Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: “That Guy Thursday”

ESPN New York | September 4, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

This episode revolves around three major themes:

1. The Hope & Frustrations of New York Football Fans: The hosts engage in a spirited discussion about the Giants' upcoming season, Giants/Jets/Commanders fandom dynamics, and the emotional baggage of rooting for New York teams.
2. Fan Rivalries & Sports Hate: Callers and hosts debate good-natured (and sometimes not-so-good-natured) sports "hate," with lively call-ins exemplifying tribal fan attitudes.
3. The Debut of “That Guy Thursday": The new segment highlights questionable fan behavior and sports media “hot takes,” with both laughter and genuine sports analysis.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Giants Optimism & NFL Week 1 Storylines

[00:43 – 04:33]

• Giants' Rebuild Hopes: Don expresses rare optimism, excited about the Giants’ defense and free-agent upgrades—especially a “front seven" poised to pressure quarterbacks.
  • “I feel good about my team for the first time in forever... I think this defense could be front seven really good.” (Don, 02:42)
• Quarterback Debate: Alan and Peter probe if Russell Wilson can be competent; Don mentions excitement for rookie Jackson Dart should struggles continue.
• Fan Perspective: Don acknowledges potential for quick disillusionment but clings to “talent and a vibe” he hasn’t felt in years.

2. Listener Callers & Tribal Banter

[04:33 – 13:00]

• Flavio in Brooklyn predicts a modest Giants season (maybe 7 wins) but sees a Week 1 “cover” possible and a surprising Commanders–Ravens Super Bowl.
  • “I actually have the Commanders coming out of the NFC facing Baltimore in the Super Bowl.” (Flavio, 05:12)
• Peter riffs on regional fan bases, sharing personal family anecdotes about split allegiances and the changing culture of fandom.
• Tessa from West Caldwell passionately backs Don’s Giants optimism and calls out Peter’s Commanders fandom as “the shiny new toy," stirring playful friction.
  • “Peter, I can't help but crash out with you... But listen, as a Giants fan... we don't care how many national games you have...” (Tessa, 11:37)
• Peter defends the Commanders’ legitimacy: “There is a new team in the NFC East... they're not a joke anymore. I pray the Jets one day get to have that.” (14:21)

3. Sports Hate: Fun vs. Personal

[13:00 – 17:44]

• The crew delves into how rivalries drive passionate (but non-personal) “hate.” They agree sports hate is healthy and fun, as opposed to animosity based on real-world issues.
  • “I think genuine sports hate is fun.” (Don, 16:27)
• Alan notes that real Giants fans focus more on their own team’s progress, not on the Commanders’ hype.

4. Giants Quarterback Carousel Scenarios

[17:01 – 19:53]

• Debate over when (or if) rookie Jackson Dart could or should replace Russell Wilson if the Giants struggle, balancing development vs. immediate competitiveness.
  • Specifics on how defenses and O-line issues could sway the decision.
  • “If you're getting now to the middle of the season and the offense is fine, the defense looks elite... why don't I do this [switch]?” (Alan, 18:03)
• Alan highlights the risks of rushing a rookie onto the field behind a shaky offensive line.

5. “That Guy Thursday” Segment Debuts

[21:47 – 37:24]

• Theme: Celebrating (and cringing at) the “that guy” archetype—fans or personalities who do the most obnoxious, oblivious, or contrarian things in sports.
• Peter’s Pick: Ryan Clark’s “generational talent” NFL take from First Take:
  • Clark argued Mahomes and Elway are generational; Brady and Manning aren’t.
    • “I think John Elway was a generational talent. I think Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent. I don't think Tom Brady, I don't think Drew Brees. I don't think Peyton Manning are generational talents...” (Ryan Clark – as quoted by Don, 23:15)
  • Hosts mock the logic: “How do you not describe what many people believe is the greatest quarterback in the history of football, Tom Brady, not a generational talent?” (Don, 23:29)
• Alan & Peter’s Pick: Grown adults snatching balls/hats from children at games (US Open, Mets games); the Polish CEO at the US Open provides a viral example.
  • The story grows as Alan details the CEO first defending his action:
    • “If you were faster, you would have it... I remind you that insulting a public figure is subject to legal liability.” (Alan, 36:05)
  • Widespread agreement: If you grab a souvenir from a child, you’re “that guy.”
    • “If you are listening right now and you know you've either done this or would do this, that there's a kid... and you're going to physically overwhelm a child... you're that guy.” (Alan, 32:27)
• Bonus “That Guys”:
  • Adults fighting over promo T-shirts/pucks.
  • Fans crowding athletes or wrestlers in public, violating personal boundaries.

6. ESPN New York Couchcast & Jet Fan Authenticity

[39:26 – 44:57]

• Announcement of Monday Night Football “Couchcast” (alt-broadcast with ESPN NY personalities).
• Lively debate about who is a “real” Jets fan and if rooting tenure or regional ties affect fandom authenticity.
  • “He doesn't have the scar tissue, others do... knowing the Jets, he'll eventually.” (Don, 43:32)
• Playful rifts and ribbing about fan “fraudulence” and emotional investment.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Don, on Giants optimism:
  “I feel good about my team for the first time in forever.” (02:42)

• Peter, on changing fan cultures:
  “There is a new team in the NFC East... they're not a joke anymore. I pray the Jets one day get to have that.” (14:21)

• Tessa, Giants fan caller:
  “Peter, I'm so sorry... As a Giants fan... we care about knocking your blood off Sunday. We care about punching ball in the mouth.” (11:45, 12:15)

• On “That Guy” behavior:
  “If you are listening right now and you know you've either done this or would do this, that there's a kid... and you're going to physically overwhelm a child... you’re that guy.” (Alan, 32:27)

• Ryan Clark (quote via Don), on QBs:
  “I think John Elway was a generational talent. I think Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent. I don't think Tom Brady, I don't think Drew Brees. I don't think Peyton Manning are generational talents...” (23:15)

• On adult fan behavior:
  “When you get to a certain age, if the thing... doesn’t land in your lap... you look like a toolbox fighting to get it, whether it’s a baseball, a tennis ball, a hockey puck... you’re that guy.” (Peter, 30:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Football discussion, Giants hopes, and fan angst: 00:43 – 04:33
• Callers Flavio and Tessa add color to fan rivalries: 04:33 – 13:00
• “Sports hate” and what makes it fun: 13:00 – 17:44
• QB carousel and Giants strategy speculation: 17:44 – 19:53
• “That Guy Thursday” segment: hot takes & fan horror stories: 21:47 – 37:24
• Couchcast & debate over Jets fan “authenticity”: 39:26 – 44:57

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational, fast-paced, and irreverent.
• Nostalgic laments: For the bad old days of New York football.
• Self-deprecating humor: Frequent, especially regarding sports misery.
• Competitive but good-natured ribbing: Especially Peter and the callers.

Takeaways for New Listeners

• This episode is all about what it feels like to be a New York fan: Tangled loyalties, dreams dashed and reborn, generational beefs, and the line between friendly rivalry and pure ridiculousness.
• “That Guy Thursday” promises to be a segment for the ages: If you’re “that guy” at a ballpark or on Twitter, beware.
• If you want insider sports radio culture and fan banter, this is the show for you.