Podcast Summary

Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 3: Damien Woody Joins the Show
Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest: Damien Woody

Overview of the Episode's Theme

This lively hour of “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” features NFL veteran and analyst Damien Woody, who joins the trio for a fast-paced conversation about NFL must-win games, player discipline, the gambling surge in sports, legendary tight ends, and some offbeat, humorous tangents involving audience callers. The show toggles seamlessly between deep sports analysis and lighthearted, often self-deprecating banter—perfect for New York’s sports fans who appreciate talk that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inside the World of Sports Radio and Broadcast Traditions (00:34–04:43)

• Radio Etiquette Bits:

  • The team jokes about radio DJ tropes, call letters, and time-stamp traditions versus today’s stream-oriented audience (“I don’t always need to say it’s Don, Hahn and Rosenberg on ESPN New York”—Don, 02:15).
  • Retelling of paths on ESPN shows: Alan and Peter share about their time filling in on morning shows with Keyshawn and J. Will, and the competition for those seats.

• Anecdotes on Burnout:

  • Don reveals he almost took a high-pressure morning host job post-divorce, saying candidly:
    “If I had gotten that job, guys, I would have been the first person to drop dead on the air...it would have burned me out and I would have been fired and left ESPN.” (03:45)

2. Yankees Roster Management & Brian Cashman Decisions (05:06–07:57)

• Caller Question on Yankees:
  • The trio and a caller debate Trent Grisham’s $22M tender and prospects like Dominguez and Jones.
  • Allen is skeptical:
    “Jones could be 25 in May, like, blank or get off the pot at this point.” (06:23)
• Why Teams Tender Players:
  • Peter: “You figure he’s in his prime … [they] put the offer out there anyway and then he took [it], and they were like, ‘oh, he took it.’” (05:44)

3. Gambling, Integrity, and Athlete Involvement (08:02–22:15)

• Callers Challenge the Role of Gambling in Sports:

  • One insists: "Somebody’s got to go to the ownership and … say, no more individual player profits … The integrity of the game is more important." (08:37)
  • Hosts note the hypocrisy and dilemma for leagues and networks.

• Is Gambling Too Integrated?

  • Peter: “I’m surprised right now this isn’t something the league—again, league commissioners should get together...some of these parlays and props are detrimental to our players.” (09:05)
  • Allen: “The prop bets are what keep you engaged in blowouts...Could it affect the ratings guys of a blowout game?” (10:03)

• Athletes Promoting Gambling Brands:

  • A caller questions: “Do you find it weird that big name guys ... like LeBron promote a product ... that is built on people losing money?” (20:27)
  • Don: “The athletes are the ones promoting it, you know, and I like it because it takes the hook off us ... but in all seriousness, it is weird. You’re not wrong.” (22:12)

4. NFL “Must-Win” Games and Team Breakdowns with Damien Woody (24:11–38:56)

Teams on the Brink (24:21–27:25)

• Chiefs:
  • Woody: “[The] Chiefs absolutely need to win ... you’re sitting at 5-5 ... they’re not able to finish games on either side of the ball, and we’re not seeing Patrick Mahomes create those spectacular plays.” (24:47)
• Patriots/Buffalo:
  • Allen on Buffalo’s unexpected season, Woody calls the Patriots “definitely a legit team that can come out of the AFC” and lauds Drake May’s rise. (26:13)
  • Woody: “Drake May right now is an MVP candidate.” (26:13)

Cowboys Skepticism (27:25–28:44)

• Don: “I’m not buying [the Cowboys] ... I see them pop up for a good game here or there, usually against a bad team.” (27:25)
• Woody challenges Cowboys to prove themselves by beating the Eagles.

Jameis Winston & Russell Wilson Debate (28:44–31:03)

• Woody: “[Jameis] is a roller coaster ... you gotta take the bad with the good, but at least he’s going to push the ball down the field.” (30:09)
• Don: “I did not understand ... why they were keeping Russell Wilson when he wasn’t given the chance to win or compete honestly.” (31:03)

Player Discipline Issues (34:33–35:36)

• Woody: “Talent buys you a long leash ... it’s really the job of the guys in the locker room to ... wrap their arm around the guy and get this guy going in the right direction.” (34:33)

AFC Bubble: Picking the Contender (36:08–37:14)

• Peter: "If you had to take all that money you earned … and pick one [AFC bubble] team, who is it?"
• Woody: "I'm going Ravens ..." (36:09)

Advice to Young Players, Personal Anecdotes (38:09–38:32)

• Woody: “At 23, I was doing stupid stuff ... you have everything in front of you, let’s make smart decisions.” (38:09)

5. Fun with Tight End Rankings, “Strange Pulls,” and Callers (11:04–18:25, 43:01–46:28)

• Gronkowski’s All-Time Rank:

  • Long segment debating Rob Gronkowski’s placement on “top 50” NFL lists.
  • Memorable quote, Peter: “I’m looking at a top 50 right now that has Gronk at 43. Who’s top 50? ... lineup.com. This was done in September.” (12:25)
  • Discussion of what defines a legendary tight end and if “the eye test” beats stats.

