unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

The offense hasn't looked great, and the defense is still searching for answers at certain positions. But Jalen Hurts' vibes? They're all good, and noticeably different from last season. What's the reason for the change? The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane explores this questions, while addressing other key issues that emerged during the Eagles' joint practice sessions this past week with the Cleveland Browns. 00:00 A different Jalen Hurts? 5:05 What’s up with the offense? 9:32 Jalen Hurts’ growth 14:35 DeVonta Smith up with A.J. Brown down 17:51 Landon Dickerson: short-term relief, long-term concerns? 22:15 The state of the secondary, three weeks into camp 27:43 How Jordan Davis turned his stock around unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

It was one of the most infamous spectacles in Philadelphia sports history: Terrell Owens working out in his driveway, hours after getting kicked out of training camp. The backdrop was a months-long contract dispute. Owens, the electric wide receiver who finally helped the Eagles get to their lone Super Bowl of the Andy Reid - Donovan McNabb era, felt that he deserved more money than he signed for a year earlier. The Eagles’ front office, led by team president Joe Banner, thought differently. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the August 10th, 2005 incident, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane looks back on the behind-the-scenes details - and absurdities - of the standoff, with help from former offensive coordinator Brad Childress and fellow Eagles beat reporter Bob Brookover, who, like Jeff, was in T.O.’s driveway when the ordeal happened. Plus, in this week’s “Extra Point” segment, Jeff shares what he’s been hearing about quarterback Tanner McKee, and other players who left impressions - good and bad - from the Eagles’ 34-27 preseason-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals. 00:00 Tales from T.O.’s driveway 26:35 Eye-openers and disappointments from Eagles preseason win over Bengals unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

To run or not to run? With Jalen Hurts entering his fifth season as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, the question becomes increasingly pertinent. Listen, there’s no doubting the dynamic that Hurts’ legs bring to the Eagles’ offense. For proof, look no further than the backbreaking scrambles he delivered in the team’s dominant Super Bowl victory over Kansas City in February. But as Hurts approaches his 27th birthday (August 7th), while already having reached the notable milestone of 75 career starts, his workload on the ground relative to his peers around the NFL takes on greater significance. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane begins his journey through the Eagles’ 2025 season by examining Hurts’ role in the run game. Plus, on the heels of Jeff Stoutland receiving a deserved award, Jeff shares a couple stories about the revered offensive line coach, and ponders how much longer Stoutland might stay on the job. 00:00 Will Jalen Hurts run less this season? 15:05 The legend of Jeff Stoutland continues to grow unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

How prepared are the Eagles to defend their Super Bowl title? This question likely won’t get answered until the regular season kicks off in a few months. Odds are, it might even take longer than that; a few games, perhaps, to gauge the Eagles’ 2025 potential. But one thing is for sure: NFL teams begin building their DNA and habits in the spring through organized team activities and minicamps. With the Eagles having wrapped up their workouts earlier this week, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane takes account of everything he saw and heard down at Eagles headquarters, and, based on early tea leaves, forecasts what to expect going into training camp - especially on defense, where coordinator Vic Fangio will once again have to manage substantial personnel turnover. 00:00 “Fake news” 05:18 Will this be Jordan Davis’ year? 11:09 Bye bye Bryce Huff; hello new opportunities for edge rushers 16:12 Jihad Campbell update 19:49 Cooper DeJean could have dual role 23:43 Replacing C.J. Gardner-Johnson 27:45 What to expect from offense unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

There are lots of sources you can go to for comprehensive NFL Draft analysis, but there’s only one Mike Mayock. The suburban Philadelphia native and The Haverford School graduate played a few years in the league after a strong stint at Boston College, but his biggest claim to fame is indisputably as a draft expert. Between his seemingly endless familiarity with prospects and an ability to articulate their fits with NFL teams, Mayock has earned a reputation as a go-to draft guru. So, that’s who The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane turned to when he wanted to go in-depth on the Eagles’ 2025 draft picks. From the move up to nab Alabama's Jihaad Campbell to rumblings that other general managers were reluctant to do deals with Howie Roseman, Mayock examines the Eagles’ rookies with two questions in mind: do they have the potential to positively impact the franchise’s title defense, and can they make up for talent lost earlier in the offseason? 00:00 Tackling the Eagles’ moves in the 2025 NFL Draft with analyst Mike Mayock 04:03 First-round pick Jihaad Campbell: where to play him and injury concerns 12:28 Second-round selection Andrew Mukuba: does size really matter? 19:45 Don’t sleep on the third-day prospects 26:05 What’s been Howie Roseman’s secret to drafting quality starters in recent years? 33:47 Rumor or real life: Are other GMs avoiding trades with Roseman? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

Imagine this: you’ve got an exclusive, high-profile, high-pressure gig; only 31 other people on the planet do what you do. You’re on vacation; your regular spot in a relatively obscure location. Then, off in the distance, you see someone familiar approaching. Could it really be one of your professional peers, out for a leisurely bike ride in the same vacation town? A little more than a decade ago, longtime Baltimore Ravens executive Ozzie Newsome and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman weren’t close. A chance encounter along the Alabama gulf shore changed that, and sowed the seeds for a valuable friendship - personal and professional - between the two NFL personnel men. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane examines the role that Newsome’s mentorship and other key moments in Roseman’s life have played in propelling the Eagles’ GM to the top of his profession. 00:00 A chance encounter with Howie Roseman 04:38 Jake Rosenberg reflects on life with a young Howie 06:47 What makes Roseman a great GM? 13:54 In lockstep with Jeffrey Lurie 18:50 The Chip Kelly crisis 28:18 Another shot 36:24 Roseman’s legacy unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

The weather in Palm Beach during the annual NFL owners meetings was touch-and-go by South Florida standards. One attendee, however, was certainly shining brighter than most. Yes, Jeffrey Lurie, on the heels of his Philadelphia Eagles winning a second Super Bowl title in seven years, was aglow. Not only that, his public comments sent a clear message to the rest of the league: he expects the franchise to keep winning, and winning big. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane reads between the lines of Lurie's remarks at the owners meetings, and also sits down with Sportsradio WIP’s Hugh Douglas, who recently aired some thoughts on his show about Jeff's personality. 00:00 Jeff addresses his supposed "dry" personality 05:28 Hugh Douglas explains his comments, talks Eagles 24:14 A debrief from the NFL owners meetings unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

We know Howie Roseman is passionate. Obsessive, too. These traits have revealed themselves constantly throughout his 15-year tenure as the Philadelphia Eagles’ general manager, propelling him to the top of his profession. The characteristics, however, show up in other parts of his life as well, specifically one of his favorite endeavors away from the game. Join The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLaneas he chats with Roseman about his “other” big obsession, and explores how it overlaps and has become intertwined with his day job - building a championship-winning roster for one of the most successful NFL franchises in the last decade. 00:00 Howie Roseman's other obsession 05:10 A serious eater 09:13 The origins of a foodie 15:53 How Roseman's football and foodie worlds intertwine unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

It’s been a little more than a month since the Philadelphia Eagles smashed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. While the Eagles’ front office has been forced to move on from the victory rather quickly due to a flurry of offseason activity, the afterglow from the team’s second championship run still remains strong. A recent live taping of unCovering the Birds between The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Eagles Radio Network analyst Mike Quick demonstrated as much. At FitlerClub in Center City, the duo discussed plenty of topical items, from recent free agency developments to new coaching hires, but also put key storylines from the Eagles’ 2024 title run into perspective: Where does Jalen Hurts belong in conversations about elite NFL quarterbacks? How has Nick Sirianni become so effective at his job in such a relatively short period of time? And what makes Saquon Barkley one of Mike’s favorite all-time Eagles? Plus, Jeff and Mike take questions from the audience. Listen to hear great stories from the Eagles’ historic season, and find out if Jeff and Mike think the team is capable of bringing another parade to Broad Street next year. 05:16 Reaction to recent free agency developments 19:17 How Nick Sirianni is evolving and maturing as an NFL head coach 24:22 Is there any reason why Jalen Hurts should not be considered an elite NFL quarterback? 27:22 Kevin Patullo has never called plays in the NFL; should we be concerned? 33:12 Why Saquon Barkley instantly became one of Mike’s favorite Eagles 46:19 Rapid fire 52:00 Jeff’s big reveal to Mike, audience Q&A unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

The scouting combine. It’s the NFL’s ultimate mixer. Every year, prospects, powerbrokers, pundits, and aspiring professionals in the football industry descend on Indianapolis at the end of February for a week of talent evaluation, networking, and late nights. The TV networks covering the combine want you to see the drills, testing, and player soundbites. The reality, though, is that the real action takes place outside of public view, as covert conversations begin to shape the offseason’s juiciest storylines. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane is a veteran of the combine. From the corridors of Lucas Oil Stadium to the white cloth-covered tables at the legendary St. Elmo Steakhouse, tag along for an immersive, behind-the-scenes glimpse at one of the NFL’s busiest, high-profile events. 00:00 Behind the scenes at the NFL Combine 26:37 Who's next? Eagles that need to step up in 2025 unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.