unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

The Eagles' defensive tackle rotation is stacked - anchored by blue chip talent. So how did Milton Williams, a former third-round pick, get in the mix? Far from a household name, Williams started to show signs of promise down the stretch last year, in 2022. Now, the Eagles think Williams is ready for a bigger role. Williams, though, has always believed in himself. His father has, too, maybe even more than Williams himself. But in order to fulfill his NFL dream, Williams had to put in the work, and lots of that work was done on a hill back in Williams' hometown. Join Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane as he gets to know Williams and his roots, and talks to players and coaches about why Williams could be an important piece to the team’s success. Follow Jeff McLane on X. You can read his work at inquirer.com. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

On the field, A.J. Brown is a fierce competitor; brash at times, and clearly one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Off the field, family, friends, and mentors see another side of the Pro Bowler. To them, he’s “Jay,” the mellow, somewhat introverted, humble kid from Starkville, Mississippi. Heck, his mom even calls him a “homebody.” But when it comes to the Eagles’ prospects for 2023 and their chances to get back to the Super Bowl, there’s no question that A.J. Brown is going to have to deliver another superb season the likes of which he produced in his first, record-setting year in Philadelphia. On the Season Two premiere of unCovering the Birds, take a trip down to Mississippi with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane, as he learns more about the people and places that shaped one of the most important members of the Eagles’ roster. Follow Jeff McLane on X. You can read his work at inquirer.com, including the companion story to this podcast, Myself and Mississippi. Producer's note: for this episode, the use of headphones or earbuds is highly recommended to best hear select pieces of sound. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

The 2023 NFL season is almost here, and the Eagles have a huge question to answer: Can they not only get back to the Super Bowl, but this time win it? A year ago, the Eagles came so close to clinching their second-ever championship. There’s no reason to think they can’t contend again. But for as promising as the Eagles’ prospects are, not everything is cut and dry. Key coaches have been replaced. Some positions have holes. There’s also the matter of whether the team can stay as healthy as it did last season. Regardless of how things play out, Jeff McLane will be following the Eagles every step of the way on unCovering the Birds. In Season Two, Jeff will be “covering” the Birds in real time, taking you behind the scenes to pull back the curtain on what makes the team click…or not. Together, we’ll find out: Do the Eagles have what it takes to win it all? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Audacy. You can listen to unCovering the Birds on the Audacy app, Inquirer.com/podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop beginning September 8th, 2023. Follow Jeff McLane, who has been delivering award-winning coverage of the Eagles for The Philadelphia Inquirer for 15 years, on X. You can read his work at inquirer.com/author/mclane_jeff/.

Brandon Graham, Pro Bowler and Philadelphia Eagles player, reflects on his memories of training camp and considers retirement if the Eagles win the championship. He discusses his mentorship of rookie Nolan Smith and his positive impact on the team and the locker room. Admired by his teammates, Graham hopes for a storybook ending to his career.

The NFL is known for a lot, but international diversity is low on the list. So how did an Indian-American land one of the most prominent gigs on the Philadelphia Eagles’ coaching staff? Sean Desai’s success is unequivocally an immigrant story, one underscored by hard work, long odds, and the support of family and friends. But for as much as he recognizes the historic nature of his ascent, Desai wants to be defined by results. His goal is to be the best defensive coordinator in the NFL, and between his training, experience, and the personnel now at his disposal, he believes he’s got what it takes to deliver. On the season finale of unCovering the Birds, Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane retraces Desai’s path, and how it’s shaped the coach and person he’s become.  Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com. unCovering the Birds sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New episodes are released every Friday. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

There’s nothing harder to find in professional sports than a franchise quarterback. It’s a pursuit that all 32 NFL teams obsess over. The Eagles, though, are convinced that for the second time in less than a decade, they’ve got their guy, and are willing to pay a hefty price to keep him around for the long term. But after whiffing on Carson Wentz, why is the Eagles’ brain trust of owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman convinced that this time, in Jalen Hurts, they’ve got it right? What makes them believe Hurts is capable of living up to the massive expectations of his new megadeal, and delivering the city another Super Bowl title? Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane pulls back the curtain on Hurts’ rapid ascent, and the questions the 24-year old faces as he moves forward in his career. Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com.  ‘Embracing the Legacy,’ his feature on Jalen Hurts continuing the Eagles’ Black quarterback pedigree, can be found here. unCovering the Birds sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New episodes are released every Friday. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

Remember Cary Williams? The former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback who one time missed voluntary team workouts to pick out sconces for his home? He was a fiery guy, a passionate player who could also be defiant, antagonistic, and defensive. By and large, during his stint with the Eagles, he was probably known just as much for his personality as he was for his play on the field. But if all you heard or saw from Williams was frustration and anger, then you weren’t paying attention. As Philadelphia Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane reveals, Williams had lots of reasons to be pissed off, from how he was raised, to how the Eagles and Riley Cooper handled a leak of Cooper using a racial slur. Williams might have a complicated past, but he's not afraid to talk about it. Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com. unCovering the Birds sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New episodes are released every Friday. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

Jason Babin was a hell-raiser. On and off the field. It’s a quality that made him both a crippling force on the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line, and, at times, a combative presence inside the team’s locker room. His skill set was tailor-made for a specific style of play, and his personality was a perfect fit for Jim Washburn, the assistant who coached him. But back in 2012, the duo found itself in the middle of a controversial culture clash with head coach Andy Reid. If Babin was so good, what made his exit from Philadelphia so ugly? And how did he, Washburn, and the Wide-9 scheme ultimately play a role in Andy Reid’s undoing? Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane revisits one of the most tumultuous periods in recent Eagles history.  Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com. unCovering the Birds sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New episodes are released every Friday. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

All-pros are important. But every good NFL team needs a couple colorful characters, too. These are the players who know when and how to set the right mood in the locker room and keep things light. For the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles that ultimately won Super Bowl 52, Beau Allen was one of those guys. Beau was a solid defensive lineman who filled an important role. He also came to appreciate the funny, absurd, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that a professional football career offers. From tales of Tebowmania to make-shift parade-route restrooms, Beau shares some of his favorite (and infamous) memories of playing in Philly with Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane.  Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com. unCovering the Birds sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New episodes are released every Friday. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer

Getting drafted in the first round is the dream scenario for just about any aspiring football player. But for former Philadelphia Eagle Marcus Smith, it was a total nightmare, full of hellish professional and personal consequences. What if Smith, a prolific defensive sack artist in college chosen no. 26 overall in 2014, had been taken in the second or third round? What if he’d been drafted by another team instead of the Eagles? Would the prime years of his football career have turned out differently? These are questions the now-retired 31-year-old Smith often asks himself. With the 2023 NFL draft season in full swing, Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane explores Smith’s story, and how being a first-round pick, combined with having deep-seated personal issues, pushed him closer to a life-threatening crossroads.  Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com. Please be advised this episode discusses mental health struggles and suicide. If you need help, call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit its website: https://988lifeline.org/ unCovering the Birds sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New episodes are released every Friday. Host: Jeff McLaneExecutive Producer, Philadelphia Inquirer: Renee IfillDirector of Podcasting, KYW Newsradio: Tom RickertProducer: Brian Seltzer