Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: "Hour 2: Tomlin for Giants? & NFL Binge"
Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Focus: NFL coaching carousel—with a spotlight on Mike Tomlin’s future, potential Giants coaching changes, lively Steelers fan calls, and a spirited NFL "binge" around the league’s top stories. Includes coverage of recent NHL injuries affecting NY-area teams.
Main Theme and Purpose
This episode dives deeply into whether Mike Tomlin could (or should) become the next head coach of the New York Giants, examining his tenure in Pittsburgh, calling on passionate Steelers fans, and considering the perspective of battered but hopeful Giants supporters. The crew also embarks on their "NFL Binge" segment—a rapid-fire, analytical, and often humorous review of key games and playoff implications across the league. The second half touches on crucial New York hockey injuries and their impact.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Mike Tomlin: Should the Giants Want Him? (00:35–18:15)
- Set-up: Alan presents a scenario where Mike Tomlin could leave the Steelers—per Adam Schefter, only if a mutual parting is agreed after the season. Tomlin, under contract through 2027, would require compensation (not a first-round pick, but not for free) if the Giants pursued him. (05:19)
- Steeler Fan Fatigue: Calls from Danny and Los, lifelong Steelers fans, voice intense frustration—Tomlin’s scheme is labeled stale, his play-calling “antiquated,” and adjustments “nonexistent.”
- “My mental state is I’m on the Titanic…just accepted that this team stinks." (Danny, 02:32)
- “He never won…couldn’t beat Brady, could not beat Belichick…and doesn’t adjust ever.” (Los, 09:13)
- Giants Perspective: Alan and Peter note Tomlin’s consistency—his teams rarely “bottom out”—poses a tempting trade-off for a Giants franchise mired in dysfunction.
- “Get me back to respectability. Get me back to where the Giants were when they fired Coughlin.” (Alan, 14:19)
- “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” (Peter, 15:02)
- Skeptical Callers: Not all Giants fans are sold:
- “If you’re a football fan…you know he’s not the guy the Giants need or want, honestly.” (Joe, 15:13)
- Some want “something fresh”—a young, innovative coach like Mike Kafka.
- Coaching Compensation Chat:
- What would it take? The hosts compare potential "trade" prices to prior deals (e.g., Sean Payton, Jon Gruden) and doubt Tomlin merits a first-rounder (06:00).
- Caution from Steelers Nation: Rosenberg—"What I’m noticing is the Steelers fans are saying: buyer beware to Giants fans.” (13:03)
Memorable Quotes
- “I want the problem of finishing 9-8 every year and not being able to win a playoff game. Then I’ll address that.” — Alan Hahn (14:19)
- “Boohoo, I won twelve games, I’m so mad. Right? That’s what you want to be!” — Peter Rosenberg (14:39)
2. NFL Playoff Races & "NFL Binge" Segment (24:01-38:44)
NFC South and Playoff Picture (25:00+)
- Carolina’s Upsets: Panthers take down Rams, making the NFC South a three-way tie at 9-3. (25:04)
- “Carolina entered the game as 9.5-point dogs, marking its seventh upset win in the season—the most by any team before December 1st in the Super Bowl era.” (Don, 25:35)
- Seahawks/Bears: Bears, Seahawks, and Rams all at 9-3; Bears hold the #1 seed. Quiet Seahawks success is lauded: “They might have the best receiver in football this year in (Jaxon) Smith-Njigba.” (Don, 26:52)
- Bills Rout Steelers: Buffalo defeats Pittsburgh 26-7, continuing the Steelers’ downward spiral; embarrassment at home decried.
- “You can’t get beast moded like that on your home field.” (Peter, 12:09)
- “You got punked in your own building.” (Alan, 12:49)
- AFC North Prognosis: Ravens, despite issues, are favored by the crew due to lacking alternatives, though the Bengals’ brutal schedule is cited as a major obstacle.
AFC South & Wild Card Jockeying (31:44+)
- Texans Surge: “Houston’s defense is good—by a mile.” (Peter, 33:58)
- Who Can You Trust?: The hosts are out on Indy, praise for Houston’s defense and Stroud, but worry about Daniel Jones’ health and Jacksonville’s volatility.
