Hour 2: Jets Hire OC

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary – Hour 2: Jets Hire OC

Release Date: January 31, 2025

In the "Hour 2: Jets Hire OC" episode of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts ESPN New York legends Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg engage in an in-depth discussion about the New York Jets' recent coaching staff changes, focusing primarily on the hiring of Offensive Coordinator Tanner Angstrom. The episode provides listeners with comprehensive insights into the implications of these hires, the quarterback situation, and the team's future prospects.

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1. Jets’ Offensive Coordinator Hire

The episode kicks off with Alan Hahn introducing the latest developments in the Jets' coaching staff (00:05). He announces that the Jets have secured Tanner Angstrom as their new Offensive Coordinator, signaling a strategic move to bolster their offensive strategies. Angstrom, previously the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions under Ben Johnson, brings valuable experience from one of the league's most innovative offenses (01:00).

Rich Samini, a seasoned sports reporter and guest on the show, delves into the nuances of this hire:

“Aaron Glenn has now hired two coordinators. I'm talking about Chris Banjo as the special teams coordinator. He's only got two years of NFL coaching experience and now he's hiring Angstrand, who has no play calling experience. So two very inexperienced hires for Aaron Glenn.” (02:33)

Samini expresses concerns about the inexperience of both Angstrom and Banjo, highlighting the potential risks associated with appointing relatively unseasoned coaches to pivotal roles.

Don LaGreca raises critical questions about Angstrom’s hiring:

“The inexperience and why did Detroit pass over him? He had success there. Why did Campbell not hire him as his OC?” (02:18)

This skepticism sets the stage for a broader discussion on the Jets' strategic direction and the balance between innovation and experience in their coaching hires.

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2. Other Coaching Staff Appointments

Beyond the Offensive Coordinator, the Jets have made several other significant hires:

• Steve Wilkes has been appointed as the Defensive Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience and stability to the Jets' defense (02:00).
• Darren Mugi steps into the role of General Manager, marking another first-time appointment within the Jets' front office (04:00).
• Chris Banjo joins as the Special Teams Coordinator, recommended strongly by Mike Westhoff despite his limited experience (04:00).

Samini comments on the potential challenges of having a front office and coaching staff largely comprised of first-timers, emphasizing the importance of cohesion and expertise in these roles.

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3. Impact on Quarterback Situation

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Jets' quarterback conundrum, particularly concerning Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson.

Don LaGreca addresses the swirling rumors about Aaron Rodgers possibly departing:

“It is surprising that everyone seems to believe the bet is Rodgers is gone. And I'm fine with that.” (11:18)

He questions the consensus that Rodgers is leaving and contemplates the implications for the team's future.

Rich Samini provides a balanced perspective:

“I think Rodgers is not going to be back on the team. And I don't think that's an Garrett Wilson thing. I think that's just a new regime thing.” (07:31)

Samini suggests that Rodgers' potential departure is more about the new management's vision rather than any issues between Rodgers and Wilson.

Peter Rosenberg probes the possibility of both Rodgers and Wilson remaining with the team, a scenario Samini and others quickly dismiss as unlikely:

“I wouldn't rule that out. I mean, I don't think Rodgers is going to be back on the team.” (07:37)

This segment reflects on the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position and the strategic decisions the Jets must make moving forward.

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4. Debates and Opinions on Future Strategy

The hosts and guests engage in a spirited debate about the Jets' strategic direction, particularly regarding the quarterback position and the effectiveness of recent hires.

Referencing a debate between Bart Scott and Dan Graziano, the conversation highlights divergent views on Aaron Rodgers' role and the expectations for winning seasons:

“...they are not going to get it as well as he hopes... it's absolutely insane to even consider bringing this player back.” (16:04 - 16:42)

Don LaGreca counters the notion that Rodgers was solely responsible for the previous season's shortcomings:

“I just take exception to the fact that it's seems like the feeling around some people is Rodgers was the reason last year was a disaster. I think that's unfair.” (17:12)

This debate underscores the complexity of attributing team performance to individual players versus systemic issues within the organization.

