Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: NFL Draft & Knicks
Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Key Topics: NFL Draft, New York Jets & Giants quarterback situations, Knicks performance, sports culture, and fan experiences.
Episode Overview
This hour dives into the NFL Draft strategy debates for the New York Jets and Giants, focusing on quarterback prospects like Ty Simpson. The hosts field passionate opinions—both their own and from callers—on tanking, coaching, and front office decisions. The back half transitions to the Knicks, examining their dominant performances, playoff positioning, and the ever-persistent doubts of New York sports fans. The episode also includes lighter banter about fan experiences, VIP perks, music for rainy days, and sports culture.
NFL DRAFT & THE JETS' QUARTERBACK SAGA
Should the Jets Draft a QB This Year or Wait?
- Alan Hahn pushes back on the idea, popular among pundits like Dan Orlovsky, that the Jets should "kick the can down the road" and wait for next year’s draft for a quarterback.
- "This notion that you should try to lose is hysterical because you’re the Jets. You have cornered the market on losing...you could do a Ted Talk." (01:41)
- Hahn lists other franchises (Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Arizona) also likely to need QBs, emphasizing competition and the fallacy of "just tank and it'll work."
- Peter Rosenberg strongly agrees, underscoring the unpredictability:
- "Nothing is a guarantee. And every year you throw away..." (02:54)
The Hard Reality of Tanking
- Alan Hahn points out that tanking is “easy in March, but as a fan in October...hell no.”
- Describes cycles of Jets optimism and the pain of another wasted season (03:12).
- "The offseason is the easiest time to be a Jets fan because there's all hope, optimism, and...‘we gotta lose for another season’...then you get to October, November, and you’re miserable and hate everything." (05:11)
Callers Weigh In
- Larry, West Orange jokes:
- "If the Jets tried to lose, they’d probably make the playoffs...because they can’t do anything right.” (04:34-04:42)
- John, Mawa outlines why he likes QB prospect Ty Simpson, highlighting his coach’s son pedigree, size, and mechanics.
- "He needs to sit. So let him sit. And if things turn bad, I'd love to see us lose all our games next year and try again…But I'm kidding here." (07:07-08:59)
- Defends Simpson's rough Georgia game as a result of being injured and sick.
- Hosts follow up: Both challenge the guarantee of finding a better prospect next year (Dante Moore, Arch Manning).
- Peter Rosenberg: "You're telling me next year after going 0-17, when it's even deeper and darker, we're 1000% sure on the draft?" (09:22)
Coaching, GM Decisions, and the Simpsons Debate
- Hosts examine the “chicken and egg” issue for the Jets:
- If the team tanks and fires its coach, can they attract a top replacement?
- Importance of current GM “Muji” and his track record is highlighted.
- Alan Hahn: “The biggest thing for any GM is the draft…this is a big time right now for Muji.” (06:15)
GIANTS, THE DRAFT, & CAM SCATTERBOO
Gambling & NFL Draft Needs
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Caller Andrew, Long Island brings up Giants' first-round options (Sonny Styles, Downs) and draft strategy.
- Also cites concerning legal gambling stats (03.3 billion bet on March Madness) (12:13, 12:28).
- "This could be a pandemic among young men…It’s a little scary." (12:42)
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Alan & Peter analyze Giants’ likely draft approach:
- Styles (LB) is seen as a “Harbaugh fit.”
- Hahn: “I always feel like…go with talent best available… but there are areas and holes you want to fill.” (13:50)
- Rosenberg: “It totally depends on the level of talent versus what the need is. Like, it’s situational.” (14:30)
Flag Football vs. NFL Talents
- Caller Matt, Long Island: Makes a witty comparison between NFL and flag football, likening it to Djokovic trying pickleball:
- “Given enough time, Djokovic would probably be better…these NFL guys aren’t gonna waste their time preparing for flag football.” (15:30)
- Discusses a flag QB claiming he’s better than Mahomes at flag, leading Rosenberg to quip: “It’s a different game, I know it better.” (17:06)
Cam Scatterboo Drama & Streaming
- Giants RB Cam Scatterboo: Debate over his NFL potential following injury; callers and hosts discuss how “grit” and “IQ” have defined his value.
- Peter Rosenberg: “He’s a guy, because of his grit and determination, was excelling…the worrisome part is if he’s affected [by injury].” (19:00-19:32)
- Scatterboo's CTE Joke & Streaming:
- Scatterboo’s comments joking about CTE and asthma on a stream drew outrage.
