The first week of Philadelphia Eagles training camp is in the books. What key storylines are taking shape? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane has been embedded at the NovaCare Complex, and checks in with his first impressions of a group eager to embrace a clean slate following a stinging finish last season.

Plus, on the cusp of receiving his profession’s highest honor, legendary Eagles radio play-by-play broadcaster Merrill Reese talks with Jeff about a journey that has taken him from doing live M&M television commercials as a kid to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he’ll be inducted this weekend. 

00:00 Intro / Merrill Reese interview - Part I

06:38 Jeff’s training camp notebook

16:20 Merrill Reese interview - Part II

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout 2024 training camp, and publishing weekly beginning with the start of the regular season.

The first week of Philadelphia Eagles training camp is in the books. What key storylines are taking shape? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s <a href="twitter.com/Jeff_McLane">Jeff McLane</a> has been embedded at the NovaCare Complex, and checks in with his first impressions of a group eager to embrace a clean slate following a stinging finish last season.
Plus, on the cusp of receiving his profession’s highest honor, legendary Eagles radio play-by-play broadcaster Merrill Reese talks with Jeff about a journey that has taken him from doing live M&amp;M television commercials as a kid to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he’ll be inducted this weekend. 
00:00 Intro / Merrill Reese interview - Part I
06:38 Jeff’s training camp notebook
16:20 Merrill Reese interview - Part II
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout 2024 training camp, and publishing weekly beginning with the start of the regular season.

Hosted by Jeff McLane, unCovering the Birds brings you stories you might not have heard about the football team that makes you bleed green. McLane has spent the last decade and a half breaking news, digging up scoops, and delivering readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer award-winning Philadelphia Eagles coverage. On unCovering the Birds, he’ll take you behind the scenes and into the world of the Birds beat with exclusive access and insider perspective.

unCovering the Birds is presented by Wawa. The podcast is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts.

You can listen to unCovering the Birds on the Audacy app, Inquirer.com/podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter, and read more of his work at inquirer.com/author/mclane_jeff/.

Hosted by Jeff McLane, unCovering the Birds brings you stories you might not have heard about the football team that makes you bleed green. McLane has spent the last decade and a half breaking news, digging up scoops, and delivering readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer award-winning Philadelphia Eagles coverage. On unCovering the Birds, he’ll take you behind the scenes and into the world of the Birds beat with exclusive access and insider perspective.
unCovering the Birds is presented by Wawa. The podcast is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts.
You can listen to unCovering the Birds on the Audacy app, Inquirer.com/podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter, and read more of his work at inquirer.com/author/mclane_jeff/.

unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

unCovering: Training camp, Week 1

The Philadelphia Eagles were angry. And on the heels of a painful loss in their home opener, they played like it. From the dominance of the defensive line, to Jalen Hurts' poised, game-winning drive with time running out, the Eagles notched a resilient Week 3 win in New Orleans. Listen as The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane takes you on a tour around the victorious winners’ locker room at the Superdome through interviews with several key contributors. 

Plus, details on how and why Hurts, now in his fifth season, might finally be finding his leadership voice, and a new Pick Six interview with emerging linebacker Nakobe Dean. 

00:00 Jeff chats with C.J. Gardner-Johnson

06:41 Jalen Carter tells Jeff why he thinks his performance vs. Saints was still "trash"

09:48 Jordan Davis explains why the Eagles played angry

13:07 Jalen Hurts and signs of stronger leadership

20:30 'Pick Six' with Nakobe Dean

29:40 Nick Sirianni's fourth-down decisions under the microscope

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game. 

The Philadelphia Eagles were angry. And on the heels of a painful loss in their home opener, they played like it. From the dominance of the defensive line, to Jalen Hurts' poised, game-winning drive with time running out, the Eagles notched a resilient Week 3 win in New Orleans. Listen as The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane takes you on a tour around the victorious winners’ locker room at the Superdome through interviews with several key contributors. 
Plus, details on how and why Hurts, now in his fifth season, might finally be finding his leadership voice, and a new Pick Six interview with emerging linebacker Nakobe Dean. 
00:00 Jeff chats with C.J. Gardner-Johnson
06:41 Jalen Carter tells Jeff why he thinks his performance vs. Saints was still "trash"
09:48 Jordan Davis explains why the Eagles played angry
13:07 Jalen Hurts and signs of stronger leadership
20:30 'Pick Six' with Nakobe Dean
29:40 Nick Sirianni's fourth-down decisions under the microscope
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game.

