Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Giants v Dolphins & Damien Woody

Date: January 8, 2026
Podcast: ESPN New York
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Damien Woody

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the ongoing NFL head coaching carousel—specifically debating the most attractive landing spots for John Harbaugh after his departure from Baltimore. The crew analyzes the advantages and pitfalls of the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins vacancies, what history and legacy really mean to elite coaches, and how organizational structures might tip the balance. They also bring in former NFL lineman and analyst Damien Woody for insights on the playoff landscape and the coaching market, touching on the future of Mike Tomlin, quarterback conundrums, and much more. The tone is classic Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: knowledgeable, irreverent, and New York-centric.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The John Harbaugh Sweepstakes: Giants vs. Dolphins

• What's at Stake: With John Harbaugh a free agent, both the Giants and Dolphins are vying for his services. The conversation centers on which franchise is a better fit and what Harbaugh might value most.
• Miami Opens Up: "The big story of the day is probably the fact that the quest for John Harbaugh...has gotten more difficult. Because the Miami Dolphins job is now available and the Harbaugh family have connections to this organization." (Alan, 01:24)
• Comparing Franchises:
  • Giants: Legacy franchise, recent struggles, respected ownership, young (if unproven) QB in Jackson Dart.
  • Dolphins: Attractive lifestyle, more control (can potentially bring own GM), QB situation is a mess (injuries, uncertainty).
  • Ownership and History: The group debates whether franchise history or legacy really matters to top coaches, or if it's all about present resources and control.

Notable Exchange

• On whether history matters:
  • “Does history matter? Like, all right, the Giants are a legacy franchise, more so than the Dolphins. Does that matter to John Harbaugh?” (Peter, 03:13)
  • “If I go to Miami, I'm probably looking for the next quarterback. With the Giants, I at least have a quarterback. We'll see how far I can go with him.” (Alan, 04:40)
  • “Quarterback and how much will I be able to buy the groceries? And that's where the Giants have to really focus on how strong they want to stick to their history...” (Don, 09:17)

Memorable Moment

• On football coaches’ mindsets:
  • “These football guys are insane, and they all think they can win a championship. But the beauty is everyone here, we've been watching football for more than 40 years. We know history does matter.” (Peter, 05:38)

[Timestamp: 01:24–14:19]

2. Call-In: Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson, and Quarterback Playoff Woes

• A caller raises an often-overlooked criticism of Lamar Jackson’s playoff performance under Harbaugh, noting turnovers outweigh touchdowns.

  • “...Lamar Jackson has more turnovers in the playoffs than he does touchdowns. And for some reason it never gets brought up.” (Caller Jay, 14:26)
  • “There's only so much you can blame on the coach, when your MVP is not performing at that level in the playoffs.” (Jay, 15:09)

• The crew agrees that while Harbaugh hasn't gotten over the playoff hump with Lamar, similar hurdles have plagued other talented AFC quarterbacks because of Mahomes & previously Brady.

[Timestamp: 14:24–19:47]

3. Playoff Quarterback Trends & The "Pick 'Em All" Playoff Game

• Don and Alan riff on how certain quarterbacks (Brady, Mahomes, Roethlisberger, even Sanchez!) have dominated AFC title appearances for nearly 15 years.

  • “Since 2008, this will be the first time that the AFC championship game will not have Mahomes, Brady or Sanchez.” (Don, 17:25)
  • “That stat would sound so much better if Sanchez wasn't in it.” (Alan, 17:28)

• The group also debates their playoff “Pick ‘Em All” game: Each picks all six Wild Card matchups and allocates points, raising the stakes and driving trash talk.

  • “You have the right to veto this.” (Don, 21:41)
  • “No, I want to have some fun.” (Alan, 21:43)

[Timestamp: 19:47–22:16]

4. Damien Woody Joins the Show

Hockey Banter Warm-Up

• Light-hearted riffing about the Islanders’ recent dominance segues into an ongoing inside joke: Damien still hasn’t watched Napoleon Dynamite despite persistent harassment from Don.
  • “I'm disgusted with myself right now... that I’ve let Don La Greca down in this moment of truth.” (Damien Woody, 26:25)

NFL Playoff Preview & QB Importance

• Woody is excited about the playoff slate, especially Jacksonville vs. Buffalo. Emphasizes importance of QBs with postseason experience (Stafford, Hurts).
  • “You can't...understate…the quarterbacks that have been in these situations, been there, done that on the highest of stages.” (Woody, 29:07)

Harbaugh Job Decision: Giants vs. Miami

• Woody leans Giants primarily due to their quarterback situation and extant pieces, noting Miami’s QB future and cap are a mess.
  • “Miami, like, Tua is done. They're gonna have to eat the cap which is going to be a big, big thing... I want—I’d rather have—the quarterback.” (Woody, 30:50)

What If Mike Tomlin Becomes Available?

