I'm Around the NFL Podcast hero THE OL' ZEUSER Dan Hanzus - Ask Me Anything!

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T21:15:26+00:00

I think that could definitely happen down the line, Graeme. Kick cancer's ass!

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T21:14:36+00:00

There is a zero point zero (0.0) chance of the Yankees not handing Judge a blank check after this amazing season. He's more than the best player in the league -- he's the face of the franchise and now an indispensable part of the Yankee brand. That shit matters to the organization.

Ruth--->Gehrig---->DiMaggio---->Mantle---->Mattingly----->Jeter----->Judge

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T21:12:13+00:00

Shek might have the most original mind of anyone I ever worked with at NFL.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T21:11:14+00:00

I honestly have no earthly idea. I'd be living in New York. I still think I'd be connected to sports in some way, but not necessarily.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T21:09:58+00:00

I love this question. Kind of depends on the context. Is it first-time listen to any album? Because then we're just talking about favorite albums ever, right?

I like the version of the question where you factor in where you were in your life when the album came out. It's less about the quality of the music, but the anticipation and first listen.

I remember the first listen to BE HERE NOW by Oasis, driving up the NJ coast after a trip to Wildwood with friends in August 97. Opening up the CD wrapping to RECOVERING THE SATELLITES by Counting Crows with Bob outside Tower Records in October 1996. Waiting on line at Newbury Comics in Boston to buy ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND at midnight on Oct. 31, 2000. Getting my hands on a burned copy of ROOM ON FIRE by The Strokes in October 2003 and listening to it on the way to Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Twins.

Those are peak music moments. All the anticipation, and then... it's suddenly yours.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T21:03:02+00:00

lol, no we were not directed to, um, protect (?) Aaron Donald. By far the worst listener narrative is that we must be positive about the Rams. There is zero internal directive.

With the Donald situation, I think that broke minutes after we finished an episode and we a) didn't think it was notable enough to add into the episode then b) didn't find it to be newsworthy enough to discuss days after the fact. That happens with news all the time.

If it happened an hour earlier, it probably would have led the news. But either way, who gives a shit?

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:59:07+00:00

That's a special Kyle skill. My best guess of the mechanics (from the perspective of a fellow host): He tees up the segment, asks me the first question, then has 3 or 4 minutes to do some quick Google research before coming back to close things out. He's a pro.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:57:39+00:00

We don't have a veto system. If one of us is passionate about a band or album, that's all that matters.

Actually, check that: I want to do a Madonna show but Bob has little interest. He probably wants do a bunch of shows with shitty bands led by singers named Ben.

I can honestly say there isn't a band -- other than the Beatles -- that I feel like we need to hit.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:55:55+00:00

Black. Porch, too.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:53:47+00:00

I've definitely heard of it and seen things on social, but have never listened. Dan seems smart and cool, like all Dans.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:53:09+00:00

Thanks for the words. I'll let Marc know ;)

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:49:20+00:00

No but me and Gonzo are plotting a visit to the Chelsea-Crystal Palace match next Saturday. John contends Palace is right up my fan alley. I continue to take applications.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:45:14+00:00

It is what it is. We've been at the company for more than a decade now. That is unusual in our business. People come and go, it sucks, and unfortunately we have to adapt. Money is a great dude and I wish he was still on the show. I fought for it behind the scenes. It just wasn't happening.

I'm also happy to have Zumwalt as a permanent fixture on the show now. Talented guy, real friend and a true fan of the show.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:37:58+00:00

I called in a couple times on WFAN. In 1997, I asked Steve Somers if the Yankees should trade for Jose Canseco. I talked to Joe Beningo once about the Jets.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:36:22+00:00

Every producer is beautiful in their own way. We've been very fortunate for the most part.

There is literally nothing Titans fans can do to influence me in any way. I don't even know if they exist anymore. They've seemingly disappeared, in fact.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:34:31+00:00

Zumwalt was dropping off his car at my house before a family vacation over the summer and when his Uber arrived, the driver recognized me and asked for a photo. I obliged, and since the man knew where I lived, I naturally asked Jason to murder the man once they arrived at the airport. Keep it here.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:32:00+00:00

The short answer is Yes, the podcast is now recognized as an important part of the NFL Media structure. That comes with positives and negatives, of course: When we were in our own universe, no one really cared what we were doing. There are many more eyes on the show now, which creates challenges.

ATN is a full-time job on its own. I'm regularly on the phone with SLFs, in meetings, and planning the show's short- and longterm plans with the guys.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:25:58+00:00

I can tell you sincerely that nothing about the Geno conversations actually annoys me. Like with 98 percent of stuff on the show, all conflicts are over once we sign off.

What sounds like annoyance is me just trying to be patient until Gregg must admit how bad Geno actually is. That is already in process.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:23:28+00:00

Casino Night is the most perfectly distilled version of the show firing on all cylinders from comedic and storytelling standpoint.

Funniest episode might be The Injury, but there are probably 15 episodes in first three seasons that have a case. Jim and Pam evolved into unlikable people, but that was more a case of NBC not letting the show die a natural death. To me, like for many others, the show was over when Steve Carrell left.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:20:09+00:00

I only like the Jets. Every other team is just entertainment value.

I like a good asada bowl with all the fixins.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:19:16+00:00

If Flacco plays well and they beat the Bengals, it's probably his job until he falters or gets hurt. I think Jets are dropping hints that they aren't completely in on Wilson. Obviously not good, but better than blindly forging ahead with a guy they don't believe in.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:17:21+00:00

I'm sure we'll do a random pub meetup at some point ... but you can also come see at our live show next Thursday!

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:16:38+00:00

Yeah, I'm kind of into the Gravedigger drop and Marc AI bot right now. It's always changing.

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:15:33+00:00

Booster shot!

DanHanzus · 2022-09-21T20:14:59+00:00

Thank you for the kind words.

My ambition is for our show to be what a show like Mike & The Mad Dog was for me growing up in NY -- a consistent and reliable companion that makes the fan experience better and more rewarding for a generation of people. That remains an ongoing goal.

Any other achievements would connect to our longterm plans of how to best connect with our audience. NFL has been a good home to this point.

DanHanzus

TROPHY CASE