Week 3 vs. Saints: Playing angry

The Eagles’ home opener on Monday Night Football was there for the taking, and the Atlanta Falcons obliged, pulling off a stunning upset in the final minutes. There were multiple factors that led to the 22-21 loss, which dropped the Eagles to 1-1. But two weeks into the season, one problem has proven more glaring and costly than the rest: the Eagles’ defensive line, a group loaded with blue-chip talent that seemed poised to take a crucial step forward this year. Why has the Eagles’ D-line underperformed? Can practice reps and continued development alone fix their issues? Or, did Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman and his talent evaluators make some missteps in constructing the unit? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane examines these questions in the aftermath of the Eagles’ agonizing defeat.

Plus, with Nick Foles in town for his retirement ceremony at Lincoln Financial Field, Jeff revisits an overlooked “what if” moment from the Super Bowl MVP’s career that, had it gone a different way, might have propelled his legacy to even higher heights. 

00:00 Where the defensive line has gone wrong, and whether the problems can be fixed

15:05 The big "what if?" Nick Foles moment

24:10 Should Vic Fangio get a pass?

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game. 

Here's the article link Jeff referenced in the episode. 

The Eagles’ home opener on Monday Night Football was there for the taking, and the Atlanta Falcons obliged, pulling off a stunning upset in the final minutes. There were multiple factors that led to the 22-21 loss, which dropped the Eagles to 1-1. But two weeks into the season, one problem has proven more glaring and costly than the rest: the Eagles’ defensive line, a group loaded with blue-chip talent that seemed poised to take a crucial step forward this year. Why has the Eagles’ D-line underperformed? Can practice reps and continued development alone fix their issues? Or, did Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman and his talent evaluators make some missteps in constructing the unit? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane examines these questions in the aftermath of the Eagles’ agonizing defeat.
Plus, with Nick Foles in town for his retirement ceremony at Lincoln Financial Field, Jeff revisits an overlooked “what if” moment from the Super Bowl MVP’s career that, had it gone a different way, might have propelled his legacy to even higher heights. 
00:00 Where the defensive line has gone wrong, and whether the problems can be fixed
15:05 The big "what if?" Nick Foles moment
24:10 Should Vic Fangio get a pass?
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game. 
Here's the <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-nick-sirianni-hot-seat-coach-bill-belichick-20240917.html">article link</a> Jeff referenced in the episode.

Week 2 vs. Falcons: Where the D-Line has gone wrong

The Eagles went to Brazil and came back with what they were looking for - a win to open the 2024 season. From Saquon Barkley’s breakout debut to a sturdy showing from the revamped offensive line, there were encouraging signs in the team's 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers. But there was also plenty of room for improvement; issues the Eagles will have to address if they want to become a Super Bowl contender. After watching game tape, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane gives his “good” and “bad” reports from Week 1, and details what he’s been hearing about some potential personnel developments. 

Plus, starting tight end Dallas Goedert joins Jeff for a “Pick Six” question-and-answer segment.

00:00 Telling Week 1 takeaways 

18:01 "Pick Six" with Dallas Goedert

24:01 Linebacker rumblings...

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game. 

The Eagles went to Brazil and came back with what they were looking for - a win to open the 2024 season. From Saquon Barkley’s breakout debut to a sturdy showing from the revamped offensive line, there were encouraging signs in the team's 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers. But there was also plenty of room for improvement; issues the Eagles will have to address if they want to become a Super Bowl contender. After watching game tape, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane gives his “good” and “bad” reports from Week 1, and details what he’s been hearing about some potential personnel developments. 
Plus, starting tight end Dallas Goedert joins Jeff for a “Pick Six” question-and-answer segment.
00:00 Telling Week 1 takeaways 
18:01 "Pick Six" with Dallas Goedert
24:01 Linebacker rumblings...
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game.

unCovering: Training camp, Week 1

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