Hour 3: Favorite Players & Fraud Calls

Summary

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Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

ESPN New York

Episode: Hour 3: Favorite Players & Fraud Calls
Date: February 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This lively hour brings together hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg for a quintessential slice of New York sports talk. The trio jump into personal sports allegiances, the emotional ties to favorite athletes (even those from rival teams), the fine line between fan “fraudulence” and authentic rooting, and take listener calls on their own confessions and dilemmas. The show also dishes takes on current hockey headlines—particularly surrounding the Hughes brothers and Olympic storylines—before wrapping up with an in-depth, candid discussion of the New York Giants’ future with insights from Eli Manning. The tone is sharp, occasionally irreverent, heavy on banter, and always rooted in the passion of the New York sports scene.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hughes Brothers & Olympic Hockey (00:46–07:09)

• The hosts discuss Jack Hughes' standout Olympic performance and the absence of Luke Hughes, fueling a spirited debate about family priorities and professional obligations.
• Don’s defense of Luke Hughes:
  "He's rehabbing his shoulder... He's got an obligation to his team. He should be skating and getting ready." (02:01)
• Peter questions family loyalty:
  "This is family blood over everything. I don't understand." (01:56)
• The talk shifts to the emotional impact of Johnny Goudreau’s tragedy and the meaningful gestures from Team USA, highlighting how athletic communities honor lost teammates. The hosts reflect on the continuing support of the Goudreau family and the power of communal remembrance.
• Peter on grief:
  "It feels like the rest of the world moves on. So the fact that the team isn't treating it that way... made me happy to see the family there." (04:19)

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2. Women's Hockey & Growing Audiences (07:09–07:30)

• The hosts celebrate record viewership for the women’s Olympic hockey game.
  • “Most watched women's hockey game ever. No surprise there.” (07:17)
  • Discussion on time slot strategy and expectations for upcoming USA vs Canada gold medal game.

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3. Fan Allegiances: Idols from Rival Teams (08:50–18:23)

• Callers confess to loving athletes outside their home team loyalties—from Joe Namath to Michael Jordan—sparking laughter and debate.
• Caller (Rico) on idolatry:
  “My all time favorite athlete, not football player, athlete, was Joe Namath. So I don’t see anything wrong.”
• Don pushes back:
  “It's odd... Would you at least acknowledge it's odd?” (09:26)
• Rosenberg draws a parallel:
  “It would be like a Jets fan saying... the first game I went to, Tom Brady threw a touchdown, and I’ve always loved Tom Brady. He’d be like, that’s nuts.” (10:25)
• The sneaker debate: Can Knicks fans wear Jordans—and is it fraud if they do?
• Rosenberg:
  “There’s a big difference between wearing Jordans and wearing a Jordan jersey.” (12:16)
• Peter:
  “The sneaker isn’t a Bull sneaker. It’s sneaker.” (12:12)
• The trio agree the Jordan brand has transcended sports (17:56), paralleling with Yeezys and other iconic products detached from their creators.

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4. Fraud Alert Friday: Fan Identity & Loyalty (26:30–38:41)

• Carlo in Westchester: is it “fraud” to choose the next local NFL champion as your team?
  • Don: "It does come across as picking the team that wins... If you got to be asking people, how should I choose? If you did choose, it's not gonna stay. You're not interested. That's all right. ... It has to happen naturally." (28:22)
  • Peter attempts a softer touch: “If you stumble into something natural, you’ll know. If not, don’t bother.” (29:41)
• Other “fraud” scenarios debated include:
  • Rooting for both the Colorado Rockies/Devils and, later, the Colorado Avalanche after franchise relocation.
    • Don: "I'm going to say no fraud... How often do you get a team back, right?" (37:09)

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5. Jack Hughes Olympic Participation—Optics & Frustration (30:01–34:45)

• Callers and hosts debate: Does it look bad that Jack Hughes didn’t play key games for the Devils but suits up for Team USA?
  • Don's nuanced take:
    "I'm going to err on the side that he just got better now. I'm not going to get mad at Rob [the caller] for being curious about it..." (34:45)
  • Rosenberg:
    “The minute you put that jersey back on, you are a difference maker and they’ll forget all about the two games you missed.” (34:07)

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6. Weather Chat: Winter’s Relentless Grip (39:22–41:25)

• Lamenting the endless snow:
  • “When was the last time we had this level of winter? ... This is no mas. No mas.” (41:19)
  • Banter about city snow piles and attempts at optimism with the rain’s brief melting powers.
• Sets the mood for hunkering down Sunday morning for the gold medal game.

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7. Eli Manning Interview: NY Giants’ Future & QB Talk (44:45–52:07)

• Eli Manning’s positive endorsement of the Jim Harbaugh hire:
  • "You could not have asked for a better situation... He's the coach we needed but usually, you know, the coach that's unavailable." (45:13)
• Discussion about new quarterback Jackson Dart’s leadership, his growth, but also the patience required for true, consistent greatness.
  • Eli: "As a young quarterback, you're always trying to do that... Now I got to take the next level." (46:28)
  • On Dart’s development: “He has the ability to make plays... Now it's kind of taking that next step to getting the ball out on time and getting through your progressions quicker." (48:09)
• The hosts underscore that potential is evident, but the "quarterback box" is not yet checked.
  • Don: "Anybody that has checked the quarterback box a little too quick, I think we'll eventually get there. But let's let it happen first." (51:30)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don Le Greca on sports loyalty:
  “It's okay not to hate him if you want to hate him. Yeah, for sure. Probably based on jealousy, but that's how a lot of hatred is based on. But I don't see liking him, rooting for him. No, if you're a Knicks fan, that's a tough sell for me.” (13:25)
• Peter Rosenberg, summarizing Knicks fans’ feelings on Jordan:
  "You feared him, but you didn't hate him." (13:08)
• On sports brands transcending players:
  “That shoe now has even transcended Michael Jordan. Yes, it's got his logo on it, but it is the brand that you wear.” – Anthony (17:56)
• On caller indecision:
  “If you’re asking me, what should I do? You’re not in. It’s almost like you’re being forced at gunpoint, for Christ’s sake. It doesn’t matter... Don’t be a football fan. Do us all a favor.” – Don (29:25)
• Fraud Friday verdicts:
  “This is one of the best fraud questions we’ve ever gotten.” – Don, on the Colorado Rockies/Avalanche fan dilemma (37:02) “This isn’t fraud. This is just luck.” – Rosenberg (38:38)
• On the Giants' QB situation (Eli Manning):
  "I think he's moving in the right direction. I think he's going to be a good quarterback. But anybody that has checked the quarterback box a little too quick, I think we'll eventually get there. But let's let it happen first." – Don (51:30)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Luke Hughes debate & context on Olympic absences: 01:11–03:52
• Johnny Goudreau tribute: 04:01–06:20
• Women’s hockey ratings & Olympic hype: 07:09–07:47
• Caller Rico’s Joe Namath confession: 08:58–11:36
• Jordan sneaker/brand fandom debate: 11:55–18:23
• Callers seeking team loyalty/fraud dilemmas: 26:30–38:41
• Jack Hughes, Devils & Olympics criticism: 30:01–34:45
• Eli Manning on Harbaugh & Dart: 44:45–52:07

