Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — "Hour 3: Honor The Dart"

Date: August 27, 2025
Podcast: ESPN New York
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

In this energetic episode, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg deliver a classic blend of New York sports banter, poignant Giants and Jets football analysis, radio industry lore, and even a deep-dive into ‘70s pop music trivia. The big theme centers around NFL quarterback development—particularly the Giants’ plan for rookie Jackson Dart—and how organizations balance fan impatience, media narratives, and actual on-field strategy. The guys also discuss Aaron Boone's handling of Anthony Volpe's spectacular slump, the philosophy behind performative leadership from local coaches, and end up on a surprisingly passionate tangent about band name origins and pop songs with “magic” in the title.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Giants Quarterback Room and Jackson Dart’s Path

Timestamps: 00:43 – 13:56

• Joe Shane on Tommy DeVito’s Waiver, Dart’s Development
  The crew unpacks the news that Tommy DeVito, the Giants’ one-hit QB wonder, was claimed by the Patriots after waivers. Joe Shane, Giants GM, explains the cold logistics:

  “We were hoping that nobody would pick him up and be able to keep him … you’re not dressing for quarterbacks, so you’re going to have to have one of them go to the practice squad and you got to clear waivers and he wasn’t going to clear waivers.” (03:24, Don Hahn paraphrasing Shane)

• The QB Room Construction Purpose-Built for Dart
  Rosenberg details why the Giants loaded up with veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston:

  “That quarterback room is built specific for Jackson Dart... Russell Wilson, somebody you just watch…Jameis is the ultimate cheerleader...your perfect backup quarterback for him because he really embraces that role and understands what the pressure's like as a young quarterback.” (05:19, Rosenberg)

• Impressed by Dart’s Processing—But No Rush to Start
  Shane is “impressed in terms of how quick he was able to pick it up and actually go execute and play fast.” (07:36, Joe Shane)
  Yet the hosts push back on fan calls to play Dart immediately:

  “To throw him to the wolves quick, I think is a huge mistake. He can still learn. So I don't get the whole, he's got to play. He's not doing. He's just wasting now. You're not wasting him. You're giving him the best opportunity to succeed.” (12:04, Don Hahn)

• Draft Slot Determines Development Path
  Don notes the difference in expectations based on draft position:

  "Where you're picked ultimately determines what path you're on. If I pick you first overall, there's gonna be a pressure...If you're taking 24th overall, you're admitting, hey, you're a bit of a project." (13:00, Don Hahn)

2. Jets’ Head Coaching Attitude & Fan Expectations

Timestamps: 17:05 – 24:19

• Media Bravado & Performance
  Don reflects on Aaron Glenn’s sometimes abrasive approach with the media, calling it partially “performance”—something fans love, but Don isn’t convinced it wins games.

  “...it's just a performance. Lay down the law, new sheriff in town, and that's great. And the fans eat it up…But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter.” (19:49, Don Hahn)

• Building Fan Expectations: Be Realistic
  "This is the one season the Jets…the one good thing they did this offseason was they laid out. They didn't give you any artificial expectations. No BS. So just sit back and let's see what it looks like…” (23:13, Don Hahn)

3. Jets Callers & the Justin Fields Question

Timestamps: 31:03 – 38:12

• Fan ‘Wish List’ for the Jets
  Jay from the Bronx calls with a realistic hope for discipline and improvement rather than win totals:

  "I want to be top 10 and fewest penalties...If we could just have a good, competent defense...A comparable and healthy offensive line and run the ball 30 times a game." (31:27, Jay)

• Can Justin Fields Be the Franchise QB?
  Discussion about evaluating Fields’ real growth potential:

  “So you're going to have to throw the ball at some point…he hasn't played a ton of games...At some point wouldn't you like to see that he's somebody that can stick around and maybe be that franchise quarterback?” (34:07, Don Hahn)