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5. Draft Prospects and Future Moves

As the episode progresses, the conversation shifts to the Jets' draft prospects, especially regarding the quarterback position. Rich Samini mentions emerging talents like Allen, who have impressed at the Senior Bowl, suggesting that the Jets have viable options to consider:

“...he could push himself into the conversation where 1, 2 and 3 could be all quarterbacks once again.” (22:43)

The discussion also touches on the challenges of drafting a quarterback who fits the new coaching staff's system, considering Angstrom's offensive philosophy.

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6. Concluding Thoughts

The episode concludes with a reflection on the Jets' offseason moves, balancing optimism for the new coaching hires and Garrett Wilson's potential against the uncertainties posed by an inexperienced Offensive Coordinator and ongoing quarterback debates.

Don LaGreca shares a personal perspective on the team's talent and future prospects:

“I thought that this team would win the division the last two years because I thought they were that good with Aaron Rodgers. I ended up being wrong.” (20:27)

This honest assessment highlights the unpredictable nature of the NFL and the challenges the Jets face in aligning their talent with effective coaching.

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Notable Quotes:

• Rich Samini (02:33): “Two very inexperienced hires for Aaron Glenn.”
• Don LaGreca (02:18): “Why did Detroit pass over him? He had success there.”
• Don LaGreca (11:18): “It is surprising that everyone seems to believe the bet is Rodgers is gone.”
• Rich Samini (07:31): “I think Rodgers is not going to be back on the team.”
• Don LaGreca (17:12): “Rodgers was the reason last year was a disaster. I think that's unfair.”

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This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the Jets' recent coaching hires and the ensuing quarterback uncertainty, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the team's current state and future trajectory.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, it's a 4 o'clock hour on a Friday with Don Lagreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776 is the number. Be a part of the conversation. If you're just joining us, a little bit of news here on the jets side of things as they continue to hire to the coaching staff of Aaron Glenn, Rich Samini and others reporting. The jets have an agreement with Tanner Angstrom who is going to be their offensive coordinator. So we already know Steve Wilkes is a defensive coordinator. Now Angstrend comes along from Detroit with Glenn. He was the passing game coordinator in Detroit for the last two seasons working under Ben Johnson who just took the job in Chicago. And Ben Johnson in his offense was considered, you know, one of the best in the league. It was certainly something that had everybody excited about Ben Johnson. So having a guy that worked under him, that's interesting. And Angstrand, from what I understand also they did, he and, and Darren Mugi did spend one year together I believe at San Diego State. So they also have that connection as well. Guys, we have Rich Samini who's just doing this reporting joining us right now. So let's get right to it with him. Rich, thanks for giving us a minute here. An interesting hire. I know the other name was Nick Cayleigh. How did they come down to this?

[Rich Samini]

Well, I mean, I think, I mean the obvious connection it was there and Glenn, they just spent four years together in Detroit and a lot of people thought that Angstrand was going to be the successor to Ben Johnson in Detroit for the OC job. But you know, Dan Campbell for some reason passed it, passed him over and went outside to hire John Morton. And so once that happened, it was, it became pretty obvious that Angstrand was going to move on. And so yeah, I mean I think the jets flirted with Nick Cayley, the tight ends coach from the Rams, but I don't think he was interested in coming to the Jets. And so they end up with a 42 year old offensive coordinator who's never done it before, you know, so we're going down that road again, rookie coordinator, rookie head coach. So that's, that's very, very interesting to me.

[Don LaGreca]

Now you tapped into the two negatives for me and it could be a terrific hire. But the one is the, the inexperience and why did Detroit pass over him? He had success there. Why did Campbell not hire him as his oc?

