Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast – Hour 3: Devils, Knicks & Damien Woody (Oct 23, 2025)

Episode Overview

This hour of the Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg podcast brings a lively, multi-sport discussion focused on the surging New Jersey Devils, an impressive opening win by the Knicks with their new approach, and a spirited visit from former NFL lineman (and ESPN analyst) Damien Woody. The hosts (Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg) blend analysis, humor, and a classic New York tone throughout as they debate hockey, basketball, and football storylines—all through the lens of New York sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Jersey Devils’ Hot Streak & Playing Style

[00:35–05:50]

• The Devils are red-hot, riding a six-game win streak while Don has been calling games—though he deflects credit to the team's "offensive talent and chemistry."
• Shift in Team Identity: The Devils, once known for defensive, low-scoring hockey, now use "offense as their defense," keeping possession and continually pressuring opponents.
  • Don describes: "They're adding to the lead. If they don't, the opposition can't do anything because they don't have the puck." (04:13)
• Names like Hughes, Mercer, Bratt, Meyer, Hamilton, and rookie Gritsyuk are highlighted for depth and tempo.
• Atmosphere matters: The move to "the Rock" (Prudential Center) has energized attendance—"first three games sold out" this season.
• The overall feeling: The Devils deliver excitement for fans and are considered serious contenders thanks to their style, depth, and talent.

Notable Quote:
"They're a fun team to watch...It’s not the old Devils, where it was kind of a snooze fest." – Don LaGreca [04:24]

2. NHL & Local Teams: Updates and Outlooks

[06:25–07:38]

• Rangers have struggled at home (one goal in four games), but optimism abounds as they face a winless Sharks team.
• Islanders, after a slow start, are also heating up, with rookie Matthew Schaefer already drawing Norris Trophy jokes.
• General mood: All three local teams have storylines to excite fans this season.

3. NFL: Jets Ownership Drama & Giants’ Rebuilding

(With guest Damien Woody) [25:56–36:43]

• Jet's Owner Woody Johnson’s Media Missteps: The crew laments the owner’s public comments, which stir unnecessary quarterback controversy and make life harder for the coaching staff.
• Woody suggests: "I would wish that Woody just let the football people handle these type of things...he did lob a grenade in there." [26:34]
• Giants’ Painful Loss & Signs of Hope: Damian Woody asserts the Giants—despite a "miserable regular season loss"—finally found a quarterback in Jackson Dart. He advocates patience and the need for organizational stability, even as coaching futures (Brian Daboll) hang in the balance.
• The trio debates if quarterback progress can outweigh the need for wins and what qualities the Giants will need in a head coach moving forward.
  • "Ultimately it’s about winning football games," says Woody, but warns against a churn that turns into a "cycle of madness." [33:08]
• Concerns linger about the Jets’ quarterback situation and whether the 2026 draft will finally deliver the elusive franchise QB.

4. NBA: Knicks’ Opening Win & New Era with Mike Brown

[13:32–21:14]

• New Coaching, New Approach: The Knicks opened the season with a "convincing win" over the Cavs (119-111), drawing praise for their up-tempo style, depth, and balanced scoring under Coach Mike Brown.
• Hahn details how 11 players saw action, multiple double-figure scorers emerged, and “even when key guys like Mitchell Robinson are out,” the team is deep enough to contend.
• Jalen Brunson, while emphasizing "the minutes thing isn’t that different," is clearly loyal to former coach Thibodeau but adapts to the new, balanced rotation.
• Former Knick John Starks was “very excited for the uptempo, for the ball movement”—the new philosophy is being noticed by alumni and fans alike.

Notable Quotes:
"This team is a deep team...There's a lot of different ways I can go with it." – Mike Brown [18:19]
"I thought a statement was being made...It's a new era. We're not going to treat every game like it's game seven." – Don LaGreca [16:15]

5. Around the Leagues: Betting, NFL Injuries, Chargers/Vikings/Vikings Therapy

[09:31–13:32]

• Betting lines and NFL storylines are riffed—highlighting how odds-makers disrespect certain teams (e.g., ESPN Bet’s 12.5-point spread) and the perils of trusting perennial underachievers like the Chargers and Vikings.

6. Colt McCoy, Backup QBs & NFL Draft Humor

[40:41–46:48]

• In freeform, humorous fashion, the hosts reminisce about Colt McCoy’s legendary Texas and high school career, lament the 2010 "worst quarterback draft class," and debate whether backup QBs like McCoy or Tebow had better pro trajectories.
• The segment takes a comedic turn on the mystique of having a “quarterback name” and the universal struggle to project NFL QB success from college stars.

Notable Moment:
"There’s stories of what he did on the field. There’s stories he did after the game." – Peter Rosenberg on Colt McCoy [38:49]

7. Knicks, Rest Roulette, and Injury Reports

[47:38–49:59]

• Previews for the Knicks-Celtics matchup include the latest on the injury report (Robinson out, Anunoby probable, Josh Hart likely returning).
• Revives the “rest roulette” segment—a Knicks-fan in-joke about lineup uncertainty under past regimes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Don LaGreca on Devils’ play style:
  "Now what they’re doing is using their offense as their defense...if they don’t add to the lead, you know the opposition can’t do anything because they don't have the puck." [04:13]

• Damien Woody on Woody Johnson:
  "He did lob a grenade in there...I wish Woody would just let the football people handle these type of things." [26:34]

• Alan Hahn on Knicks’ new look:
  "They handled a team that handled them last year...They play faster. It just looks like they're ready to make that case this season of being one of the best teams in the East." [13:32–15:52]

• Peter Rosenberg on John Starks:
  "Seemed very clear to me, John Starks was not thrilled with the way Tibbs was doing things and very excited...for the uptempo, for the ball movement." [20:36]

• Damian Woody, on Giants QB progress:
  "As much as it sucked to be part of history...you got your guy. You got a quarterback...they have one with Jackson Dart." [30:02]

• Colt McCoy saga:
  "If you walk in the room...‘their quarterback, Colt McCoy’—and every kid’s oh my god, the guy’s name’s Colt McCoy, he can’t suck." – Peter Rosenberg [41:02]

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• Devils segment / New Jersey attendance and style: [00:35–05:50]
• NHL Local teams roundup: [06:25–07:38]
• Knicks/Cavs opener and Mike Brown philosophy: [13:32–21:14]
• Knicks minutes distribution / Jalen Brunson sound: [18:53–21:14]
• Damien Woody on Jets, Giants QB situation, and coaching: [25:56–36:43]
• Colt McCoy, NFL Draft Debacle: [40:41–46:48]
• Knicks Injury Report & Rest Roulette: [47:38–49:59]

Recap & Tone

This episode is a classic blend of NY-centric banter, in-the-moment analysis, and sports-mad humor. Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg are at their best sparring over their beloved Knicks, Devils, Islanders, Jets, Giants, and NFL QB flops (with an extended, tongue-in-cheek breakdown of Colt McCoy and draft futility). Their irreverence, fast-paced back-and-forth, and rooting passion make for both insightful breakdowns and moments that are just plain fun—perfect for local fans and knowledgeable listeners alike.

No matter which side you're rooting for, this hour delivered insight, optimism, caution, and plenty of laughs about the eternal promise and misery of New York sports.