Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Episode: Hour 2: Draft Plans & Fraud Alert Friday

Date: April 3, 2026

Overview

This episode dives into two primary themes: New York sports teams’ draft plans and the fan-favorite segment "Fraud Alert Friday," where fans’ allegiances are judged for authenticity. The hosts—Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—display their signature blend of insider analysis, humor, and honest debate as they break down NFL Draft intrigue, mock draft skepticism, fan loyalty dilemmas, and more. Expect lively banter, sharp opinions, and frequent tangents that seamlessly fuse sports with a distinctly New York attitude.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sports Scene Rundown (00:43–02:17)

• Don gives a whirlwind update on the active New York sports schedule—Yankees leading, Judge homers, upcoming Knicks, Mets, Islanders, and Nets games.
• Personal updates: Don discusses closing out his kids’ spring break with adult social plans ("I think I can get my drink on tonight." – Don, 01:39) and the reality of the NHL season winding down.

2. Free Range Donnie & Devils Playoff Hopes (02:18–03:04)

• Alan and Peter tease Don about his soon-to-be “free-range” status as the NHL season ends, with only a slim chance for the Devils to make playoffs.
• Don counts the days to the end of his regular-season broadcasting duties.

3. NFL Draft Buzz & Giants/Jets Outlook (03:13–12:50)

Draft Setup

• Discussion on how the draft weekend coincides with the first Yankees-Red Sox series, making it a packed sports weekend (04:14).
• Draft order: Jets have picks 2 and 16; Giants pick 5th (“It’s like you dream about.” – Peter, 04:24).

Giants’ Fifth Pick: Jeremiah Love Rumors

• Dave Rothenberg (guest clip) speculates the Giants are “leaning Love at 5,” referencing Jeremiah Love, a top running back prospect (04:37–05:00).
• The panel debates whether this is a legitimate leak or a deliberate smokescreen:
  • Don: "I'd rather them be sneaky than leaky." (06:07)
  • Peter: Questions disrespect toward Jordan Raanan, implying not all rumors are organizational leaks (07:14–07:35).
  • Alan: Likes Love as a fit with Harbaugh’s scheme but acknowledges the drama of pre-draft misinformation (08:26).

Don’s Mock Draft Cynicism

• Don rails against mock drafts: "I hate mocks. The only mocks I like was the quarterback in Varsity Blues…" (09:18)
• Alan: Sees the fun in speculation and debate, likening it to a blockbuster movie trailer—exciting but ultimately unpredictable (10:14).

Summary of Draft Psychology

• The hosts agree that genuine information is scarce pre-draft.
• Don (on mocks): “These mock drafts, you’re being led by your tongues, you know, honestly.” (12:27)
• Peter: “But I love it. I am the baby bird. Just chew it up and feed me, Donnie.” (12:34)
• Banter about "Soylent Green" as a metaphor for fans’ rabid desire for draft content (“They’re rioting in the streets for the Soylent Green…” – Don, 13:02).

4. Giants vs. Jets Draft Philosophies (13:54–18:48)

• Peter King calls in to compare the Giants’ and Jets’ draft mindsets:
  • Giants fans are relatively content regardless of the specific pick, thanks to perceived stability under Harbaugh.
  • Jets fans remain distrustful ("As much as I think you should trust Muji, I don’t think Jet fans do...").
• Mel Kiper’s take on the Jets possibly selecting Ty Simpson at 33 is dissected:
  • Alan: Pushes back on Kiper’s implication that taking a QB at 33 means you’re locked out of next year’s QB crop: “That doesn’t make sense. Why do we make rules when it comes to the draft? Doesn’t make sense.” (16:39)
  • The hosts agree: only take a QB at 33 if you love him, not just like him.

5. Fraud Alert Friday (24:05–41:20)

What Makes a “Fraud” Fan?