[Rich Samini]

It's a great question, Don. I don't know the answer. I mean, I've talked to people who think that Campbell wanted an experienced guy. I mean, John Morton, who by the way was the jets offensive coordinator in 2017 and did a good job. He knows Dan Campbell, they work together in New Orleans. So there's some thought that, you know, Campbell wanted a more experienced guy in that position, so that's why they went in that direction. You know, Angstrand is a, you know, obviously spending this recent years under Ben Johnson is a good thing. I mean, Detroit had the most explosive high scoring offense, you know, most innovative offense in the league. But how much of that was Angstrands, you know, how much osmosis was taking place? We don't know. He's really a Tim Harbaugh disciple, to be quite honest, because he spent a lot of time with Harbaugh at the University of San Diego and then went over to Michigan for a couple of years as an offensive analyst. So really his roots are with Jim Harbaugh. And so it's a risky hire in my opinion. You know, Aaron Glenn has now hired two coordinators. I'm talking about Chris Banjo as the special teams coordinator. He's only got two years of NFL coaching experience and now he's hiring Angstrand, who has no play calling experience. So two very inexperienced hires for Aaron Glenn. Now of course, Steve Wilkes is a very seasoned defensive coordinator, so lots of experience coming in at that position.

[Unnamed Speaker]

So you, Rich, of all people, you cover this team better than anyone. How would you just personally, observationally assess what they've done so far? Are you, would you describe yourself as surprised, disappointed, optimistic? Just how would you grade what you've seen so far in this off season from the Jets?

[Rich Samini]

Well, I really like the Aaron Glenn hire. I think that's, you know, to me that was the higher, you know. You know, I like it from so many different angles and I'm sure you guys have discussed them all. I think he's the real deal. I really do. He's just got an it factor about him. I knew it when I covered him as a rookie and of course I'm completely dating myself with that. But I remember the first day he walked in and how excited he was that he was getting the locker right next to Ronnie Lott. You know, that was one of his boyhood idols. And so I, as that press conference was going on the other day, I was Just kind of having flashbacks to that and you could tell that he was different. The leadership, you know, this just being real serious about football. So I think that was a really good hire. The Muji hire as the GM surprised me a little bit. You know, I think that'll be in just because he's another first timer, you know, first time gm, first time coach. So that was a little bit of a surprise. And these coordinators, surprise hires are not too surprising. I mean, Steve Wilkes's name surfaced pretty early in the process and Chris Banjo had a very strong recommendation from Mike Westhoff, our old friend who has been in touch with Aaron Glenn throughout this process and so strong. I talked to Westhoff yesterday. He loves Banjo even though he's inexperienced. So we'll see on that one. And really the most important hire of them all is, other than Aaron Glenn is, is Tanner Eng Strand as the offensive coordinator because we know the jets history. He's this guy. He's going to be the 11th different play caller for the jets in the last 15 years. So not stable of positions. Maybe he can be the trend, you know, best the recent trend.

[Don LaGreca]

It was reported earlier that it looks like wide receiver Sean Jefferson may stay on in that position. You had commented earlier on social media that that might be try to keep Garrett Wilson ties to Parcells and all that. Does this hiring affect that at all? And what would you think it would help keeping him and trying to convince Wilson to stay?

[Rich Samini]

Oh, I think the je. I mean, I think this new regime is going to do everything they can to keep Garrett Wilson. And the Sean Jefferson thing is probably a small part of it, you know, keeping him. He's a good coach to Jefferson and got a lot out of that position last year with especially, you know, with Wilson having a career year. Devonte Adams coming in. They got to figure out something with Malachi Corley because he was a disappointment. But. And Jefferson, aside from being a good coach, has that relationship, you know, with, with Garrett Wilson. And I think this regime really wants to keep Garrett Wilson. I mean, he may, I think at some point they're going to sit down in the next couple, you know, next few weeks before free agency. And I think Aaron Lynn has a list of players that he wants to meet with. You know, probably Aaron Rodgers is at the top of that list. And I, you know, I don't know what Garrett Wilson's thinking right now. I know he was thinking of asking for a trade when the season ended. Maybe this, this Fresh AIR coming in with this new coaching staff will change his Feelings.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rich, do you see a scenario where Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson are both on the roster next season?

[Rich Samini]

I wouldn't rule that out. I mean, I think, I mean, if you're asking me, and I'm sure I've mentioned this to you guys over, over the course of the last few months from talking, I don't think Rodgers is going to be back on the team. And I don't think that's an Garrett Wilson thing. I think that's just a new regime thing. You know, them wanting to start their own path and, and, you know, creating a different vibe at quarterback and going in a different direction. Not to mention there's some significant salary cap ramifications for keeping him. So I think Wilson will be back and if I had to bet right now, I don't think Rogers would be back now. I wouldn't bet my mortgage on Rogers not coming back. I just think it's probably leaning that way and, and they'll have to figure out a plan going forward. Forward at quarterback.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rich, thanks so much. This was, I know you're busy now working on this story, so jumping on with us was great, great insight as always.

[Rich Samini]

Well, it was a pleasure talking to you guys. Appreciate you having me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks so much, Rich. You can keep up with all things jets, by the way, on Rich Samini's podcast called Flight Deck. And you can find it on the ESPN New York app and of course, wherever else you get your podcast. But just get it on the ESPNYork app already because it's the one stop shopping that you need. But that interesting stuff that he had to say there, boys.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, it's, it's interesting because when I talked to west off last week, he said it depends on who they get as his assistants, like how good he could be. So obviously Westoff had a lot of say in the assistance, but a lot of inexperience outside of Wilkes and Wilkes, Adam Schefter calm my nerves by saying he's been in a lot of places because some of the places he was at were places that they go through coaches like water. But still, if you look at his resume, a lot of one and dones, a lot of one year and out. But he did also coach a team as the defensive coordinator. They went to a Super bowl in San Francisco. Then he's 55 and he does have some head coaching experience. So. But you know, it not, not a ton of experience in the, in the coaching staff. But. And, and it did send up a red flag that one of the best offenses in football lose their offensive core coordinator and don't take one of his assistants to replace him. Yeah, so a couple of red flags, but Samini seems to like him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And by the way, Ben Johnson didn't take him with him either.

[Don LaGreca]

True.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Think about that. Now that head coach.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that could be, hey, don't take my offense. You know what I mean? Hey, this guy knows my offense. I should take him with me. He didn't.

[Don LaGreca]

But that also. But yeah, that is true. That is true. So. But does that necessarily mean it's a negative? No, because. But it says that I think I could do better.

[Unnamed Speaker]

It is interesting though that Rich, for example, loves the Glen hire and obviously has some personal history there. Like seems to just personally like the guy and believe in him, but then also has immediate question marks about the. The OC and that is a scary, risky hire.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the. That's what. That's what Rich called the risky high.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Now keep it not be if he's never called plays before in the NFL, guys, that's a risky hire.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, just to be clear, everybody, you know Nick Cali, who he brought up, Nick cali is also 42 years old. This is. We're not talking about like a seasoned experience, although he has been in the league and has bounced around. But he was somebody that was highly sought after the Patriots last year reportedly offered him like 3 million bucks and he turned it down. And that's saying a lot. So he wanted to go somewhere where there was a quarterback established. That's why Tampa and Houston are really more on his radar because you got Baker and you got C.J. stroud. Those are the teams that I think he's more inclined to look at. And he already made it clear to the jets not interested. So Angstrent ends up being the guy that wasn't like there was a lot of options out there anyway for the offensive coordinator.

[Don LaGreca]

It is surprising that everyone seems to believe the bet is Rogers is gone. And I'm fine with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not buying in, are you?

