Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Kafka & That Guy Thursday
Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg is filled with the trio’s signature camaraderie and New York sports talk. Center stage is the New York Giants’ coaching transition—specifically, Mike Kafka’s prospects as interim head coach. The hosts debate whether “the problem” was really just outgoing head coach Brian Daboll, or if deeper issues remain. The episode also features an animated “That Guy Thursday” segment, as well as spirited discussions about NFL team report cards, expectations for New York football teams, and accountability in sports culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Who’s Really Here?” Debate (00:15–03:39)

• Playful banter about which ESPN New York personalities are most frequently in-studio vs. working from home.
• Don emphasizes his lengthy tenure and presence at the station, leading to some tongue-in-cheek “authority” (“I was the first voice of the station—24 years here.” – Don, 01:46).
• Gentle ribbing about who deserves work-from-home privileges, highlighting the internal dynamics of sports radio teams.

2. New York Giants Outlook & Mike Kafka’s Audition (04:43–14:46, 16:12–23:36, 37:03–44:28)

• Can the Giants Turn It Around?
  • Upcoming Giants games discussed: Packers (home), Lions (away), Patriots (away/Monday night), followed by a bye [04:43].
  • Skepticism about the “fired coach bump” in the NFL—Alan doesn’t buy into the narrative that teams rally for a new interim coach, especially in football [05:55].
  • Wins and losses predictions range from Don’s pessimism (0–3 in next stretch) to more optimism from Alan and Peter, who see a potential 1–2 record [07:08].
• Kafka’s Candidacy and the Dominoes of Change
  • Kafka could become permanent head coach if he closes out strong (e.g., 4–3 finish) and the offense looks revitalized [09:34, 10:21, 43:56].
  • Availability of “big names” (e.g., Tomlin, Belichick) could change the calculus, but internal stability is appealing if Kafka excels [09:41, 11:39].
  • Kafka highlighted as a respected coordinator, already on the radar for head-coaching jobs.
  • Giants’ plan: “If they go four and three…wouldn’t you give Kafka at least a 50/50 shot at the job?” — Don [09:41].
  • Possible moves: Antonio Pierce as defensive coordinator, Kafka as head coach, with a new OC if needed [11:56].
• Roster, Injuries, and “Is Dable the Only Problem?”
  • Injuries and weaknesses at key positions are discussed, particularly recent losses at WR and RB [20:40].
  • The defense’s late-game collapses put coordinator Shane Bowen under the microscope, but the hosts note overall dysfunction [19:55, 21:00].
  • Several callers raise whether moving on from Dable alone will fix the franchise’s woes [37:03–44:28].

Memorable Quotes

• “This is literally a guy that in one season threw 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions. It literally can go either way with him.” – Don (08:12), on Jameis Winston
• “It’s not like he’s a member of my family, I’m not rooting for him to win the job. I’m just saying … there’s a reasonable chance.” – Don on Kafka’s head coach chances (10:21)
• “They want to confirm that the only problem was Brian Dable and by getting rid of Brian Dable, they instantaneously become a better football team.” – Don (38:16)

3. Rooney Rule & NFL Hiring Practices (13:10–15:16)

• Kafka’s status as a minority candidate and the ostensible role of the Rooney Rule is dissected [13:10–14:46].
• Agreement that while sometimes teams “check the box,” the rule still creates real head-coaching opportunities [14:00–14:46].
• “The Rooney Rule does work—in theory—of giving opportunities.” – Don (13:54)
• “It was the NFL doing something smart. The problem is ... we've seen situations where it just seems like a complete waste of time.” – Don (14:27)

4. Patriots vs. Jets & Betting Picks (17:01–18:06)

• Breaking news: Garrett Wilson placed on IR. Hosts react in real time, expressing concerns over Jets’ offense [17:01].
• Spirited discussion about betting lines—most logic says Patriots will cover, but “it’s the NFL, so who knows?” [17:38].
• “Jets three-point play.” – Don (17:38), going against his own logic in a moment of sports radio bravado.

5. That Guy Thursday: NFLPA Team Surveys & “Bad Owners” (26:00–35:29)

• Focus on Woody Johnson railing against negative player surveys as “that guy" who complains when criticized [26:48–34:42].
• Alan spotlights a broader issue: “There’s a lot of companies that like to get a feel from their employees … Are we doing enough as management?” (30:00)
• The NFL files a grievance against the NFLPA to halt report cards, apparently in response to criticism from owners with poor grades, particularly Woody Johnson [28:27–30:57].
• “The people that are most worried about perception are the ones that are perceived poorly.” – Don (31:07)
• The hosts are skeptical of removing tools that illuminate organizational flaws: “All the PA is trying to do is make it a little easier—and motivate the owners to clean up their mess.” – Don (35:12)
• Discussion extends to flaws in league reward structure (draft/losses) and why bad franchises should not be continually “rewarded” [35:29–36:51].

6. Culture & Accountability in Sports: Hockey & More (46:16–50:43)

• Caller “Heather from Springfield” (“Heather Babble”) brings up an incident of NHL teammates supporting a rookie after a dangerous hit [46:16], prompting reflections on changing retaliatory culture in sports.
• Don and Alan discuss how the importance of regular season NHL games, and penalty implications, have changed tough-guy mentalities [48:52–50:43].
• “You have to defend your teammate. It’s the right thing to do.” – Don (48:52)

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• On the Giants' coaching future:
  “If they go four and three … would you give Kafka at least a 50/50 shot at getting this job?” – Don (09:41)
• On team self-scouting:
  “Shouldn’t you self-scout as a league, see how everybody’s looking at these franchises?” – Don (29:26)
• On negative NFLPA report cards:
  “The people that are most worried about perception are the ones that are perceived poorly.” – Don (31:07)
• On the futility of rewarding bad franchises:
  “If you’re that bad, you shouldn’t be rewarded.” – Alan (35:45)

Caller Highlights

• Griffin (Connecticut, 16:12 & 32:01): Reignites the Giants optimism debate; doubts the “4–3” finish due to persistently bad defense.
• Frank (Newark, 37:03): Curious about whether letting Kafka coach reveals broader problems beyond Dable.
• Anthony (Fair Lawn, 40:36): Skeptical about Dable’s supposed offensive prowess; references Hard Knocks and Daniel Jones’ comments to question his coaching demeanor.

Memorable Moments

• Playful studio banter:
  Don’s assertion of station seniority and the inside jokes about work-from-home privileges (01:46).
• Live news reaction:
  Breaking news of Garrett Wilson to IR interrupts the show, revealing the real-time nature of the broadcast (17:01).
• “That Guy Thursday”:
  Woody Johnson and the NFLPA survey battle delights the hosts as a perfect example of “that guy” behavior (29:12).
• Listener engagement:
  Fans and callers, like “Heather Babble,” contribute colorful anecdotes that blend New York sports with fan experience.

Final Thoughts

This episode balances football analysis, light-hearted in-studio drift, and frank critiques of NFL leadership. The hosts’ chemistry, combined with real-time reaction and audience involvement, offers an entertaining primer for anyone tracking New York football drama, the Giants’ possible future under Kafka, and larger questions about accountability in sports.

For Giants fans:
The central question persists—was Brian Dable truly “the only problem”? Or are deeper fractures in the organization waiting to surface, regardless of who wears the headset? As Don, Hahn & Rosenberg emphasize, the answers will play out on the field over the season’s final seven games.