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Episode Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a friendly, sharp-witted, and passionate New York voice, holding each other accountable through spirited debates, teasing, and audience engagement. Whether settling "fan fraud" verdicts or commiserating over brutal winters, their banter mirrors the emotional highs, lows, and quirks of loyal sports fandom in the city.

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For anyone who missed it:
This episode is a quintessential ride through contemporary New York sports culture, full of honest takes, warm nostalgia, and an ongoing search for what makes a “true” fan. The discussions, especially around impostor fandom and the human side of rooting interests, are as relatable as they are revealing—whether you bleed blue and orange or simply love a good sports argument.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

5:00am I'm up with a crisp Celsius energy drink running 12 miles today. Grab a green juice, quick change and head to work. Meetings, workshops. One more Celsius. No slowing down. Working late, but obviously still meeting the girls for a little dancing. Celsius Live fit. Go grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate [e-mail].

[Rosenberg]

this is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don Hahn]

Game time is brought to you by Telemore. Do Irish Whiskey because when it's game

[Rosenberg]

time, it's Telet time.

[Don Hahn]

Sure. Just one local in action. Nets visiting the Thunder at 8:00'. Clock. So you could have whispered game time Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blend in and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey. During today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore due responsibly. It's two big teases from Alan already today, so he's rolling, man. What do you got?

[Rosenberg]

So Jack Hughes has two goals in this game. Three. Mom and dad are there.

[Don Hahn]

Three goals, three assists for the tourney.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, he's got. He's having a good tournament and Quinn has played very well. Mom and dad are there. Where was Luke? Why isn't he there?

[Don Hahn]

Well, Luke is. He's skating with the Devils, getting ready for the second half of the season. He's coming off a shoulder injury and he's got to get ready for the second half.

[Peter]

He doesn't have time for the Reindeer Games.

[Don Hahn]

What are you talking about?

[Rosenberg]

Your brothers are playing in. If he's not in the gold medal, if he's not at the gold medal game, I'd be concerned about the relationship.

[Don Hahn]

Peter, I'm going to talk to you.

[Peter]

Go ahead.

[Rosenberg]

I'm here.

[Don Hahn]

Logic is left.

[Rosenberg]

I'm not trying to put you in a bad spot.

[Don Hahn]

Don't you put me in a very easy spot. Defending Luke Hughes.

[Rosenberg]

This is family blood over everything. I don't understand.

[Don Hahn]

It was not over. Actually was probably almost a month ago because they haven't played for two weeks. Right. Luke Hughes suffered an upper body injury. People speculate it's a shoulder injury. Okay, so rehab and trying to get back for the devil's push to try to make the playoffs. He's skating again on the 18th. A couple of days ago, NHL non Olympic players, they opened up camps. So these Guys who haven't skated in two weeks can get ready for the games, which start on Wednesday for the Devils. So there's no guarantee he's going to be able to play on Wednesday, but he's trying to get ready to play for the second half of the season. So, Peter, I ask you, if you were Luke Hughes, where would you be?

[Peter]

It would be focused on getting myself back to playing.

[Don Hahn]

Thank you. The game's on tv.

[Peter]

He's able to watch now.

[Don Hahn]

If.

[Peter]

Now, like, it depends. If I'm really, totally fine and this is just sort of academic, then maybe I consider it. But, like, if you really need the work and you also know your brothers will probably get a chance to do this again in four years, which they will.

[Don Hahn]

I probably am choking, I believe, and I don't know this for a fact, but I believe that if he had not been injured and just was not on the US Hockey team, which he wouldn't be, and he decided to go and ask the Devils. Listen, I'm not going to report on the 18th. I'm going to watch my brother and I'm going to come back with him. I think they'd be totally cool with that. But he's rehabbing his shoulder. He's coming back. He's skating again. He's not. It's questionable whether he'll be ready to play on Wednesday. So obviously, all this work he's doing is to get prepared for when they return. He's got an obligation to his team. He should be skating and getting ready. If he had been healthy, then I could say, you know what? I think they would let him go to Milan and watch his brother with his parents, watch his brothers with his parents.

[Peter]

You know, I saw. I saw a nice feature. No, listen, you asked. I saw.

[Rosenberg]

I was curious. I got an answer. I accept.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

I'll allow it.

[Peter]

Saw a nice feature earlier on, Johnny Goudreau's family, who all attended as well.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter]

And they showed the, you know, the jersey hanging in the locker room family there.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Peter]

It's like.

[Rosenberg]

It's.

[Peter]

It's just so utterly and inexplicably heartbreaking.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter]

But to see that they're. They're doing this, you know, now what pushed coming, what, a year and a half removed or whatever it is.

[Don Hahn]

It was. What is August of 24, I think it was.

[Peter]

That sounds.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter]

So a year and a half. So to this time later, when the family is still completely going through it, I think a lot of times it can feel like for the rest of the world, like, it feels like the rest of the world moves on. So the fact that the team isn't treating it that way and that they're keeping him that involved in it, I mean, if you don't remember that, the Johnny Goudreau story, just an absolute tragedy with him being killed while riding bikes with his brother before his brother's wedding.

[Rich Eisen]

It's just.

[Peter]

It's lovely that the team's doing it. And it made me happy to see the family there.

[Don Hahn]

Really nice. And, you know, you said his jersey's up and he would be on this team.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And his dad had coached, so. I remember when John Tortorella was coach of the Philadelphia Flyers going into that season, he was still the coach of the Flyers and had his dad skate there because he was from South Jersey. So more Philly. The Philly area. And John Tortorella is an assistant coach under Mike Sullivan with Team usa. Looks like. Is that Tage Thompson walking off the ice? Looks like he suffered an injury of some sort. But anyway, I wonder. They probably wouldn't because he didn't play.

