Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Hurts v Herbert

Episode Information:

• Title: Hour 3: Hurts v Herbert
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Release Date: July 14, 2025
• Description: ESPN New York and New Jersey's Don La Greca, sportswriter Alan Hahn, and Hip Hop and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg delve into sports discussions, focusing on New York teams and beyond.

1. Introduction and Garrett Wilson’s Contract Extension

Timestamp: [00:00 - 01:13]

The episode kicks off with promotional segments for Venmo and Telemardu Irish Whiskey, which are briefly acknowledged before transitioning into the main topics.

• Don Hahn introduces a significant update: "Congratulations to Garrett Wilson gets the contract extension. Is Sauce going to be next?"

• Peter Rosenberg delves into the details of Wilson's extension:

  • [01:11] Rosenberg: "So $90 million, like Anthony said, is the fourth. It's the guarantee. It's the fourth largest guarantee for a wide receiver. That's not nothing."

They discuss the implications of Wilson's extension, highlighting his importance to the team and his desire to stay with a winning organization.

2. Analysis of Garrett Wilson’s Role and Team Leadership

Timestamp: [01:13 - 07:19]

• Peter Rosenberg emphasizes Wilson's leadership and the team's shift towards empowering young players:

  • [02:40] Rosenberg: "Wilson's going to feel more like a leader and less like a kid who gets patted on the head and told, 'This is the route you run now.'"

• Don Hahn discusses the broader team strategy, focusing on ensuring quarterbacks have reliable weapons:

  • [03:23] Hahn: "The best way to make your quarterback work is to make sure he has a weapon."

• Ira (Caller) shares a critical perspective on Wilson:

  • [05:16] Ira: "He's gotta prove it to me this year before I'm making him a top five cornerback with salary. I'm not doing it. I think he's overrated."

Insights:

• The conversation highlights the balance between rewarding talent and ensuring performance consistency.
• The importance of leadership and team dynamics in nurturing young stars like Wilson is underscored.

3. Quarterback Showdown: Jalen Hurts vs. Justin Herbert

Timestamp: [07:19 - 18:25]

The main discussion revolves around comparing quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert, focusing on their performances, potential, and impact on their respective teams.

• Peter Rosenberg questions Hurts' elite status:

  • [08:08] Rosenberg: "I don't think he's elite... I think the team covers a lot of his holes."

• Don Hahn counters by emphasizing Hurts' leadership and winning mentality:

  • [10:27] Hahn: "Hertz is a winner. And I think that's what the game is supposed to be about. You're winning it."

• Peter Rosenberg argues that despite Hurts' leadership, Herbert's statistical performance positions him higher:

  • [12:38] Rosenberg: "We spend so much time pointing out statistics... Jalen Hurts should be ranked higher than him."

• Ira introduces further skepticism about Hurts' abilities:

  • [15:22] Ira: "He's not the guy that's going to win the game with his arm."

Notable Quotes:

• Rosenberg: "Any excuses from last year have got to go away." [07:19]
• Hahn: "The best way to make your quarterback work is to make sure he has a weapon." [03:23]

Insights:

• The debate centers on the value of statistical performance versus intangible leadership qualities.
• Hosts acknowledge both quarterbacks' strengths but differ on how these translate to elite status and team success.

4. Caller Perspectives and Team Dynamics

Timestamp: [18:25 - 34:01]

Multiple callers join the conversation, offering varied opinions on the quarterbacks and team strategies.

• Ira maintains a critical stance on Hurts:

  • [21:13] Ira: "He looks horrible in big games. Jalen Hurts can't perform when it matters the most."

• Peter Rosenberg defends Hurts' role within the Eagles' system:

  • [22:14] Rosenberg: "The genius of what they did in Philly was not only recognize that this was a way more popular guy in the locker room."

• Sean (Caller) emphasizes the importance of team context in evaluating quarterbacks:

  • [46:02] Sean: "You can't equate wins and losses to quarterbacks. It's a team game."

Notable Quotes:

• Ira: "He's a fullback who knows how to throw the ball 10 yards." [15:40]
• Sean: "If you're looking at the best quarterback at that position, you have to." [46:58]

Insights:

• Callers reflect broader fan sentiments, balancing statistical analysis with personal biases.
• The discussion highlights how team compositions and systems significantly impact quarterback performances.

5. Impact of Team Structure and Coaching

Timestamp: [34:01 - 49:57]

The hosts and callers explore how team structures, coaching decisions, and supporting players influence the effectiveness of quarterbacks.

• Don Hahn emphasizes the importance of building a team around the quarterback's strengths:

  • [43:57] Hahn: "If I put him on the Dallas, telling me if I put Justin Herbert on the Dallas Cowboys, they wouldn't win."

• Peter Rosenberg points out the limitations of a quarterback without proper support:

  • [49:27] Rosenberg: "A quarterback can't possibly be a passenger. The ball's in your hand all the time."

• Ira discusses the relational dynamics between quarterbacks and coaches:

  • [34:16] Ira: "If I put Jalen Hurts on the Chargers, they would listen."

Notable Quotes:

• Hahn: "The best way to make your quarterback work is to make sure he has a weapon." [03:23]
• Rosenberg: "You just took all the weapons away." [29:18]

Insights:

• The conversation underscores that a quarterback's success is intertwined with team strategy, coaching, and the surrounding talent.
• Effective collaboration between quarterbacks and their support systems is crucial for maximizing performance.

6. Concluding Thoughts and Final Caller Inputs

Timestamp: [49:57 - 50:35]

As the episode nears its end, the hosts wrap up the quarterback debate with final insights and light-hearted exchanges.

• Don Hahn reiterates the importance of both statistical prowess and winning mentality:

  • [49:27] Hahn: "War is such a big stat now, because it's for position."

• Peter Rosenberg emphasizes the irreplaceable role of the quarterback in critical game moments:

  • [49:57] Rosenberg: "You do it because there's always going to be a moment of play that has to be executed to the highest level."

• Callers like Bobby and Sean add their final opinions, reinforcing the complexities of evaluating quarterback performance solely based on stats or wins.

Insights:

• The debate concludes without a definitive winner, reflecting the multifaceted nature of evaluating quarterback excellence.
• The hosts acknowledge the subjective elements of sports analysis, balancing empirical data with personal and team-based narratives.

Key Takeaways:

• Garrett Wilson’s Contract: The extension signifies the team’s commitment to leadership and future performance, though opinions on his current performance and potential vary among hosts and callers.

• Quarterback Rankings Debate: A central theme is the comparison between Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert, weighing statistical achievements against leadership and winning capabilities. The discussion highlights differing opinions on what constitutes an elite quarterback.

• Team Dynamics: Successful quarterback performance is heavily influenced by team structure, coaching strategies, and supporting players. The interplay between individual talent and team cohesion is crucial.

• Fan and Caller Perspectives: Diverse opinions from callers reflect the broad spectrum of fan sentiments, demonstrating the subjective nature of sports evaluations.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:23] Don Hahn: "The best way to make your quarterback work is to make sure he has a weapon."
• [07:19] Peter Rosenberg: "Any excuses from last year have got to go away."
• [29:18] Peter Rosenberg: "You just took all the weapons away."

This episode provides an in-depth exploration of quarterback performance metrics, team-building strategies, and the subjective elements that influence sports rankings. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in evaluating and supporting key players within a team context.