[Don LaGreca]

But who's replacing him? This is a really important first year. You got a ton of talent. So I would. You could draft a quarterback if you want. But who's. But. But who's going to work with him? Wouldn't you want Rogers to work with him? Remember, Rogers is one and done in all likelihood. So you could draft a quarterback at seven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I would argue. Wouldn't you have Tyrod Taylor on the roster? That's fine. If you are planning to draft somebody that's going to play or at least play some point in the season. You could have Tyrod Taylor as the starter for now. The bridge guy. Short term. If you draft somebody that you believe in, what's wrong with that? You certainly could do that. I don't think Rogers is the guy because Rogers looms too large over anybody that you might be drafting. So unless you. Rich said, you want, you want a clean break, you want a fresh start, It's a head coach. To inherit someone like Rogers, it's not like he was here for 20 years.

[Unnamed Speaker]

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I think Alan makes a good point in the sense that unless you believe you're fully buying in on Rogers, everyone's on board. And you think somehow, and this would sound delusional, guys, you think somehow he's going to go win the title next year. Unless that's how you feel. And that is a delusional thought to have. I'm kind of with Alan. I'd probably rather have Tyrod. Like is the play you're going to get with Rodgers so good that it's worth kind of just staying in the same place and not moving forward. He's not the future. So you might as well have an actual real normal bridge guy like Tyrod Taylor and move forward.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I don't see a scenario where Garrett Wilson and Aaron Rodgers are on the roster together next season.

[Don LaGreca]

And that's a no. I don't see it either but. And then we will get to that in a second. But just one last thought on Rodgers. I hear you, Peter. You're talking about a five win season. But look back the year before. You won seven games with basically no one at quarterback. Because there's talent on this roster. There is. And with the right fit at quarterback and with a coaching staff that knows what it's doing, which you have to figure you did because you just hired the guy so you got to believe in him. Wouldn't you say their biggest problem last year in their five win season is they weren't coached. They went from poorly coached to not coached at all. And now you've got your guy and you're going to have the quarterback that did play well, at the end of the season, and I understand that he's a lot. I get it. But it's a quarterback that can go out there and throw for 3,500 yards and 28, 30 touchdowns, and you're going to say no, and we're going to go to Tyrod Taylor, which, I'm sorry, is still a step down if everything goes well. Just because you don't think you can control them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, are you. Wait, who was the one on this show that said it wasn't on this show even that said that with Rogers, the expectations remain to win big. And when you are a new coach, you probably want to, like, tamp down expectations.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, But. But I also don't want to tamp them down to the point where, like, I'm going to not have a great season and waste all this good talent that I have. You have a quarter. You. You have a wide receiver that a court that wants out. Right now, you heard Rich. They're going to try to see if they can convince him to stay. And part of what the reports say is that he wants out is because of the constant question around quarterback and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The offense in general.

[Don LaGreca]

But now you've got a new offensive coordinator, you got a brand new head coach. You got to assume they know what they're doing. They were just hired. And now you come back with the quarterback that you worked with for two training camps and for a whole season this year, and now you're going to go to who is it going to be? Tyrod Taylor? Are they going to draft a quarterback? Are they going to go sign a free agent? Is Justin Fields going to be here? Like, I am not saying I would definitely bring Rogers back, but I don't think it's the fait accompli when you list your options. I still think Aaron Rodgers is an option and a lot more viable than I think people are giving it credit for. And if you're telling me, well, now he's just a problem in the room, well, then I thought that Aaron Glenn was supposed to be the guy that was the big alpha male that might be able to tamp that down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, listen to this debate from get up this morning between our very own Bart Scott and Dan Graziano, who saw it two different ways, just like we are.

[G]

Guys, listen, when you think about Peyton Manning, it took him four years. He got one Super Bowl. Brady, he won his first year, but he was there for three years. This is really Aaron Rodgers, really his only second year on the field. I think what he did at the end of the season fashion. Who coming in being able to get him protection. We saw the ball go down the field. You have to record recruit your young talent on this football team before you lose. Going with a new quarterback, going with a Justin Fields is going to do nothing but make those guys actual trade.

[H]

I mean, you're out of your mind. It's absolutely insane to even consider bringing this player back. You say it didn't go as well as he hoped. That's like saying like the Chicago Fire didn't go as well as Mrs. O'Leary's cow hoped it would when he kicked the thing over in the but like.

