Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Jets & Fraud Alert Friday

ESPN New York with Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Air Date: October 17, 2025

Overview:

This hour dives deep into New York Jets quarterback woes, the questionable decisions and optics behind their rebuild, and the fallout for new head coach Aaron Glenn. The trio also hosts their popular “Fraud Friday,” where listener emails spark heated debates over true sports fandom and “fraudulent” fan behavior. The conversation is candid, humorous, and filled with the trio’s trademark chemistry and banter.

Jets QB Woes & Aaron Glenn’s Dilemma

[00:43–19:10]

Key Discussion Points:

• Jets’ Hypothetical with Rodgers:
  The hosts imagine what the Jets’ record would be if they had kept Aaron Rodgers instead of moving to Justin Fields, dissecting “what if” scenarios for games against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Denver, and Miami.
  • “It’s a hell of a difference when you’re talking about how your head coach looks and the optics of it all.” — Alan Hahn [05:22]
• The Importance of Accurate Quarterback Play:
  Don contrasts mobile, young QBs with veterans like Rodgers and Flacco, emphasizing accuracy and composure over athleticism.
  • "Quarterback play is all about that… No accuracy. That is got to be top two of the traits you need to be a good quarterback in the NFL." — Don La Greca [02:20]
• Jets’ Leadership Optics:
  They critique the decision to move on from Rodgers, suspecting it was made to assert new management’s authority rather than for football reasons.
  • “All of this to make things easier for Aaron Glenn. And you could make the case it’s made it harder because now he has no quarterback, he has no offense, he has no wins.” — Alan Hahn [04:35]

Memorable Moment:

• The debate crescendos with empathy (and skepticism) regarding whether it's better to have a “purgatory” team at 2–4 with Rodgers or to be tanking with Fields to secure a top draft pick.

Timestamps:

• [00:43] – Jump into Jets’ hypothetical record with Rodgers.
• [05:24] – Concerns about head coach optics and decision rationale.
• [07:59] – Weighing tanking versus building a shaky foundation.
• [09:33] – How a coach’s reputation and future are built (or tarnished) by these decisions.

Aaron Glenn’s Growth and Difficulties

[11:45–19:10]

Key Discussion Points:

• Front Office Dynamics:
  The hosts agree that the power to make these decisions lies not just with the coach but with the owner.
  • “You know, there’s no they, there’s a he. All right, we know it’s not a they. This decision is made by a he.” — Don La Greca [12:00]
• Glenn's Media Struggles:
  Glenn is compared to other rookie coaches learning on the job, especially in how to handle media criticism and defend struggling players like Fields.
  • “Aaron Glenn, if you listen to this... he just, like, he meanders through explaining it while defending him.” — Don La Greca [13:25]

Notable Quote:

• “You can’t be doing that. All right. If you want to find some analytics or whatever, but nobody is going to buy, ‘Oh well, they don’t criticize Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson.’” — Alan Hahn [16:00]

Parenting Debate: Kids in Restaurants

[22:42–27:00]

Key Discussion Points:

• An email prompts a spirited discussion about etiquette when dining out with noisy children—who's responsible when kids disturb other patrons?
• Peter brings comic relief and empathy, sharing parental anecdotes and resetting the conversation’s tone.

Memorable Exchange:

• “It’s not a Michelin star restaurant, buddy.” — Peter Rosenberg [23:57], poking fun at expectations at a casual eatery.
• “If Michael thinks the pool is weird, then he thinks the hot tub is moments before it all goes down.” — Peter Rosenberg [32:57]

Fraud Alert Friday: Fan Allegiance on Trial

[28:57–44:31]

Format:

• Listeners submit stories of questionable fandom—switching teams, dual allegiances, and “bandwagon” accusations. The hosts rule on whether the behavior is “fraudulent.”

