unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

Latest Episodes:

A Super Bowl visit with Carson Wentz Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

The last time Carson Wentz was in a Super Bowl, he was on the wrong end of a fairy tail script - injured and watching from the sideline as Philadelphia Eagles’ back-up quarterback Nick Foles led the franchise to its first ever title, finishing the job that Wentz started during the regular season before getting hurt. This year, should anything happen to Kansas City starter Patrick Mahomes, Wentz, now the Chiefs’ second-stringer, would be a snap away from being summoned to create a little magic of his own and help the team three-peat. During Super Bowl week in New Orleans, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane spent some time with Wentz, who he hadn’t interviewed in four years. Hear what the former Eagles’ no. 2 draft pick has to say about his outlook for the future, and how the passing of time has allowed him to put his stint in Philadelphia in perspective. Plus, in a new “Pick Six” segment, Jeff chats with Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens about the art of making beef jerky and life on his family’s farm. Jeff also previews some of the key X’s and O’s ahead of Sunday’s clash at Caesars Superdome, and gives his prediction for the game. 00:00 Catching up with Carson Wentz 17:55 “Pick Six” with Cam Jurgens 24:40 Super Bowl 59 matchups and prediction unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Howie and Nick reflect Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

This time a year ago, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni sat next to each other awkwardly on the dais at team headquarters, enduring a barrage of pointed press conference questions as they dissected the franchise’s emphatic failure to live up to the previous season’s Super Bowl run. Adding to the tension was prior speculation about Sirianni’s job, and whether he would return for 2024. Good thing he did. Fast forward to this winter, and the Eagles are back on the NFL’s biggest stage, days away from their latest shot at a second title. What factors gave Roseman the conviction not to blow the Eagles up? How did Sirianni navigate coaching staff changes and months of intense scrutiny to right the ship? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane gives you an all-access press pass to recently-embargoed media sessions with both men, who reflect on this season’s dramatic turnaround. Plus, in a follow-up to a story about Vic Fangio published on the podcast earlier in the season, Jeff dives deeper into the mind of the Eagles’ defensive coordinator through interviews with mentors, coaches, and players Fangio’s crossed paths with over the course of his lengthy career (is it really true he never laughs?). And be sure to stick around for a conversation with Merrill Reese, the Eagles’ Hall of Fame radio play-by-play announcer, who discusses preparing for his latest Super Bowl broadcast. 00:00 Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni reflect 15:52 Inside the mind of Vic Fangio 29:30 Merrill Reese preps for another Super Bowl Links referenced in the podcast: Vic Fangio podcast feature https://www.audacy.com/podcast/uncovering-the-birds-with-jeff-mclane-e8fbc/episodes/week-13-vs-ravens-vic-fangio-at-last-611f1 Jeff’s Fangio profile in the Inquirer https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/vic-fangio-eagles-chiefs-super-bowl-2025-20250205.html unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Saquon in the snow: An oral history Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

It was a dynamic play, a defining moment during the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff run that helped propel the team closer to its second-ever championship. Whether they ultimately achieve that goal remains to be seen. But what’s already certain is that, regardless of the outcome in Super Bowl 59, running back Saquon Barkley’s snow-blanketed, 78-yard touchdown burst in the NFC divisional round against the LA Rams will go down as one of the greatest sequences in Eagles’ postseason history. How did Barkley’s run materialize? Who were the other key players involved? What was going through their minds as it became clear Barkley had busted loose? Relive the MVP candidate’s memorable run with an oral history compiled by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, who recently made the rounds in the Eagles’ locker room to get a step-by-step account of what happened. Plus, in a new “Pick Six” segment, Jeff finds out why this season has been Jahan Dotson’s favorite in his three years in the NFL, despite the wideout posting the lowest numbers of his career. They also dish on Penn State preferences, and the vibes inside the Eagles’ receiver room. 00:00 An oral history: Saquon Barkley’s snow-covered, 78-yard touchdown run 11:36 “Pick Six” with Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson Links referenced in this episode: NFL Films’ clip of Saquon Barkley’s 78-yard touchdown vs. LA Rams https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/1i66rfu/highlight_nfl_films_footage_of_the_78_yard_saquon/ Vote for unCovering the Birds for the Pen and Pencil Club’s Philly News Awards! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CVEk9HIqnFFM3JqaedQRV_XoecIUatZMv9zxJEZKTRY/viewform?edit_requested=true unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Championship Game vs. Commanders: Super vibes Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Jalen Hurts puffed a big a** cigar. Gillie da kid led a dance party. A pair of team-changing rookies basked in the shine of new hardware. These were just some of the snapshots from the Philadelphia Eagles’ victorious locker room following their NFC championship win over the Washington Commanders. Want to hear more? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane serves as your fly on the wall during the Eagles’ postgame celebration, and frames key factors that not only helped the team get back to the Super Bowl, but will also likely determine whether the group can exact revenge on the Kansas City Chiefs for a second championship. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Divisional Round vs. Rams: A tale of two Jalens Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

With all due respect to the quarterback, maybe we should be spending more time talking about the other “Jalen” on the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster. For as up and down a performance as Jalen Hurts endured in the Eagles’ Divisional playoff matchup with the LA Rams, Jalen Carter proved an indomitable force, especially in crunch time. It’s hard to imagine his team surviving the nail-biter without him. In just his second year, Carter is becoming known as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Should he be getting even more love? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane puts the rising star’s season into context, and examines one of the most underrated aspects of his game. Plus, with Hurts and the passing attack continuing to struggle in the postseason, Jeff asks around to see if he can get a better sense of what the Eagles can do to right the ship. And be sure to check out the latest installment of our “Pick Six” interview series. This week, Jeff talks to Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who explains the origins of his ‘DJ Oreo’ nickname and the inspiration behind some of his dance moves. 00:00 The “other” Jalen, and his rising star 10:20 Can the passing game get on track? Does it need to? 25:11 Pick Six with Jordan Davis 31:48 Setting the table for Round 3 vs. Washington unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Wild Card Round vs. Packers: "IDGAF" Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