[Unnamed Speaker]

That'S exactly what I was thinking about.

[H]

Complete disaster in all facets. What on earth earth is the argument to bring this back? Like you say, you're all in 28 and 11.

[Alan Hahn]

Here's what I would 28 and 11.

[Don LaGreca]

I would be interested to hear what Greening would have to say. He's emotionally invested as he is, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What? Actually I was watching it when it was happening. He. He like left it. He did not give an opinion on it. He left it as basically it is a big decision that the jets have to make or something like that. And then they went on to the next topic. So.

[Don LaGreca]

But, and listen, I don't think both are right or wrong, but I don't understand why you'd be so over the top on each I'm not gonna stand on the table and go, you gotta keep Aaron Rodgers. I'm just a little surprised that everybody seems to be in agreement that he's gotta go. What I disagree with Graziano is with the heft he comes at. Like Rogers was the reason it was a disaster. No, the reason it was a disaster is because they were co. They fired their coach in the middle of the season. Their defense was completely wrecked because of that. It underachieved altogether all season anyway. Your defense cost you three games because they couldn't couple with a stop at the end of the year. That would look a lot different if they had finished 8, 9 as opposed to 5 and 12. Again, I that Rodgers did have problems early in the season. I get that. But he was also coming off an Achilles. He wants to be here. I'm not completely sold on it, guys. But are you. Are either of you surprised that it just seems. No, you got it. You got to move on. I don't say that I think it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Amazing how Paul polarizing it is right there really isn't like even like John Winthrop in the group chat this morning. Was making as many cases as he could that, you know, Rogers is your best option and laying out all the different reasons why. And it's hard to argue that it is when you consider here are your other options. It's Sam Darnold at 40/4 million. It's drafting a quarterback if you can. And we're already seeing a name that's fire, you know, going rocketing up to the top of the draft. All of a sudden a guy that some people thought might be someone you could steal later in the draft. What else? You know, you heard Bart mention Justin Fields. Like really? What are your great options? There aren't many. Or you keep a guy now the problem is this too though, is Aaron Rodgers in a system at his age that maybe he doesn't know. And what is angstrent going to bring? What is he going to play like Ben Johnson wants to play? Is that a way that Rogers can play? Will they be on the same page? Will that be part of the problem? There's a lot of different variables here in keeping Rogers versus bringing someone in and showing them. This is the system we run. Finding the quarterback that fits the system versus trying to make Rodgers at this point, you know, the all dog, all dog new tricks trying to get him to fit into a system. Does that make sense?

[Don LaGreca]

No, I just. I guess I just take exception to the fact that it's seems like the feeling around some people is Rogers was the reason last year was a disaster. I think that's unfair. Now. We spent a lot of time right Peter, on the Case show ripping Rogers for this, ripping Rogers for that early in the season he wasn't coming up with the plays necessary and obviously the expectations. But clearly there were other problems that led to their demise that had nothing to do with the quarterback.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Listen, you are correct that it's. He is not the reason they were bad. The problem is he was supposed to be the reason they were good and he wasn't. And so that, that to me it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A great way to put it.

[Unnamed Speaker]

He. He brings so many other things with him that are a problem. Like are just a heavy that. Listen Don, I agree. If there's no other option that seems viable.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I don't think it has to be like, oh my God, we can't survive with him. I agree with you on that. But if you, if you were to tell me there's a real shot at someone like I'd rather start fresh. You guys can roll your eyes at me. If you could get a shot with Derek Carr next year, I'd rather do that.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, well, that, that's a name. I got no problem with that. That's a name. Justin Fields is a name.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I'd rather try Justin Fields out.