[Peter]

But a gold medal for the family.

[Don Hahn]

But would you present the family with a gold medal if the USA won? I don't know if they're allowed to. I'm sure the IOC has certain rules. Hey, he didn't participate. But if you're. If you're the usa, do you make a. Like.

[Rosenberg]

Like, do you just.

[Don Hahn]

Do you like to do something? Right.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I. You would think so, right? Like, you would think do something. Something like that. A gesture of that type is certainly something to think about, right? Yeah, that'll be interesting to see that. You got to get there, of course.

[Don Hahn]

But, yeah, they. They're obviously going to win this game. They're in the third period, up five nothing. But they still have to win on Sunday against Canada. And I would not be. And I wouldn't be surprised, guys, if his number 13 wouldn't be present, you know, on the podium if they were to win the gold medal, too. I'm sure there'll be a presence there because like I said, he would be on this team and he would.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, the guys have really been great about that. And that is. This is obviously his generation of players, right? So they all have played together. I'm sure they've played a million times for, you know, for USA Hockey in various places. So I love the fact that they have made sure to just continue this. It wasn't just a Four nations thing last year. It was. It's a real thing. And I think it's great. And now it's, it gives you something extra to root for too, right?

[Don Hahn]

No, for sure. And it's going to be a lot of fun. Coming up Sunday at 8:10. And just looking at the, the women's numbers yesterday.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Most watched women's hockey game ever. No surprise there. Makes you kind of wonder why they didn't put it on NBC for the full game. The audience peaked at 7.7 average, 5.3 million people. This is the middle of the afternoon on the usa.

[Rosenberg]

Don, think of most of the country. This was late morning, right?

[Don Hahn]

Because. Yeah, because it was a 1:10 Eastern time face off. So that's, you know, 10:10 in the morning out west and you know, obviously it peaked at 7.7 once it went to overtime and the game was close. And it's pretty amazing, the numbers. And I'm sure Even with an 810 start Sunday morning, if it is USA Canada, and it looks in all likelihood we're 16, 19 away from that happening, the numbers would be astronomical as well. There are a lot of reasons why people buy at Ramsey Mazda. It's their selection, it's their customer service, and it's their savings. Lisa New 2026 Mazda CX 52.5 S Select with all wheel drive for $219 for 33 months or buy with 1.9% APR financing for 36 months. Start shopping now at RamseyMazda.com, choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for lease details. Then TN 466016 MSRP $32,010 0 security deposit APR at $28.60 per month per $1,000 financed and 3,226. You know, we were talking about how odd it is to idolize players that never played for your team. So Rico in Buffalo has a very strange one. Okay, you're on Don on a Roseberg. What do you got, buddy?

[Caller]

Okay, John, I think you're old enough, but you remember War Memorial Stadium? War in Buffalo?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, well, yeah, yeah, yeah, War Memorial.

[Caller]

Okay. I'm a lifetime. I'm 70 years old and I've worshiped the Buffalo Bills my entire life. But my all time favorite athlete, not football player athlete was Joe Namath. So I don't see anything wrong.

[Don Hahn]

It's odd when the caller you at least acknowledge it's odd.

[Caller]

Could you repeat that, please?

[Don Hahn]

Would you at least acknowledge that it's odd?

[Caller]

Yeah, it could be, but I just, I don't give you a quick story Happened one time, it was 1968. My father was able to take me to one football game, and it had to be the New York jets because of Joe Namott. And I remember he got sacked and his helmet got knocked off, and the fans were booing him and booing him and, you know, calling him all kinds of names, bad names, you know, and we were sitting in the end zone and he put his helmet on, and the very next play went back to pass, and I saw this ball come flying toward me. Touchdown to Joy Sauer. I loved it. I stood up and I was cheering while they abused me for the rest of that game.

[Don Hahn]

And thank you for the phone call. I just find out it's the visual rival. Why not just be a Jet fan? You were that young. It just, it's odd.

[Caller]

Well, I was.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

All right, we can call it out.

[Don Hahn]

I, I, I can't say you're wrong, Rico, because that, that was your idol. And it's, it's a great story and we appreciate the phone call, but at least acknowledge that it's odd. I mean, it would, it's very similar. Even though Joe, Joe Namath didn't win at the same clip as Tom Brady, but like a, a, a Jet fan saying, you know, I'm a Jet fan, but, but, you know, the first game I went to, Tom Brady threw a touchdown, and I've always loved Tom Brady. He'd be like, that's nuts.

[Rosenberg]

I thought he was going to say that the ball was coming towards him and like, he caught it. No, the guy who was heckling him, it just hit him right in the face. It, like, that would have been a great story.

[Don Hahn]

Here's, here's something that, that, here, here's an answer I think I would have accepted better. You know, you're where I thought he was going to go.

[Rosenberg]

What was that?

[Don Hahn]

I was a Bills fan. The AFL was always disrespected, and Joe Namath winning Super Bowl 3 gave the AFL credibility.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That I appreciate and I'll always, you know, worship Joe Namus. That, that, that I would accept.

[Rosenberg]

I get that. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Then I would kind of understand.

[Rosenberg]

Now, let me, let me ask. When we were doing this whole thing about how I'm a fan of one team, but I like the guy who said he was a Knicks fan, but he idolized LeBron. Yeah. A guy on Twitter asked, do you rock Jordans?

[Don Hahn]

Not the same.

[Rosenberg]

And of course, the answer is, yes, I do. And I think that's the thing. Well, but I never had a hatred for Michael Jordan, but But.

[Don Hahn]

But are you wearing Jordans because you're celebrating Michael Jordan or just that you love the sneaker?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's. It's really more about the brand and,

[Peter]

and the sneaker isn't a bull sneaker, it's sneaker.

[Don Hahn]

There's a big difference between wearing Jordans and wearing a Jordan jersey.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I know. I don't. I never saw like the. I never had like an issue with like, I can't wear Jordans because first of all, when they became a thing in the late 80s, there was no Jordan Nicks thing yet. It hadn't happened yet. Right. Like the Jordan were 89. Like, they didn't play each other in things that really mattered until, you know, 92, 93, those two years. Especially when they just couldn't. They couldn't beat him.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Rosenberg]

Because I don't, I don't put the two things in the same bucket.

[Don Hahn]

No. But I, I can understand not hating Jordan. I can never understand Nick fan liking him. He did stand in your way. Did put up a double nickel, if you remember, at the Garden.

[Rosenberg]

But like the way he played and how he played, all you could do is. Was nod. And the fact that he also was very respectful and paid homage to the. Like to the Garden, to New York, like, he never was. It was hard to hate him. You feared him, but you didn't hate him.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I, I just. Yeah, that's really. Things I can't say. It's okay not to hate him if you want to hate him. Yeah, for sure. Probably based on jealousy, but that's how a lot of hatred is based on. But I don't see liking him, rooting for him. No, if you're a Nick fan, that would, That's.

[Rosenberg]

That.

[Don Hahn]

That would be a tough sell for me for sure.

[Peter]

But I do, I do think there's probably a share of Knicks fans who feared him, who hated playing against him, but still completely sat back and marveled and loved watching.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I will tell you. I will tell you, I have zero love for Aikman and Irvin and, And Emmett, but I respect them. I respect how good they were. You know, my hatred comes from the fact that I just couldn't stand the fact the Giants couldn't beat him. But I, I think there can be respect. I respect for. Yeah, first off back and those guys, the Eagles. I legitimately hate their guts and I can't like any of their players.

[Rosenberg]

But see that there are. There.

[Don Hahn]

I think certain teams get to a level where you could still. I think there's a world where you can hate and respect at the same time.

[Peter]

Correct.

[Rosenberg]

It's like, like Dan Marino, great example of somebody that. How many times, like, they had some crazy games the jets did with Dan Marino? I never hated Dan Marino. I just was mad that, you know, we passed on him in the draft. I always would.

[Don Hahn]

23 other teams to have this freaking

[Rosenberg]

guy and instead he's, you know, it's just nightmare after nightmare. So, you know, like, I think it's along those lines because, you know, he. How many times did he just love killing the Jets? So I look at it that way. Josh Allen's another way. I. I'm not Josh Allen. I can't hate Josh Allen. Can't hate him.

[Don Hahn]

Well, the reason you can't is for the same reason for Dan Marino in a sense that really. Were you ever good? When they were good? Did Josh Allen. Did Josh Allen ever stand in the jets way? No.

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

It's a great point. The jets have been horrid the entire time he's been in the league.

[Rosenberg]

Yes. Yeah.

[Caller]

Right.

[Rosenberg]

So. Yeah, but Brady too. Like, think about Tom Brady.

[Don Hahn]

But you got yours against Brady a couple of times, right? You beat him in a playoff game.

[Rosenberg]

Like, like, like you played him in a playoff. You beat him like that. That's, you know, like, how could you be mad? Like, those are the things that I don't. I think the only time you develop the, like, the animosity for Reggie Miller is easy because Reggie Miller, the way he acted histrionic and people always forget and he killed you, but they act like he always beat the knit.

[Don Hahn]

Look at his record against the.

[Rosenberg]

No, the Knicks actually beat him more times than he just.

[Peter]

Yeah, but the ones that he won

[Rosenberg]

were just so bad.

[Peter]

Yeah, that's the thing.

[Don Hahn]

And District, he was disrespectful and the

[Rosenberg]

way he acted it made it easy and he wanted to be the villain. He embraced it. So that's why villains are ones where it's like, I liked. I liked Reggie Miller, so I got a Reggie Miller jersey even though I'm a Knicks fan. That's a fraud. But I wear Jordans even though I'm a Knicks fan. That's not a fraud.

[Peter]

No.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if there's a comp to Jordan any other sport. Me. No, meaning, like with the sneaker. Like, I don't think wearing Jordans. You're representing Michael Jordan. You just really love the sneakers.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Like, is there somebody that did something so iconic that. No, it really is the most iconic

[Peter]

sports brand in history.

[Don Hahn]

Right. But. But Even just not sports brand, like anything like that. They did something.

[Peter]

Oh, no, no. There. There could definitely be people who wore yeezys and had no interest in Kanye West.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter]

And then actually grew to kind of disdain him. I love the sneaker.

[Rosenberg]

Sneaker. Yeah. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But, like, what if there was an actor you couldn't stand, but they. I don't know. They made a wine that you love. You know, is it. Is it wrong? I enjoy the wine, but. Or like, I didn't.

[Peter]

I just give that exact comp. That's literally it.

[Don Hahn]

Is that what it is? I didn't know the easy is a sneaker. Yeah.

[Peter]

Well, Kanye has a sneaker. He's a huge music star. You might. He might. He might find him completely deplorable now. I think his music stinks. But you find the sneaker absolutely comfortable and you love it.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

What's funny about that is Jacob and I just saw. I think it was two days ago on Twitter, there was a fake Jordan 8 leak that came out that was going to be Nick's plated. And obviously it was fake, but we said, I don't think I'd wear it anyway. We just didn't like the way it looked.

[Peter]

Right.

[Anthony]

And there were people under it that said, I'm a Nick fan. I'd never wear Jordans. And I just don't. I don't really get that.

[Rosenberg]

By the way, Nick players wear Jordans.

[Don Hahn]

Of course.

[Anthony]

I just think. And this is gonna sound weird, I just think that that shoe now has even transcended Michael Jordan. Yes. It's got his logo on it, but it's. It is the brand that you wear.

[Rosenberg]

Great point.

[Anthony]

If you want to buy a shoe.

[Kodiak/Waffle Advertiser]

Right.

[Anthony]

So it's not like I'm a fan of Michael Jordan anymore. It's. I love these shoes and I'm wearing.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it just becomes bigger than. Than him or what? You know, it's just different. It's different than the jersey or. You know, I like the Bulls jersey. So I'm going to wear it and I'm just going to have it to be Jordan.

[Rosenberg]

You know, people were Chuck Taylor's. They don't even know that Chuck Taylor played basketball.

[Don Hahn]

He did. And I don't know how. I don't know how as somebody that had. I wore them as a kid. I'm old enough that I. That might have been my first pair of sneakers.

[Rosenberg]

Chucks. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That. How they didn't break their ankles every game.

[Peter]

It's.

[Don Hahn]

It's because there was no support. There were high tops, but there Was

[Peter]

no support, it was just cloth. You might as well play barefoot.

[Anthony]

Knicks fans only wear star berries.

[Peter]

It's. That's right, you should only nine dollar star berries.

[Anthony]

I did like those shoes.

[Rosenberg]

Now the Ewings though, because the like you talk about like if you're a New Yorker and you like wearing Butters, you like wearing Tim's, wear Ewings because they feel the same.

[Peter]

I know they're about as heavy as a pair of boots.

[Rosenberg]

You get you through a snowstorm.

[Peter]

It's a great point.

[Don Hahn]

I want, I want Griffin and Kinetic to flex a little bit. He said Tage Thompson was going to score. So Griffin, how much money did you make today?

[Caller]

Unfortunately, I don't like to bet, so I didn't really bet, but I wish I did.

[Peter]

Yeah, takes this. Takes the.

[Don Hahn]

Did you gamble? Yeah. How have you celebrated this 51 lead so far?

[Caller]

Sometimes I'll have my shirt off because I get too hot. Well, I'm relaxing right now because it's 5:1 and I feel comfortable that we have the game. So it's just nice. If it was a closer game that would be a little nerve wracking. But up five to one, I feel like we're good. I'm just worried about what happened with, with Tage Thompson who ended up leaving and if he's hurt, that is going to be a big blow. If we can't have him in the gold medal game because of what he's been in the power play. So that, that's something to keep a look at.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know what happened. I know he walked off, but I don't know what the injury is. So it's something obviously to keep an eye on. But you called it. You said he was going to score and he scored.

[Caller]

And I even said I thought it was going to be the power play and it was.

[Rosenberg]

Now Anthony, Anthony, did you go Tage Thompson anytime goal just because of Griff?

[Anthony]

You have to tell Griftster.

[Rosenberg]

Of course. So should you break off a little something for Griffith?

[Don Hahn]

You know what? Tip them.

[Anthony]

I could, I could do that easily.

[Peter]

Now, now let's be clear here, Anthony, you threw down what a big five spot on that, right?

[Anthony]

Yeah, that's.

[Peter]

And what did that pay out for you?

[Anthony]

What was it plus one? Was it plus in the plus two hundreds?

[Don Hahn]

I gotta look.

[Peter]

So you might, you might have walked away with ten dollars.

[Anthony]

That's right.

[Peter]

So what do you think? Two bucks for Griff?

[Anthony]

Yeah, I think that's fair.

[Don Hahn]

There you go.

[Anthony]

Next time I see Griffin.

[Peter]

Yeah, two bucks for you. Grifter.

[Don Hahn]

We got. We gotta. We have to. We have to start making some appearances in Connecticut so we can see Griff.

[Rosenberg]

I agree. We have a lot of fans in Connecticut. I hear about it all the time. We go up there for hockey.

[Anthony]

Shoulder check sounds like a good option.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, we should do that next time. Dave Maloney's charity.

[Rosenberg]

I like it.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's out in Connecticut and it's a.

[Rosenberg]

It's a. I love that. That charity. That foundation is terrific.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Anthony]

Thanks very much for having me, Michelle.

[Don Hahn]

We've been hearing a lot lately about cancer rates rising, especially in younger adults, which is obviously pretty alarming. What are you seeing?

[Anthony]

Without question, cancer rates are rising across the board. And concerningly, we are seeing more aggressive cancers in people even in their 20s and 30s.

[Don Hahn]

That's scary for a lot of people. Is there anything that can be done to help alleviate that fear?

[Anthony]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don Hahn]

See us live from the Irish Exit at Moynihan train hall, Friday, March 13 before the semifinal round of the Big east tournament. Stop by before heading into the Garden or before your commute home. Be part of the college hoops energy, see the show up close and feel the Big east buzz in person. Don Han and Rosenberg live from the Irish Exit at Moynihan Train hall starting at 3pm Friday, March 13, just steps away from Madison Square Garden Penn Station, brought to you by Sun Cruiser Iced Tea, Vodka, Sam Adams and Schweppes. That's always a good time. Looking forward to that coming up on the 13th. We've got so much going on. We got The Eli Manning sound. But I want to get to some of these calls that have popped up.

[Peter]

Let's talk to the people.

[Jackson Dart Interviewee]

Yeah, I want to.

[Don Hahn]

I want to talk to the people, but I've unfortunately. Let's go. Let's see who can I. All of a sudden, my screen. Oh, no, disappeared.

[Rosenberg]

We got a front alert Friday. We got a Knicks need Giannis. We got a Little Jack and the Olympics. And then we have a Giannis. So much so two Giannis's, a Jack in the Olympics and a fraud alert

[Don Hahn]

while I'm correcting my computer. Why don't you choose one there, Alan?

[Rosenberg]

Well, I just gave you options. What do you guys want?

[Don Hahn]

Well, but you didn't give me where they're. Where they're from. Come on, just grab one.

[Rosenberg]

Does it matter? It's just topic more than. All right, let's go. Carlo in Westchester, because that's a fraud alert Friday Question. We like those. Go ahead, Carlo.

[Caller]

Hello, can you hear me?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Caller]

So I've been wanting to call for some time now. I'm a heavy Knicks and Mets fan, also Rangers fan. I'm 22 years old, born and raised in New York, playing in Washington, soccer as my prominent sport with a family who's Italian. Let me put a picture. Peter, I know you like a story, so sure. I've never been into American football growing up, however, I've been playing fantasy football leagues with my friends who are just in Giants fans. So I've been rooting for my players and not a specific team. I went to college at SUNY Brockport, close to Rochester, and most of my friends up there, Bills, Bills fans.

[Peter]

Can I get a strange polls drop for SUNY Grokport?

[Don Hahn]

Can I get what?

[Rosenberg]

It's one of the better.

[Anthony]

Brockport would be a strange poll.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, thank you.

[Peter]

By the way, either one is a strange poll.

[Rosenberg]

No, no, Brockport's one of the. One of the better Sunnis.

[Peter]

I believe you, but as a man who's heard of Sunnis my whole life, I just tell you, I never. I never heard anyone say Brockport.

[Don Hahn]

I'm just telling you.

[Peter]

All right, continue, sir.

[Rosenberg]

I'm sorry. Sorry, Carla.

[Caller]

No, no worries. So my uncles are casual fans. They're casual Giants fans. My father claims to be a Jets fan, but he's also a casual fan. And when games are on, he just roots for, quote, the New York teams. So I've been to all Jets, Giants and Bills games. I want to know what team I should root for. I've said to my friends, which of the next Three teams wins a Super Bowl, I'll root for them. But I just want to know if I would have been a fraud for rooting for the team for the super bowl, and if not, who should I root for?

[Rosenberg]

Donnie. Wow. Okay. Pensive.

[Don Hahn]

However, I just don't have.

[Peter]

You don't have the patience.

[Jackson Dart Interviewee]

Yeah.

[Peter]

You don't have it in yet.

[Don Hahn]

A lot was going on there at this stage. Whatever. It does come across as picking the team that wins the Super Bowl. But how, when. What if that doesn't happen? You're just not going to pick a team. Come on, blank or get off the pot here.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Honestly, you know, otherwise, they'll go as long as the story did.

[Rosenberg]

Well, you feel like Bills is the obvious choice, right? Because he wasn't a football fan. His dad was really ten toes down on the jets, so he wasn't gonna go pull that way. Being up at Grockport or Brockport, a lot of Bill's people. And so he decided, like, I think that's the. Your. That's your lean, don't be embarrassed.

[Don Hahn]

Just go ahead thing. Here's why I don't. I lack energy in the answer.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Cuz it's not gonna work if you got to be asking people, how should I choose? If you did choose, it's not gonna stay. You're not interested. That's all right. You don't know. Not everybody has to be a football fan.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

All right. It has to happen naturally. If you're asking me, what should I do? You're not in. It's almost like you're being forced at gunpoint, for Christ's sake. It doesn't matter.

[Rosenberg]

I must pick. So help me pick.

[Don Hahn]

Don't, don't, don't be a football fan. Do us all a favor.

[Peter]

Oh, my, Don, the harshness.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, what.

[Peter]

He's being direct, but he could never now. So maybe instead of saying, don't bother being a football fan, couldn't it be, hey, if you stumble into something natural, you'll know. If not, don't bother. What about that?

[Don Hahn]

No, my answer is my answer. Rob in Point Pleasant. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Rob?

[Peter]

Not nice. I'm just not nice. Let's be honest.

[Caller]

Hey, guys. Love the show, man. I listen every day.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks, man.

[Caller]

So I'm sort of red hot about the Devils. Needed those two games before the break, right? Columbus and then the Islanders and, you know, Jack, you know, I guess he's, you know, he was close, obviously close to being healthy enough to play but doesn't play the two games then he did. I see him now, he's playing in the Olympics and it's like, come on, man, we need you for the Devils, man. Like, what do you guys think about?

[Don Hahn]

I remember. I remember talking to Danico about it because it was like, up in the air. Will he play in the Islander game? And that was a big game because they were seven points back of the Islanders. If they had won that game in regulation, you close it to five, you know, with 25 games left, hey, you got a shot here. And they end up losing the game in regulation. Now they're nine points out, and it feels like it's over. And I remember going to Kenny before the game started. I'm like, if Jack doesn't play, he's going to get killed because fans are going to feel like that, like, oh, you couldn't play for us. And then you go to the Olympics and now you're going out there, you got six points and three goals. I understand the optic looks bad. I can't even defend that. But what if he couldn't play? They didn't play their first game in the Olympics until a week later. Wasn't like, the next day, he's in Milan playing. It was a week later. So is there a world where he wasn't ready to go against the Islanders? Could have hurt himself more, Just couldn't do it. But then a week later, he was able to go. So I'm not going to get mad at you for thinking, hey, he should have played. Give me 10 minutes. That's what Mike Rupp said. Give me 10 minutes. Just play on the power play, just show me something and then go to the Olympics. I can understand you saying that, but I could also see there a world where, like, you know, I can't go. I physically can't go on Thursday, but next Wednesday in Milan, he's able to go. Alan. Peter, is there a world where six days later he could be better?

[Rosenberg]

Yes. I mean, give you a two to four week, you know, return window and you're one week into it or three weeks into it. That extra week does matter because I

[Don Hahn]

will say this about Jack. All right? And again, I don't know the answer, but I would think if he could go, he would have went. Because you know why I say that? Because when he cut his finger, he was going to be out six to eight weeks and he came back in five. So he came back early from the finger because he was ready and he played. And I could tell you watching him play. When he came back, he didn't look like he was 100%, but he felt like he can go and he went. So the fact that he didn't go with the groin tells me he didn't. He couldn't go. And if he could, he would have.

[Rosenberg]

So I believe.

[Don Hahn]

And to me, I would believe that six days later he felt well enough to play for Team usa. Now, again, if he told me he, like two days later, a day later, and I'd be a little dubious about it, like six, because I think they played on Thursday. Correct me if I'm wrong, anybody, and I'm sure they will. On Twitter, I believe their first game was like the following Wednesday. I think that almost a week later, there is a world in which he felt better to play. But I can't complain, Alan, that, hey, the optic doesn't look great.

[Rosenberg]

Right? Of course.

[Don Hahn]

And Mike Rupp went after him, you know, so there are people that can have the opinion, but I don't. I'm not feeling his pain. I don't know his body. He was. I was told by the doctors he couldn't. They didn't clear. So he. I don't have any evidence in the brief time that I've worked for the Devils or watching Jack play since he was drafted first overall that this isn't a guy that doesn't give it an effort every night. So I'm going to err on the side that he just got better now. I'm not going to get mad at Rob for being curious about it, of course.

[Rosenberg]

And one thing that Jack probably has to have in the back of his mind as a face of the organization, is that when you come back from this, like, you've got to be. You got to go all out. Like, you've got to make sure that you're playing at a high level.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, right.

[Rosenberg]

That you are like. And I mean, he's a competitive guy, so this sounds a little Captain Obvious, but have it in the back of your mind that the fans are going to be looking at you with a side eye. And so when you got to come out of the gate and you got to come out of the gate as a highly competitive superstar, like the first handful of games have. You have to play them at the same level you played these Olympic Games. You can dial it back if you need to, but I'm just saying, like, that's the way to kind of get the fans back on your side, is to make sure that the minute you put that jersey back on that you are a difference Maker and they'll forget all about the two games you missed.

[Don Hahn]

Double fans are mad. I mean, it's the one thing, you know, getting back within this organization and dealing like they're red hot, you know, and I get it. They went to the finals in 2012 and what, three playoff appearances since then and only one playoff win. And this year there were expectations were through the roof and now there's a very good possibility and they're not going to make the playoffs. But Jack's one of their stars and I'm going to err on the side that he couldn't go. But again, I can't get mad at because I remember sending the guy they're going to get. They're going to go after him. This is not going to look great. Then he's not playing and he goes out there to Milan and plays in the first game. But again, there was a good six day gap there that I think there is a world where he could have felt better. And, and also I didn't take a look. I'm sure his minutes might have been reduced in that game. And believe me, he's not asked to do as much on Team USA as he is with the New Jersey Devils. There's superstars everywhere he looks on Team usa. Right. But you hope that, hey, the way that Meyer played and he sure played for Switzerland, the way Markstrom played for Sweden, the way Jack has played so far for usa, that maybe this will be a sign of good things to come. With the devils come back nine points out of a playoff spot. But 25 games left, there's, I figure, 50 points on the table. Allen, they'll need 37 of those 50 to have a shot. All right, that'll give them 95 and we'll see if that's going to be enough to get them into the playoffs. Let's go to Anthony in Mayo Pack. You're on espn.

[Caller]

Hey, guys, how you doing today? I got a. I got a hockey fraud question for you.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Caller]

So in the year in the early 80s, I was living out in Colorado and I was a big Colorado Rockies fan. When they first got the team, I went to every game with my father. Yeah, I followed them to New Jersey. Yeah, what's that?

[Don Hahn]

Don Cherry was the coach there with all the grapes.

[Caller]

Yeah, Don Cherry used to waddle around on the ice. He was great. And so I followed the team to New Jersey and I was a big Devils fan. When Colorado got their team back, I was living out there. I started rooting for them too. So I've been torn with this my whole life. Claude Lemieux, my favorite player of all time. He played for both teams.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

I have a hard time going about this without being a fraud.

[Don Hahn]

I gotta tell you, this is one of the best fraud questions we've ever gotten.

[Rosenberg]

I'm curious to see where you're going to go, Don. Wow.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going to. I'm going to say no fraud.

[Caller]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

I can understand why people would think fraud. Let me hit the thing. I'm sorry. But, you know, he's originally a Colorado Rockies guy. They moved to New Jersey, wants to keep it going, but he's still in Colorado. Then the Avalanche come in. They're really good that they represent the. He was a Rockies fan because of Colorado. Now the Avalanche are there. I. I can't. No, I can't. I can't go after him. I'm sorry. I say no fraud.

[Rosenberg]

I like this theater. Why Peter Cosign.

[Peter]

No, this is why you have to tune in to Fraud Friday, because you never know where the judge is going to fall. He will surprise you.

[Don Hahn]

Now, I'll be honest. I would find it difficult, like, if I. All right, so I'll go to New Jersey. I'll root for them, you know, and so he's a.

[Anthony]

He's.

[Don Hahn]

Because they moved there in 82, 83. The avalanche didn't come to being until 95, 96. So it's a significant. Over a decade. He's rooting for the Devils, but Colorado still in his heart, they get a team back. How often do you get a team back? Right?

[Rosenberg]

Devils already had a cup in their pocket, too.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

He could have just said, forget it.

[Don Hahn]

Well, think about it. He left.

[Rosenberg]

He went from one the year after

[Don Hahn]

they won their first cup, and then

[Rosenberg]

he got a cup right away. Didn't. Didn't. Didn't Colorado win?

[Don Hahn]

Colorado that won their first year. Yeah. In Colorado. Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

So that's a pretty good.

[Peter]

This is. This isn't fraud. This is just luck.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's pretty damn good.

[Don Hahn]

Well, and you know, the people in Quebec City were upset that the Avalanche won, but they wouldn't have gotten Patrick Wa. If they stayed the Nordiques, I'll tell you, the Montreal Canadiens would not be trading him to Great Point Quebec. And obviously Patrick Wild. A lot to do with that cup in the 96 season. But I. That's one of the best ones we've ever had. Because that's like, legitimately, you have to think about it. All right, so it's official. Team USA moves on. A 62 victory. Over Slovakia, you're getting what you dream about. So we're set. USA, Canada for all the marbles. 8, 10 Sunday. So hopefully everybody. And from what I'm morning, that is.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Eight, ten in the morning. Yes.

[Rosenberg]

Is the group chat going to be. Going to be popping, boys?

[Don Hahn]

Well, I'll tell you, just taking a look at the forecast, no matter how much snow we get, the whole day is going to be garbage. I mean, it's. You're not going anywhere. It's Nancy's birthday on Sunday. Oh. But luckily, we'll have all day tomorrow.

[Peter]

What level of garbage are they talking about right now?

[Don Hahn]

Well, just going to be, you know, wintery mix to start, and then eventually, by just a nighttime, it's supposed to ramp up to where we're gonna get significant snow at some point. You're looking at anywhere between 8, like, 5 to 8 in some areas, 8 to 12 in other areas. There's areas of Long island might get a foot of snow.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, boy.

[Don Hahn]

And it's gonna carry into Monday, which sucks, because now it's gonna be late. So you're gonna get up Monday with it still snowing.

[Peter]

This just cleared.

[Rosenberg]

Just literally today, no mas. All right.

[Don Hahn]

Literally today, snow is going to be here until Easter.

[Rosenberg]

Remember you were asking that. When was the last patch, the last patch of snow? We. We were all predicting different dates. Might have to amend this.

[Don Hahn]

Well, everybody hates rain, right? But I embraced it today because I'm, like, 40. It's good. Let's get some rain.

[Peter]

It's been a few days in a row with rain, and every day it pops up, I go, fantastic. We're getting hammered with rain because these piles of snow in the city were literally 20ft high, 25ft long. It was bricks. So you needed consistently to be over 32 degrees. Then you needed the rain to hit and days of it, and it finally today, don't get me wrong, there's still snow up and down the street, but it's, like, thinned out. You can mostly park again.

[Don Hahn]

It's.

[Peter]

It's finally okay. And now Sunday, they're saying we're getting hammered again. I mean, when was the last time we had this level of winter? It has been years where there's this much snow. Repeatedly.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, listen, we caught breaks for years, but this is no mas. No mas.

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[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your Podcasts.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. No sun in the forecast, unfortunately. Maybe a little bit. Tomorrow it's all gonna come apart. You like this song? That sounds like Alan.

[Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Don Hahn]

I'm good.

[Rosenberg]

This is. I told you. This is the. This is the New York sports fan anthem. It's easy to root for the team when they're good, but can you stand the rant? Can you get through this, though?

[Don Hahn]

Right. Well, somebody who did a lot of winning with the Giants, a couple of Super Bowls, Eli Manning, he was on the morning show.

[Peter]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Dpatro and Rothenberg. And Dave was giddy getting a chance to talk to Eli. I got the sense that he had never interviewed Eli before. We were fortunate enough back in the day to have him as a weekly, especially during that first super bowl run. It was really cool. But he was on earlier this morning and he was asked about the Harbaugh hire.

[Jackson Dart Interviewee]

No, I mean, I think you should be excited. I think the John Harbaugh hire is. I mean, you could not have asked for a better situation getting him, you know, he's the, you know, perfect coach that's been a coach. The media is not going to be too big for him. He knows how to be a CEO of a entire organization and come in and get the right guys, you know, surrounding him and the great coaches that he's been, you know, been through this before. So I think, you know, these. These guys don't come around. He's the coach we needed, but usually, you know, the coach that's unavailable. And so I think there's a lot of excitement there. You had Jackson dart. You got to, you know, think you have your quarterback of the future, so a lot of things in place. And when you got a young quarterback that can come in and play and play on that rookie contract, you can kind of surround them with some other young talent, getting neighbors back. And so there's. There is a, you know, kind of a crop of young talent in, you know, currently on the team and now get a few. A few spots where needed, and all of a sudden, you know, you can make a little playoff run.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, there's nothing negative at all about the Harbaugh hire. Everybody's got to be excited about that. Now, you mentioned Dart. How about the relationship with Dart and the growth?

[Jackson Dart Interviewee]

Well, I just think he's. He's a great leader. You see that. You know, I've seen that in the locker room, just how people talk about him. And obviously, he has earned his teammates respect through his. His preparation, through his play, and, you know, I think through his toughness Those things. And, and so I think as a young quarterback, you're always trying to do that. I think he's. He's already done that. Now it's about, hey, now I got to take the next level. I've earned their respect, and, you know, I'm a tough guy, and the linemen appreciate that. Now I got to find a way to complete the seasons and stay healthy, stay in the games, not missing games. All those things are now more important than kind of proving your toughness. That's, that's already been established. And so I think he has the ability to make plays. The moments don't seem too big for him. You know, he doesn't, he doesn't turn the ball over much. I mean, some, you know, so I think those are, you know, your rookie year, you're always going to have turnovers, you're always going to make mistakes. But I think he's done a good job of learning from those mistakes and not repeating the same mistakes kind of over and over again. So I think that's, that's, that's a good thing. I think, you know, you know, it's important to him, you see that, you know, football is his priority, and so he's going to do everything possible to work on that, to learn. You know, I hate that, you know, in your second year, you got to learn a new offense again, but, you know, that's. That's kind of part of it. So hopefully get, get this new offense and get going and, and, you know, you'll rally the team around them.

[Don Hahn]

This is the one that interested me the most, guys, about dart. Have you seen enough to believe dart will be really good?

[Caller]

I mean, I.

[Jackson Dart Interviewee]

It's a tough. It's a tough situation to say. I see the ability and I see the playmaking ability to explain extend plays to move in the pocket. He's got a great presence in the pocket, and, and now it's kind of taking that next step to, you know, getting the ball out on time and getting through that second or getting through that third progression, getting through your progressions quicker. That's kind of like the, you know, the next step for, for young quarterbacks is, hey, I have the ability to run, but I don't want to do that too often. You know, I want to. I want to get the ball to the receivers. I don't want to. The one thing about when you, when you hold the ball longer or you have the ability to extend plays and do those things, what happens is you end up taking more sacks and you end up taking more hits. And so those are kind of the negative side of that. And, you know, and so it's just kind of finding that. That sweet spot of, you know, when, you know, hey, I need. I need to get the ball out. I need to get to the completions. You know, I'm fine taking check downs. I don't always have to push the ball down the field. And then, hey, if truly nothing's there. And I. And, you know, I have. I have. I feel that I have an extra time of kind of using those moments to extend plays and to make those big plays, because they create. They create big plays. You just don't know what side the ball is going to get. The big play, it can lead to sacks, it can lead to, you know, touchdowns. And so you just gotta. You gotta be careful doing it too often, though.

[Don Hahn]

Again, not all good, but it's kind of refreshing to me that we're not like, every time somebody asked about, oh, yeah, no, it's fantastic. I think sometimes it's a little too over the top. So I like the fact that he answered it in the affirmative, but yet still left room for, hey, there's still a lot more work to be done here.

[Peter]

Well, yeah, I mean, I feel like he. That was kind of. He echoed the sentiment I've had the whole time, which is. You definitely have seen it, but you got to see more. There's just. You cannot say after seeing seven games or whatever it was on a team that was not very good, as much as there were bright spots and you saw things that you love Considering in the NFL, it's impossible to know if you have a quarterback for, like, two years. How anyone could say they're sure they have it is folly.

[Don Hahn]

I think people are open a little

[Rosenberg]

too much, you know what's there. That's the thing. You can look at a quarterback, and it doesn't take long to see that there's something there, whether or not it turns into franchise quarterback material again. That's right. Like, that's the problem.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. I just think that you have to

[Rosenberg]

see that over time, but you know, right away, this guy's got. This guy does it like Zach Wilson, you kind of knew pretty early. Like, it ain't there. Right.

[Don Hahn]

And sometimes, you know, and then you have the other side of the pendulum where, you know, it took Baker Mayfield a long time.

[Rosenberg]

But, you know, but Don. Even Baker, like, when Baker first started playing with the Browns that year, he gave them a little juice. You could see he had something about him. He rallied the troop the sideline got up like those things to me matter. Johnny Manziel was all flash and all that stuff. The guys liked him because he was, you know, goofball and fun. But nobody was like inspired by his performance. But Baker Mayfield, you could see guys responding to him and his energy. I think I saw that in Jackson Darth. That sideline changed when he started.

[Don Hahn]

But. But I do think Peter is right that I think people have taken the positive. They've seen and now it's art. We got the quarterback check. No, we got the coach check. He's proven himself.

[Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

That he is a Super bowl caliber coach. He's a guy that's going to be able to get you at least in position to be a championship. I would think we don't know that about Jackson Dart. I think he's moving in the right direction. I think he's going to be a good quarterback. But anybody that has checked the quarterback box a little too quick, I think we'll eventually get there. But let's let it happen first. Alright. I think there's still room to grow. There's. And I don't even talk about the injury part of it. I'm just talking about true greatness comes with consistency. Okay, now do it again. And then. And then do it again. But a little bit better and better than that. And then by year four, you know, year three, year four, we'll know.

[Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

But I do think people have already checked the box and I think it's a little too soon to do that.

[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter]

I don't want to know how the

[Rosenberg]

sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app

[Don Hahn]

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