4. Performative Coaching and New York Media Relations

Timestamps: 19:49 – 24:19; 47:08 – 49:32

• Toughness with Media
  The hosts debate whether performative “tough guy” attitudes with the media (by Glenn, Boone, and others) are genuine or a PR show. Don is skeptical:

  “Why even listen to him anymore?...You're not being genuine.” (46:53, Don Hahn on Aaron Boone)

• On Manager Press Conferences

  “End the press conferences. They're all done. They're all stupid.” (49:32, Don Hahn)

5. Anthony Volpe’s Epic Slump & Aaron Boone’s Spin

Timestamps: 42:17 – 49:32

• Historical Struggles
  Don shares the Katie Sharp stat:

  “Anthony Volpe has a .027 on base percentage over the last 11 games...That's the lowest OBP by a Yankee non-pitcher in any 11-game span in franchise history. Ever.” (42:22, Don Hahn)

• Boone’s Positivity & Media Frustration
  Boone stays positive about Volpe's “balls on the nose,” but the hosts criticize this as “spin cycle.”

  Rosenberg: "Yeah, I can't swing decisions. Balls on the nose...He went spin cycle." (44:05) Don: “It just gets to the point where it's embarrassing…you're twisting yourself into a pretzel, defending one for 39 and saying things that people are just not going to believe.” (46:53, Don Hahn)

6. Music Trivia: The Bay City Rollers & The “Honor The Dart” Principle

Timestamps: 27:54 – 31:03

• Bay City Rollers Name Story & “Honor the Dart”
  Rosenberg explains how the band chose their name by throwing darts at a U.S. map—Don objects to disregarding the first dart (Arkansas) in favor of the more marketable Bay City:

  "The whole concept of throwing the dart is you throw the dart where it lands. That's our name…If you're gonna throw the dart, the idea is…I have no idea. Let's throw a dart. Let's go with that. It lands in Arkansas. No, that's no good…Now you're back to making decisions again. Honor the dart." (29:43, Don Hahn)

• Music Rabbit Holes: “Songs with Magic”
  A game of back-and-forth song naming ensues:

  “You know how many songs are named have magic in the title?” (39:07, Don Hahn)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rookie QBs:
  “The ability to process is…that’s the holy grail of a quarterback. It’s why Zach Wilson couldn't become anything. Kid couldn't process.” — Rosenberg (09:14)

• On Franchise Pressure:
  “If I pick you first overall, there's gonna be a pressure...If you're taking 24th overall, you're admitting, hey, you're a bit of a project.” — Don (13:00)

• On Media Fandom:
  “The fans eat it up. That's why I think it's all part of the plan because the fans eat it gobbled up with a spoon.” — Don (17:34)

• On Coaching Public Persona:
  “It's just a performance. Lay down the law, new sheriff in town.” — Don (19:49)
  “I want to believe it's just him being genuine and consistent. Like, this is who I am in front of the players.” — Rosenberg (21:40)

• On Bay City Rollers:
  “The whole concept of throwing the dart is you throw the dart where it lands…Honor the dart.” — Don (29:43)

• On Boone and Volpe:
  “It's embarrassing…you're twisting yourself into a pretzel, defending one for 39 and saying things that people are just not going to believe.” — Don (46:53)

• Summing Up Press Conferences:
  “End the press conferences. They're all done. They're all stupid.” — Don (49:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Giants QB/Dart discussion: 00:43 – 13:56
• Jets coaching, media, and Glenn talk: 17:05 – 24:19
• Jay from the Bronx’s Jets wish list & Justin Fields: 31:03 – 38:12
• Bay City Rollers story, “Honor the dart” & music trivia: 27:54 – 31:03, 38:25 – 42:03
• Aaron Boone & the Volpe slump: 42:17 – 49:32

Tone & Takeaways

The show maintains its classic blend of sharp analysis, veteran sports media skepticism, and irreverent, nostalgic tangents. The tone is candid, skeptical (especially toward performative coaching/PR narratives), and full of good-natured ribbing—peppered with enough concrete info to keep diehard New York sports fans informed and engaged.