- Hahn: “You don’t realize, oh, this is being recorded, being consumed. And out of context, no one realizes that we’re just effing around.” (21:18)
- Rosenberg: “He’s not a rocket scientist…he likes to go on stream and talk a lot of yin yang. So we’re gonna be here again. I’m guaranteeing it.” (21:50)
- All agree he needs to be more careful due to his public profile.
KNICKS: DOMINANCE, DOUBT, & FAN EXPERIENCE
Knicks Rout the Wizards – Numbers & History
- Alan Hahn on Knicks’ 32-point romp over the Wizards:
- “It’s the eighth time this season they’ve beaten a team by 30 or more...No team in Knicks history has ever done it eight times.” (29:03)
- Compares to 1970 championship team – but thinks it’s also a sign of weakness in today’s NBA.
Season Narrative & Post-NBA Cup Malaise
- 23–9 start (3rd best 32-game record in the league), then 2–9 post-NBA Cup, now riding a 22–7 stretch (2nd best over that span).
- Hahn: “We do amplify losses…and even when they’ve been winning lately, we’ve been amplifying what doesn’t…what we don’t like about the winning…” (30:56)
- Knicks now have the No. 1 defense during their recent 22–7 run and are approaching 2nd place in the East, holding the tiebreaker over the Celtics.
- Yet, “the eye test tells you…there's things about this team that I just don't know if I can believe.” (33:32)
Knicks Fan Doubt, Playoff Outlook
- Peter Rosenberg: “And yet, you still have the feeling for a lot of fans…watching them the last few weeks, you don't feel great, right?” (35:09)
- Recent wins (incl. ugly ones vs. Nets) reflect out-talenting weaker opponents, but not always total dominance.
Knicks vs. Pelicans Preview
- Hosts predict favorites, discuss missing Vegas line (36:18-36:54), and share plans to attend and meet up at the Garden/Delta Club (37:00–38:50).
SPORTS CULTURE, VIP & FAN EXPERIENCES
The Perks of the Delta Club
- Inside scoop on luxury sports venues:
- Delta Club at the Garden described as exclusive, “free everything,” where celebs and ex-Knicks mingle (39:45–40:10).
Music, Mood, and Rainy NYC Days
- Banter about Anita Baker and music that “fits the weather” (45:09 onward).
- Alan Hahn: “Sometimes weather dictates music…today felt like Anita Baker.” (45:33)
Italian Dessert Discourse
- Comic argument about pronunciation of tiramisu.
- Rosenberg: “Let’s not act like tiramisu sounds Italian; it sounds more Japanese than Italian to me, who speaks neither language.” (41:59)
NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS
- Alan Hahn (on Jets tanking): "You have cornered the market on losing...you could do a TED Talk.” (01:41)
- Caller Larry: “If the Jets tried to lose, they’d probably make the playoffs.” (04:34)
- Peter Rosenberg: “Nothing is a guarantee. And every year you throw away…” (02:54)
- Caller Matt: “NFL guys aren’t going to waste their time playing flag football.” (15:30)
- Rosenberg (on Cam Scatterboo): “He’s not a rocket scientist…I’m guaranteeing it [another streaming controversy will happen].” (21:50)
- Alan Hahn (on Knicks fans): “The eye test tells you there’s things about this team that I just don’t know if I can believe in them being a team that’s there at the end.” (33:32)
- Caller Danny: “Being a fan is such a disease. It really is.” (51:30)
IMPORTANT TIMESTAMPS
- [01:41] – Jets’ tanking debate and why it’s not a feasible strategy for future QB drafts.
- [07:07-08:59] – Caller breaks down Ty Simpson’s strengths and draft logic.
- [12:13, 12:28] – Giants draft chat & gambling stats.
- [19:00-21:50] – Cam Scatterboo’s future, CTE joke controversy, and streaming risks.
- [29:03, 30:56] – Knicks’ historical win stats and the peculiar duality of fan confidence.
- [36:18–36:54] – Preview Knicks-Pelicans; hosts discuss going to the game, Delta Club perks.
- [41:59] – Tiramisu pronunciation debate.
- [45:09] – Music-for-weather banter (Anita Baker & rainy days).
- [51:30] – Who are true suffering fans, caller’s commentary on fandom as a “disease.”
SUMMARY
This episode is a quintessential slice of modern New York sports radio—a mix of hard analysis, wit, and genuine fan emotion. The hosts dissect the high-stakes, often cynical world of NFL team-building as it plays out with the Jets and Giants, balancing call-ins from knowledgeable and comedic fans. They pivot seamlessly to the rapidly changing Knicks season, mixing numbers with the city’s trademark skepticism. The banter is brisk, irreverent, and packed with both nostalgia and contemporary dilemmas, ultimately capturing the pulse of sports life in New York and beyond.
