unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

The Eagles’ 3-0 start to the 2025 regular season has been full of imperfections, but the NFL is a bottom line business, and the defending Super Bowl champs have shown a remarkable knack for adapting to whatever circumstances are needed to win. Their latest victory, an epic 33-26 comeback over the LA Rams, featured a second half for the ages, capped by defensive lineman Jordan Davis blocking a would-be game-winning field goal and racing it back for a walk-off touchdown. Are the adjustments the Eagles made in erasing a 19-point deficit sustainable, or will they prove to be a flash in the pan? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Marcus Hayes look at what needs to carry to Week 4’s trip to another one of the league’s unbeaten teams, Tampa Bay. 00:00 An imperfectly perfect 3-0 start 01:10 First reactions to walk-off win over Rams 03:58 The double-edged sword of Nick Sirianni’s sideline temperament 05:43 The truth to AJ Brown’s comments about letting Eagles’ “killers” do their thing 11:50 Why it might be time to take off the “kid gloves” with Jalen Hurts 17:49 Second-half changes on offense: promising or a mirage? 19:40 Will this be the year Hurts and the Eagles break Todd Bowles’ Tampa hex? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Jalen Hurts might not be the fastest. He might not be the most agile or smooth either. In spite of all that, Hurts has still established himself as one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks of all-time, and he’s done it by relying on a signature move. From his days playing football in the neighborhood just outside Houston to his ascent to Philadelphia Eagles’ star, Hurts has turned the “Dead Leg” into a serious weapon. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane talks to the Super Bowl MVP about the origins, evolution, and effectiveness of his maneuver, while also exploring ways the Eagles could expand Hurts’ role even more in the ground game. 00:00 Meet the ‘Dead Leg’ 03:21 The origins of a signature move 10:58 How Nick Sirianni and Nick Patullo can expand Hurts’ impact on the ground game unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes dropping each week throughout the season.

The Eagles’ 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs was a good win. Pretty? Not so much, at least on the offensive side of the ball. The passing attack didn’t really establish a deep threat (again). There wasn’t much rhythm to the play calling. But when you go on the road and defeat an opponent hungry and motivated to avenge an embarrassing loss in the Super Bowl just seven months earlier, should style points matter? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Mike Sielski debate this question, and explain why, for as much as the offense has looked disjointed through two games, Eagles fans should have plenty of confidence in the club’s defense. 00:00 “Like a home-cooked meal, but the steak was tough” 01:07 Sorting through some of the warning signs on offense 14:30 The most encouraging signs from Vic Fangio’s defense after two games 16:14 Have the Eagles’ found their new safety in Andrew Mukuba? 21:07 Enjoy the Tush Push (while it lasts…) unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

What should we make of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s debut? It’s an obvious question, one that calls back directly to one of the most significant subplots of a season in which the Philadelphia Eagles are bidding for a second straight title. The answer, however, is less clear. Were there positives to pull from the offense’s performance in the Eagles’ opening night, 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys? Absolutely. But the group struggled as well, particularly in the second half. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane analyzes the state of the Eagles' offense after one game, and looks ahead to key adjustments Patullo needs to make with week two's Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs looming. 00:00 What should we make of Kevin Patullo’s debut as offensive coordinator? 12:33 Patullo’s close relationship with head coach Nick Sirianni, and why it could prove a double-edged sword 18:09 Get A.J. Brown the ball! unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

The Eagles’ opener was a lot of things - ugly, bad, and, ultimately in terms of the outcome, good. Jalen Hurts? Nice! Jalen Carter? Yikes. Adoree’ Jackson? Is it already time to move on? It’s early, just one game. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane isn’t ready to make any blanket statements or knee jerk reactions, but he does have some first impressions from the Eagles’ 2025 debut. Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Olivia Reiner joins the podcast to recap the 24-20 victory over the Cowboys. 00:00 What was Jalen Carter thinking? What are Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman thinking? 05:47 Why Jeff was all in on Jalen Hurts’ performance 07:57 Olivia looks at A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and the rest of the offense 11:38 Already time to move on from Adoree’ Jackson? 15:09 It wasn’t all bad on defense… 17:04 Final thoughts on Carter, and how the spitting incident reflects on unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

It was a long preseason and, quite frankly, a pretty dull one, too. In other words, for a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, which kept its core intact and is looking to accomplish the exact same thing this year as last year, it was perfect. But don’t let the lack of drama or juicy position battles fool you. The reigning Super Bowl champions still have some big questions to answer once they start playing for keeps Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field against the Dallas Cowboys. Will Saquon Barkley, recently voted the no. 1 player in the NFL, be able to dodge the presumptive defensive target on his back? Is the secondary deep enough to withstand the offseason departures of key veterans? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane tackles these issues and more as he sets the table for the 2025 regular season. 00:00 Time to get down to regular season business 02:45 Forget the yards - what type of season do the Eagles need Saquon Barkley to have? 08:59 Tyler Steen won a starting job. Is he ready? 17:40 True of false: we should be worried about the secondary 24:00 On edge about...EDGE unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

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.