Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary: Hour 2 featuring Bob Washozen

Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction

In the second hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, ESPN New York legends Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg are joined by special guest Bob Washozen. The episode delves deep into current NFL discussions, focusing primarily on the New York Jets' coaching search and the future of quarterback Sam Darnold. Personal updates and interactions with callers add depth to the conversation, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of the topics at hand.

1. Show Updates and Personal News

At the outset, the hosts share personal updates, explaining Alan Hahn's temporary absence due to his sister's passing and Peter Rosenberg's anticipation of his daughter's birth. Don Hahn mentions, “[Alan Hahn] have family obligations,” ensuring listeners are informed about the show's current dynamics.

2. New York Jets' Coaching Search

Exhaustive Hiring Process

Bob Washozen initiates the discussion by questioning the Jets' extensive hiring process for their head coach and general manager positions. He remarks, “why not interview everyone and then pick kind of from a no stone left unturned standpoint” (02:31) to emphasize the thoroughness he's observing.

Separation of GM and Head Coach Roles

Don Hahn notes a shift in traditional hiring practices, stating, "they'll have a general manager before they have a head, but the general manager won't necessarily have a say on who the head coach is going to be" (04:10). This sparks a debate on whether separating these roles benefits or hinders team cohesion and success.

Discussion on Coaching Candidates

The conversation pivots to high-profile coaching candidates like Mike Tomlin and Bill Belichick. Don Hahn muses, “if I were the jets and I could give up the seventh overall pick for Mike Tomlin, I'd do it in a second because Tomlin is a guy that just, he doesn't have losing seasons” (13:00). However, Bob Washozen counters this by expressing skepticism about trading high draft picks for established coaches, arguing for the potential of finding equally competent coaches through their exhaustive process.

Impact of a Great Head Coach

Both hosts agree on the profound impact a head coach can have on a team’s performance. Bob asserts, “the coach makes a tremendous difference and you know, anybody would be crazy not to want Mike Tomlin to coach their team” (15:39), highlighting the importance of securing top-tier coaching talent.

3. Sam Darnold’s Future and Performance Analysis

Recent Performance Struggles

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Bob Washozen critiques his recent performances, stating, “I was terrible. He was awful” (05:50). However, he also defends Darnold’s overall season, noting his impressive statistics: “4,300 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions” (28:54).

Market Implications and Potential Moves

Bob speculates on Darnold’s future, hoping that his recent struggles will position him as a coveted asset for the Jets: “I hope it crushes his market to the point that the jets are the only team that can get their hands on him” (05:56). He emphasizes Darnold’s resilience and accountability, stating, “he never for one second throws a teammate or a coach” (05:56).

Comparisons to Past Quarterbacks

Don Hahn draws parallels between Darnold and legendary quarterbacks like Dan Marino, reflecting on how media scrutiny has intensified: “We live in a world now where...it gets you more noticed to be the guy that sits there and dunks on Everybody and has the hot take” (09:18). This comparison underscores the evolving nature of player evaluations in the modern era.

Callers' Perspectives

Listener Vinnie Staten Island supports Darnold, emphasizing his successful season and questioning the fairness of criticism: “There's a Viking fans though, Bob, for example... he’s still Case Keenum, journeyman, backup type thing” (23:20). This highlights the diverse opinions among fans regarding player performance.

4. Modern Sports Media and Player Evaluation

Shift Towards Immediate Criticism

Bob Washozen laments the change in sports media, where instant hot takes often overshadow nuanced analysis: “people's opinions and analysis was just much more realistic and measured back then” (09:18). He argues that this shift has led to a more superficial understanding of player performances.

Impact on Player Reputation

The hosts discuss how this media environment affects players like Sam Darnold, where a few poor performances can significantly tarnish reputations despite overall solid seasons. Bob emphasizes the importance of context, stating, “We have to look at the totality of this season for a guy like Sam Darnold” (09:18).

5. Management Decisions and Patience with Coaches

Case Study: Houston Texans

Dan Reflects on the Houston Texans’ coaching history, using Gary Kubiak’s tenure as an example of organizational patience: “he took over in 2006, his first five years... no playoffs in those five years” (27:08). This serves as a contrast to the often short-lived coaching tenures in more established franchises like the Jets or Giants.

Fan Base and Organizational Expectations

Don Hahn adds, “it really depends on...how patient the fan base is” (27:26), highlighting that organizational patience varies based on team history, fan expectations, and existing infrastructure.

6. Callers' Opinions and Additional Insights

Vinnie's Support for Darnold

Vinnie Staten Island commends Bob’s balanced take on Sam Darnold, arguing against the harsh criticism Darnold faces: “Everybody's talking about how Sam Darnold... we have to look at... did Detroit and the Rams both come out with a great defensive scheme” (22:45). This reinforces the notion that individual performances should be evaluated within the broader team context.

Monty’s Input

A caller named Monty briefly comments on Darnold's performance, expressing frustration over negative narratives despite statistical successes: “people talking like, Darnold's good through 35 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions... that’s a good season” (27:54).

7. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating their support for evaluating players like Sam Darnold more holistically. They emphasize the importance of understanding the full scope of a player’s season rather than isolating poor performances. The discussion underscores a call for more measured and contextual analysis in sports media, advocating for fair assessments of player capabilities and contributions.

Don Hahn concludes with a positive outlook on Darnold’s potential, stating, “There is value in 4,300 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions” (29:29), encouraging teams to recognize and invest in his abilities despite recent setbacks.

Notable Quotes:

• Bob Washozen (05:56): “I hope it crushes his market to the point that the jets are the only team that can get their hands on him.”

• Don Hahn (13:00): “If I were the jets and I could give up the seventh overall pick for Mike Tomlin, I'd do it in a second because Tomlin is a guy that just, he doesn't have losing seasons.”

• Bob Washozen (09:18): “people's opinions and analysis was just much more realistic and measured back then.”

• Vinnie Staten Island (23:20): “There's three quarterbacks out there that are free agents... Sam Darnold... getting away from the Jets and getting away from the Giants, horrible coaching, that'll be good somewhere else.”

Conclusion

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers a thorough exploration of the New York Jets' strategic decisions regarding coaching hires and quarterback evaluations. With insightful analysis from Bob Washozen and engaging discussions among the hosts, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in team management and player performance assessments in today's sports landscape.