[Don LaGreca]

There's that. But I will, I will talk from my own opinion of somebody who thought that this team would be good with Aaron Rodgers. I thought that this team would win the division. I picked them to win the division the last two years because I thought they were that good with Aaron Rodgers. I ended up being wrong. But the reason I thought that, Peter was because I thought that this was an immensely talented team that just didn't have a quarterback and that. And that they might be able to survive the lack of great coaching for Robert Saller and experience because the team was so talented. Now that first year they won seven games with nobody at quarterback. So I felt like I was emboldened to pick him again, saying, all right, you add Aaron Rodgers, like, like if Zach Wilson can win seven games, Aaron Rodgers should be able to go out there and win 10. But then what I, what I was wrong about wasn't the quarterback. I was wrong about the talent. A lot of guys that we thought were fait accompli Pro Bowlers didn't turn out to be that great. Sorry, Garrett Wilson didn't have that great of a year. The running game didn't materialize the way we thought it did. I thought this defense had a chance to be the best in the league. They were very average. And then when the Ehrlich was taken away, Ulbrich was taken away and made coach, it went completely south. So I ended up being wrong, I believe, because where I was incorrect was this team was as talented as I thought they were. That turned out to be. Maybe that was what was overrated about it. But I still think there's talent here and that a good coach and a good quarterback. And if you look at the stats from Aaron Rodgers, those are good numbers. Not great, but good. That that would give you a. A viable shot, I think, of being a playoff team, not a, not a, not a championship team. Maybe a one and done, but I think a playoff team. And can you tell me any other option that would surpass that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Your silence tells me you can't.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Well, not yet, no. Yeah, it's hard to like, I know a guarantee. No, I don't have that.

[Don LaGreca]

Now would I take Jackson dart at seven? No, that seems like a hail Mary, but Dan Orlopski saying he's going to go in the first round. This was somebody that wasn't on anybody's radar. Where is it going to be by the combine? Allen?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I can, I was going to get into that. We're late here. I was going to do it a little bit later on because we do have to get into this because that was, that was a name if you're a Jets fan that you were looking at and thinking to yourself, here's a guy that's got a lot of potential that no one really knows much about. He went to Ole Miss. Miss. Eli Manning has had a little bit of influence here on him. But they just had the Senior bowl practice all week, right? Dan Olowski was there tweeting about what he has seen from this kid in video and everything else. And as you said, he just tweeted he's going round one. And now I've got other reports that I'm seeing saying that he's turned a lot of heads at the Senior Bowl. He's emerged as the most impressive quarterback that is there. And several NFL scouts are saying that he's got elite abilities and the model that they see from him, Josh Allen, Jalen hurts, Baker Mayfield type, and that he keeps climbing draft boards and that combi the combine for him is going to be big and he could push himself into the conversation where 1, 2 and 3 could be all quarterbacks once again. So something to keep an eye on, something we'll definitely get back into a little bit later on in the show. But you know what's coming up. We got enn. We got a lot more to get to. It's a busy Friday. Lots of calls as well. ENN next. And Don has some Mazda for us.

[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I see you went with the original. Now that Game time brought to you by Tully Mordu Irish Whiskey because when it's game time, it's Tully Time. We have no locals in action tonight. A rare quiet night, especially on a Friday night. What are we doing? But we do have an NBA doubleheader on ESPN. It starts with the Nuggets visiting the 76ers at 7:30 and then we get a little Suns warriors at 10 again, the NBA trade deadline next Thursday. It's going to be busy and we'll see what teams do what and the Suns are a team to watch. The warriors certainly could be making some moves. What are the Sixers going to do? Because they're trying to save their season, but it is not going well for them. And then of course, of course locally, the Knicks and the Nets too, did they unload yet another player? So a lot to watch as we get into next week along with the super bowl stuff as well. That's game time. Brought to you by Tullamore Due the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew Honey, during tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. And also everybody want to just share this with you. Daniel Tosh coming to the Beacon theater on Friday, April 4th. This year, of course, ESPN New York has your chance to score tickets on the ESP New York app. Make sure you have this app. It's got everything you need. When you have the app, you scroll down to contest and you can submit your entry to this contest along with several others. This one is brought to you by Live Nation. Tickets are on sale [e-mail].

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Alan Hahn]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.