Broncos Snatch Another Close Win (34:23+)
- Denver’s Streak: Now 10-2, but hosts express skepticism.
- “I don’t love that Broncos team…they feel like a team that’s going to get bounced in their first playoff game.” (Alan, 35:17)
- Mariota Analysis: “There are moments you think this guy could be it, and then you’re like, oh hell no…he’s honestly a backup. He’s a really good backup.” (Alan/Peter, 38:00–38:03)
- Playoff Schedule Parody: The hosts riff about which wild card games get the worst time slots (e.g., “the Saturday ESPN game”).
Parody & Playoff Math
- “One different game either way changes the complete complexity, and that’s what makes this so fun. And that is the NFL binge.” (Don, 38:34)
3. Quick Hits: NHL Injury Reports (41:18–46:10)
- Islanders: Kyle Palmieri tears ACL but, in “total hockey guy” fashion, gets an assist on the play.
- “Guys on one leg…I mean, he’s getting off the ice himself…pokes the puck away, causes the turnover, leads to a goal.” (Alan, 42:00)
- Impact: Hosts discuss the emotional and on-ice impact; Isles' loss of leadership and room presence.
- Rangers: Lose Adam Fox to long-term IR. Alan urges the media to stop providing Olympic injury context (“Don’t care. Ranger fans don’t care.”), and both criticize hockey’s “upper/lower body” secrecy.
- “If he’s not playing, does it matter why?” (Peter, 45:51)
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
- “This is the offense that Mike Tomlin wants to run. So, is that what the Giants have with Dart? No, they have a completely different type of play…” — Danny (02:32)
- “There’s something to the stability of not bottoming out. Now, that doesn’t sound like a lot to Steeler fans…” — Alan Hahn (05:05)
- “They’re not going to fire him because they’re too classy an organization. It might be just like, I want something for the guy.” — Alan Hahn (06:20)
- “If you watch this team week in and week out like I do, the play selection is horrible—always.” — Los (09:13)
- “You got punked in your own building. And at a 4:25 game.” — Alan Hahn (12:49)
- “A new broom sweeps clean. What might be stale in Pittsburgh will be fresh in New York, and maybe also for Tomlin.” — Peter Rosenberg (13:03)
- “The Bears are such a surprise…but they’re quiet. It’s not the Legion of Boom…the Seahawks are very well coached.” — Alan Hahn (26:33)
- “Tampa–Seattle…that definitely smells [like the Monday night wild card game]. Baker on Monday night.” — Alan Hahn (37:04)
- “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” — Peter Rosenberg (15:02)
- “I think we might have a scoreless tie in overtime…Can the margin of victory be less than one?” — Alan Hahn (35:55)
- “He’s honestly a backup. He’s a really good backup.” — Alan Hahn on Marcus Mariota (38:00)
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Tomlin for Giants? Fan calls and trade compensation — 02:32–07:30, 09:13–18:14
- NFL Binge segment start – Week’s upsets & playoff talk — 24:01–34:01
- Broncos win, parody discussion, playoff seeding fun — 34:23–38:44
- NHL injury news (Islanders, Rangers) — 41:18–46:10
Tone and Style
The conversation is lively, opinionated, at times self-deprecating, and mixes insightful football and hockey analysis with “guy at the bar” fanship. There’s a blend of frustration (from Steeler callers), hopefulness (from Giants fans), and the hosts’ trademark wit and camaraderie.
Summary Takeaways
- Steelers fans are exhausted by the Tomlin era despite his record, characterizing him as inflexible and out of ideas; meanwhile, Giants fans may welcome his stability amid chaos, but are warned to be careful what they wish for.
- NFL playoff races are reflecting parity and chaos, with surprise results every week and much uncertainty in both NFC and AFC wild card chases.
- The hosts offer sharp, quick-hitting commentary on NFL quarterback play, coaching, and league storylines—often returning to the themes of consistency vs. risk, and the ever-present hope for a turnaround.
- Injuries to key NHLers are a major storyline for local fans; hosts lament both the actual losses and hockey’s cryptic reporting culture.
This episode is a must-listen for New York sports fans hungry for honest, biting commentary on both football and hockey—whether you’re dreaming of Tomlin or just missing playoff relevance.