The Dan Patrick Show – “C&R - Gym, Tanning, & Harbaugh!”

Date: January 16, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Hosts: Covino & Rich (C&R), with Danny G., Iowa Sam, and Spot

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show (featuring Covino & Rich as fill-in hosts) is vibrant and fast-paced, packed with football talk, humor, and some spirited New York and Las Vegas sports debate. The central discussion revolves around Jim Harbaugh's hiring as head coach for the New York Giants. The crew explores how much fans should celebrate (“pump it up”) versus stay cautious (“take it ease”), and compare which struggling NFL franchise—the Giants or the Raiders—will escape mediocrity first. There’s also a fun segment about memorabilia and "show and tell," plus some baseball offseason banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jim Harbaugh Hired by the Giants: Take it East, or Pump it Up?

[02:23–08:36]

• Framing the Debate:
  • Covino pitches the core question: Should Giants fans get hyped about the Harbaugh hire, or temper their excitement?
  • They riff on New Jersey lingo and Jersey Shore vibes:
    “Is it time to ‘take it east’ or should you ‘pump it up’?” – [03:00]
• Giants Fan Mood:
  • Rich is cautious: “If you’re a Giants fan and you went 4 and 13, there should be a—yeah, we’re pumped up. Like, what’s the alternative? You go with some coach that no one cares about?” [04:47]
  • Covino argues for optimism: “Harbaugh is one of the greatest gets in coaching... He’s the bait, the shiny bait that the Giants need to bring more exciting players to New York or New Jersey.” [03:51]
• Quick Turnarounds in the NFL:
  • They discuss the potential for rapid improvement, referencing teams who made big jumps after new signings or coaching hires.
• Harbaugh’s Demands & Negotiations:
  • Joking about Harbaugh’s “list of demands”: “He wanted a fish tank, he wanted Taylor ham sandwiches every morning in Jersey... And green M&M’s?” [07:10–07:21]
  • Relating Harbaugh’s clarity of intent (“No ruse, Atlanta. I’m not coming there... New York, if you’re going to roll out the red carpet, you’re sort of where I want to go.”) to The Bachelor TV show, comparing coach courting to dating multiple contestants. [06:15]

2. Which Franchise Escapes Mediocrity First – Giants or Raiders?

[11:15–15:31]

• Historical Context:
  • Rich points out the Giants’ inconsistent regular seasons and rare Super Bowl explosions:
    “Other than those two runs... their highlights would have been the equivalent of a Mark Sanchez Jets team.” [13:54]
  • They analyze last 15+ seasons, with long stretches of mediocrity punctuated by championships.
• Raiders’ Outlook:
  • Raiders’ beat writer rumors: Clint Kubiak as possible coach; speculation about Tom Brady’s increased role in team operations. [12:42]
  • Key young Raiders (Fernando Mendoza, Brock Bowers, Ashton Genti) are mentioned as reasons for hope.
• Panel Opinions:
  • Covino leans Giants: “I think both of them... might have a good turnaround next season. But I think based on what we know so far, the Giants is the answer.” [13:14]
  • Danny G. concurs: “The Raiders have more work to do on the defensive side of the ball compared to the Giants. The Giants have a head start on the Raiders.” [14:53]
• Divisional Dynamics:
  • The NFC East looks more “wide open” for the Giants due to the Eagles’ and Washington’s struggles, while the AFC West is tough with the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers. [16:13]

3. Fan & Listener Take – Should Giants Fans Pump It Up?

[26:26–27:02]

• Unanimous sentiment from live chat and listener calls:
  “A lot of people saying Giants, they should be pumping it up... It seems like, pretty unanimous.” [27:02]
• Emphasis on positive energy, even for non-Giants fans:
  “Yo, why are you trying to yuck everybody’s yum today?... You gotta be pumped up about the Giants being better next year.” [25:26]

4. Baseball Offseason Sidebar

[27:37–32:43]

• Discussion on the New York Mets’ inactivity in free agency, the challenge of “making the right moves” versus expensive mistakes.
• Dissecting large contracts (e.g., Ranger Suárez to the Red Sox):
  “These contracts are ridiculous for mediocrity.” – Covino [30:51]
• A nod to Clayton Kershaw, expected to pitch for Team USA despite stepping away from the Dodgers. [29:51]

5. Show and Tell and Memorable Super Bowl Moments

[01:42, 38:11–39:55]

• Announcement of a “Show and Tell” segment, with hosts teasing memorabilia from their own collections to be revealed later.
• Throwback segment on memorable Super Bowl moments, marking the anniversary of the first ever Super Bowl (1967):
  “Super Bowl memories. I got a ton of them...I remember where I was for every Super Bowl since I was born.” – Rich [39:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Giants Hope:
  “Harbaugh is here because I think he’s the shiny bait that the Giants need...” — Covino [03:51]
• On Giants Historic Streak:
  “The Giants have never really had long term success. And that’s a fact. I know this, we lived in New York. Giant fans were always frustrated and you’d be like, yeah, but you won a Super Bowl. They’re like, yeah, but when we don’t win a Super Bowl, we’re not...” — Rich [10:27]
• On Comparing Giants and Raiders:
  “Which suck disappears first, the Giants or the Raiders? These are two teams that stink, but both teams that... could very well turn it around.” — Rich [11:15]
• Playful Banter:
  “David Letterman would never let any of his guests finish a sentence. He’d always start the next questions. That’s just a... It’s a strategy for all. Both of you.” — Rich & Covino, on their rapid-fire interruptions [17:34]
• Podcast Tone:
  This episode balances sports analysis with typical C&R light-heartedness, Jersey/NYC cultural references, and playful teasing (“You’re wearing your sensitive pants” [17:43]).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Harbaugh Hired – “Pump it Up or Take it Ease?”: [02:23–08:36]
• Giants vs. Raiders: Who Turns It Around First?: [11:15–15:31]
• Live Listener Reaction – Giants Hope: [26:26–27:02]
• Baseball Offseason Sidebar: [27:37–32:43]
• Show and Tell / Super Bowl Memories Intro: [38:11–39:55]

Episode Flow & Insights

• The conversation starts with high-energy NFL playoff talk and transitions into the specifics of the Giants’ hiring Jim Harbaugh, setting the “pump it up/take it ease” tone.
• Playful debate about franchise potential and division strength brings both subjective fan energy and some honest analysis.
• The hosts frequently reference their own lived experiences as New Yorkers and sports fans, which helps relate the sports news to broader listener sentiment.
• The second half of the show leans into interactive segments: fan calls, live chat feedback, and a “Show and Tell” tease, maintaining a brisk, interactive pace.
• Brief but fun detours into baseball free agency and team management remind listeners that the show encompasses a wide world of sports and pop culture.

In Summary

This episode is perfect for listeners wanting a lively, fan-driven take on major NFL news—especially Giants and Raiders fans eager for hope. The “pump it up or take it ease” dichotomy offers a clever local flavor, and the discussion is peppered with humor and listener engagement. Baseball fans and nostalgia buffs will also enjoy the mid-show tangents and Super Bowl anniversary chat.

If you missed the show:

• The consensus: Enjoy the Harbaugh hype, Giants fans, but keep an eye on fundamentals.
• Both Giants and Raiders could see substantial improvements, but the Giants seem to have the clearer path.
• The C&R crew keeps it energetic, irreverent, and always pulling in the audience for a true sports radio party.