Major Fraud Friday Cases:

1. Jets & Panthers Dual Fandom ([34:07])

• Listener Nick’s dilemma: Now lives in Charlotte, goes to Panthers games with in-laws but still claims to support the Jets.
• “You’re a fraud because you gave up on your team, but you still claim you’re a fan of the team. Well, you’re not watching him.” — Alan Hahn [36:05]
• “What do you need two [crappy teams] for?” — Peter Rosenberg [36:25]

2. Detroit Sports Selectivity ([37:45])

• Listener’s friend only follows the Lions consistently, barely cares for Tigers/Red Wings unless they’re good.
• “If this individual told me ‘I’m a fan of all Detroit teams’ and then I find out he doesn’t watch the Tigers and the Red Wings because they stink, then I’d say fraud.” — Alan Hahn [39:23]

3. Blue Jays-to-Yankees Convert ([40:04])

• A heartfelt (and verbose) email from Joe recounts a childhood switch from the Blue Jays to Yankees, with playoff nostalgia igniting old loyalties.
• “He’s a Hemingway long winded show off fraud.” — Don La Greca [43:26]
• “Now he wants to float back [to the Blue Jays].” — Don La Greca [44:31]

Fraud Friday Notables:

• The “zipper key” is invoked—a term (jokingly) crediting romantic relationships as the reason fans switch allegiances.
• Hosts affectionately roast listeners for earnest, over-the-top explanations, turning even “emotional” stories into comedy gold.

Yankees Accountability Rant

[46:16–52:08]

Key Discussion Points:

• Cashman and Boone’s Lack of Accountability:
  The hosts critique repeated excuses from the Yankees’ management on postseason failures, always blaming players rather than organizational philosophy or front office decisions.
  • “They keep putting it on the players, which tells you they don’t think there’s anything wrong with the system.” — Don La Greca [48:48]
  • “If the players made this thing. You chose the players… So the player did not perform, you’re right. Or the player got hurt. But that still falls on the guy choosing these players, doesn’t it?” — Alan Hahn [49:49]
• Boone’s Admittance and Organization Stubbornness:
  Boone occasionally takes blame for in-game decisions, but the larger system is defended at all costs.
  • “There’s always an excuse.” — Don La Greca [51:42]

Lighter Fare & Inside Jokes

• Pools, Hot Tubs, and Friendship Etiquette:
  The hosts lampoon the notion—held by another radio colleague—that inviting friends to swim is “weird.” This leads to ribald jokes about “pool parties” and hot tub socializing.
• “Fraud” as a Term of Endearment:
  The term “fraud” is tossed around as a blend of affectionate ribbing and genuine questioning of sports fan authenticity.

Memorable Quotes & Segments (with timestamps)

• [02:20] Don La Greca: “Quarterback play is all about that… No accuracy. That is got to be top two of the traits you need to be a good quarterback in the NFL.”
• [04:35] Alan Hahn: “All of this to make things easier for Aaron Glenn… now he has no quarterback, he has no offense, he has no wins.”
• [12:00] Don La Greca: “There’s no they, there’s a he. All right, we know it’s not a they. This decision is made by a he.”
• [16:00] Alan Hahn: “You can’t be doing that… but nobody is going to buy, ‘Oh well, they don’t criticize Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson.’”
• [23:57] Peter Rosenberg: “It wasn’t a Del Frisco’s, okay?”
• [32:57] Peter Rosenberg: “If Michael thinks the pool is weird, then he thinks the hot tub is moments before it all goes down.”
• [36:05] Alan Hahn: “You’re a fraud because you gave up on your team, but you still claim you’re a fan…”
• [43:26] Don La Greca: “He’s a Hemingway long winded show off fraud.”
• [48:48] Don La Greca: “They keep putting it on the players, which tells you they don’t think there’s anything wrong with the system.”

Tone & Style

The hosts are candid, opinionated, and prone to affectionate teasing—especially during Fraud Friday. The show combines sports analysis, fan interaction, and banter in a very New York style: direct, passionate, and always a little irreverent.

For New Listeners

This episode is a quintessential slice of New York sports talk—smart, self-deprecating, community-driven, and unafraid to mix hard sports truths with everyday life and humor. If you missed it, you’re now caught up: Jets dysfunction, Yankees delusion, poolside etiquette, and the relentless pursuit of rooting out sports fan fraud.