• Debates on Forgotten Players:

  • Don makes a “strange pull” by championing Jay Novacek as underrated, sparking a playful examination of personal biases in sports memory:
  • Don: “He always—third and seven—would catch it … But now with the kids, they look at the numbers and say, obviously, we throw him away. No, don’t throw those guys away…” (44:20)

6. Callers Bring Humor and Heart (46:52–51:58)

• Heather Babbles, Cowboys Fan:

  • Discusses talent vs. discipline: “If you think of a kid with a great attitude but low talent vs. a talented kid, who gets more playing time? The coach wants the W.” (47:08)

• Stephen from Melville:

  • Offers comic relief on air, claiming to be “pooping in my pants ... because I was scared”—then admits he was just high, leading to a hysterical moment:
  • Don: “We were taking you literally. The thing you were in the middle of was not actually pooping in your pants.” (50:03)

• Favorite Enemies:

  • On sports “villains” fans couldn’t enjoy because of rivalry, e.g., “I could not enjoy Michael Jordan’s career … as a Knick fan because I just hated him.” (51:07)

7. Show Self-Reflection and In-Jokes (39:13–52:03)

• The crew riffs on the “tone difference” between football analysts Booger McFarland and Damien Woody:
  • Don: “Could there be any bigger difference between our two football guys, Booger and D. Wood?” (39:15)
  • Peter: “Booger’s sound is ‘I hate you’ ... D. Wood’s like, ‘Hey man, you guys all want to hang after the show?’” (39:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Morning Radio Jobs:
  • Don: “If I had gotten that job guys, I would have been the first person to drop dead on the air.” (03:45)
• On Betting and Integrity:
  • Peter: “I’m surprised right now this isn’t something the league...some of these parlays and props are detrimental to our players.” (09:05)
• On Gronkowski:
  • Peter: “I’m looking at a top 50 right now that has Gronk at 43 ... This was done in September.” (12:25)
  • Allen: “Gronk is, what, the second greatest tight end of all time? Based on what?” (13:21)
• Woody on Player Discipline:
  • “Talent buys you a long leash ... That’s just the way it is.” (34:33)
• Don’s “Strange Pull” Defense:
  • “Don’t throw those guys away because they were outstanding at what they did. It was just a different place and so tight end is ... the level of Gronk is what, the last 15, 20 years?” (44:20)
• Caller Comedy:
  • Stephen from Melville: “The last time I called up, I was not high. I was pooping in my pants ... I was terrified of that man [Joe Montana] … let’s talk about who’s the scariest competitor.” (49:44-51:07)
• Woody on Maturity:
  • “At 23, I was doing stupid stuff ... All I’m saying is, look, you have everything in front of you. Let’s just make smart decisions.” (38:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:34–04:43: Radio traditions, inside jokes, stories about ascending in ESPN Radio
• 05:06–07:57: Yankees’ prospects & Brian Cashman debate
• 08:02–10:31: Gambler’s impact on league integrity
• 11:04–18:25: Gronk’s top 50 status; tight end evolution debate
• 20:27–22:15: LeBron & athlete gambling endorsements
• 24:11–38:56: Damien Woody’s NFL analysis: “must win” games, the AFC bubble, young QBs, player discipline advice
• 43:01–46:28: The “strange pull” about Jay Novacek, generational talent memories
• 46:52–51:58: Callers bring humor, the “pooping in pants” high, and discussion of sports villains
• 39:13–39:47: Comparing tones between Booger McFarland and Damien Woody

Overall Tone & Flow

As always, the trio’s exchanges are a mix of tongue-in-cheek New York swagger, authentic sports knowledge, and willingness to embrace the weird. Callers range from diehards with sharp questions to high-on-life jokesters who create iconic moments. The addition of Damien Woody keeps the NFL talk expert and relevant, but nothing gets so serious they can't veer off into nostalgia or comedy at a moment’s notice. The hour is a treat for anyone who loves sports radio with genuine chemistry and zero pretense.

Missed the show? This summary captures all the laughter, debates, and sharp sports commentary, so you’re fully in the loop.