[Ed's note: This story has been expanded with online bonus content.]

Just have a few questions here. Hopefully you’ll say something controversial.
[Laughs] I have my moments.

You used to do sports radio in Philly. Is that weird switching markets between rival cities?
Well, I’m from New York originally. The weird part was doing sports talk in Philly.

What was that like?
Well, I’m not a fan of the city, or the town. And I’m not a fan of the teams. But it was fun. I had a fun time being there. It was fun being the contrarian, as a New York fan. I met my wife there, so that was good. So it wasn’t all bad, but I’m much more comfortable here in my backyard.

Is it true that you left Philly because you erroneously claimed then-Flyer Eric Lindros missed a game because he was hungover?
Well, that has been misportrayed by the media, saying that I was inaccurate about that. Bobby Clarke [then GM of the Flyers came out afterward and verified that I was right. I left the station, they didn’t get rid of me. I went down to Florida to be syndicated. It’s just funny how people make up their minds about something and they’re just not right about it.

You claim you convinced the Jets to acquire Brett Favre. Are you giving yourself too much credit?
I’m a conquering hero to the Jet nation for single-handedly bringing Brett Favre to the organization. Make no mistake, I get all the credit for that. The Mets, though, they are the kings of New York! Maybe it was me. I energized and motivated [first baseman Carlos] Delgado. He got tired of hearing me on his case on the radio every morning; that’s probably what it is. I’m sure this fall that I’ll do wonders with the Knicks.

Do you think Favre will make a difference?
I think the fact that they spent a boatload of dough anyway, before they got him, that they were going to be a better team anyway. I think getting Brett Favre, and their good fortune of Tom Brady getting hurt, all of a sudden there’s no reason to think that the Jets can’t win the division, and even make a little run. You never know.

An optimist…
Hey, things are looking good for my team in green, for the first time in a long time.

Has the return of Favre given your broadcast partner, Boomer Esiason, thoughts of a return?
Uh, no. Boomer is very comfortable, having put on about 25 postplaying pounds. Given the choice of being tackled by a 300-pound lineman or dealing with me, believe or not, I think he’d choose the latter.

You’ve been referred to in some circles as the new Don Imus. Why are you so good at offending delicate sensibilities?
My goal every day… We are the voice of the average blue-collar fan, and my opinion about the local teams and the people that own them and make up the rosters is my legitimate opinion, and exactly the same thing that is being said at every tailgate and sports bar in New York. That’s how I approach the show. We don’t do fake radio, we don’t just make stuff up. It’s real, and I think we reach the average fan in a way that hasn’t been done before.