The Eagles hear your concerns about the (lack of) offensive style points in their NFC Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers. They know everyone’s got thoughts about which team they match up best against in the next round. Guess what? To borrow a phrase used by several players inside the victorious postgame locker room at Lincoln Financial Field, they “don’t give a f***.” Not because they’re being dismissive of fans or media, but because they understand that, in the playoffs, the bottom line is all that matters when faced with win-or-go-home stakes. And while the offense had its struggles against Green Bay, the defense was once again dominant, a sign The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane considers auspicious for the Eagles’ Super Bowl chances. Listen to his insights from the Eagles’ postseason opener, and analysis of the team’s rematch with the LA Rams. Also, breakout rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean joins Jeff for his latest “Pick Six” interview, and talks about growing up in a tiny midwest town, only to get to know WNBA star Caitlin Clark when she and DeJean overlapped at the University of Iowa. Plus, Jeff speaks with Eagles free-agents-to-be Milton Williams and Zack Baun about the excitement of the present, and uncertainty of their respective futures. 00:00 The Eagles' “IDGAF” mindset 04:42 Defense shines vs. Packers 15:15 What’s next for Milton Williams, Zack Baun, and other free-agents-to- be? 23:03 “Pick Six” with Cooper DeJean 31:07 Previewing the Rams unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Week 18 vs. Giants: Looking back, ahead to Packers Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

45 player interviews. An array of perspectives. This was the assignment The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane embarked on over the final two weeks of the regular season, during which he spoke with nearly every member of the Philadelphia Eagles’ revolving 53-man roster for his annual year-in-review player survey. On the heels of a bounce back 14-3 regular season, Jeff polled players on five big picture topics: team MVP, most memorable moment, turning point, unheralded player, and areas of personal growth and development. As the Eagles get ready to start their postseason run, listen back on the defining storylines from 2024 through the eyes of the players who lived them. Plus, Jeff previews the Eagles’ NFC WildCard playoff matchup with the Green Bay Packers, a team the Eagles defeated in the season opener. 00:00 Setting the stage for the playoffs 04:07 Jeff McLane’s annual end-of-regular season player survey: team MVP, most memorable moment, turning point, unheralded player, and areas of personal growth and development 32:11 Previewing the Green Bay unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Week 16 vs. Commanders: Sorting through the slop Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

Byproduct of circumstance and the absence of key personnel, or warning signs of reasons for concern? What should be made of the Philadelphia Eagles’ disappointing last-second loss to Washington that halted a franchise-record 10-game winning streak, and diminished the Eagles’ chances of earning the no. 1 playoff seed in the NFC?The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane takes a measured look at the issues that surfaced against the Commanders, and addresses what the team can do about problems it can control, and others it can’t - namely, the status of injured quarterback Jalen Hurts. Plus, Jeff examines the underrated yet undeniably great season being put together by left tackle Jordan Mailata, who’s making a strong case for his first Pro Bowl bid. And did you catch that awkward exchange between head coach Nick Sirianni and former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz after the Commanders game? Jeff has the scoop on what happened. 00:00 Sorting through the slop from the loss to Washington 13:01 What happened between Nick Sirianni and Zach Ertz during their postgame handshake? 17:03 Jordan Mailata makes bid for first Pro Bowl 27:18 Previewing the Cowboys, Round 2 unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Week 15 vs. Steelers: Getting 'passed' the Hurts-Brown drama Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

First came a bombshell comment. Then, some backtracking and heart-to-hearts, followed by a few tears. In the end, there was reconciliation, capped by a most impressive win. All in a week’s work for the surging Philadelphia Eagles, which overcame internal tension stemming from Brandon Graham’s viral comments on WIP and a tough opponent in the Pittsburgh Steelers to earn a franchise-record 10th victory in a row. The Eagles now share the top record in the NFC, and look as much like a Super Bowl contender as any team in the NFL. What happened behind the scenes at NovaCare Complex last week? How did the Eagles manage to weather the media storm? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports on the saga that seemed to consume everyone outside the organization, but not many people within it. Plus, veteran outside linebacker Josh Sweat joins Jeff for this week’s “Pick Six,” and shares his tips on computer building, leadership, and when to switch your number. 00:00 - Behind-the-scenes of a saga 23:08 - “Pick Six” with Josh Sweat 33:20 - Postseason implications unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Week 14 vs. Panthers: Saquon, the Chosen Savior Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

From backwards hurdles to dazzling touchdown runs, whenever Saquon Barkley makes a big play on the field, people notice. Behind the scenes, his gestures are more subtle, but the impact is just as significant. It could be a dap for an anxious rookie, or an invitation to a third-stringer to come over for Thanksgiving dinner. In speaking to over a dozen members of the Philadelphia Eagles organization in recent weeks, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane came away with a unanimous consensus: players and coaches love the addition of Barkley, both to the depth chart and in the locker room. With the Eagles continuing to close in on the playoffs, find out why Barkley has been an ideal fit, and how his presence and intangibles should be enough to spare the team an inglorious fate the likes of which it suffered last year. 00:00 Saquon Barkley, Part I: The “special dude” 17:40 Saquon Barkley, Part II: The “enforcer” unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected