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- [00:03]
Don Hahn
Kids, they grow up so fast. One day they're taking their first steps and the next they don't fit into the tiny sneakers they took them in. You blink your eyes and their princess dress is two sizes too small and their dinosaur backpack isn't cool anymore. But don't cry because they're growing up. Smile because you can profit off of it. For real. There are a bunch of parents on depop looking for the stuff your kid just grew out of. Download depop to start selling.
- [00:33]
Rosenberg
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.
- [00:37]
Don Hahn
That sounds like heaven to me.
- [00:38]
Rosenberg
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8:80 ESPN, the ESPN New York.
- [00:44]
Don Hahn
App and your smart speakers 5:03 in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg with you till 6:30. And then we've got Knicks and Pacers. Damie Woody's gonna join us at 5:30. Oh yeah, we touched on this at the beginning of the show, but it's worth diving into a little bit more. You still have the NBA cup haters, people that just don't get it, don't want it rooted against the Knicks now they've won it, don't want a banner, all that. But the one thing that I think is a serious conversation about the tournament in itself is that can it wear you out where you're playing one extra game, you're going to Vegas to play as the Knicks did on Saturday against Orlando and then they was it Saturday or Saturday and then they played Tuesday so they had some time off. But oh yeah, you know, time off in Vegas for NBA players is probably not rest and relaxation, let's be honest. And now Alan's going to read to you. As of 504 the questionable players for the game tonight in Indiana against the.
- [01:44]
Rosenberg
Pacers starts at og. Ananobi Lister is questionable with a left knee contusion.
- [01:49]
Don Hahn
Not nobody.
- [01:52]
Rosenberg
Mitchell Robinson left ankle injury management first game of a back to back. He hasn't played in both games and there's a home game tomorrow so you can understand that one car Anthony Towns questionable with left knee soreness. Something we saw him deal with the left knee in the second half of Wednesday's game the the NBA cup final. He did finish the game but still listed as questionable. And last but not least, Josh Hart are that guy today who has an amazing injury report here questionable with rectus abdominis strain.
- [02:29]
Don Hahn
I don't know.
- [02:30]
Rosenberg
So that's four players in your rotation. Three of them are starters and we'll see who is available tonight in Indiana to play against the Pacer team. That's Also ravaged with injuries. There's no, no Halliburton, no Niecemith, no Obi Toppin. Like, they're missing a ton of guys. They have the worst record in the NBA right now. And so, you know, like, like I said, they play the Sixers tomorrow night at home. You're gonna value that game more. Sure they are. Now, though, Don, if you count Wednesday and the travel, by Sunday, they will have played four games in six days. That's your reward for going to the cup and playing in that championship game. It's the schedule. It's the way it is. Whatever. I don't know why you would have a back to back off of anything with the cup, but they do. So do you punt this game tonight? Do you sit guys, because you want to make sure that you don't get something that turns into a lingering injury as important games come up. You certainly want everybody available for Christmas Day. As we know, that's a big game at the Garden against the Cavs next week. And there are some. I'm not saying that this is what the. Nick, you know, they could play everybody tonight, but it is like kind of the, the, the post Tibbs era, which Tibbs would not be for it, but Mike Brown has been a little bit more reasonable when it comes to resting players and understanding the way the schedule works. You played in a game Wednesday that meant something when it comes to winning something, but it meant nothing to the season. It didn't count. This game counts. So The Knicks are 18 and 7 regardless of the win Wednesday. This game counts. And it feels like this might be a game where you're, you're, you might have to say, we're going to sit some guys and just make sure they're right because we don't want to. We don't want them breaking down. That's one of the things where I feel like the NBA cup game should count because there is this logic of, wait, I played 40 minutes and played my ass off in a game that doesn't count to the regular season, but now because of it, I might sit some guys in a game that counts. And it's logic that doesn't make sense.
- [04:45]
Don Hahn
There now for all the reasons that people hate on the NBA cup, this is a reason that makes some sense to me. Not enough for me to just throw it away, but I can understand somebody saying, do I really want to put my team that's a favorite to make it to the NBA Finals in a compromise situation because they had to play extra games to get extra travel and now like the Detroit Pistons, who they're battling with for first in the conference, didn't have to worry about that. All right? They didn't have to worry about the extra game. They didn't have to worry about traveling to Vegas to play what was perceived to be meaningful games. And could that be something that helps them down the road? Now they're playing Indiana and they should be able to win this game regardless of. But I asked you this earlier and you don't have an answer. You can't get into the heads of Knicks management, but would they have treated this game any differently had this game been in Detroit against the Pistons, as opposed to a banged up Pacer team? That would hurt.
- [05:42]
Rosenberg
I'm going to say no. In Detroit. I'm going to say no.
- [05:44]
Don Hahn
Okay, so now. All right.
- [05:46]
Rosenberg
So now, yes. Different.
- [05:48]
Don Hahn
All right. Now we play the game of. All right, because it's the Pistons, maybe we get these guys to play. And you got to play against the Sixers because that's a home game against the divisional opponent. And now somebody gets compromised because now they played three games in four nights and they pushed it. So you put yourself in a tough situation because that's the one.
- [06:08]
Rosenberg
I'm sorry, I got an update for you, okay, Because Mike Brown is speaking now. The game is a seven o' clock tip. OG Is playing, okay? Hart, Mitchell, Robinson and Towns are out.
- [06:21]
Don Hahn
Are out.
- [06:22]
Rosenberg
So three rotation pieces, both your centers, not playing in this game, okay? Now again, the Pacers are. Are also injury ravage. If there's ever a time to do it, this is the time to do it. So I understand it. But that's just officially tonight. So you're getting that tonight you're getting three rotation players out. We already knew that Deuce was out. He's been injured. So if you think about it, it's really four. But they've already been playing without him. But OG Will play. That says a lot about OG by the way, because he's playing like an All Star. And he's got to know that the most important thing for him to do is to keep playing games so that no one can use any excuses against him about, wow, he misses time because he's injured. He wants to make sure he puts that to rest. So you still have Brunson, you'll still have Bridges, you still have OG Anunoby.
- [07:06]
Don Hahn
Now, it's still early in the season. The Knicks are two and a half games back of the Pistons, two in the loss column. But every game means something, right? You want to be able to get to. To first place if you can. You got a nice cushion between two and three. So it's really right now just about do I want to finish in first or second? It probably doesn't matter much, but it'll matter if you play the Pistons in the conference final and they've got home court. Although it didn't matter last year when you played them, that you seem to play better in all three at home.
- [07:32]
Rosenberg
Yeah, yeah.
- [07:33]
Don Hahn
But this seems to be two different teams. So I don't know how much last year really would apply to prognosticating that series. But I'm telling you, we've got an open tomorrow on a football Friday. If the Knicks lose this game to the Pacers, because that will add a lot of fuel to the fire of really, what do we do? We want it. We want a cup. And as nice as that might be, it compromised the next regular season game. Pistons have won for sure.
- [07:57]
Rosenberg
So you're saying at what cost? Right? That's what you're saying.
- [08:00]
Don Hahn
And if you go extrapolate it out to the end of the season and you lose out on the conference by one game, you know, you'd be like, oh, well, maybe that Pacer game. Maybe if we didn't lose that game, you know, it's. That's the only one that the hurting your chances to win, because this isn't what it's about or be made fun of by teams outside of New York or fans outside of New York or like all that stuff is ridiculous. This is something I think has some teeth now. They go out, win the game by 20 anyway, which they're certainly capable of doing because you said the Pacers aren't good and banged up. Well, then it was strategy that worked and it doesn't matter.
- [08:33]
Rosenberg
Right? Well, that's all you want to see. And if you have Jalen Brunson, you have the best player on the field.
- [08:37]
Don Hahn
Of course you have Brunson.
- [08:38]
Rosenberg
You have Adenobi can guard Siaka, who's their best player. So it's like you, you still have an answer. You don't have a lot of size. I mean, it's a big huck, porty game. Obviously, that's good to see a guy like Yabushelli, who hasn't really found his footing, good game for him against a team that's. That's struggling. So, you know, it makes tonight even more interesting, if you ask me. It does make it, make it like, interesting. But you know what, what else? I was thinking about Don and we have some interesting audio that I saw this conversation too, when after winning and playing the way they played, also through this whole cup thing, the, the three games in a row that they won and the way they won and how they looked and the chemistry that's really starting to develop. You know, we spent a lot of time talking about Giannis, and Giannis wants to be traded. Giannis wants to be a Nick and should the Knicks do it? And we had all kinds of how they could do it. And I keep telling everybody doing it during the regular season is very difficult and I don't see it. But people are really pushing the idea of this is a superstar and you need to get them so somebody else doesn't. And then there's this thought of, wow, they're playing so well, maybe they shouldn't trade for Giannis. And then Giannis spoke. Do we have it, guys? Oh, yeah, yeah. So here's Giannis speaking about the situation that is around him, which is the source based, reporting that he wants out of Milwaukee, that he wants to go to New York, and he's re, I guess, started up again the conversation with the Bucks about trading him sooner rather than later. My agent is stuck into the Bucks about it. He's a strong person. He can have any conversation he wants. At the end of the day, I don't work for my agent. My agent work for me. And there's going to be conversation that gonna be made between him and the Bucks and him and his other players and him and other teams and other GMs, executives around the league. Something that you can't control. But at the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I'm still locked in, locked in on my teammates. What do you make of that, Don? That if my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he's, that's, that's him. He can have any conversation he wants. But I don't work for him, he works for me.
- [11:04]
Don Hahn
And that's the way it should be.
- [11:06]
Rosenberg
You know, he said, you know, I have not had a conversation with the Bucks and that I'm locked in on the team. What do you make of that?
- [11:15]
Don Hahn
That he knows that he's not going anywhere this year. Right. So what? And this is probably where he's going to have to be for the rest of the season and might as well just lock in on that and then we'll see what happens in the offseason.
- [11:29]
Rosenberg
It's interesting because it's almost as if he's saying, there's no blood on my hand. He Doesn't. It's just like, Lillard went through this, too. He just doesn't want to say trade me, because he doesn't want that in his. Like, none of these guys, like, who was the, like, demanding a trade that just. You don't see it. Players don't want to be that. They don't want to leave because they know that, oh, they're gonna burn my jerseys. They're gonna know I didn't want to be here. He doesn't want that legacy.
- [11:59]
Don Hahn
It's. It's that. But it's also, like I said, well, if it. It may not happen this year. And now you got to play for the team and everybody knowing that you want to be traded, and the only reason you're still there is they couldn't get it done and they gotta wait till the offseason. So you might as well at least give some idea of, like, I never said anything because I might still have to be here. Because he knows it's probably not going to happen this season, right? So. Because it always happens. You look at Quinn Hughes, right? And not that he ended a trade, but, you know, he was a guy that everybody knew he wasn't going to resign with Minnesota. He turned down all their offers, had two years left on his contract, and they were going to have to trade. And he got traded, I mean, because that's what's going to. Vancouver had no choice but to deal him. And so the player usually always gets his way. That's why we think Joe Burrow, there's some meat on that bone, but the timing of it, that is beyond the control of the player, right? So I think the Quinn you stuff, you knew it was going to happen. It was just inevitable it was going to happen. But this, it's inevitable it's going to happen with Milwaukee, but the timing of it doesn't seem. Because there was an urgency, because Minnesota is good, right? So they wanted to get him to try to see if they can compete with Colorado and Dallas in their own division. Vancouver's not going anywhere, and so why waste time? He becomes less attractive deeper into the season or waiting till the offseason when he only has a year left in his contract. So it made sense to deal him right away. Quinn knew that and it was going to happen. That it's. That's the only thing that's different about the Giannis thing is that it doesn't have to happen now. Doesn't. There isn't that sense of urgency that it has to happen now. If anything, as you Said many times it makes sense for it to happen during the off season. So shouldn't he just play it like, hey, I'm not going anywhere, I'm not involved in this, there's no blood on my hands. Because there's a very good chance that he is going to be here for the rest of the season and maybe they sneak into a play in and might, you know, you know, make it into, into a playoff type of position where it's not a complete waste of time that he's here. Because what is their record now?
- [14:11]
Rosenberg
Yeah, I have no idea.
- [14:13]
Don Hahn
Playing right now, but he's not.
- [14:15]
Rosenberg
They lost a ton of games in a row recently, and it really looked like they were going the wrong way. But I, for me, I've been trying to convince everyone that this is not happening. And I understand the excitement because of who it is, but it, it like they, by the way, they're 11 and 16.
- [14:34]
Don Hahn
Right. But they're, but they're half game out of the 10 seed. So it isn't crazy to think. No, it's not.
- [14:39]
Rosenberg
Well, because look at the teams below. The Hornets, Nets, Pacers, Wizards. None of them are going to be. So they're going to make it by default. Right?
- [14:46]
Don Hahn
But, but, but it, that's still like, if you know, you're, you're going to be here and they're going to be meaningful games to play and you're going to be in the postseason, then you got to try to make that work.
- [14:55]
Rosenberg
Right? But you're not. Like, if you're the Knicks and the way they're playing right now, you're not trading, you're not blowing up your roster for Giannis right now, especially a Giannis who's got a calf strain. And you're like, you're not doing that right now. If they, if the Knicks had gotten off to a stumbling start like the Cavs did, oh, this would be loud as hell.
- [15:15]
Don Hahn
Yes.
- [15:15]
Rosenberg
But because they look like it's starting to click and Mike Brown is starting to figure it out and the team is starting to come around like, you don't want to mess with this right now. And if you're Giannis, I'll tell you what, you don't want to mess with this right now because if they trade for you and blow the roster up and you get there, the people are going to be mad as hell at you if you don't play out of your mind and win a championship. This is going to be something that I think if he wants to really be here, he's got to wait till the summer and see how the chips fall. Because if the Knicks get to the Finals, they're not going to blow it up. They're not. But if they struggle or fall short or fail, then he's got a better chance at one of those, well, we've got to make a choice here before because these guys are in their prime. We might have to do something, but right now, not happening. He's got to know it. And he also knows everybody in Milwaukee staring at him going, dude, are you standing? You going, what are you doing? If I'm a teammate of his right now, I'm like, are you playing? Are you in or out? What are you. So he has to say this, blame his agent and say, I'm here, I'm right now, I'm focused on Milwaukee.
- [16:18]
Don Hahn
That's all he can say, and that's all we've said from the beginning, is just be patient. Be patient if you're the Knicks, be patient if you're Giannis. This is going to happen. All right? But unfortunately it's not going to happen on the timeline you want. You're on a Bucks team that's a.
- [16:29]
Rosenberg
Half might not happen.
- [16:31]
Don Hahn
And so, well, we'll see there if they win. But you know, with, with the Quinn you stuff. For people that don't follow, the Minnesota Wild are in third place in the, in the Western Conference Central Division. The first place and second place teams, Colorado and Dallas, are literally the two best teams of the NHL. Like they are 1, 2, 55 points and 49 points respectively. So Minnesota's like, I like my team, but as presently constituted, we might not make it out of the first round.
- [17:00]
Rosenberg
Yep.
- [17:00]
Don Hahn
Because of who we had, the format, and we've got two of the best teams in league in our own division. If the Pistons had a seven game lead and look like the Thunder of the east, then maybe you feel like, hey, I can't have this happen. I don't think we could beat the Pistons. But you know, even if you finish behind them, you've got a better than average chance of being able to beat them. It's presently constitute. There isn't a sense of urgency. I need this now. If you want to think long term, I don't think we could beat the Thunder in the final. But I find that out.
- [17:32]
Rosenberg
Let me find that out first. Let's.
- [17:33]
Don Hahn
Yeah, exactly right. First of all, let's find that out because we all thought we were going to play the Thunder in the cup and end up being the Spurs.
- [17:39]
Rosenberg
That's kind of what. Yep.
- [17:40]
Don Hahn
Yeah, you never know.
- [17:41]
Rosenberg
I want to find out. I want to know what I got here. And that's why, especially because you're off to a good start. They're playing well. They're starting to clear. Number two offense in the NBA, by the way, number two, top 10 defense. All right, this is not. We're over 20 games now. You're well into the season now. You know who you are at this point or at least have an idea who you are. And they're not really at full health, although they're, they're, they're remarkably healthy right now. And so you've got an idea of what this team is. And so I got to feel like I want to see what this team can do first. I don't want to blow this thing up. Now, as I said, if you got off to a start like the Cavs did, and the Cavs right now, they're, they're frustrated in Cleveland. They don't know what's going on. I could see them making moves. Yeah, because they thought they'd have a better year building off last year, and they have not. But the Knicks are fine right now. They don't need to do anything. Let's go on a run. Let's see what this team's got. Let me find out what we look like in a seven game series. If, if, you know, again, if you're blessed to get to the finals and play them, that's a great year. And now you have a chance to see how you measure up. And at the end, if you realize we're not that good, we're not good enough to beat this team in a seven game series, then maybe you have to then start reconsidering. Well, if we can get a guy like that, maybe that puts us over the top. You do it. But you don't blow up your roster in the middle of the season to do it. Especially when your team is playing as well as this team is playing right now.
- [19:10]
Don Hahn
If you're the Cavaliers, if you're the Heat, you know, the Heat right now aren't playing.
- [19:13]
Rosenberg
He would love to do it.
- [19:15]
Don Hahn
You know, the Sixers are a game away from falling into the play and like. But the Knick, the Knicks are in good shape. They, I think they've played where they deserve a shot, a chance to see if they can do it this year. And if you get swept by the Thunder in the final, like, all right, listen, we're going to have to do something. Or if, you know, God forbid, you.
- [19:32]
Rosenberg
Don'T get or you don't get that.
- [19:32]
Don Hahn
Final, then you got to do something. I think they've done enough here to make it feel like I want to see what happens here and then we'll evaluate in the off season and the best case scenario is you don't have to do a damn thing, don't have to give up anything and be a championship contender. If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful, ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place. From inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify shopify.comnetwork. go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork as you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by.
- [21:35]
Rosenberg
This is Kevin Clark from Manscaped. Fellas, it's the season to shine. And not just from holiday lights. Manscaped is here to keep you looking sharp for every holiday party, family photo and mistletoe moments. Guys, I'm gonna be honest with you. The last few years I thought I looked really cool with like a darker beard during the winter. Oh, I'm gonna wear a Flannel and have a darker beard. And like, I thought I pulled it off, but looking back on some of these holiday photos, guys, I didn't pull it off.
- [22:01]
Damian Woody
I didn't pull it off.
- [22:02]
Rosenberg
I gotta do. I'm a man who thrives with a controlled, precise stubble. Let that jawline out, let those cheekbones shine. But I'm not doing the thicker beard this holiday season. I got to look good in these sweaters. And I, I, I pull off, pull off some pajamas. Look great in that. You can't be doing a beard with that. I can't. I can't. It's not my look. The Lawn Mower 5 body trimmer and chairman plus face shaver deliver precision, comfort, and control worthy of Santa's. Nice list. Whether you're tidying up before a big night out or prepping New Year's Eve, manscaped has your back and your face, too. So gift yourself some grooming greatness this season, because looking good is the best gift of all. And now you can find Manscape products at your local Walmart. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [22:55]
Don Hahn
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [22:56]
Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [23:04]
Don Hahn
Time now for the Damian Woody Report, brought to you by bet three six, five. It's Thursday. It's 5:30. And we always talk to Damian Woody, and if he did what he said he was going to do, he should have knew what that song that was playing underneath was from. And he joins us here on Donhannon Rosenberg. Damian, how are you? Merry Christmas.
- [23:28]
Damian Woody
Merry Christmas. Listen, Merry Christmas, you guys. How are you guys doing?
- [23:31]
Don Hahn
Good. And did you watch the movie?
- [23:37]
Damian Woody
I thought y' all gave me a deadline, like af, like in the new year. Wasn't that the deal?
- [23:43]
Rosenberg
I knew it. It's the Hallmark season, Don. You gotta understand, there's. There's no winning that battle.
- [23:49]
Damian Woody
Don is, I mean, listen, Don is really holding me to this.
- [23:53]
Rosenberg
You know, our, our, our. We have. We have a studio audience, believe it or not, they watch on YouTube. And one of the questions being asked is, are you still in Hallmark jail? Don would call that the zipper key.
- [24:07]
Don Hahn
Yes.
- [24:07]
Rosenberg
Are you still in Hallmark jail?
- [24:10]
Damian Woody
I am. Very much so. I'm in, I'm in literal hell right now. Like, it's constant. Like, all the time at night, during the day. It's everywhere. It's everywhere. And I can't, I can't fight her on it. Like, I want peace in my house.
- [24:26]
Don Hahn
I understand, but this Is two weeks now, just. No. All you're asking for is an hour and 45 minutes of something different, and then we can get back to business as usual.
- [24:37]
Damian Woody
But see, my wife would say you. You haul the TV all football season.
- [24:42]
Rosenberg
Yep.
- [24:43]
Damian Woody
This is my state. This is my season now.
- [24:45]
Don Hahn
Right.
- [24:46]
Damian Woody
So, like, that's. That's her rebuttal.
- [24:48]
Don Hahn
Yeah, that makes sense. And I'm sure you're going to be glued to the TV tonight. This is a good one. Seahawks. Oh, yeah. And Ramsay. And I don't like it. I'm rooting for Sam Darnold. I want him to do well. I really do. But am I wrong to say this is just not his spot? Man, we saw it last year against the Lions when he was in Minnesota. And it feels the same here, doesn't it, that he's a good quarterback. But is he ready for this big moment? Win the game? They're the one seed at least going into Week 17. Is he ready for this? Is he ready to have that big moment, national television against what people believe is the best team in the NFL?
- [25:28]
Damian Woody
Well, listen, he'll have the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong tonight. Obviously, playing at home against your derivation rival and you play for the one seed, you have a great opportunity to take command of the NFC west and possibly get the number one seed because you're in the driver's seat. So, listen, the numbers say, no, he's not ready, because obviously you talk about last year's playoff game against the Rams when he was with the Minnesota Vikings. That didn't work out well. And then we saw what happened in the earlier matchup where I think he had, what, five interceptions or four, One of the two. So, you know, it just doesn't seem like he matched up well with the Rams. And on top of that, the last three games, you know, this offense, particularly the passing game, has been sputtering. So he'll have an opportunity, but I'm not overall encouraged.
- [26:18]
Rosenberg
You know what's weird, too, is McDonald's a really good coach. He's done a good job there. It's wild to say that they are better on the road in division games than they are at home. They're 2 and 3 at home in division games, D1. That doesn't make sense. Like that place used to be, you know, the 13th man, 12th man, like that was the place. Tough to win there. Now they have a hard time winning at home in a division game.
- [26:44]
Damian Woody
Absolutely. You know, I've always said, and I played in pretty much all the stadiums that the Two loudest, two hardest places to play during my playing career was, you know, Seattle and Kansas City because it was, you know, the noise was just deafening. And for some reason, it doesn't seem like it's, you know, they're not as formidable as home as they used to be. But again, you presented with a huge opportunity. And I believe this to be the best Thursday night match of all season. So let's see what Sam Donald can do tonight.
- [27:19]
Don Hahn
Mike Florio, who we all respect, says he would not be surprised if Aaron Glenn is one and done. We can't believe it. Do you think there's a chance he could be one and done?
- [27:30]
Damian Woody
No, I don't believe that. I think. Listen, I think this was a. I think Woody Johnson is invested in Aaron Glenn, you know, following through and being the guy. He's obviously a former Jet, you know, one of the best players in the organization's history. And I think Woody Johnson is vested in trying to, you know, make this thing work. And, you know, to just dump someone after one year I think would feed into what people perceive Woody Johnson as impulsive. And so I just think that I don't see that happening. Obviously, I don't. I think if you ask Aaron Glenn, this season didn't go the way he thought it would go. But obviously this is a rebuild situation where Aaron Glenn is trying to establish his culture in the building. And I think he's going. He's definitely going to get more than one year to try to state his case.
- [28:27]
Rosenberg
Now, it's something we probably talked about last week, but it's a. It's one of these stories that just isn't going away because the more he talks, the more this unravels. Joe Burrow. Some of the guys on get up today, Olofsky, the busing with the boys, like, those guys were kind of hinting to the fact that this sounds like a guy that doesn't really want to be in Cincinnati anymore. What are you hearing?
- [28:48]
Damian Woody
Yeah, I mean, listen, all you got to do is just listen to Joe Burrow. He's telling you everything that you need to know right now. He sounds like a guy where the joy of football is leaving him, which is, you know, as a fan of Joe Burrow and the way he plays the game. It's sad to see and sad to hear because I've always said Joe Burrow, in my opinion, plays the quarterback position, probably the purest of any quarterback in the National Football League. But, man, it just seems like he's miserable out there. He's been beat up, battered. The team doesn't seem like it's. Well, we know the Cincinnati Bengals aren't a real functional organization. They're cheap. And so if you're Joe Burrow, you're looking at the landscape. It's like, how are you? How are we getting better anytime soon?
- [29:41]
Don Hahn
Now, we've talked about the jets being in on him because of the five first round picks. If you're Joe Burrow, do you look like it's one bad situation into another or would you see value in going to a team like the Jets?
- [29:55]
Damian Woody
Yeah, I mean, listen, you know, to be honest with you, as someone who's a fan of the organization, I think if you're Joe Burrow, it's like, why would I, you know, why in the world would I want to jump from Cincinnati to the Jets? I mean, think about it. Any responsible fan or person who's affiliated with the National Football League, why would you make that move? And so I think, listen, if you're Aaron Glenn and company, would you love to have Joe Burrow. Absolutely. One of the best quarterbacks in the game when he's out there on the field. But I think from Joe Burrow's perspective, if he had to choose, he would probably choose somewhere that's a little bit more stable right now.
- [30:34]
Rosenberg
Would you say that the Bills Pats game last week, would you say that it was a bigger win for the Bills or was it a concerning loss for the Patriots? What was the bigger takeaway from that? Pats are at home, right? They had a 21 nothing lead, but Josh Allen putting on the cape as always and just playing like an mvp, which was the bigger takeaway?
- [31:00]
Damian Woody
I tend to side with the Bills. I mean, think about it. You know, you're the Patriots. You had an opportunity to basically put your foot on that throat and state the claim of the AFC East. But they never put the. They never put the king away. Like I always say, if you got to dethrone the king, and they never did it. They never made Buffalo come out of what they want to do best, which is running the football. And so you saw in that second half the adjustments that the Bills made, particularly on the defensive side of the football. They really threw the kitchen sink at Drake May and company. Riddle Beef really, really befuddled him. And it allowed them to stay in what they wanted to do offensively, which is run the football. And their running game really came alive in the second half and ultimately they end up coming out of Foxborough with a win.
- [31:49]
Rosenberg
Did it expose anything with the Pats? Though they were rolling. I mean, they were really good. Did you did any concern about the Patriots after that game?
- [32:00]
Damian Woody
Yeah, I mean, listen, I think you look at the Pats, the one thing they've been doing well for most of the season is being able to stop the run. They got a couple guys out that I thought they played. A key factor in why the Bills were able to run the ball as well as they did. Milton Williams, their, you know, their. Their star defensive tackle, the guy they signed in free agency from the Philadelphia Eagles, he's been missing. Spillane, their linebacker in the middle who's had a really good season. He was out. And so if you're the Patriots, you need those guys back in the lineup because they make your defense that much more formidable. And I think Josh McDaniels and he took. He, you know, he took blame for this, that he felt like he didn't give Drake, he didn't put Drake May in the position to go, really go out there and execute the way that we've been seeing them all season long. So I think if you're the Patriots, you're disappointed that you weren't able to finish off the Bills, but I just give more credit to the Bills and how they were able to stay in that game and ultimately win it on the road.
- [32:59]
Don Hahn
Is. Is Baltimore's problem, Damian, anything to do with coaching or just not getting what they need from Jackson?
- [33:07]
Damian Woody
I think it's a combination, to be honest with you. Like, I can't remember the last time Lamar Jackson been playing this bad, to be honest with you. He's nowhere near as effective running the football, and just he's not very crisp in the passing game. That passing game. Overall, just to be honest with you, it stinks. And so if you're the Baltimore Ravens, man, you're hanging on by a thread. They're nowhere near the threat that we all thought coming into the season. Now their defense has gotten better. But if Lamar Jackson's not Lamar Jackson, then I don't think you can take the Baltimore Ravens as seriously as we once thought they were.
- [33:46]
Rosenberg
If you were teammates with Puka Nakua, would you be having a conversation with him today about why don't we stay off social media for a while?
- [33:54]
Damian Woody
I mean, if it's not apparent to Puka Nakua right now, then I don't know what else to say. You know, sometimes you just. I would say this, man. Sometimes, you know, guys get caught up in all this other stuff, but, you know, like, they, like they say, keep the main thing. The main thing you know, you're on this great run. Stay focused on the task at hand and don't associate, associate yourself with people that could not only, you know, bring harm to your name, but to also to other people, you know, surrounded you. So, you know, I'm sure Puka Nakua regrets that whole thing and hopefully he focuses back on what's really important right now.
- [34:32]
Don Hahn
You know, it's amazing how young these coaches are, Damian, that a head coach had the distraction of having a child. That's usually a player that has that happen to him. Like, so you look at the Rams tonight, like how much of a distraction.
- [34:46]
Rosenberg
Your head coach had kids.
- [34:48]
Don Hahn
It's just crazy. You have a quarterback in Indianapolis older than most of the coaches in the NFL.
- [34:54]
Damian Woody
Yeah, absolutely. And I, you know what? I blame Sean McVeigh. Usually as players, man, we plan these things out, like we usually plan these things out in the off season, you know, where our wives and significant others have, have children. But, you know, Sean McVeigh kind of took a different route.
- [35:12]
Rosenberg
So sometimes you don't realize it. You don't realize it. Yeah, you got, you don't know. Yeah, yeah.
- [35:20]
Damian Woody
Sometimes you get caught up in the moment. You shoot up the club at the wrong time, man. So it's just bad timing by Sean McVeigh. Yeah.
- [35:28]
Don Hahn
That watching too much Hallmark Channel. Right. All the romance.
- [35:32]
Damian Woody
Hey, man, it'll get you, man. I gotta be careful myself.
- [35:37]
Don Hahn
Yeah, I brought him up. You didn't seem like thrilled about what was happening in Indianapolis with Philip Rivers. You saw what it looked like. They're going to run it back again this week. What do you think about the 44 year old getting a second kick at the can here?
- [35:54]
Damian Woody
Yeah, man, listen, I, I, I think, you know, I, I, you know, when, when all this came down, I was, I was more so like I was worried for Philip Rivers health, to be honest with you. Like five years on the couch, are you going out and playing Seattle in Seattle against that defense. But I have to say watching that game, I think Philip Rivers really acquitted himself well. Yeah, he didn't put up any type of gaudy stats and they didn't ask him to do a lot of crazy stuff. But the simple fact that a 44 year old player who spent the last five years on the couch went out there and gave it his all, man. I think, you know, for any fan, I think that deserves a round of applause, man. I really do.
- [36:42]
Don Hahn
He almost did. I mean, they almost won the game.
- [36:45]
Damian Woody
He almost, he almost, he left, you know, too many seconds on the clock. But he almost pulled it off, man. So kudos to Philip Rivers and kudos.
- [36:55]
Rosenberg
To you, by the way. You've been a fantastic guest of ours. We're not going to be around next week, so merry Christmas to you and your family. D. Wood.
- [37:02]
Damian Woody
Yeah, man. Merry Christmas to you guys as well, man. Don, I promise I won't you let. I won't let you down, brother. I promise.
- [37:08]
Don Hahn
All right, so the next time we'll talk to you will be in 2026. It'll be after the New Year.
- [37:13]
Rosenberg
Yeah.
- [37:13]
Don Hahn
And hopefully you'll have seen it. We can have a nice conversation about it.
- [37:17]
Damian Woody
Absolutely.
- [37:19]
Don Hahn
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year, man.
- [37:22]
Damian Woody
Same to you.
- [37:23]
Don Hahn
That was the Damien Woody Report brought to you by bet365. Whatever the moment, it's never ordinary at bet3,6 5.
- [37:32]
Rosenberg
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Don Hahn
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Damian Woody
See mintmobile.com this episode is brought to you by State Farm.
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Damian Woody
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Rosenberg
Pick up some Coca Cola at a store near you. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [39:07]
Don Hahn
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [39:08]
Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [39:16]
Don Hahn
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- [39:56]
Rosenberg
Hello.
- [39:58]
Damian Woody
Yes, yes, yes, you can hear me.
- [40:00]
Don Hahn
Yes, we can get one more and you're good.
- [40:02]
Damian Woody
Evening guys, how are we?
- [40:03]
Rosenberg
Good evening Moose.
- [40:05]
Damian Woody
I'd like to discuss how I was the yo yo bum Chuck who thought the jets could possibly win seven to nine games if they didn't absolutely poop the bed. Chocolate soft serve in your pants, the whole nine. If they actually were able to do what they schemed about the play action one game to let Musser run back and Wilson and Wilson get that connection from college. With that being said, I'd like to really discuss how maybe the thing we're not looking at as to why Florio said what he said. Remember Woody Johnson and the jets said they were increasing ticket prices for next season and how maybe where there's smoke, there's fire. What he may be hearing Florio is that that management and ownership is not really happening with the direction of the team and the results on the field. So it might just be like uneasiness. Why there may be some chatter that.
- [41:04]
Don Hahn
I mean listen, I don't believe. But he'd have to eat four years. I mean just think of the egg you would have on your face. We believe in this guy. He's a former Jet recommended by Bill Parcells. We give him a five year contract. Really competing against ourselves like the five year contract to me is not because they they were afraid he was going to stay in Detroit or that he was going to get gobbled up by the Bears. They did it because they said this is going to be our guy and we're committed to him. And after one year when I don't believe the expectations ever within that walls of Florham park where we can win eight, nine games maybe if Justin Fields finds it we might be able to surprise some people. But they were quiet for the most part all summer and believe me, I worked there for 16 years. Allen and when they'd have a new coach, man they Talk them up. There'd be all these things, that excitement. They kind of just laid low because I think they knew or they just didn't know what to expect.
- [42:02]
Rosenberg
Well, Darren Muji for sure. Right. Like. Like there was a lot of, like, just quelling of expectations. And it's all about building and.
- [42:10]
Don Hahn
Right.
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Rosenberg
And all that stuff. And you know what else, too? When you're building and you're building a business, you need as much help as you can get. Don't.
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Don Hahn
Mm.
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Rosenberg
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- [43:13]
Don Hahn
Donnie, how about we go to Andrew on Long Island? You're on ESPN New York. What's up? Hello. Hello.
- [43:25]
Damian Woody
Hey, what's up, guys?
- [43:26]
Rosenberg
What's going on?
- [43:27]
Don Hahn
Andrew?
- [43:27]
Damian Woody
Who's this? Andrew from Long Island.
- [43:31]
Don Hahn
Okay. Hello.
- [43:33]
Damian Woody
Listen, we talked a couple of weeks ago. I was saying about trading the first pick, and you guys weren't for it at all. But how are you guys feeling about it now? I think they might do that deal with the jets. The Giants.
- [43:44]
Rosenberg
For the Giants to trade the first pick. Andrew, I'm still out.
- [43:48]
Damian Woody
Yeah, well, you know what? I did some mock drafts on it. It did pretty good. The mock drafts. I mean, you know, you never know what's going to happen till the actual day, but they get picked 5, 18 and 36. And that's not bad because the Giants had. We had 135 and 101. And they're definitely going to take Khalid Downs, I think, or Carnell Tate, because those are going to be the best picks, I think, for him. When they do pick that, whether it's first.
- [44:16]
Rosenberg
You're missing my point, Andrew. If I'm the Jets. If I'm the Jets, I am not doing that. Not the Giants. The Giants. The Giants are definitely going to try. They definitely should try to shop that pick and get multiple picks because they have a lot of holes to fill in the roster and they don't need a quarterback. I'm saying what you proposed to me was the jets trading with the Giants. And you asked me if I'm still in, if I'm still out, and I'm saying yes, I am not.
- [44:40]
Damian Woody
Okay. It could be another game as well, you know, but it might not even be the first pick yet. It could be even the second or third pick by then. Who knows?
- [44:48]
Don Hahn
I just.
- [44:48]
Rosenberg
Yeah, yeah, it's true.
- [44:49]
Don Hahn
Well, there's a couple of things at play in Andrew, but I still see.
- [44:52]
Damian Woody
Him going for the safety and the wide receiver for sure.
- [44:55]
Rosenberg
Yes.
- [44:56]
Don Hahn
Yes.
- [44:56]
Rosenberg
Yeah. There's no doubt they're going. They're going in those. Those directions. Corner. Yeah. How was that for you, Don? How'd that go, Melissa?
- [45:06]
Don Hahn
I just hope it was good weed. Check out a dispensary near you.
- [45:12]
Rosenberg
Yeah.
- [45:14]
Don Hahn
First of all, let's see if it plays out. It may not be Mendoza by the time we get to the draft. If Moore declares and has and wins a national championship in Oregon, he might leapfrog over Mendoza, where all of a sudden now the 2 pick could have value. So you don't have to have the number one pick. And I just. I am. You know how I feel whenever I roll my eyes, all the Mets and Yankees won't make a trade. Like, why do what's best for you? The Giants and the jets are different because just how would it look if the jets or the Giants are responsible for the jets finally getting their franchise quarterback? They're the ones that handed it to them on a silver platter and they got to share the building with them. And if you're the jets, how would it be if you had. If you traded up, Mendoza becomes a bust and the Giants are able to rebuild their franchise with all these picks and win the next Super Bowl. You can't. There's something. They don't just share a city. They share the damn building. You know, again, I'm not with you.
- [46:18]
Rosenberg
I told you I wouldn't do it. Like, you'd have to tell me that a generational quarterback's there, and then, yes, I would do it, but I'm not doing it for a guy. That's a variable. That wouldn't have been a Top pick in any other draft. A guy that we, we have no idea. No, no, no, I can't. No way.
- [46:37]
Don Hahn
No, it's, it would be a tough thing to live down because, listen, it might turn out to be a Detroit Rams kind of deal where both teams win and, but there'll be a winner and a loser and they're gonna have to, you know, sit in their own stink. Donnie, there it is. Birth of a franchise.
- [46:52]
Rosenberg
Birth of a dynasty.
- [46:53]
Don Hahn
Dynasty.
- [46:53]
Rosenberg
Excuse me, I wrote 20 years ago, this is the 30 for 30 that we need right here.
- [47:00]
Don Hahn
Honestly, I know, I'm. Listen, I'm a hockey guy, but you're talking about some of the, not just the biggest names in the history of the sport, the biggest characters in the history of the sport that have done something that will ever, ever happen. There's never going to be another team in any sport. Obviously, football not included because they don't play series that will win 19 consecutive series, four straight championships and lose in the final in the fifth year. That's 30 for 30 and it'll never happen.
- [47:30]
Rosenberg
It's never happening again.
- [47:32]
Don Hahn
It's never happened.
- [47:33]
Rosenberg
It's not consecutive. No. There's a new way to define a dynasty, but back then dynasty was consecutive and they were the, they're the last to do it. Nobody will ever do it again.
- [47:43]
Don Hahn
The closest to do it is Tampa. They won back to back cups and lost in the final in the third year.
- [47:48]
Rosenberg
Yeah.
- [47:49]
Don Hahn
So that ended up being what, 11 straight series.
- [47:52]
Rosenberg
Yeah.
- [47:52]
Don Hahn
Right.
- [47:52]
Rosenberg
The Yankees won. I mean, the Yankees had their run. They won three. Yeah, but, but, but they could, they got to the fourth, but they lost. That was as close as I think we'll ever see.
- [48:00]
Don Hahn
Right. But, but, but, but in basketball and hockey where you have to go four rounds.
- [48:05]
Rosenberg
Yeah.
- [48:05]
Don Hahn
To win. And Tampa came the close. It's 11. Florida I guess can keep going because they've now won eight straight since they lost the Stanley cup final to Vegas. So that's still a possibility. They're still 11 away. It's pretty incredible.
- [48:23]
Rosenberg
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the 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 and your smart speakers.