• Opening Ruling (26:37): Declaring a new fandom as an adult is only valid if you're new to the sport; otherwise, age limits apply.
• Listener Questions:
  • Switching NFL teams due to bad ownership: Caller argues the Jets have "metaphorically left the city" due to bad ownership and seeks permission to switch.
    • Don (firm): “It’d still be a fraud…If all of a sudden the Jets figured it out, you would root for them, right? Of course you would.” (28:37–29:42)
  • Allegiance flip due to a neighbor: A Bruins fan contemplates rooting for a neighbor's Western Conference team for a chance to share the Stanley Cup.
    • Don: Rules it fraudulent if he roots for the neighbor's team over his lifelong team, mocking the ease of “being led by his tongue and nose.” (34:09)
  • Multiple college fandoms due to children attending different schools: A listener’s friend becomes a super-fan of whichever college his kids attend.
    • Alan (pragmatic): “If my money goes to that school, I’m a fan…If my other son now goes to Georgetown, I’m a fan of both schools.” (36:49–37:06)
    • Don: Hesitant but ultimately accepts the logic—though he questions if obsessiveness is truly warranted.

Notable Fraud Quotes:

• “It's a that guy fraud. Not somebody I'd want to hang with, that's for sure.” – Don, on excessive college fandom switching (36:03)
• “I just have a feeling…this is a bad guy.” – Don, jokingly judging the fan switching allegiances for social advantage (38:45)

6. Historical Sports Tangents & Rivalries (44:02–50:15)

• Rivalries: Callers and hosts reminisce about true NFL rivalries, especially Jets-Dolphins and Jets-Patriots. There’s a longing for mutual hatred, which now feels one-sided due to the Jets’ lack of success.

  • “The best compliment is that another football fan of another team hates your team.” – Caller Freddie, 45:59

• Single-Era Programs: Discussion on teams/schools defined by one dominant era—Dolphins post-Shula, Georgetown post-Thompson, Syracuse post-Boeheim.

  • “What are the Dolphins without Shula? Not good.” – Alan, 47:41
  • “What’s Georgetown without John Thompson? That ever is over.” – Don, 40:04

7. Trademark New York Banter & Memorable Moments

• Repeated gags about Don's “frantic” voice crack and “frantic Don” persona (49:22–49:40).
• Alan and Peter good-naturedly roast Don for his old-school movie references (“Soylent Green”) and draft skepticism.
• Reflection on the Meadowlands’ untouched state since 2007, likened to a “zombie movie.” (48:14–48:32)
• Ongoing jibes about New York personalities, “that guy” fans, and the unique agony of rooting for underperforming franchises.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "I'd rather them be sneaky than leaky." – Don La Greca (06:07)
• “Why do we make rules when it comes to the draft? Doesn’t make sense.” – Alan Hahn (16:39)
• "If all of a sudden the Jets figured it out, you would root for them, right? Of course you would." – Don La Greca (29:29)
• "It's a that guy fraud. Not somebody I'd want to hang with, that's for sure." – Don La Greca (36:03)
• “The best compliment is that another football fan of another team hates your team.” – Caller Freddie (45:59)
• "What are the Dolphins without Shula? Not good." – Alan Hahn (47:41)
• “What’s Georgetown without John Thompson? That ever is over.” – Don La Greca (40:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:43–02:17: Sports scoreboard, personal updates
• 03:13–12:50: NFL draft speculation, Giants/Jets breakdown, mock drafts skepticism
• 13:54–18:48: Giants/Jets trust issues, Mel Kiper quarterback take
• 24:05–41:20: Fraud Alert Friday (fan loyalty cases judged)
• 44:02–50:15: Sports rivalries, programs of a single era, Meadowlands time capsule
• Key jokes and movie references: (12:42, 13:02, 49:22–49:40)

Episode Tone & Language

• Mix of playful sarcasm, passionate debate, and New York-style bluntness.
• Frequent interplay between humor and serious sports analysis.
• Hosts riff off nostalgia, personal anecdote, and sports “gallows humor.”

For New Listeners

This episode provides a textbook slice of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: dense with New York sports talk, layered with skepticism and wit, and anchored by interactive—and often hilarious—fan participation. Whether you're there for X's and O's or big personalities, this hour crystallizes why New York sports radio remains essential listening.