Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 2: Giants Expectations & Thursday Rewrite
Release Date: July 17, 2025

Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg
Focus: New York Sports, Giants’ Season Expectations, and Revisiting Historic Sports Moments with Modern Technology

Giants Expectations

Coaching and Management Overhaul

The primary focus of this episode centers on the New York Giants' upcoming season, particularly scrutinizing the team's management and coaching strategies. Don LaGreca and Peter Rosenberg delve into the ongoing debate surrounding the potential replacement of both the General Manager (Joe Shane) and the Head Coach (Brian Daboll).

• Solid Ground for Coaching Transition: Don shares his perspective on the current standings of the coaching staff, stating, "[...] I think Shane's on more solid ground than Daboll's" (04:15). This reflects a growing sentiment that while both individuals are under pressure, Daboll's position appears more precarious given recent team performances.

• Draft and Free Agency Critique: The hosts commend Daboll's acumen in drafting players like Matt Fitzpatrick but express skepticism about his ability to sustain success, especially in light of his strained relationship with coordinator Wink Martindale. Peter asserts, "He did not manage, in my opinion, his relationship with Wink Martindale well at all" (05:35).

Season Performance and Win Predictions

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the Giants' challenging schedule and realistic win expectations.

• Challenging Schedule Analysis: Don highlights the difficulty of the Giants' upcoming games, mentioning, "everybody knows it" regarding their tough opponents, including teams like Washington, Dallas, Kansas City, Chargers, Saints, and the Eagles (07:18). This schedule sets the stage for limited win opportunities.

• Win Estimates: The hosts debate reasonable win totals, with Don suggesting that winning more than five games is crucial while acknowledging the difficulty, stating, "I do agree you got to win some games. You can't go out there and win three games again" (08:28). Peter counters with optimism, predicting, "I think the Giants are going to get 10 wins" (10:55).

Quarterback Situation: Russell Wilson vs. Jackson Dart

A critical aspect of the Giants' season outlook is the quarterback conundrum between veteran Russell Wilson and rookie Jackson Dart.

• Transition Timing: Don discusses the strategic decision of transitioning to Dart, especially in a challenging season, noting, "if you're 2 and 7 and going to the 24th overall pick in the draft to be your quarterback and then you're going to be at Chicago" (13:00).

• Impact on Future Seasons: Peter emphasizes the importance of establishing a long-term quarterback, stating, "but you also have to come at the end of the season and think to ourselves, this kid that we moved up in the draft to draft to be our next quarterback, he's the good and we feel good about it going forward" (19:17).

Organizational Culture and Priorities

The conversation extends to the broader organizational culture, highlighting the need for a cohesive team and effective management to navigate the tough season ahead.

• Focus Beyond Wins: Don advocates for a holistic approach, saying, "you go deeper than just the wins and loss and just how does it look? How does the team play?" (16:34). This underscores the importance of team dynamics and execution over mere statistics.

• Maintaining Stability: Peter underscores the necessity of stability within the organization, asserting, "you have to grade with a curve if you are John Mara and if you're a Giants fan" (15:59).

Thursday Rewrite

Reimagining Historic Moments with Modern Technology

The "Thursday Rewrite" segment invites listeners to contemplate how contemporary technologies like instant replay and advanced analytics could have altered pivotal moments in sports history.

Notable Examples Discussed:

1. Immaculate Reception (NFL)

   • Scenario: The famous catch by Franco Harris that secured a victory for the Steelers.
   • Impact of Replay: Don speculates, "You don't see the ball disappears out of the screen... would have been able to see" (30:26), suggesting that modern replay technology could have clarified the legitimacy of the play.

2. 1996 ALCS Game (MLB)

   • Scenario: Jeffrey Maier's controversial home run call in the Yankees vs. Orioles series.
   • Replay Reversal: Peter and Don agree that replay would have likely overturned the call, potentially altering the Yankees' championship trajectory (40:27).

3. Dez Bryant Catch (NFL)

   • Scenario: The disputed catch in the 2014 NFC divisional playoff between the Cowboys and Packers.
   • Technological Advantage: Don remarks, "I think that is... reversed it because minimally, replay should have seen it" (44:49).

Listener Contributions:

• Jimmy from Connecticut: Points out the 1996 ALCS incident, advocating for video review that would have overturned perceived bad calls (40:29).

• Vinnie Rutherford: Brings up the "phantom foul" involving Hubert Davis in the Bulls' 1995 season, highlighting how replay could have provided clarity (43:00).

Implications of Technological Interventions:

The hosts collectively ponder the broader implications of these technological advancements, questioning whether altering historical outcomes would diminish the authenticity or spontaneity of sports. Don concludes, "it's so grainy, there's no way you even could tell" (35:08), emphasizing the potential for technology to refine but also complicate the unadulterated spirit of historic plays.

Additional Conversations and Interactions

Beyond the main topics, the hosts engage in light-hearted interactions, showcasing their camaraderie and behind-the-scenes dynamics.

• Apology to Jordan Ronan: Don LaGreca personally apologizes to Jordan Ronan for mishearing his name during the morning show segment, leading to a humorous and heartfelt exchange (21:39).

• "Name That Tune" Segment: The hosts also introduce a brief musical challenge, where they attempt to identify songs quickly, adding an entertaining twist to the episode (38:35).

Conclusion

In "Hour 2: Giants Expectations & Thursday Rewrite," Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide an insightful analysis of the New York Giants' prospects amidst a challenging schedule and internal management debates. Simultaneously, their "Thursday Rewrite" segment invites listeners to reimagine pivotal sports moments through the lens of modern technology, sparking reflection on how advancements could reshape sporting history. The episode blends deep sports analysis with engaging, relatable conversations, making it a compelling listen for both die-hard fans and casual enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca (04:15): "I think Shane's on more solid ground than Daboll's."
• Peter Rosenberg (19:17): "We have to come at the end of the season and think to ourselves, this kid that we moved up in the draft to draft to be our next quarterback..."
• Don LaGreca (07:18): "everybody knows it" regarding their tough schedule.
• Peter Rosenberg (10:55): "I think the Giants are going to get 10 wins."

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript segments for reference.