• Hosts ask if Tomlin becomes available, does he eclipse Harbaugh as a coaching candidate?
  • “If Mike Tomlin were available, I would lean Tomlin. I just think Tomlin is the, like, creme de la creme.” (Woody, 32:07)

Buffalo’s Problems: Coaching vs. GM

• Woody criticizes Bills GM Brandon Beane more than coach Sean McDermott, citing a deteriorating roster forcing Allen to do too much.
  • “I would take a harder look at the GM and (his) acquisition of talent up there.” (Woody, 34:09)

Notable Quotes

• “That tells you what the organization feels about certain players. And Garrett Wilson, to me, is a franchise cornerstone type of player…” (Woody, on Jets WR’s loyalty and leadership, 39:12)
• “Stephen A. was absolutely wrong. The Jets are a laughingstock, no question… but to say a QB should turn down the top 2 just because it's the Jets? That's just a dumb take.” (Woody, 39:35)

[Timestamp: 25:37–41:02]

5. Rapid-Fire: Belichick vs. Brady; Legendary Players as Execs

• Spirited breakdown of the Belichick vs. Brady “divorce,” and how decisively Brady “won” the narrative.

  • “Have you ever seen someone win more decisively and spike the ball more than Brady’s beaten Belichick?” (Peter, 49:21)

• Discuss a broader trend: why all-time great athletes often flop as coaches/executives, citing Larry Bird as an exception.

  • “He could not put into words how he figured out how to do things. That's what happens with the great ones, and that's why they can't usually coach or be in upper management.” (Don, 52:00)

[Timestamp: 44:51–53:13]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "Quarterback and how much will I be able to buy the groceries? And that's where the Giants have to really focus on how strong they want to stick to their history..." — Don, on organizational control and the Harbaugh sweepstakes [09:17]
• "If Mike Tomlin were available, I would lean Tomlin. I just think Tomlin is the, like, creme de la creme." — Damien Woody, [32:07]
• "That tells you what the organization feels about certain players. And Garrett Wilson, to me, is a franchise cornerstone type of player..." — Damien Woody, on Jets WR's vocal defense of the franchise [39:12]
• "Have you ever seen someone win more decisively and spike the ball more than Brady's beaten Belichick?" — Peter, on the 'divorce' of QB and coach [49:21]
• "He could not put into words how he figured out how to do things. That's what happens with the great ones, and that's why they can't usually coach or be in upper management." — Don, on why player greatness is hard to translate to coaching [52:00]

Important Timestamps by Segment

• Harbaugh: Giants vs. Dolphins, Ownership/History: [01:24–14:19]
• Caller on Harbaugh & Lamar, Playoff QB stats: [14:24–19:47]
• Playoff QB Talk, "Pick 'Em All": [19:47–22:16]
• Damien Woody report — Playoff intrigue & coaching carousel: [25:37–41:02]
• Post-Woody: Tomlin v Harbaugh, Giants search, Belichick v Brady, execs as coaches: [44:51–53:13]

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode unpacks the high-stakes decision facing John Harbaugh and the teams courting him, focusing on the Giants and Dolphins, and the core question: Does legacy and history matter versus present-day roster and power? The crew systematically debates the Giants’ established structure and cap situation versus Miami’s need for a total reset, ultimately agreeing that quarterback stability—and having control over personnel—is the most important factor for top coaches like Harbaugh.

Damien Woody's segment brings a player’s and analyst’s insight to both the playoff landscape and the intricate chess game of head coach hiring, adding weight to the sense that the Giants still have the inside track (especially if ownership offers Harbaugh control). Woody also throws Mike Tomlin’s potential availability into the mix and pushes back on media narratives around teams like the Jets.

Rounding out the episode, the hosts indulge in some classic Don, Hahn & Rosenberg banter—debating whether legendary players can ever really succeed as coaches or executives and marveling at how Tom Brady absolutely franchised Bill Belichick in their professional split.

As always, witty, honest, and deeply knowledgeable sports talk—classic for fans of New York (and national) football, filled with great chemistry and sharp insight.