Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Episode: Hour 2: Tush Push Drama

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Introduction

In the second hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the ongoing controversy surrounding the "tush push" play in the NFL. This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the play's effectiveness, its impact on the game, and the potential rule changes being considered by NFL owners. Additionally, the hosts engage with listener calls, offering diverse perspectives on the matter and touching upon other sports topics.

The Tush Push Controversy

Overview of the Tush Push Play

Alan Hahn initiates the discussion by outlining the current status of the tush push play, highlighting its success rate and the debate it has sparked among NFL teams and owners.

• Alan Hahn [00:13]: "The tush push. The Eagles play, of course, short yardage that they were so good at. The Bills are the only other team that really mastered it."

Rule Change Proposals

The Green Bay Packers have proposed banning the tush push, garnering support from 16 NFL teams. However, the proposal falls short of the 24 votes required for approval, leaving the fate of the play undecided until the spring meeting in May.

• Alan Hahn [01:11]: "So they can revisit it when owners get together for their spring meeting in May in Minnesota. So it's not A no. There's 16 right now."

Effectiveness vs. Fairness

Don LaGreca argues that the NFL typically prevails in rule change discussions and posits that the league would likely side against the tush push if convinced of its drawbacks.

• Don LaGreca [01:58]: "It's really, to me, the NFL usually gets their way. So if the NFL wants to change it, I think they'll convince those eight to change."

Peter Rosenberg counters by suggesting that while the Packers spearheaded the ban, broader support from influential owners and networks could sway the decision.

• Peter Rosenberg [03:03]: "The owners are the really. ... The networks might have a say on it, too."

Injury Concerns and Public Perception

The conversation shifts to the potential for injuries resulting from the tush push, with Don emphasizing that physical confrontations should be fair and competitive.

• Don LaGreca [02:54]: "But I think the NFL does look and say is This a play that makes sense... But you don't think the NFL has a dog in the fight?"

Peter highlights statements from NFL’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alan Sills regarding injury risks, which officials use to advocate for banning the play preemptively.

• Peter Rosenberg [08:12]: "Dr. Alan Sills, who's the NFL chief medical officer, he did tell the owners this week that the mechanics of the play could lead to injuries."

Arguments for the Tush Push

Don acknowledges the play's high success rate but questions its entertainment value and fairness.

• Don LaGreca [07:54]: "I just don't think that something is that effective and it's not compelling at all."

Peter maintains that the play introduces compelling moments of truth at the line of scrimmage, enhancing viewer engagement.

• Peter Rosenberg [11:26]: "When I say excitement, I'm talking about something compelling. A moment of truth at the line of scrimmage."

Listener Calls and Perspectives

The podcast features dynamic interactions with callers expressing strong opinions about the tush push. One caller criticizes the play's fairness and its impact on the game's integrity, while another discusses the broader implications of rule changes.

• Caller [14:35]: "It's not a fair physical confrontation when you have first and goal at the one that's fair. 11 on 11, I'm going to stop your guy."

Don and Peter respond by reiterating the play's high success rate and debating its necessity versus potential rule modifications.

• Don LaGreca [16:03]: "If I, If I line up for. There's a much. There's a bunch of different plays I can run."

Conclusion of the Tush Push Debate

By the episode's end, the hosts acknowledge the complexity of the issue, balancing the play's effectiveness against its perceived lack of excitement and fairness. They anticipate further discussions and potential rule changes in the upcoming NFL owners' meeting.

• Peter Rosenberg [32:16]: "The owners decide they want it out of the game. Will we get to the 24 that is required to get rid of it and should they? Lots more to get to in the five o'clock hour."

Additional Sports Discussions

Beyond the tush push debate, the hosts briefly touch upon other sports topics:

Baseball and Torpedo Bats

Alan Hahn revisits the discussion on torpedo bats in baseball, questioning potential future rule changes similar to the NFL's willingness to adjust.

• Alan Hahn [00:13]: "We talked about the torpedo bats in baseball and whether or not baseball will have a problem with it at some point because they never like to have fun."

MLB Updates

Later in the episode, the focus shifts to Major League Baseball, where the hosts discuss the Yankees' starting lineup and provide an injury update on the Mets' pitcher Sean Minaya.

• Peter Rosenberg [25:01]: "Carlos Mendoza: Yeah, no, he's not gonna throw. He experienced some discomfort a couple of days ago... he's going to go two weeks of not throwing."

Other Topics and Listener Engagement

The episode also includes light-hearted segments where the hosts interact with listeners about pop culture references, such as discussing different portrayals of Batman and humorous takes on campus events.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg briefly mention sponsorships and upcoming segments, maintaining the show's engaging and conversational tone.

• Alan Hahn [33:36]: "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."

Notable Quotes

• Alan Hahn [00:13]: "The tush push... It's not A no. There's 16 right now."
• Don LaGreca [01:58]: "The NFL usually gets their way."
• Peter Rosenberg [08:12]: "There is something compelling about this."
• Don LaGreca [07:54]: "I just don't think that something is that effective and it's not compelling at all."
• Peter Rosenberg [11:26]: "A moment of truth at the line of scrimmage."
• Caller [14:35]: "It's not a fair physical confrontation when you have first and goal at the one that's fair."

Conclusion

In "Hour 2: Tush Push Drama," Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg offer an in-depth exploration of one of the NFL's most debated plays. Through passionate discussions and engaging listener interactions, they shed light on the complexities of evolving sports rules and their implications for the game's integrity and entertainment value. Whether you're a seasoned NFL fan or new to the sport, this episode provides valuable insights into the ongoing tug-of-war between tradition and innovation in American football.