giants love Jackson Dart...the love affair has continued. He is the favored son.”
Rosenberg (14:06): “The dream scenario for this Giants team is Eli Manning’s 2004 rookie season. Somehow, Kurt Warner is replicated...[then] you get to bring in the kid.”
The QB Dilemma: When to Play Dart? (15:16 – 18:54)
- The “Dart vs. Wilson” debate—why rushing the rookie is not smart, and how building fan excitement can be used strategically.
- Cautious optimism: Preseason is only a preview, but Dart has shown enough flashes to keep fans intrigued.
- Rosenberg compares the excitement over Dart to similar QB hypes elsewhere and warns against overreaction.
- Notable Quotes:
Hahn (17:04): “[Is Dart really ready?] I don’t know. Yeah, because it’s preseason….but what you see is enough to make you curious.”
Giants’ Defense, Fan Psychology, and Hope (18:54 – 22:13)
- A dive into the makeup of the Giants’ front seven: Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Burns, Dexter Lawrence.
- Hahn predicts the defense could injure a starting QB (“take out a QB1”) due to how fierce they’ll be.
- The dual legacy: Giants fans finally have real hope for both the defense and a possible franchise QB.
- Discussion about the importance of fan expectation management and the “Debbie Downer” fan mentality.
- Notable Quotes:
Hahn (21:49): “I’m gonna make a prediction...they’re going to take out a QB1 this season...they’re going to go up against some bad offensive lines and they’re going to expose them.”
Rosenberg (20:34): “That’s what made the last few years so brutal...most people got to the point where they did not believe in Daniel Jones at all.”
Lighthearted Banter & Group Chat Dynamics (24:58 – 27:10)
- Rosenberg asks if he can be let back into the group chat after an infamous, dramatic exit.
- Hahn and Rosenberg poke fun at each other’s group chat behaviors and “intense passion for sports.”
- Notable Quote:
Hahn (25:37): “You’ll learn...the bladder is not your friend when you’re over 50.”
Callers React: Giant Optimism and Tempering Preseason Excitement (27:35 – 36:09)
Tessa Calls In (27:35)
- Tessa raves about the Giants’ front seven and is optimistic for 7+ wins, comparing this defense to Strahan/Osi/Tuck days.
- Tessa (28:07): “The optimism I have, this front seven is gonna be nightmarish. I could just feel it...this front seven could be better than [the Strahan/Osi/Tuck era] if they stay healthy.”
Griffin Calls In / Caution Over Preseason Hype (33:13)
- Griffin warns against overreacting to preseason—uses the Chicago Bears’ hype as an example.
- Hahn reiterates that preseason is fans’ first look but shouldn’t be overvalued; coaches’ reactions can be telling.
- Notable Quotes:
Griffin (33:39): “I don't understand why we get so excited. Like Bear fans right now are on cloud nine thinking Caleb Williams is going to win MVP...after his preseason game yesterday.”
Jets Outlook, More Calls, and Group Chat Pettiness (36:26 – 39:44)
- Peter in Brooklyn calls in with both a joke about Hahn’s airport pickup and mild jab at group chat etiquette.
- The conversation underscores how personal and professional banter is intertwined in the show.
Coach & Player Soundbites: Dabel & Dart’s Approach (39:44 – 44:18)
- Audio from Giants HC Brian Dabel: stresses deliberate development for Dart, no rush to start him over Russell Wilson.
- “Russ is our starter and we’re going to keep developing Jackson.” (40:24)
- Jackson Dart’s own comment: focuses on one mistake in preseason play—showing humility and media savvy.
- Dart (42:24): “Honestly, the third down that I had where the guy clipped my ankles, that's going to haunt me for a little bit...the most important thing was us getting the win.”
- Hahn praises Dart’s poise both on the field and at the podium as key for succeeding in the New York market.
The Jets Reality Check (44:18 – 45:50)
- Jets HC Aaron Glenn audio: calls the team “sloppy,” “undisciplined,” and emphasizes the lessons of adversity.
- “It can put you on your ass...you have to always do everything you can to stay at that level…” (44:52)
- Hahn and Rosenberg agree: Jets are in a rebuild, and fans should temper their expectations.
Memorable Quotes
- Hahn (09:25): “The Giants defense is going to make or break the season.”
- Rosenberg (14:06): “The dream scenario for this Giants team is Eli Manning’s 2004 rookie season.”
- Hahn (17:04): “It’s enough [Dart’s play] to make you curious.”
- Hahn (21:49): “They’re going to take out a QB1 this season.”
- Tessa (Caller, 28:07): “This front seven is gonna be nightmarish...could be better than them [the Strahan/Osi/Tuck era].”
- Dabel (40:24): “Russ is our starter and we’re going to keep developing Jackson.”
- Dart (42:24): “That third down...that’s going to haunt me.”
- Aaron Glenn (44:52): “One week you could be riding high...next week, man, it can put you on your ass.”
Tonal Notes
- The hosts blend sports expertise with irreverent, New York banter—balancing hard-nosed analysis with light-hearted ribbing.
- There’s consistent emphasis on the emotional rollercoaster for New York sports fans, and a good deal of empathy for fans’ hopes and frustrations.
Key Takeaways
- Giants Outlook: The defense may be elite; Jackson Dart has revived hope for the future; caution and patience are needed—don’t rush him into starting.
- Jets Outlook: Temper expectations—rebuilding year ahead; appreciate any progress, but don’t expect miracles.
- Fan Experience: Enjoy the ride; hope is back for Giants fans after a long drought; caution is advised against overreacting to preseason flashes.
- Personal Touch: The hosts’ personal lives and quirks are woven throughout, creating a relatable and entertaining listen.
Listen For…
- 08:07 “Deadbolt the door” – classic Hahn marriage joke
- 14:06 - 15:16 Vintage Giants QB transition analysis vs. fan impatience
- 28:07 Tessa’s defense hype and nostalgia
- 39:44 Dabel and Dart go to the podium—handling the NY media
- 44:18 Aaron Glenn’s reality check for Jets nation